INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SYSTEM

1. INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SYSTEM 1

2. SOME DEFINITIONS

3. Dataare facts or recordedmeasures of certainphenomena (things or events). Data are values of qualitative(verbal) or quantitative(numerical)variables, belonging to a set of items. Data in computingare represented in a structure, often tabular (represented by rows and columns), or a graph structure. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be visualised using graphs or images. Raw data, i.e., unprocessed data, refers to a collection of numbers, characters and is a relative term. 1

4. Informationis data formatted (structured) to supportdecision making or define therelationship between two facts Informationis a sequence(dizi)of symbols that can be interpreted as a message. Information can be recorded as signs, or transmitted as signals. Information is any kind of event that affects the state of a dynamic system that can interpret the information. Conceptually, information is the message being conveyed(iletmek). Therefore, in a general sense, information is "Knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance". Information cannot be predicted and resolves uncertainty 1

5. International intelligenceis the subsetof data and information that actually has someexplanatory power enabling effective managerial decisionsto be made. Özelamaçlı International intelligenceis a set of theories, methodologies, processes, architectures, and technologiesthat transform raw data into meaningful and useful information for international purposes. II can handle large amounts of information to help identify and develop new opportunities. Making use of new opportunities and implementing an effective strategy can provide a competitive market advantage and long-term stability.BI technologies provide historical, current and predictive views of international operations. 1

6. Common functions of international intelligence technologies are ∆Reporting, ∆ online analytical , ∆ processing, ∆ analytics, ∆ process mining, ∆ complex event processing, ∆ international performance, ∆ management, ∆ benchmarking, (kıyaslama) ∆ text mining, ∆ predictive analytics, ∆ prescriptive(öngören)analytics, ∆ data mining. 1

7. The Characteristics of Valuable Information Relevance Quality Timeliness Completeness 1

8. Relevance Relevance(ilişki)is the characteristics of data reflecting how pertinent(ilgili)these particular facts are to the situationat hand. The facts are logically connected to the situation. One particularly useful way todistinguish relevance from irrelevance is to think about how things change. Relevant data are factsabout things that can be changed, and if they are changed, it will materially alter(değiştirmek)the situation. 1

9. Quality Data quality is the degree to which data represent the true situation. High-quality data are accurate,valid, and reliable, issues we discuss in detail later. High-quality data representreality faithfully. Sometimes, researchers will try to obtain the same data from multipledata sources as one check on its quality. Data quality is a critical issue in international research, and itwill be discussed throughout this text. 1

10. Timeliness international is a dynamic field in which out-of-date information can lead to poor decisions. internationalinformation must be timely—that is, provided at the right time. Computerized informationsystems can record events and dispense(uygulamak)relevant information soon after the event. A great deal ofinternational information becomesavailable almost at the moment that a transaction occurs. Timelinessmeans that the data are current enough to still be relevant. 1

11. Completeness Information completeness refers to having the right amount of information. Managers must havesufficient information about all aspects of their decisions. For example, a company consideringestablishing a production facility in Eastern Europe may plan to analyze former Soviet-bloccountries. Population statistics, GDP, and information on inflation rates may be available on allcountries. However, information about unemployment levels may be available for only some of the countries. If information about unemployment or other characteristics cannot be obtained,the information is incomplete. Often incomplete information leads decision makers to conducttheirowninternationalresearch. 1

12. International Knowledge Management 1

13. International knowledge is a blend(harmanlanmış)of previous experience, insight(kavrama), and data thatforms organizational memory. It provides a framework that can be thoughtfully applied whenassessing a international problem. international researchers and decision makers usethis knowledge to helpcreate solutions to strategic and tactical problems. Thus, knowledge is a key resource and a potentialcompetitive advantage. 1

14. International Knowledge management is the process of creating an inclusive(kapsamlı), comprehensive(geniş), easily accessible organizational memory, which can be called the organization’s intellectual capital. The purpose of knowledge management is to organize the intellectual capital of an organization in a formally structured way for easy use. Knowledge is presented in a way that helps managers comprehend and act on that information and make better decisions in all areas of international. 1

15. Knowledge management systems are particularly useful in making data available across the functional areas of the firm. Thus, marketing, management, and financial knowledge can be integrated. Recent research demonstrates how knowledge management systems are particularly useful in new product development andintroduction. 1

16. EXAMPLE: The firm’s sales force plays a particularly useful role in the knowledge management process. Salespeople are in a key position to have a lot of knowledge about customers and the firm’s capabilities. 1

17. Benefits of Knowledge Management Ө Encourages innovation through improved information and knowledge-handling ability Ө Increases competitiveness because overall organizational knowledge will increase the responsiveness of the organization Ө Improves customer service by encouraging relationship development and meeting customer expectation. Ө Enhances employees effectiveness and moral Ө Cerates effective organizational memory 1

18. Global Information Systems is an organized collection of computerhardware, software, data, and personnel designed to capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze,and immediately display information about worldwide international activities. Aglobal informationsystem is a tool for providing past, present, and projected information on internal operations andexternal activity. 1

19. Using satellite communications, high-speedmicrocomputers, electronic datainterchanges, fiber optics, data storage devices, and other technologicaladvances in interactivemedia, global information systems are changing the nature of international. 1

20. International DicisionSupportSystem is storingdata and transformingthem into organized informationthat is easily accessible to managers. Doing so saves managers countless hours so that decisionsthat might take days or even weeksotherwise can be made in minutes using a DSS. Modern decision support systems greatly facilitate (kolaylaştırmak) customer relationship management (CRM).A CRM system is the part of the DSS that addresses exchanges between the firm and its customers. 1

21. It brings together information about customers including sales data, market trends, marketingpromotions and the way consumers respond to them, customer preferences,and more. A CRMsystem describes customer relationships in sufficient detail so that financial directors, marketingmanagers, salespeople, customer servicerepresentatives, and perhaps the customers themselves canaccess informationdirectly, match customer needs with satisfying product offerings, remindcustomersof service requirements, and know what other products a customer has purchased. 1

22. Database is a collection of raw data arranged logically and organized in a form that can be storedand processed by a computer. A customer mailing list is one type of database. Population characteristicsmay be recorded by state, county, and city in another database. Production figures andcosts can come from internal company records. Modern computer technology makes both thestorage and retrieval(geri alma)of this information easy and convenient. 1

23. Data warehousing is the process allowing important day-to-day operational data to be storedand organized for simplified access.Data warehouse management requires that the detailed data from operationalsystems be extracted, transformed, placed into logical partitions (for example,daily data, weekly data, etc.), and stored in a consistent(uygun) manner. 1

24. STATISTICAL DATABASES Statistical databases contain numerical data for analysis and forecasting. Often demographic, sales,and other relevant international variables are recorded by geographical area. Geographic informationsystems use these geographical databases and powerful software to prepare computer maps of relevantvariables. 1

25. Networks andElectronic Data Interchange Individualpersonalcomputerscan be connectedthroughnetworkstoothercomputers. Networking involves linking two or more computersto share dataand software. Electronic data interchange (EDI) systems integrate one company’scomputersystemdirectlywithanothercompany’ssystem. 1

26. Much ofthe input to a company’sdecisionsupportsystemmaycomethroughnetworksfromothercompanies’ computers. Companiessuch as ComputerTechnology Corporation andMicroelectronics data servicesallowcorporationstoexchange international information with suppliers or customers. 1

27. How Is the Internet Useful in Research? ACCESSING AVAILABLE DATA COLLECTING DATA 1

28. ACCESSING AVAILABLE DATA The Internet allows instantaneous and effortless access to a great deal ofinformation. Noncommercialand commercial organizations make a wealth of data and other resources available on theInternet. For example, the U.S.Library of Congress provides full text of all versions of Houseand Senate legislation and full text of the Congressional Record. 1

29. COLLECTING DATA Questionnairescan be posted on a Web siteand respondents can be invited to go to the particular site and participate in the survey. Thiscuts down on the expense associated with traditional mail surveys and also reduces errorsince thedata can be automatically recorded rather than transcribed from a paper form into an electronic format. Furthermore, when a consumer usesthe World Wide Web, his or her usage leaves a recordthat can be traced and observed. 1

30. international problem definition involves stating the general problem and identifying the specific components of theinternationalresearch problem. Only when the internationalresearch problem has beenclearly defined can research be designed and conducted properly. Of all the tasks in amarketing research project, none is more vitalto the ultimate fulfilment of a client’sneeds than an accurate and adequate definition of the research problem. 1

31. problem definition refersto the processof defining and developing a decision statement and the steps involved in translating it into moreprecise research terminology, including a set of research objectives. If this process breaks down at anypoint, the research will almost certainly beuseless or even harmful. 1

32. It will be useless if it presentsresults that simply aredeemed(farzetmek)irrelevant and do not assist in decision making. It can be harmful bothbecause of the wasted resources and because it may misdirect the company ina poor direction. 1

33. The Problem-Definition ProcessSteps Understand the international situation 2. Identify key problem(s) from symptoms(belirtiler) 3. Write managerial decision statement and corresponding research objectives 4. Determine the unit of analysis 5. Determine the relevant variables 6. Write research questions and/or research hypotheses 1

34. Understandthe internationalDecision A situation analysis involves the gathering of background information to familiarize researchersand managers with the decision-making environment. The situation analysis can be written upas a way of documenting the problemdefinition process. Thesituationanalysis begins with an interview between the researcher and management. 1

35. 2. IdentifyingSymptoms(belirti) Interviews with key decision makers also can be one of the best ways to identify key problemsymptoms. Once symptoms are identified, then the researcher must probe to identify possiblecauses of these changes. Probing(tahkik)is an interview technique that tries to draw deeperand moreelaborate explanations from the discussion. This discussion may involve potential problem causes. This probing process will likely be very helpful in identifying key variables that are prime candidatesforstudy. 1

36. Identifying the Relevant Issues from the Symptoms Anticipating(tahmin)the many influences and dimensions of a problem is impossible for any researcheror executive. The preceding(önceki)interview is extremely useful intranslating the decision situationinto a working problem definition by focusing on symptoms. 1

37. EXAMPLES: when a firm has a problem with advertising effectiveness, the possible causesof this problem may be low brand awareness, the wrong brand image, use of the wrong media,or perhaps too small a budget. 1

38. 3. WritingManagerialDecisionStatementsandCorrespondingResearchObjectives The situation analysis ends once researchers have a clear idea of the managerial objectives fromtheresearcheffort. Adecision statement that says in what “ways” a problem can be solved is better than onethat says in what “way” a problem can be solved.Ultimately, research may provide evidenceshowing results of several ways a problem can be attacked. 1

39. 4. Determine the Unit of Analysis The unit of analysis for a study indicates what or who should provide the data and at what level ofaggregation(yığıştırma). Researchers specify whether an investigationwill collect data about individuals (suchas customers, employees, and owners), households (families, extended families, and so forth), organizations(businesses and business units), departments (sales, finance, and so forth), geographicalareas, or objects (products, advertisements, and so forth). 1

40. 5. Determine RelevantVariables What things should be studied to address a decision statement? Researchers answer this questionby identifying key variables. A variable is anything that varies or changes from one instance toanother. Variables can exhibit differences in value, usually in magnitude or strength, or in direction.In research, a variable is either observed or manipulated, in which case it is an experimentalvariable. 1

41. The converse of a variable is a constant. A constant is something that does notchange. Constantsare not useful in addressing research questions. Sinceconstants don’t change, managementisn’t very interested in hearing the key tothe problem is something that won’t or can’t be changed. 1

42. TYPES OF VARIABLES Mathematically continuousvariable Discretevariable is one that can take on a range of values that correspond to somequantitativeamountand can be divededgradually. Age, income, weight kg, distance km etc. is one that indicates membership in some group. Can not be diveded. gender, profession, education, livingdistricts, cities, contries,names, etc. 1

43. TYPES OF VARIABLES Causality Independentvariable Dependentvariable is one that affectsothervariables. A variable that isexpected toinfluencethedependentvariablein someway. Willexplainlater. is one that be affectedbyothervariables. A process outcome or a variablethat is predictedand/orexplainedbyothervariables, willexplainlater. 1

44. 6. Write Research Objectives and Questions Both managers and researchers expect problem-definition efforts to result in statements of researchquestions and research objectives. At the end of the problem-definition stage, the researcher Both managers and researchers expect problem-definition efforts to result instatements of researchquestions and research objectives. Research questions express the research objectives in terms of questions thatcan be addressedby research. 1

45. The Proposal as a Planning Tool 1

46. Preparation of a research proposal forces the researcher to think critically about each stage of theresearch process. Ambiguouse(belirsiz) plans, abstract ideas, and sweeping(geniş)generalizations about problems orprocedures must become concrete and precise statements about specific events. Data requirementsand research procedures must be specified clearly so others may understand their exact implications.All ambiguities about why and how the research will be conducted must be clarifiedbeforetheproposal is complete. The researcher submits the proposal tomanagement for acceptance, modification, or rejection. 1

47. Research clients(management) evaluate the proposed study with particular emphasis onwhether or not it will provide useful information, and whether it will do so within areasonableresource budget. Initial proposals are almost always revised after the first review. The proposal helps managers decide if the proper information will be obtained and if theproposed research will accomplish what is desired. If the problem has not been adequatelytranslated into a set of specific researchobjectives and a research design, the client’s assessmentof the proposal will helpensure that the researchers revise it to meet the client’s informationneeds. 1

48. DUMMY TABLES One such tool that is perhaps the best way to let management know exactly what kind of resultswill be produced by research is the dummy table. Dummy tables are placed in research proposalsand are exact representations of theactual tables that will show results in the final reportwith one exception: Theresults are hypothetical. They get the name because the researcherfills in, or “dummies up,” the tables with likely but fictitious data. Dummy tables includethetables that will present hypothesis test results. In this way, they are linkeddirectly to researchobjectives. 1

49. Table 1: Frequency of usinganyproductaccordingtogender 1

50. Information Technology pulltechnology pushtechnology 1