CHAPTER 1 Managing in the Digital World CHAPTER OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following: 1. Describe the characteristics of the digital world, contemporary societal issues of the digital world, and how increasing digital density is shaping the digital future. 2. Explain what an information system is, contrasting its data, technology, people, and organizational components. 3. Describe the dual nature of information systems in the success and failure of modern organizations. 4. Describe how computer ethics affect the use of information systems and discuss the ethical concerns associated with information privacy and intellectual property. Chapter Overview The digital connection of people, things, and organizations has accelerated exponentially. This increasing digital density has helped organizations from Apple to Zappos to better manage their organizations, provide high-quality goods and services, or sustain a competitive advantage over rivals. Our objective for this chapter is to help you understand the role of information systems as we continue to move further into the digital world, the role of information systems in current issues faced by societies in the digital world, and the role of IT megatrends in influencing the digital future. We will highlight what information systems are, how they have evolved to become a vital part of modern organizations, and why this understanding is necessary for you to become an effective manager in the digital world. We then conclude by discussing ethical issues associated with the use of information systems. CHAPTER OUTLINE PREVIEW Managing in the Digital World: Open Innovation INFORMATION SYSTEMS TODAY The Emergence of the Digital World Knowledge Workers and the Knowledge Society The Digital Divide Globalization and Societal Issues in the Digital World COMING ATTRACTIONS Memory Crystals Globalization: Opportunities and Challenges Societal Issues in the Digital World