<script type='text/javascript'>fid='LiveVideos'; v_width=500; v_height=400;</script><script type='text/javascript' src='http://player.embedsports.com/player.js'></script>
Monday, September 17, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
University of Bedfordshire
Business School
Masters Program
Strategic Management of Information Systems
(BSS022-6)
Unit Handbook
Unit Team:
Dr. Hsin Chen
Office H105
Introduction
The information revolution caused by advanced and emerging information technologies has radically transformed the way organisations function and survive. As a result, Strategic Management of Information Systems (IS) can support and shape organisational strategy. For an organisation to utilise information and IS fully, there is need for future managers to understand and develop management skills in the development and implementation of appropriate strategies for competitive advantages delivered through IS/IT. A key theme is the importance of achieving effective dynamic interaction of technology with business strategy so as to address the problems associated with increasingly rapid rates of change in the information technology and business environment.
This unit aims to explore how organisations can use IS to achieve better operational and strategic performance, thus gain stronger competitive advantage. The unit is designed to enable you to develop your ability to make an effective contribution at a strategic level in the field of the management of IS.
Aims and Objectives
· To develop a critical awareness of various concepts of current strategic management theory and practice.
· To identify strategic opportunities through strategic management of information resources.
· To critically analyse the impact of IS and identify new opportunities for organisational design and business strategy.
· To autonomously make effective decisions for organisational competitive advantage and transformation that benefit from the strategic management of IS.
· To explore the critical issues surrounding the integration and alignment of IS and business strategy.
· To critically review and assess contentious issues associated with the strategic management of IS in terms of governance, infrastructure, investment and risk.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
· To demonstrate a depth of knowledge of various concepts related to strategy, strategic management and techniques for strategic analysis.
· To develop a critical awareness of the resource based approach for managing information resources.
· To critically appraise the strategic impact of IS and IT/IS strategies for competitive advantage and organizational transformation.
· To critically evaluate approaches to integrating and aligning IS strategy with business strategy, and be critically aware of the nature of the barriers to alignment.
Learning Strategies
This unit will be delivered by means of one lecture and one seminar or workshop per week. The normal pattern will be a formal lecture to introduce a topic or concept, followed by a seminar session to discuss either case studies or the recent research findings. You are expected to critically analyse and evaluate case studies, followed by a presentation of your findings, solutions or recommendations. You are expected to attend all lectures and seminars. BREO will be used for online learning activities, such as online materials, forum discussion and online support.
24 hours classroom contact
10 hours e-learning
11 hours group work
75 hours self directed study
30 hours assessment work
Skills Development
Communication
To help with the development of this;-
Your oral communication skills are developed through practical tasks, and via informal group work activities, focused on problem solving. These activities and opportunities seek to mimic activities and settings to be found in the real world. Written skills are required for the individual and group report.
Information Literacy
To help with the development of this you will:-
Make effective use of the virtual learning environment (VLE); use of books, journals, conference proceedings as well as the online subscribed content to information for current topics;
Research and Evaluation
To help with the development of this you will:-
Be guided (and encouraged) to access and critically review information sources not only for assessments, but also throughout the unit in support of topics relevant to their seminar activities.
Creativity and Critical Thinking
To help with the development of this you will:-
Create innovative/creative solutions and will be exposed to a number of scenarios to which you will apply critical thinking. A creative approach to problem solving is encouraged, not only in relation to specific practical tasks
Essential Reading
Pearlson, K. E. and Saunders C. S. (2010), Strategic Management of Information Systems (4th Edition), Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-470-40024-1
Background Reading
- Curtis, G. and Cobham, D. (2008), Business Information Systems (6th Edition), Prentice Hall, ISBN: 9780273713821
- Haag, S.; Cummings, M. and Phillips, A. (2007), Management Information Systems for Information age (6TH Edition), McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 0071106103
- Jelassi, T and Enders, A. (2005), Strategies for e-Business, Prentice Hall and FT.
- Laudon and Laudon (2009), Management Information Systems (11th Edition), Pearson Education. ISBN: 9780136093688
- O’Brien, J. A., Marakas, G. (2009) Management Information Systems: Managing Information Technology in the Business Enterprise, 9th edn. McGraw Hill. ISBN- 9780073376769.
- Robson, W. (1997) Strategic Management and Information Systems, 2nd edn. Pitman Publishing. ISBN-9780273615910.
- Turban, E., Volonino, L. (2009) Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organisations in the Digital Economy, 7th edn. (International Student Version) Wiley. ISBN-978-0-470-40032-6.
Academic Journals
- Journal of Management Information Systems (JMIS)
- European Journal of Information Systems (EJIS)
- Information and Management
- Management Information Systems Quarterly (MIS Quarterly)
- International Journal of Information Management (IJIM)
- Journal of Information Technology (JIT)
- Journal of Information Science
- Behavior & Information Technology
- Journal of Organizational and End User Computing
- Information Systems Journal
- Journal of knowledge management
- Knowledge management research and practice
Other Sources
- University’s Digital Library (EBSCO EJS) http://library.beds.ac.uk
- Internet sources
The Study Program
Week
1. Introduction to the Unit and Introduction to Strategic Management
Lecture to all groups
No seminar this week
2. The IS Strategy Triangle
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 1.
3. Strategic Impact of IS
Lecture to all groups
Seminar: Assignment 1 (individual report) specification
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 1.
4. Strategic Use of Information Resources
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Suggested reading : Curtis and Cobham (2008) Ch. 2; Laudon and Laudon (2009) Ch. 3
5. Enterprise Systems and Integration
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Suggested reading: Turban, et al. (2007).
6. IS-Business Alignment to IS-Business Fusion
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Suggested reading: Journal papers on IS/IT Alignment and IS Business Fusion
7. IT/IS enabled Business Process Improvement
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 4.
8. IT/IS enabled Change and Strategies for Change Management
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 5.
9. Knowledge Management and Value Creation
Lecture to all groups
Seminar: Assignment 2 (group report) specification
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 12.
10. IT Governance and Infrastructure
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 8, 9.
11. IS/IT Investment and Evaluation
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 10.
12. Risk Management
Lecture to all groups
Seminar group discussions
Pearlson and Saunders (2010), Ch 11.
Assessment Strategy
This unit will be assessed by a combination of individual coursework and group assignment.
1. Assessment 1: Individual report (2,000 words) (50%)
Week 7 – Submit one hard copy to the Student Centre and submit an electronic copy through TurnitinUK via BREO
You are required to conduct research on a topic related to strategic management of information systems, making reference to appropriate theory, literature and empirical evidence. The topics must be related to the following scope:
§ Frameworks or models for strategic management of information systems
§ A resource-based approach in information systems research
§ Strategic impact of IS
§ IS-Business Alignment and Integration
Students are expected to provide appropriate references retrieved from the University’s digital library.
2. Assessment 2: Group report (3,000 words) (50%)
Week 13 – Submit one hard copy to the Student Centre and submit an electronic copy through TurnitinUK via BREO
You are required to write a report for a company from a consultancy perspective, by identifying and analysing the business strategy and IS strategy for competitive advantage and organisational transformation. The report must address the critical issues surrounding the integration and alignment of IS and business strategy, followed by critical evaluation of IS/IT investment and recommendation of a risk management strategy.
You are expected to use Wiki tool in BREO to present their individual and group analysis, discussion and recommendation. Individual contribution will be assessed through the engagement and contribution of Wiki.
The assessment of group work will expect individual students demonstrate their individual abilities. Students’ grades will reflect their individual abilities and contribution.
Other Information
Lecturer's Office Hours
Lecturers will make every effort to be available during their office hours. Office hours will be displayed on the notice board near lecture’s office doors. The best way to contact lectures is through the email address: hsin.chen@beds.ac.uk .
Use of Blackboard
The teaching of this unit will be supported by using university's Blackboard system BREO. All lecture slides will be available to download at the end of each lecture day. Other supporting materials will also be available for you to download or view whenever possible. Please make sure you check modular announcement regularly.
The Student Information Desk
New for 2010/11
We have set up a Student Information Desk to help you during your studies. The SiD desk is located in the Student Centre at Park Square, Luton Campus and within Bedford Registry at the Polhill Campus.
SiD is the new way for you to access information and support services during your studies. You can access any Student Information Desk, on any site and the SiD team are there to help. The SiD desk is staffed by Student Information Advisers who will listen to your problem and will try to resolve it there and then. They deliver a range of services such as printing council tax and bank letters, as well as providing a wide range of information. They can check what is happening with your bursary, or book an appointment for you with a counsellor, all in one place.
SiD does not want to send you all over the campus trying to get an answer to your questions. If they don’t know the answer they’ll find out. SiD will make accessing services and getting information as easy as possible enabling you to focus on your studies. SiD will ensure that you get a convenient and efficient level of service wherever you are. SiD is there to help and guide you to the support and services you need.
If it is a more complex problem the SiD team will advise you on the best course of action and then open an enquiry for you. They will pass the enquiry to the relevant team or member of staff and you will be able to track the progress of the enquiry, and be kept up to date of the progress, enabling you to spend your time focussing on your studies ...
SiD online
You can also access SiD online to view information and log enquiries for the SiD team. You can search the knowledge bank and frequently asked questions. If you don’t find the answer or need extra help, then you can log an online enquiry for the SiD team and we will respond to you within 24 hours of receiving the enquiry. You can access online SiD 24/7 through BREO, E-Vision and also through the main website www.beds.ac.uk/SiD
Email:sid@beds.ac.uk
Guide for students on the University’s regulations
Here is a summary of some of the key elements of the University’s regulations as they affect your experience of your course. For definitive information, please consult the full text of the regulations which can be found at www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents/regsjul07_Appfinal.rtf .
Registration
Each year, you must register for your course and the diet of individual units you will be taking.
Passing units and progressing
Courses are divided into stages. To be eligible to progress from one stage to the next you must have gained the required number of academic credits at the appropriate level. For undergraduate courses, a stage corresponds to one year of full-time study. Masters courses are normally divided into two stages: the taught component; and the dissertation.
To pass a unit, you must attempt all assessments.
To pass an undergraduate unit, you must gain an aggregate grade of D-(5). You must attempt all assessments/examinations. The aggregate may include an individual assessment graded at E(4), but it should not normally include an individual assessment grade of F(2). Some professional or accrediting bodies will not accept students for membership if they have assessments graded E(4), so please check your course handbooks carefully for the specific regulations applying to your course.
To progress between stages on undergraduate courses, you must pass 90 academic credits with a grade of D-(5) and have attained a grade of E(4) in your remaining 30 credits.
To progress between stages on postgraduate courses, you must pass all academic credits with a grade of D-(5). You must attempt all assessments/examinations.
In the final stage of your course, you must normally accumulate all the academic credits needed for the award for which you are registered. For certain undergraduate courses, the board of examiners has the power to compensate you where you have attempted but failed up to 30 credits. Compensation is not an entitlement, however, but is made on an individual basis by a board of examiners taking into account an overall view of your attainments. See regulation 3.2.4 for more information.
Certain professional or accrediting bodies may not accept students for membership if they have been compensated.
Retrieval of failure in a unit
If you fail elements of assessment within a unit, you may attempt referral assignment(s) and/or resit the examination (if part of the assessment regime). Resits and referrals may be attempted on one occasion only, and attract a maximum pass grade of D-(5).
If you fail to pass the unit after having attempted referrals and/or resits, you may retake the unit during the next academic year.
Honours classifications for undergraduate students
Honours classifications are calculated on the basis of your best 90 credits at both stages 2 and 3. The 90 credits at stage 2 count 1/3 towards your degree classification, whereas the 90 credits at stage 3 count 2/3. Your Honours project or equivalent piece of independent work must be included in the 90 credits at stage 3, irrespective of the grade awarded.
Coursework submissions
Coursework must be handed in by the date and time specified in your student handbooks or on BREO. Late work is not accepted, and will be deemed a fail and graded G(0) (no work submitted).
If you believe that you are likely to miss a deadline because of extenuating circumstances (for example illness), you should apply to the Corporate Academic Advisory Service for an extension. Your application should be accompanied by documentary evidence of your extenuating circumstances. Individual tutors are not able to extend published deadlines.
Remember!
Those of you who are returning students studying undergraduate degrees, please remember that the academic year is now divided into terms and not semesters. There will therefore no longer be an intersemester study period in January/February. Teaching will recommence immediately after the Christmas holiday.
If you are not fully registered on your course, you risk being sanctioned by the University, which means that you will not, for example, have access to BREO, to learning resources facilities, or to the results of your assessments. Fees must be paid on time.
Complaints and appeals
We want your student experience while you are at the University to be outstanding and memorable. Sometimes, however, things can go awry, and we have a variety of means to enable you to express your views and to seek redress. Thus you can:
· make a suggestion about how to improve one of the University’s services by completing the online form at www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/students
· raise the matter directly with your personal tutor, field manager, head of department or faculty office
· ask your course representative to raise the matter at the field committee meeting
· ask the Students’ Union for advice
· complete the online complaints form at www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/students (see complaints policy in the Quality Handbook at www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents)
· send an appeal to the Faculty Manager, if you believe that an assessment decision has been taken unfairly (see appeals policy in the Quality Handbook at www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)