MM258-An Introduction to the Management of Information Systems

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Stephen Gulliver
Email: s.r.gulliver@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module considers management of business focused Information Systems (IS), and introduces students to the interplay of management, organisational and information technology IS dimensions. It covers enterprise applications, and allows students to appreciate the symbiotic relationship between company information infrastructures and business capability. This module is delivered at both Beijing Institute of Technology (Autumn) and University of Reading (Spring).

Aims:

This course introduces students to the fundamentals that underline the design, implementation, control, evaluation, and strategic use of information systems in business. After introducing conceptual foundations underlying information systems, the course considers, from a business perspective, categories of information systems and their purpose in modern business. Although the course considers some information technology issues, the course aims to deliver a socio-technical perspective of information management from a management perspective.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the Module students should be able to:

• Identify the fundamental concepts and theoretical constructs concerning management of Information Systems (IS)

• Describe the capabilities and limitations of the technology upon which IS is structured.

• Consider appropriate theories and models related to business and competitive effects of IS strategies.

• Discuss and analyse basic issuesinvolved with the development and use of an organisation's information systems resources: data, information, application systems and hardware.

Additional outcomes:

At the end of the Module students should benefit from:

• Improved analytical and evaluation skills

• Improved commercial solution awareness.

• Heightened general business awareness.

Outline content:

• The origins, current standing and future trends in the field of IS

• Strategic alignment of IS and business strategy

• A management view of the key dimensions of IS: management, organisational and information technology

• A management viewpoint of some core techniques, e.g. functional decomposition, data analysis, business process re-engineering, management of change, etc.

• How IS investment, if managed, can add value and create a competitive advantage

• Internet, e-commerce, websites and the wider digital future

• Information systems development / implementation lifecycles

Global context:

Discussion concerning cultural impact on ‘best practise process’, and consideration of national, business, and individual culture, are all covered. Expansion of issues are personalised within seminar sessions.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures provide the base material, and use numerous case studies. This module has a strong use of practical business examples taken from real life cases. Coursework feed-forward support and 3x 2hr revision tutorials are provided to students to support preparation for assessment points.

BIT contact hours are proportionally identical, yet the module is delivered in the Autumn term and managed by local staff.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Assessments consists of two components:

1) Coursework one consists of a case-based coursework assignment (40% of total mark) where students are required to i) define and justify, in context of the case and literature, the information system (IS) problem scope being considered, ii) critical consider possible solutions to the defined scope, and select and justify an IS recommendation, and iii) in context of the case, develop and justify an IS implementation plan. To prepare this report, students will need to undertake considerable research concerning a particular topic and conduct analysis of this problem domain in context of the case.Students are expected to write a 3000 word report (+/- 10%), which needs to be handed in by the end of the of the teaching term. 

2) Coursework two (60 % of total) requires students to critically evaluate five questions, which will be updated for each cohort. For each question the student must present (maximum of 800 words) a critical response to some aspect of theory. Each question reflects 20% of the final coursework 2 mark. Coursework two (800 words per question) needs to be handed in 5 weeks after the end of the core teaching term. 

Blooms taxonomy will be used to assess both coursework submissions. Plagiarism checks will used for both coursework submissions. 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Student will work on coursework one until the final week of the taught term. Students have been allocated 5 weeks, from the end of the taught term, to work on and submit coursework two. 

Formative assessment methods:

Informal feed forward is provided to all students who submit a coursework plan (as instructed by the local lecturer) in advance of coursework one submission.

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following standard university penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy. 

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found  at: 

• http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Revised courswork 2 assessment only (mark caped to 40%)

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 22 September 2022