MM258: An Introduction to the Management of Information Systems

Module code: MM258

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Stephen Gulliver, email: s.r.gulliver@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module considers the management of business Information Systems, and introduces students to the interplay between 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 (Semester 1) and University of Reading (Semester 2).

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.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Identify the fundamental concepts and theoretical constructs concerning management of Information Systems (IS) 
2. Describe the capabilities and limitations of the technology upon which IS is structured. 
3. Consider appropriate theories and models related to business and competitive effects of IS strategies. 
4. Discuss and analyse issues involved with the development and use of an organisation's information systems resources: data, information, application systems and hardware.

At the end of the Module students should benefit from: 

1. Improved analytical and evaluation skills 
2. Improved commercial solution awareness. 
3. Heightened general business awareness. 

Module 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

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, and online material, provide student with content delivery; and include numerous case studies and classroom activities. This module includes consideration of practical business examples taken from real life cases. Lecture and coursework is supported by weekly 1hr seminars.

Coursework feed forward and Q&A seminars are provided to students to support preparation for assessment points.

Note that the module is taught at BIT in Semester 1; hours are identical to those shown for the UK in Semester 2.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students can gain formative assessment on a single one-page project plan before lecture 6. Submissions can be sent informally to the local tutor as agreed in class.

Reassessment

Additional costs