Information Systems Theory and Practice

Page 1; Information Systems: Theory and Practice

MIS (Spring 2007)

Information Systems Theory and Practice

Professor:Professor Jason C.H. Chen, Ph.d.

Class time:Tuesday (February 27 – June16)

E-mail:

URL:

Office: to be announced

Office hour: to be announced and by appointment

Required text:1. Pearlson, K.E. and Saunders, C.S, Managing and Using Information Systems, Wiley, 2006 (3nd edition)

2.A package of Harvard Business School Case Studies

Additional Readings and Cases: Class handouts as needed.

Course Description and Goals

This course is designed to provide the current and future managers with understanding and appreciation of the issues that are related to the organization’s information technology assets. The course is not to educate technical specialists, rather, it is to give students a managerial perspective on the use of, design of, and evaluations of information systems that exist in organizations today. The objective of this course is to prepare students to manage information services in both today’s and tomorrow’s environment with its managerial, social, political, ethical and global issues.

Conduct of the Course

All students are expected to read the assigned materials (text, end-of-chapter discussion board questions (DBQ) and HarvardBusinessSchool case studies- HBC) before coming to the class. Some days we will discuss the materials in the text book. You are expected to be prepared to actively participate in this discussion, answering questions such as “What are the issues involved in ...?”, “What do the authors mean by ...?”, and “Give an example of...?”

The second use of class time will be group presentation on the selected cases from the case study package. You will be assigned a group and lead the discussion for this activity. Those of you not assigned for the case presentation should prepare answers from the questions (on the SSQ) listed at the end of the syllabus and/or posted on the web. These students (the case leaders) will pose questions such as:

▪What is the competitive situation in which the company finds itself?

▪What issues are raised in the case?

▪What is the nature of the problem or opportunity presented in the case?

▪What do you think the company should do?

▪What the group recommends.

▪Update of the company’s situation and advances in technology discussed in the case. (Most of the companies discussed can be found on the WWW. Although you will seldom find "the answer" on the Web, you can find current information about the company.)

The presentation and discussion should take about 40 minutes and leave sometime for Q/A. A hard and soft copies of your powerpoint file must be turned in before your presentations.

The third use of class time will be for “Information Technology Seminars (ITS).” Students (as group) will discuss and present a particular technology--its history, the current state of the technology, future trends, and applicability to the modern organization. Details (presentations, deliverables etc.) and potential topics are suggested and listed on the next page of the syllabus.

You will be graded on your preparation and participation in class discussions, especially when cases are presented. There might be short quizzes prior to some of the case presentations to assess your preparedness.

Internet Resources:

Class materials are available on the my web site ( It is the students’ responsibility to study and check the information on the Internet. Students are also required to prepare the questions and answers before the class and participate theclass discussions actively. Please note that it is also considered as part of your class performance.

Information Technology Seminar (IT Seminar)

Technology in this field changes so rapidly that systems available today are predicted to be outdated within 2-3 years. With such a short life-time, it is important to both know about the current systems and to learn how to research and evaluate those technologies not yet available. In this course, you will be exposed to a set of emerging technology topics which are just making their way into the business arena today. Courtesy of your classmates, you will be treated to a brief introduction to several topics, and given references for further study. In turn, you will research one topic and provide a summary for your classmates.

Here are some general ideas. You may choose a different topic, a specialization of one of these, or a meaningful combination. Only one group may do a topic, so it is in your best interest to identify several choices, in case your first choice is already taken. You may also design your own topic, but you must have approval of the instructor Submit the topic (with hardcopy) you choose and the names of your group to the instructor as soon as possible. Your seminar should be about 20 minutes long. That is not a lot of time, so please try to pick out 2 or 3 main points to get across, and use the handout and the question/answer period to bring out other points. When designing the seminar, keep your class mates in mind...they are the audience (not the instructor). Remember: The goal of these seminars is to introduce your classmates to the topic, not to make them technology experts.

Possible IT Seminar Topics:

1. What is new in document management systems?
2. What is Web-based applications and technologies?
3. What are the latest developments in cellular, radio, and other wireless networking technologies?
4. Carry it with you: the latest in portable and handheld computers.
5. PCs meet TV: Intercast and its competition.
6. Client-Server architecture: The latest server trends.
7. Why move to Windows/Office XP?
8. What is “Lotus Notes” and what competes with it?
9. How to store lots of information: Data Warehousing.
10. What are the challenges in multimedia? / 11. Real smart computers: Parallel Processing systems.
12. Emerging technology (RFID, pervasive and/or nomadic computing)
13. Making systems quickly: CASE Tools
14. RISC versus CISC technology and chips of tomorrow
15. Satellite technologies: GIS versus GPS.
16. Enterprise Information Systems: What is a SAP?
17. e-Learning, m-Learning and their technologies
18. What’s up at Apple: The latest Mac technology
19. Is Java just a cup of hot coffee (and what about ActiveX)?
20. Unix and other operating systems

Other topics:

Microprocessor Chip Technology; High-Speed [volume] Data Access for home/small business; Privacy, Encryption, and Authentication; Electronic Commerce Applications and Security; Electronic Customer Relationship Management; Internet and Network Security; Future Internet Technologies ; Networking very small businesses, homes, wireless; Windows technology (XP, NetWare, Linux etc.).

The Deliverables:

The Seminar. This is the fun part. I particularly don’t call this a “presentation” or “lecture”, because you are encouraged to think beyond a “we talk and you listen” format. You have about 30 minutes to get your ideas across. Have fun. Be clever. Pick your points carefully. The goal is to leave your class mates with enough understanding of your topic so if they are asked about it in an interview, it won’t be the first time they have heard the term. You might cover an explanation of the topic/concept, a key vendor or two, the history/current state of the technology, managerial issues surrounding the topic, key buzz words associated with your topic, and/or examples of the technology and its use. Plan what you want to get across, then plan how to best get it across.

The Handout. Prepare a 1-2 page handout and bring enough copies to class for each classmate and for the instructor (both hard and soft copies ). This document should include all those things you wanted to include in the seminar but didn’t have time to cover. Give examples of vendors, implementations and uses of the technology. Explain why this is an important technology to know about. More interesting handouts in the past have included comparison tables, charts and pictures. Your handout must include a definition (i.e., title) of your topic, an example of some real business using the technology, and at least two complete references for future research. Be sure if you directly quote a source or web page that you clearly indicate the attribution in your document.

The Exam Questions. Please give me (both hard and soft copies) at least 10 questions on your topic that are suitable for an exam. They should be all multiple choice questions with answers. I will read over them and use one or more in the exam for your section (this is a good way to make sure you cover the important issues in your seminar and/or handout, too!). These questions (both hard and soft copies) are due when you deliver your seminar.

COURSE ATTENDANCE

If you miss a class session without what I consider a legitimate excuse (be sure that you should have my permission in advance or present a university-approved evidence after the missed class), I reserve the right to lower your course grade to the next lower grade (e.g., from A to A- and so on) for each class you missed. The more classes you missed the more grade levels will be lowered down. You must contact the instructor about every absence.

WEB SITES WORTH VISITING AND BOOKMARKING:

PRESENTATION:

Each team should prepare presentations for case study and technology seminar. The presentation should be formal, dressed up and using POWERPOINT

POLICY and GRADING on Group Project/Presentation:

All the group members will receive the same grade as you received on the report except those do not contribute their time and efforts on the team work. You will be evaluated based on the survey from your team members. The group leader or the majority of the group members should report the project progress to the instructor in case that there is (are) major problem(s) in your group.

Each group must prepare two hard copies of your presentations (case study and technology briefing). One should be turned in to the instructor before your presentation, the other is for your presentation. A softcopy should be also turned in (with a flash drive/CD) or emailed to me (with group number indicated).

Grading Policy and Evaluation

Your grade will depend on five factors: (NO late assignments will be accepted, consequently, you will be assigned a zero if you turn in late without the instructor’s permission)

Preparation, participation in discussions, attendance, and/or quiz20%

Case presentations, discussions, and report (group)15%

The technology seminar (group) 10%

Mid term exam 25%

Final exam: 30%

TOTAL 100%

Please note that NO incomplete grade will be assigned unless you obtain a permission from the instructor.

GRADERANGES:

A / 95% and above / A- / 92% / B+ / 89% / B / 85%
B- / 82% / C+ / 79% / C / 75% / C- / 71%
D+ / 68% / D / 65%

Presentation Groups:

HBCase(Case 主題 / 日期)
Group-1 / (銘霖Duncan、貴興Jeff、玉珊Catherine) / HBC-2: Southwest Airlines (#9-803-133)
Group-2 / (至芊Grace、瑋琳Linda、華嘉Sailor) / HBC-3: Frito-Lay, Inc. 1980-1986 (#9-194-107)
Group-3 / (胡洋youngHu、牧剛Milan、敏嫻Beverly) / HBC-4: Frito-Lay, Inc. 1987-1992 (#9-195-238)
Group-4 / (吉儀Kenji、雅蘭Jo、郁昇Richard) / HBC-5: Webvan (#9-602-037)
Group-5 / (振璋Allen、國樑Gary) / HBC-6: E-Commerce at Williams-Sonoma
(#9-300-086)
Group-6 / (建武cheng chien-wu、文富Marvin Liu、元易Vincent) / HBC-7: General Dynamics … (#9-193-144)
Group-7 / (采容Robin、智華vogliavoglia、凱原Barry) / HBC-8: The ITC eChoupal Initiative (#9-604-016)
Group-8 / (夢婷Mandy、國元Chris、國祥Arthur) / HBC-9: Buckman Laboratories (#9-800-160)

MIS (TENTATIVE SCHEDULE)

[Week] Date / (Chapter) Topics and Activities / Case(s) / Case Discussion Leaders *
and IT/Seminar
[1]
Feb. 26-
Mar. 4 / Intro. To the Course, Intro. To MIS, Why case study?
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) / Short case:Tale of Two Airlines in the Network Age (Handout) / Chen
[2]
Mar. 5-
Mar. 11 / IS and Strategy

#1 (and Introduction) The Information SystemsStrategy Triangle

Groupings / DBQ-1
Short case: Tale of Two Airlines in the Network Age(Discussion) / All students
[3]
Mar. 12-
Mar. 18 / #2. Strategic Use of Information Resources
Case; Technology SeminarConsultation for case studies etc. / DBQ-2
HBC-1: Verifone (1997); Product #9-398-030
(you are required to research the company’s recent information from the Internet) / Chen
All students
[4]
Mar. 19-
Mar. 25 / #3. Organizational Impacts of Information Systems Use (w/ Strategic IT Resources (1))
(share joke – insurance story)
Case; Technology Seminar / DBQ-3
HBC-2: Southwest Airlines--2002: An Industry Under Siege, #9-803-133 / Group-1
Group-8 (ITS)
[5]
Mar. 26-
April 1 / #4. IT and the design of work
Case; Technology Seminar
(Four Actions Framework) / DBQ-4
HBC-3:Frito-Lay, Inc.: A Strategic Transaction, 1980-1986, #9-194-107 / Group-2
Group-7 (ITS)
[6]
Apr. 2-
Apr. 8 / National Holiday
(NO class)
[7]
Apr. 9-
Apr. 15 / Special Topic-1: Value Innovation and Revenue Management / HBC-4: Frito-Lay, Inc.: A Strategic Transaction, 1987-1992, #9-195-238 / Group-3
Group-6 (ITS)
[8]
Apr. 16-
Apr. 22 / Mid-Term Exam (I) /

Article: Reengineering Work (Handout)

[9]
Apr. 23-
Apr. 29 / #5 Information Technology and Changing Business Process

Article: Reengineering Work (due)

/ DBQ-5
HBC-5:Webvan, #9-602-037
Case 11-1 Avon / Group-4
Group-5 (ITS)
[10]
Apr. 30-
May 6 / #7 Doing Business on the Internet / DBQ-7
[11]
May 7-
May 13 / Special Topic-2: Steps to e-Business Success and/or
Special Topic3: e-CRM / HBC-6: E-Commerce at Williams-Sonoma, #9-300-086, / Group-5
Group-4 (ITS)
[12]
May 14-
May 20 / #9 The MIS Organization (Outsourcing)Case; Technology Semina / DBQ-9
General DynamicsIT Service Agreement
HBC-7:General Dynamics and Computer Sciences Corporation: Outsourcing the IS Function (A)
#9-193-144 / Group-6
Group-3 (ITS)
[13]
May 21-
May 27 / #11 Project Management / DBQ-11
HBC-8:The ITC eChoupal Initiative, #9-604-016 / Group-7
Group-2 (ITS)
[14]
May 28-
June 3 / #12. Knowledge Management
Case; Technology Seminar / DBQ-12
HBC-9: Buckman Laboratories (A), #9-603-036 / Group-8
Group-1 (ITS)
[15]
June 4-
June 10 / Slack time/Guest Speaker or
HBC-10: Wal*Mart Stores, Inc.,#9-794-024 / ALL STUDENTS
[16]
June 10-
June 16 / Final Exam

* The case discussion and leaders information will be provided after the class organization is formulated.

* Note that the number within the [ ] denotes the week number.

* DBQ: Discussion Board Questions at end of each chapter that you have to prepare for discussion during the class.

* ITS: indicates Information Technology Seminar.

Format on article summary report:

Abstract (about 1/3 of a page). What the case is about.
Justification (about 1/3 of a page). Justify at least one unique feature from the case.
Critique (about 1/3 of a page). Your opinion on the case from a manager’s or a business student’s viewpoint.

Special topics may be introduced if time is allowed:

Special Topic-1: Value Innovation

Special Topic-2: Steps to e-Business Success

Special Topic3: e-CRM

Discussion Board Questions (DBQ)

Please write a one-page summary for each question listed below and prepare for class discussion.

Ch1. Why is it important for business strategy to drive organizational strategy and IT strategy? What might happen if business strategy were not the driver? (Why Strategy?)

Ch2. It has been said that there are no sustainable competitive advantages gained from IT other than the capability of the IT organization itself. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your position. (Any sustainable competitive advantages?)

Ch3. How might IT change a manager's job? (IT change a manager’s job?)

Ch4. Given the growth in telecommuting and other mobile work arrangements, how might offices physically change in the coming years? Will offices as we think of them today exist by 2010? Why or why not? (How technologies change offices and Why?)

Ch5. Why was radical design of business processes embraced so quickly and so deeply by senior manager of so many companies? In your opinion, and using hindsight, was this a benefit for businesses? Why or why not? (Why BPR embraced so radically?)

Ch7. How will e-learning change the business strategy of an organization? The organizational strategy? Support your claims with examples, either hypothetical or from real companies (e-Learning and Organization)

Ch. 9. The debate about centralization and decentralization is heating up again with the advent of network computing and the increasing use of the Internet. Why does the Internet make this debate topical? (Centralization or decentralization?)

Ch. 10.TCO is one way to account for costs associated with a specific infrastructure. This method does not include additional costs such as disposal costs—the cost to get rid of the system when it is no longer of use. What other additional costs might be of importance in making total cost calculations? (What should be included further with TCO?)

Ch. 11. What are the trade-offs between cost, quality, and time when designing a project plan? What criteria should managers use to manage this trade-off? (Trade-offs)

Ch.12 What is the difference between tacit and explicit knowledge? From your own experience, describe an example of each. How might an organization manage tacit knowledge? (Knowledge)

Case Study Report Outline (What you have to turn in for each case study)

PartI. Write a summary report with the following outline (but not limited to):

0) Executive Summary

1) what is the competitive business environment?

2) what is the competitive advantage that the company obtained as discussed in the case?

3) what strategy and/or model was used in the case?

4) what (IS/IT) solution was used or implemented in the case?

5) from your perspective what other solution(s) (strategy/model, IS/IT) might be employed for the company?

6) what lesson(s) have you learned from the case?

Part II. Answers the following questions (make sure you should list the question follows by your answer)