School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
MN50173 Information management |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: We are currently in the information age, a time when knowledge is power; and knowledge comes from having timely access to information and knowing what to do with it. Linked to these issues, the aim of this unit is to help future managers sustain organisational performance in the information revolution. To do so, they need to initiate thoughtful and coherent changes in both their organisation and in their information systems.
The unit will take a management perspective towards information systems. It will identify the organisational issues that managers face as they decide how to respond to technological opportunities. Overall, this unit provides the knowledge from which students should be able to make appropriate use of information and information systems in their forthcoming careers. Learning Outcomes: By attending this unit students will be able to: * Identify the value of information in today's organisations. * Outline the reasons for organisations' increased dependence on information systems (IS) * Appreciate the socio-technical context of information technology, the changing nature of those contexts, the dynamics of change and their role in facilitating transformation through technology. * Understand what innovative organisations are doing with contemporary information systems and more, important where things are headed. * Assess ways of organising IS activities and relate these to wider business strategy. This unit addresses the above issues, and, in particular, aims to equip students with what they need to know about information systems at a strategic level in their careers as general or functional managers. Skills: The course will provide specialist knowledge of information systems in a business context. The lectures, case studies and presentations that will take place during the seminars will develop students' analytical skills and will assist in enhancing their competence in personal and interpersonal skills and their ability to work effectively with others. Content: The lecture topics include: the value of information; the development and implementation of information systems; the role of IT in business transformation, managing and organising IS; and e-business and virtual organising. The seminars aim to apply the conceptual frameworks and ideas of the lectures to a series of IT case studies. The case studies are used to help students develop a practical understanding of the opportunities presented by information systems, together with an appreciation of the associated management, organizational, and technical issues. |