MGD423H: Technology in Organizations Winter 2008 Course Instructor: M. Max Evans Meeting Time: Thursday 10-12 pm CCIT 2134 Office Hours: Thursday 12-1 pm CCIT 3018 Email: evans@fis.utoronto.ca Introduction: Information technologies such as the Internet make it feasible for organizations to exploit new business opportunities and markets anywhere in the world while drawing upon input resources that may be located anywhere. At the same time, virtually every internal business process depends on technology. Information technologies have therefore become a critical element in the success, and even survival, of organizations. Since systems were first introduced in organizations around thirty five years ago, they have evolved in application. They have moved beyond the automation of back office functions, into the foreground of organization strategy. They play critical roles in competitive advantage, business reengineering, and collaboration. The successful organizations in the next decade will be those that have redesigned their organizations to fully exploit the potential of the technologies available. This course is designed to give students an appreciation of the technology and management issues surrounding the development and use of information technology in organizations. It builds on the knowledge and skills students will have developed in CCT 325. Three main themes are emphasized in this course: 1. Understanding information technology and its role in organizations 2. Understanding how managers gain a competitive advantage by using information technology 3. Understanding how managers use information technology to redesign their organizations and industries Students will be asked to form groups and complete a term long case analysis and business reengineering project. In addition, they will be responsible for summarizing academic and business journal articles, leading class discussions, and presenting their term project findings to the class. Course Website: Blackboard http://portal.utoronto.ca Prerequisites: MGM101; CCT224; CCT325 Only the Director of the CCIT program has the authority to give permission to waive course prerequisites. Prerequisites are enforced and students without pre- and co-requisites will be deregistered from this course. Course Readings: There is no required text to buy. Students will be required to read a variety of background material which will typically be available online. Much of the material will take the form of journal articles or book chapters. These will be selected and assigned throughout the term. All readings will be announced and posted to the course website at least one week prior to their discussion in class. Assignments and Grading: Assignment Percentage of Final Grade Class Participation 10% Assignment 1: Article Review 10% Part 1: IT in the Workplace Examination 20% Assignment 2: Group Project 55% Assignment 2A: Company Background 5% Assignment 2B: The Context Diagram 10% Assignment 2C: As-Is Situation 10% Assignment 2D: Recommendations and To-Be Situation 15% Project Presentations (Graded Individually) 10% Cognitive and Heuristic Walkthrough Workshop 5% Total 100% Class Participation: Class participation accounts for a 10% of each student's grade, reflecting the importance of class discussion. The quality as well as quantity of the input is recognized; the most important comments are those that take the discussion to another level, which deepen the class's understanding of the complex management situation, or which show a particularly clear and appropriate application of one of the concepts or issues being studied. All readings are required, and each student should prepare for every class. Informed discussion is important for the success of the class. Please be prepared and participate fully. Assignment 1: Article Review Each student will be required to write one article review. The main task is to confirm understanding and assist other classmates in better understanding the article under review. The review should be no more than 500 words and contain material which may lead into a substantive class discussion of the article. Reviews should briefly cover the author’s background and perspective, the aims and intended audience of the article as well as the key points. Particular attention should be given to the relationship of the article to other readings and to the course more generally, along with the article's main strengths and weaknesses (i.e. a reasoned critique), and the interesting questions raised. You may draw from current events and other readings on related topics. The review should summarize the article and address the following questions: 1. What are the main points of the paper? 2. What are the main strengths and shortcomings of the paper? 3. Does the author succeed in achieving his/her purpose? 4. How useful (or not) is this paper for students in this course? Think of the readership of this review as your classmates looking for assistance in understanding the article better and how it fits with the course. The review should be no longer than 2 double-spaced pages (500 words). Pay close attention to the clarity, correctness and succinctness of your writing! IT in the Workplace Examination: The first and only exam in the course will be given February 7th. Exam questions will be selected from material covered during class (this includes assigned readings, lectures, and class discussions). Assignment 2: Business Process Reengineering For the second assignment each group (3-4 members) will select an organizational setting and analyze a business process within the company that they feel may benefit from process reengineering. After analyzing the existing methodology each group will be asked to identify and model methods on how the process can be reengineered using information systems and technology. Each project will consist of 4 parts (Company Background; The Context Diagram; As-Is Situation; Recommendations and To-Be Situation) and a presentation. Specific directions on each part will be handed out throughout the semester. Final Projects are due the day your group is scheduled to give their presentation (April 3rd or April 10th).

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Published on: 2006-09-18 (1408 reads)