Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject students should be able to analyse and explain the impact of information technology on the roles and careers of managers, and research and report on the impact of information technology on the skills, work practices, structures and cultures of organisations; apply frameworks to align organisational information technology strategies with business strategies and use value chain analysis to seek increased competitive advantage by exploiting new opportunities in using both information and communication technologies; co-manage with information systems professionals in identifying, instituting, managing and evaluating the information systems in the knowledge-based organisation; demonstrate competency in the `hands on' use of several popular decision support packages.
Synopsis The subject covers the components of IT; characteristics of hardware, software and telecommunications; types of information systems; networking; managing `information' workers; using IT to promote business objectives and gain competitive advantage; business process re-engineering; outsourcing of IT; acquiring systems; IT enabled transformation to adaptive, flexible organisations; social and system issues associated with IT. Computer laboratory exposure to a variety of applications software including electronic mail, project management, graphics, and other decision support software. Field trip to IT site.
Assessment Individual learning contract: 25% + Group research assignment (2500 words): 35% + Examination (2 hours): 40%