Page 1; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP

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1 Page 1; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP Course Title: Information Systems: Theory and Practices Professor: Dr. Jason C.H. Chen ( 陳 周 宏 教 授 ) Class time: April 14 April 25, [email protected] Office: #805 Office hour: to be announced Required text: 1. (Main Text) Pearlson, K.E. and Saunders, C.S, Managing and Using Information Systems, Wiley, 2013 (5 th edition) ; ISBN A package of Harvard Business School Case Studies Class URL: then mbus626 Requirement: This course is designed specifically to the graduate students in business school at China University of Petroleum ( 中 国 石 油 大 学 ). Course Description and Goals This course is designed to provide the researchers and future managers with understanding and appreciation of the issues that are related to the organization s information systems 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. Furthermore, because Business Intelligence (BI) has become an important agenda for many top executives because they have become extremely aware of its value in providing a competitive differentiator at all levels of the organizations, topics such as data warehousing, business analytics and data mining will be also introduced. A software application for business decision makings such as data mining (Rapid Miner) may be used for class projects. 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, technical, ethical and global issues. Conduct of the Course All students are expected to read the assigned materials (text, end-of-chapter mini cases with their discussion questions and HB case studies) 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) 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 third use of class time will be for Information Technology Seminars. 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

2 topics are suggested and listed at the end of the syllabus. Page 2; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP 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. Academic Honesty Policy: The academic honesty policy in the China University of Petroleum shall be employed and enforced. Any dishonest activities such as cheating, fabrication and plagiarism carry penalties that could lead to severe penalties. It is considered a violation of Academic Honesty Policy if you break the following rule: all class assignments (everything) you turned in must be Original Work for this class only it means that they are not from someone else or from your other class this semester or before and is considered a violation of Honesty Policy. 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 an 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. Social Network and Social Media Technology 2. Business Analytics and Business Intelligence 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, Podcast and its competition. 6. Client-Server architecture: The latest server trends. 7. Why move to Windows 8/Office 2013? 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. Cloud computing 12. Emerging technology (RFID, pervasive and/or nomadic computing) 13. Making systems quickly: CASE Tools/RAD 14. RISC versus CISC technology and chips of tomorrow 15. Satellite technologies: GIS versus GPS. 16. Enterprise Information Systems: What is a SAP? 17. Working from home: to ISDN or not to ISDN? 18. What s up at Apple: The latest Mac technology 19. What is Web-based applications and technologies? 20. What is new in document management systems? 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 20 minutes to get your ideas across. Have fun. Be clever. Pick your points carefully. The goal

3 Page 3; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP is to leave your classmates 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 6 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 the midnight of Sunday before your presentation. CASE STUDY AND PRESENTATION: Each group should write a case report in Word format and prepare a powerpoint file for the assigned case study and IT seminar and all files with attachments to the instructor before deadline. There will be a 10% off a day for missing the deadline. A hardcopy of each file should be turned in at the beginning of class with TWO slides per page for the powerpoint file. For example, if you are in Group2 and working on Southwest Airlines case, you should name the files as CUP-ISM-G2-Southwest Airlines.docx and CUP-G2-Southwest Airlines.pptx respectively and include CUP-ISM-G2-Southwest Airlines in the Subject line. The presentation group of case study should also conduct discussion with (important) case questions listed for each case (at the end of the syllabus) in addition to the general case presentation. Furthermore, both group # and students names should be appeared on the cover page of the report and powerpoint file. It should take about minutes for each group to deliver your presentation. Also, each team should prepare presentations for HBS 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 also 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.

4 Page 4; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP Grading Policy and Evaluation Your grade will depend on following factors: (NO late assignments will be accepted, consequently, you will be assigned a zero if you turn in late without the instructor s permission) Classroom participation in discussions and attendance 20% HBS case Presentation and Report 28% Swimming in the Virtual Community Pool with PlentyofFish SouthWest Airlines 2002 Binnj on the Apple ipad (2011) The Technology Seminar 17% Collaboration Software assignment 5% Final exam: 30% TOTAL 100% Please note that NO incomplete grade will be assigned unless you obtain a permission from the instructor. GRADE RANGES (or based on CUP grading policy): A 93% and above A- 90% B+ 88% B 85% B- 82% C+ 79% C 75% C- 71% D+ 68% D 65%

5 Page 5; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP [Week/Class] Date [1/1] April 14 (Monday [1/2] April 15 (Tuesday [1/3] April 17 Thursday - [1/4] (5 Lessons) April 18 (Friday afternoon; 3:30-5:15pm & evening: 18:30-21:10) [2/5] April 21 (Monday [2/6] April 22 (Tuesday - China University of Petroleum - SCHEDULE (April 10, 2014) (Chapter) Topics and Activities Chapter Case/Software/HW [Individual] Part I: Intro. To the Course; Software Development Life Cycle Part II: ChI&1. The Information Systems Strategy Triangle Groupings; Why Case? Collaboration Software Project Ch2. Strategic Use of Information Resources Class exercise with Porter s Model Technology Seminar topic due Ch3. Organizational Impacts of Information Systems Use Ch4. Information Systems and the Design of Work Technology Seminar Special topic: 1. Creating Value Ch5 Information Systems for Managing Business Process Special topics: 1. Revenue Management: An E-C Perspective 2. Video: The World is Flat Ch10 Managing IT Projects (main focus) Technology Seminar Special topic: Strategic IT Resources and IT governance (1) Special topic: 1. Four Actions Framework 2. Strategic IT Resources and IT governance (2) 3. AHP You need to prepare/complete chapter 1 mini case study questions in order to participate class discussion during the first day of the class. Mini Case 1-2 Google (pp.41-43) 1. Mini Case 2-2: ZIPCAR (p.72) 2. Start to study HBS Case 1: Swimming in the Virtual Community Pool with PlentyofFish 3. Q/A on Technology Seminar 1. Prepare Mini Case 4-1: Trash and Waste Pickup Services Inc. (p.132) 2. Q/A on HBS Case 1 1. All students complete IS/IT Triangle Strategy for each HBS case. Prepare for discussion and Turn in your hardcopy (in Word format) 2. Collaboration Software Project (Due) 3. Discuss HBS Case-1:Swimming in the Virtual Community Pool with PlentyofFish 4. Start to study HBS Case2: SouthWest Airlines Q/A on HBS case2: SouthWest Airlines Discussion Question #5(not Mini Case) Lego s Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. (p.320) 1.Discuss HBS Case2:SouthWest Airlines Start to study HBS Case3: Binnj on the Apple ipad (2011) Harvard Business Case Discussion and IT/Seminar All students (individual case) Chen Group-2 (ITS) Group-1 (HBS) Group-3 (ITS) Group-2 (HBS) [2/7] (3 Lessons) April 23 Wednesday evening; 6:30-9:10pm) [2/8] April 24 (Thursday - Ch9 Information Systems Sourcing ; Technology Seminar Ch11: Knowledge Management, Business Intelligence, and Analytics; FINAL EXAM or Term Project Presentations 1. Mini Case 9-1: Crowdsourcing at AOL (pp ) 2. Q/A on HBS Case3:Binnj on the Apple ipad (2011) 1. Discuss HBS Case3:Binnj on the Apple ipad (2011) * The case discussion and leaders information will be provided after the groups are formulated. Group-1 (ITS) Group-3 (HBS)

6 Page 6; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP * ITS: indicates Information Technology Seminar. Case Study Report (What you have to turn in for each case study, including TWO parts listed below). [Always research on up-to-date information for the organizations studied in the cases] Part I. Write a summary report with the following outline (but not limited to): 1) Executive Summary 2) Draw (and place important items/information on each strategy) and describe how can the Information Systems Strategy Triangle be employed in the case. 3) What lesson(s) have you learned from the case? Part II. Answers the following questions (each question should be re-listed before placing the answer) CASE STUDY-1: Swimming in the Virtual Community Pool with PlentyofFish (2008) IVEY 9B08M What is the nature of competition in this industry? Describe and explore your answer with the following: a) Describe the Revenue Model normally used in the e-business industry. b) What is the Specific revenue model adopted by the company? c) Analyze and describe the PoF competitive industry using Porter s Five Competitive Forces Model. 2. Does Frind have a solid, sustainable business model for PlentyofFish (in other words, was he good or lucky, or both)? Describe and illustrate your answer with the following: a) What are and should be his strategic goals for the business going forward? (Hint: your answer should be analyzed based on three alternatives what are they?) b) Which alternative is the best one for Frind and why? 3. Based on the findings/answers stated from (2) above, what is the best model going forward? Describe and explain your answer clearly and thoroughly. a) Continue with a free site b) Expand traffic (more members, more page views, more countries or niches) c) Expand offerings (different products and services) d) Offer subscriptions at one or more service levels. 4. What Information Technology (IT) should he invest in for the site? (Hint: Cost/Benefit analysis) a) SQL/SERVER (2005) SQL/SERVER (2008) or Oracle? Open source? Why? b) More servers, more staff to perform the functions currently performed by members? CASE STUDY-2: Southwest Airlines: An Industry Under Siege (2002) How does this company make money even when other airlines don't? What are the most important contributors to its financial success? 2. How should management respond to the fact that Southwest Airlines has fallen to next-to-last place among major airlines in on-time performance as of September, 2002? 3. Once operations are fully stabilized, would you recommend to the management of the airline that it resume its historic growth rate of from 10% to 15% per year? Why? 4. If you would recommend a resumption of previous growth rates, what form should this growth take? For example, should it be achieved within the current network or through an expanded network? By means of a greater proportion of long-haul flights (over three hours in length) or not? Why? 5. If you would not recommend a resumption of previous growth rates, how would you suggest dealing with the consequences of reduced growth, whatever they may be? 6. What are the implications for Southwest of the actual or threatened bankruptcies of other

7 Page 7; Information Systems: Theory and Practices-CUP major U.S. airlines? 7. What is IS/IT role played in the case? 8. Why is the profit of the Southwest Airlines dropped recently? (Hint: in year 2008). CASE STUDY-3: Binnj on the Apple ipad (2011) IVEY 9B10E What key enablers have allowed Binnj to engage in this science experiment? 2. Have you ever worked on, or led, a virtual team? What tools did you rely on, and what problems did you experience? 3. Binnj seems to have embraced the agile development approach. In what circumstances might a firm choose to use the slower, more traditional waterfall approach to develop a new system? Also, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. 4. Since the start of the Binnj science experiment, a plethora of new tablets have been announced (e.g., from companies such as Research in Motion, Samsung, and Hewlett Packard). Has Binnj chosen the right platform? 5. How should Binnj establish a price for the LiveMenu service? 6. What other revenue opportunities might Binnj create through LiveMenu, in addition to the digital menu? 7. What is an entrepreneur? Has Clay Hutcherson got what it takes?