Arkansas State University, College of Business,  Department of Economics & Decision Sciences

MIS 6413

 

Graduate

M A N A G E M E NT

I N F O R M A T I O N

S Y S T E M S

 

Fall 2003

Farhad Moeeni, Ph.D.

 

 

Office: BU 419B

Hours: TR 9:15 -12:30

R: 5:00-6:00 p.m.

www.cls.astate.edu/moeeni

moeeni@astate.edu

 

OVERVIEW

Emerging computing and telecommunication technologies has transformed the nature of business and organizations to a degree that information has become a major competitive resource for organizations and the concern of the entire management team not just the technical employees. As the authors of the textbook for the course indicated “The world forever changed; IT burst forth from its safe containment in the basement of corporations”. In other words, executives no longer can avoid IT, therefore, they need to learn it and understand its impact on business strategy as an enabling resource.

This course is designed to help graduate business students to learn how to apply information systems in reconfiguring organizations and the extended enterprise through the application of e-business, e-commerce, Internet and other information technologies for better decision-making and for gaining competitive advantage. The course also addresses some of the ethical issues created by the overwhelming influence of IT in every aspects of people’s lives including business, educational, and social transactions.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

This semester, I will use a case study approach using Harvard Business School cases in information systems. The cases along with the textbook and other readings follow theses objectives:

v      Explain the foundation of IS in business

v      Explain and apply the principles of competing with IT

v      Identify the value of e-business applications including enterprise portals

v      Identify and give examples of cross-functional e-business systems such as ERP, CRM, EAI, SCM and OLAP

v      Identify categories and essential processes and give examples of how e-commerce is implemented

v      Explain and identify various technologies that are used in knowledge management and DSS

v      Discuss the role of e-business planning and its effect on the organization

v      Explain and use the system development process to develop and implement e-business systems

v      Identify and discuss ethical issues surrounding e-business, e-commerce, and the Internet technologies

v      Discus security issues surrounding an extended enterprise information system

v      Identify and discuss the global dimension of the IS, e-business, and inter-organizational collaboration

 

 

 

PREREQUISITS

 

Admittance to the graduate school and the MBA or Master of Science in ISeC program for business students is required. Other graduate students may take this course as an elective.

 

Knowledge of microcomputer applications is highly recommended. MIS 1503 or CS 1043 offer good preparation.

 

Course Materials

 

1.         Textbook: Corporate Information Strategy and Management (Text and Cases), 6th Edition, Applegate, Austin and Mcfarlan, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2003.

2.         Several 3.5” disks, to save all your assignments for future reference by you or the instructor.

3.         A file folder to keep your course activities for future reference.

4.         You need access to Internet-enabled computers and applications software. Campus labs, especially College of Business labs in the second floor of Business Building, offer the necessary computing needs.

 

COURSE RESOURCES

 

Web-based Communication: Course materials are divided between two different web sites: (1) my personal web site and (2) the Blackboard site.

 

Personal Web Site: my website may be accessed through www.clt.astate.edu/moeeni.

 

Blackboard (Bb): The Bb server can be accessed through my homepage or at the URL, blackboard.clt.astate.edu  In order to use the Bb, you need to register. The registration procedure will be explained in class (Also refer to my homepage).

 

Electronic Mail: You are highly encouraged to meet with me. No means substitute a face-to-face conversation between a student and the professor. If this is not possible, you may contact me through e-mail. Every student should have an e-mail account through ASU or other Internet service providers. Your e-mail address should be submitted when you register with the Blackboard..  You may be required to submit some assignments through e-mail as an attachment.  You MUST save an electronic copy of any e-mail (including attachments) that you send to me.  Therefore, whenever you send e-mail, select the option for saving the sent message.

 

EVALUATION COMPONENTS:

 

Exams: One midterm exam and a final exam will cover the theory and applications of different subjects covered in class, readings, projects, cases and Internet assignments. The exams will be of essay, multiple choice/selection, and short answer nature.

 

Cases: Individual and group-based cases will be assigned. Analysis of the cases should be typed unless told otherwise. Students are expected to orally share their analysis with class. Students will present some cases using electronic means. Be very concise in discussing the cases.  Specific information about cases  and case assignments will be available at the course Blackboard site.

 

 

Project: A team project will be assigned with a written and oral component. The details will be available at the course Blackboard site.

 

In this category, students are also be responsible to present selected chapters from the textbook.

 

Homework/Discussion Questions: Information will be available at the course Blackboard site.

 

Participation:  Students participation is necessary in any class, especially, in graduate courses.  You are highly encouraged to discuss your ideas and participate in class discussion.  Your participation will be evaluated subjectively by me and will be a part of your class performance.  Do not be afraid of expressing your ideas in anticipation that it may differ with those of the class or simply your answer may be incorrect.  Always note that this field is changing so rapidly that no one can claim he/she knows everything.  In addition, if you knew the answer to all questions you would not be in this class. Also remember that all of us can also learn by trial and error.

 

Attendance: Regular attendance is required of every student.  If for any reason you cannot attend, make sure to arrange it with me.  Absence will adversely affect your class participation. Do not drop your assignments in my office or in my mailbox without my prior approval.

 

GRADING SYSTEM & REPORTS

 

Grade

Requirements

 

Evaluation Components

Weight

A

90% overall, and exams average not less than 85%

 

Midterm

30%

B

80% overall, and exams average not less than 70%

 

Final Exam

20%

C

70% overall, and exams average not less than 60%

 

P+C+H+R+Q

50%

E=Exam, Q=Quiz, H=Homework, C=Case, P=Project, R=paRticipation

 

A spreadsheet view of your grades will be posted on my web site by the access code that you provide. In addition to the above conventions (above table), the following abbreviations will also be used in your grade reports:

TOT: total of all scores

ETOT: total of all exam scores

HTOT: total of all homework scores, etc.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Please refer to page 24 of the Student Handbook regarding academic dishonesty. 

 

Disabilities: Students who have disabilities that would cause to have unique needs should go to the Office of Disability Services. They will supply you with a written statement to that effect. Bring that statement to me so we can accommodate your needs. Please remember that it is your responsibility to contact me to arrange times to meet, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE Schedule:

 

The following is an updated, tentative schedule. Changes will be mentioned orally in class or reflected on the Internet. For the latest assignments and changes refer to Bb.

 

DATE

Subject

Comment

Aug 28

Introduction, Group assignment

 

Sep 4

Introductory chapter and additional topics (handouts)

 

Sep 11

Chapter 1 and additional topics (handouts), introductory case analysis

Case 1 assignment

 

Sep 18

Chapter 2, initial analysis of first case and additional topics (handouts)

Case 2 assignment

 

Sep 25

First Case presentation, and additional topics (handouts)

 

Oct 2

Initial discussion of second case, Chapter 3, and additional topics

Case 3 assignment

 

Oct 9

Second Case presentation, and additional topics

 

Oct 16

Initial discussion of third case, and additional topics, Chapter 4

Case 4 assignment

 

Oct 23

Third case presentation, and additional topics

Case 5 assignment

 

Oct 30

 Initial discussion of fourth case, Chapter 5 and 6 and additional topics

6 will not be included in the midterm exam

Nov 6

 

midterm exam

Nov 13

Fourth case presentation; initial discussion of the fifth case

 

Nov  20

Fifth case presentation; Chapter 7

 

Dec 4

Project

 

Dec  11

 

Final exam