Managing Information Technology , Spring2011
Managing Information Technology
HSBC Business School, Peking University ShenZhen
Second Module, Fall Semester, 2010-11
Course Syllabus (ver. 20101104)
Instructor: Terrill L. Frantz
Office: C312
Phone: 2603-5315
Email: terrill@pkusz.edu.cn
Website: http://phbs.terrillfrantz.com
Office: By Appointment (send an email to arrange)
Class times: Mondays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:20
Description
Students learn how information technology (IT) supports corporate goals. Emphasis is on the
management of IT rather than on computer technology or programming. Readings and case
studies will illustrate how IT may be employed to support general management functions.
Issues such as the types of information systems, the impact of information systems on
individuals and organizations, outsourcing, and the use of IT as a weapon of competitive
strategy will be discussed along with technological issues such as database management
systems, electronic data interchange, decision support systems, and expert systems.
Course Objectives
? Develop a management perspective of information systems and technology
? Learn how information systems support the objectives of their organizations
? Understand the challenges that I. S. Management faces
? Learn about the issues related to MIS and the user community
? Develop a greater understanding of how computer-based systems are designed and
developed
? Consider how to best exploit the potential of information technology
? Learn about important trends in information technology
This is a course about the management of computers, information systems, and information
technology. This is not a technical course but it is assumed the student already has a general
understanding of the technology and the processes for developing computerized systems.
This course is for students who intend to be managers, not information technology specialists.
It is intended to prepare future managers to be effective exploiters of information technology,
where information technology is viewed in very broad terms. That is, not only traditional data
processing and management information systems, but also office automation,
telecommunications, engineering and scientific computing, factory automation, decision
support systems, executive information systems, video, artificial intelligence, electronic
commerce, the World Wide Web, and so on.
The focus is on the opportunities and pitfalls provided by these technologies, the resources
(computers and microelectronics, networks, software, data, and people) that are necessary,
alternative approaches to managing them, and what the user-manager needs to know to make
effective use of these technologies. The course deals with two perspectives on managing these
technologies. First, preparing the individual manager to exploit these technologies in his career
is a major theme of the course. The second perspective is that of the organization?how to
manage and exploit information technology for strategic benefit? In general, neither
organizations nor managers have been well prepared to manage information technology, so
such courses are badly needed.
Managing Information Technology, PHBS, Mod 2 2010 Page 2 of 2
Teaching Methodology
This course is lecture with a heavily emphasis on case-study discussions. Group-work will be a
part of the course. Students will be involved giving presentations. Attending to the reading
assignment and case-readings is paramount.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for this class are a general and basic familiarity with the business
environment, arrived at either through coursework, or personal experience. This course is
available to any-year students from any of the PHBS programs.
Grading/Evaluation
The final grade in this course will be derived as shown below:
In class case analysis/discussion, Participation/Contribution 30%
Case Studies (2) – Written Preparation - required on the assigned dates 40%
Final Exam 30%
(Depending on the class size, evaluation deliverables may change greatly)
Criteria for grading:
? Demonstrated mastery of the material
? Effort and thought applied to the work
? Timeliness
? Clarity of expression
? Professional appearance of work - The school has recognized the importance of
communications skills throughout the curriculum. This commitment compliments
the need for clear communication in a professional environment. The quality of
your writing and presentations will be considered when evaluating your work.
Case Preparation and Write-ups:
The case method may be unfamiliar to some of you. It is a well-established practice for students at advanced levels of
learning. It lends itself especially to material that is subjective, ambiguous, and not easily measured. In these areas there
are few answers that are strictly wrong or right although some are better than others.
The study of cases allows you to do your own analysis and draw your own conclusions. When the cases are discussed in
groups each person has an opportunity to test their own ideas and listen to how others viewed the same material. The
value that you get from this is directly related to the effort that you put into it, both in your analysis and in the
discussion. There are no rules for preparing a case but here are some suggestions:
1. Skim through the case and become acquainted with the general outline
2. Go through the case more carefully noting the details that seem most important
3. Identify the key issues, as if you were going to summarize the case for someone else
4. Develop a point of view about the case (agree/disagree) and organize the facts that support you
conclusions or recommendations
The write-ups that you submit should be 3 - 5 pages. They should summarize the key points and present the conclusions
that you have drawn. Provide specific points that support your point of view.
General outline:
1. Summary of background or context of the case
2. Key points and issues, what the case is about
3. Conclusions or recommendations (usually your answers to preparation questions)
HSBC Business School, Peking University ShenZhen
Second Module, Fall Semester, 2010-11
Course Syllabus (ver. 20101104)
Instructor: Terrill L. Frantz
Office: C312
Phone: 2603-5315
Email: terrill@pkusz.edu.cn
Website: http://phbs.terrillfrantz.com
Office: By Appointment (send an email to arrange)
Class times: Mondays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:20
Description
Students learn how information technology (IT) supports corporate goals. Emphasis is on the
management of IT rather than on computer technology or programming. Readings and case
studies will illustrate how IT may be employed to support general management functions.
Issues such as the types of information systems, the impact of information systems on
individuals and organizations, outsourcing, and the use of IT as a weapon of competitive
strategy will be discussed along with technological issues such as database management
systems, electronic data interchange, decision support systems, and expert systems.
Course Objectives
? Develop a management perspective of information systems and technology
? Learn how information systems support the objectives of their organizations
? Understand the challenges that I. S. Management faces
? Learn about the issues related to MIS and the user community
? Develop a greater understanding of how computer-based systems are designed and
developed
? Consider how to best exploit the potential of information technology
? Learn about important trends in information technology
This is a course about the management of computers, information systems, and information
technology. This is not a technical course but it is assumed the student already has a general
understanding of the technology and the processes for developing computerized systems.
This course is for students who intend to be managers, not information technology specialists.
It is intended to prepare future managers to be effective exploiters of information technology,
where information technology is viewed in very broad terms. That is, not only traditional data
processing and management information systems, but also office automation,
telecommunications, engineering and scientific computing, factory automation, decision
support systems, executive information systems, video, artificial intelligence, electronic
commerce, the World Wide Web, and so on.
The focus is on the opportunities and pitfalls provided by these technologies, the resources
(computers and microelectronics, networks, software, data, and people) that are necessary,
alternative approaches to managing them, and what the user-manager needs to know to make
effective use of these technologies. The course deals with two perspectives on managing these
technologies. First, preparing the individual manager to exploit these technologies in his career
is a major theme of the course. The second perspective is that of the organization?how to
manage and exploit information technology for strategic benefit? In general, neither
organizations nor managers have been well prepared to manage information technology, so
such courses are badly needed.
Managing Information Technology, PHBS, Mod 2 2010 Page 2 of 2
Teaching Methodology
This course is lecture with a heavily emphasis on case-study discussions. Group-work will be a
part of the course. Students will be involved giving presentations. Attending to the reading
assignment and case-readings is paramount.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for this class are a general and basic familiarity with the business
environment, arrived at either through coursework, or personal experience. This course is
available to any-year students from any of the PHBS programs.
Grading/Evaluation
The final grade in this course will be derived as shown below:
In class case analysis/discussion, Participation/Contribution 30%
Case Studies (2) – Written Preparation - required on the assigned dates 40%
Final Exam 30%
(Depending on the class size, evaluation deliverables may change greatly)
Criteria for grading:
? Demonstrated mastery of the material
? Effort and thought applied to the work
? Timeliness
? Clarity of expression
? Professional appearance of work - The school has recognized the importance of
communications skills throughout the curriculum. This commitment compliments
the need for clear communication in a professional environment. The quality of
your writing and presentations will be considered when evaluating your work.
Case Preparation and Write-ups:
The case method may be unfamiliar to some of you. It is a well-established practice for students at advanced levels of
learning. It lends itself especially to material that is subjective, ambiguous, and not easily measured. In these areas there
are few answers that are strictly wrong or right although some are better than others.
The study of cases allows you to do your own analysis and draw your own conclusions. When the cases are discussed in
groups each person has an opportunity to test their own ideas and listen to how others viewed the same material. The
value that you get from this is directly related to the effort that you put into it, both in your analysis and in the
discussion. There are no rules for preparing a case but here are some suggestions:
1. Skim through the case and become acquainted with the general outline
2. Go through the case more carefully noting the details that seem most important
3. Identify the key issues, as if you were going to summarize the case for someone else
4. Develop a point of view about the case (agree/disagree) and organize the facts that support you
conclusions or recommendations
The write-ups that you submit should be 3 - 5 pages. They should summarize the key points and present the conclusions
that you have drawn. Provide specific points that support your point of view.
General outline:
1. Summary of background or context of the case
2. Key points and issues, what the case is about
3. Conclusions or recommendations (usually your answers to preparation questions)