EDI 3510 Business Information Systems
EDI 3510 Business Information Systems
The course covers principles, practices and issues related to the use of digital technology to support a firm’s strategic goals and key activities. Firms’ various business models and operational activities are supported by a digital technical infrastructure that consists of hardware and software systems. A central managerial challenge is to align a firm’s strategic goals and operational activities with these information systems (IS). Addressing this challenge requires the formulation and implementation of an IS strategy, which includes designing a corresponding digital infrastructure that enables and enhances a firm’s key activities and processes.
We will cover a range of related topics: The course serves as an introduction to the role of information systems (IS) and information technology (IT) in an increasingly digital business world. We will discuss the elements of IS strategy, its alignment with business strategy, and principles and practices of its implementation. And we will cover issues related to systems architecture and key applications of IS.
The course will combine conceptual knowledge (structures, concepts, and principles) about information systems and their alignment with business goals with hands-on demonstrations of and assignments on state-of-the-art tools and systems (e.g. ERP systems, cloud-based applications).
After completing this course, a candidate will have developed knowledge about:
- Definitions and elements of information systems (IS) and information technology (IT)
- Elements, principles and concepts related to a firm’s digital infrastructure
- Link between a firm’s business strategy, operational activities and the use of digital technologies (information systems)
- Elements, principles, and concepts of a firm’s information systems strategy and its alignment with business goals
- IS management and tools and applications (e.g. ERP, cloud applications)
After completing this course, a candidate will be able to:
- Assess a firm’s information systems strategy
- Evaluate a firm’s existing digital infrastructure in relation to its strategic and operational goals
- Plan and implement a digital infrastructure that aligns with strategic goals and key activities
- Identify interdependencies between firm strategy and its digital infrastructure
- Use relevant tools and applications (e.g. ERP systems and cloud platforms)
A candidate well be able to explain and analyze elements of state-of-the-art information systems and their use in an organization in the digital business world.
- Introduction to information systems (IS) and information technology (IT)
- Elements of information systems and technologies
- Types of information systems and technologies
- The role of IS in increasingly digital industries and organizations
- Elements of a digital infrastructure
- Structural aspects of information technology
- Hardware and software elements
- The role of cloud-based systems and Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Alignment of business and information systems strategy
- Implications of business strategy for the use of information systems and digital technologies
- Information systems requirements to support operational activities
- Development and implementation of an appropriate IS strategy
- Management of digital technologies
- Justifying investments into technology
- Cybersecurity and privacy issues
- Ethics and social issues in information systems
The course includes a combination of lectures, case discussions, and hands-on exercises. The student is evaluated on a combination of individual and group tasks presented through a final portfolio that is evaluated at the end of the course. To be eligible to submit the final portfolio, students must get approved 3 out of 4 work requirements. The work requirements consist of:
1. Intermediate project presentation: Around the halfway point of the course, student groups will present the progress of their project (sub-)assignments. The primary purpose is to provide them with feedback and a formative assessment of their work so far. The presentation should be given by each student group.
2. Peer feedback on the intermediate project presentation: Shortly after the intermediate project presentations, students will provide feedback (via an online learning platform) on their peers' progress so far. This is an individual assignment.
3. Final project presentation: Towards the end of the course, student groups will give a final presentation on the progress of their project (sub-)assignments. This provides them with feedback and a formative assessment of their work before submitting the portfolio exam. The presentation should be given by each student group.
4. Peer feedback on the final project presentation: Shortly after the final project presentations, students will have an additional opportunity to provide feedback (via an online learning platform) on their peers' progress so far. This is an individual assignment.
In addition, student groups will work on a semester-long portfolio that consists of these sub-assignments and tasks. They will present their progress and receive feedback from their peers (as well as provide feedback).
Relevant software tools will be announced at the beginning of the course.
| Mandatory coursework | Courseworks given | Courseworks required | Comment coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | 4 | 3 | To be eligible to submit the final portfolio, students must get approved 3 out of 4 work requirements. See information under "teaching and learning activities" |
| Exam category | Weight | Invigilation | Duration | Grouping | Comment exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Exam code: EDI 35101 Grading scale: ECTS Grading rules: Internal examiner Resit: Examination when next scheduled course | 100 | No | 1 Semester(s) | Group/Individual (1 - 3) | During the course, students will complete a variety of tasks and sub-assignments (work requirements). In order to promote the best possible learning, the sub-assignments must be submitted along the way for a formative peer assessment. The sub-assignments can be solved in groups that work together throughout the semester. The final written assignment that serves as the basis of examination is then a portfolio of these sub-assignments. |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 30 Hour(s) | Participation in lectures |
Student's own work with learning resources | 15 Hour(s) | |
Prepare for teaching | 75 Hour(s) | |
Feedback activities and counselling | 5 Hour(s) | Mainly peer feedback on project presentations. |
Examination | 75 Hour(s) | Work on tasks and sub-assignments throughout the course. |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.