Information Systems

General characterization

Prerequisites

n/a

Bibliography

Kenneth C. Laudon, Jane P. Laudon, Management Information Systems, 15th Edition, Pearson, 2018 – Global Edition

Teaching method

Theoretical Lectures and Practical classes with IS/IT case discussion and student investigation.

Evaluation method

In-Class Participation

Objective In Class participation will be used to make sure that students are keeping up with the course content and to evaluate their improvement. All students participation will be accounted.

Participation grade It will account for your final grade. More specifically, 5% in theoretical classes and 10% in practical classes.

Scoring system

Practical classes - Each every 2 weeks you'll have to conclude a quiz about a case on Moodle (see Graded Exercises section). In the immediate following week, you will discuss in class the case that you were tested. All students are invited to participate in the discussion in order to count for the continual evaluation. Unjustified absence to any case discussion will mean a zero grade for that class's participation. Class participation grades will be based on your input and positive contribution to the discussion. Please use a name tag to turn grading easier during class discussion.

Theoretical classes - Theoretical classes will have a weekly system similar to the presented above. However, instead of having a discussion about the quizzes previously done, you will have to discuss a specific case, video or text previously uploaded that you'll need to read and prepare for discussion in class. This preparation means answering specific questions on Moodle. Please use a name tag to turn grading easier during class discussion.

Graded Exercises (quizzes on Moodle)

Objective Graded exercises (quizzes) will be used to make sure that students are keeping up with the course content and to evaluate their improvement. All exercises will be graded.

Content Each quiz will have questions about a case (both about the content of the case + theoretical subjects covered on it) related to each of the book's chapters. The cases have a maximum of 3 pages and all of them are already available on Moodle.

Dates and frequency All the graded exercises will be done outside class, two every 2 weeks. All graded exercises will be done during or after each logical group of lectures. The quizzes opens at Mondays (8 am) and closes at Sundays (11h55 pm), every 2 weeks. No answers will be taken into account after this deadline.

Answers and grading The graded exercises answers must be done through Moodle. Grades will be returned in Moodle platform.

Scoring system All the graded exercises are mandatory. We will have 12 graded exercises, counting the best 8 out of 12 for each individual student.

Project The goal of the project is to provide in-depth exposure to a specific information systems topic. The project will expose the student to all of the steps of an information systems process and its components. More detailed information will be provided later in the semester.

Final Exam The final exam will cover all the material discussed throughout the semester. An emphasis will be placed on material explained in lectures. More detailed information and sample questions will be provided during the final weeks of the course. The final exam formats might differ during the normal and special exam seasons. The final exam will count for 50% of the grade. There will be a minimum grade of 42.5%.

Regular Exam Period  

In-class participation : 15% of final grade (5% in Theoretical Classes, 10% in Practical Classes) .

Graded Exercises (quizzes) (GE 1..12): 15% of final grade (best 8 out of 12) .

Project : 20% of final grade (group) .

Final Exam : 50% of final grade (individual)

Students who attend the Regular Exam will have to consider the Continuous Evaluation Grade.

In this case a student approves if has a final grade (weighted average) higher or equal to 50%, with a minimum grade of 42.5% in the exam .

Exam Grade > 42.5%

o Final Grade = (Exam Grade) x 50% + (Project Grade) x 20% + (best 8 of 12 GE grades) x 15% + (in - Class Participation) x 15%

Exame Grade < 42.5% o Final Grade = Exam Grade

 A student approves if:

1. Has an Exam Grade higher or equal to 42.5%.

2. Has a final grade higher or equal to 50%.

Resit Exam Period . Students who attend the Resit Exam will have considered only the 100% of the Resit Exam Grade.  In this case a student approves if has a final grade higher or equal to 50%.

Grade Improvement in Regular Period . Students who attend the Regular Exam for Grade Improvement will have considered the Exam for 100%.  In this case a student approves if has a final grade higher or equal to 50%.

Grade Improvement in Resit Period . Students who attend the Resit Exam for Grade Improvement will have considered the Exam for 100%.  In this case a student approves if has a final grade higher or equal to 50%.

Subject matter

Learning objectives (by Laudon) include a student's ability to understand:

1. How are information systems transforming business and what is their relationship to globalization. Why are information systems so essential for running and managing a business today. What exactly is an information system and how does it work. What are its management, organization, technology components, and complementary assets. Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for an organization. What are the academic disciplines used to study information systems. How each contribute to an understanding of information systems. What is a sociotechnical systems perspective.

2. What are business processes and how they relate to information systems. How do systems serve the different management groups in a business. How do systems that link the enterprise improve organizational performance. Why systems for collaboration and teamwork are so important and what technologies do they use. What is the role of the information systems function in a business.

3. Which features of organizations do managers need to know about to build and use information systems successfully. What is the impact of information systems on organizations. How does Porter's competitive forces model help companies develop competitive strategies using information systems. How do the value chain and value web models help businesses identify opportunities for strategic information system applications. How do information systems help businesses use synergies, core competencies, and network-based strategies to achieve competitive advantage. What are the challenges posed by strategic information systems and how should they be addressed.

4. What ethical, social, and political issues are raised by information systems. What specific principles for conduct can be used to guide ethical decisions. Why do contemporary information systems technology and the Internet pose challenges to the protection of individual privacy and intellectual property. How have information systems affected everyday life.

5. What is IT infrastructure and what are its components. What are the stages and technology drivers of IT infrastructure evolution. What are the current trends in computer hardware platforms. What are the current trends in software platforms. What are the challenges of managing IT infrastructure and management solutions.

6. What are the problems of managing data resources in a traditional file environment and how are they solved by a database management system. What are the major capabilities of database management systems (DBMS) and why is a relational DBMS so powerful. What are some important principles of database design. What are the principal tools and technologies for accessing information from databases to improve business performance and decision making. Why are information policy, data administration, and data quality assurance essential for managing the firm's data resources.

7. What are the principal components of telecommunications networks and key networking technologies. What are the different types of networks. How do the Internet and Internet technology work, and how do they support communication and e-business. What are the principal technologies and standards for wireless networking, communication, and Internet access. Why are radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless sensor networks valuable for business.

8. Why are information systems vulnerable to destruction, error, and abuse. What is the business value of security and control. What are the components of an organizational framework for security and control. What are the most important tools and technologies for safeguarding information resources.

9. How do enterprise systems help businesses achieve operational excellence. How do supply chain management systems coordinate planning, production, and logistics with suppliers. How do customer relationship management systems help firms achieve customer intimacy. What are the challenges posed by enterprise applications. How are enterprise applications taking advantage of new technologies.

 10. What are the unique features of e-commerce, digital markets, and digital goods. What are the principal e-commerce business and revenue models. How has e-commerce transformed marketing. How has e-commerce affected business-to-business transactions. What is the role of m-commerce in business, and what are the most important m-commerce applications. What issues must be addressed when building an e-commerce Web site. 

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: