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Monash University

FIT2074 Technology, information and organisations - Semester 1, 2011

This unit examines the way in which information technology influences the structures and operations of organisations and organisational approaches to the management and use of information. The capabilities and limitations of technologies and the way they have been commoditised and standardised in the marketplace are fundamental determinants of what IT-based applications are capable of achieving. As technologies have evolved and been commoditised, they have shaped and in turn been shaped by what individuals and organisations want and expect from them. This unit applies this perspective as a basis for analysing the main technologies employed by organisations for the use and management of information.

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Day)

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs tutorial/wk

Workload

For all students workload commitments are:

  • two hour lecture,
  • two hour tutorial (requiring advance preparation)
  • a minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of contact time in order to satisfy the reading, assignment and exam expectations.

Unit Relationships

Prerequisites

FIT1036 or FIT1003

Chief Examiner

Joanne Evans

Campus Lecturer

Caulfield

Joanne Evans

Contact hours: Week 1-6 Wednesday 10am-12pm by appointment only

Tom Denison

Tutors

Caulfield

Joanne Mihelcic

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit, students will:

  • know and understand the impacts of advances in information technologies on organisations, their structures and the way they use and manage information to support their operations;
  • know and understand how the needs of organisations and the marketplace influence the path of technology evolution;
  • know and understand some of the key factors which contribute to the success or failure of technology-based innovations in organisations;
  • recognise the strengths and weaknesses of information technology for performing a variety of common information tasks;
  • be able to evaluate the merits and disadvantages of a technology-based solution to an organisational information need or problem;
  • be able to carry out a critical analysis of an area of technology and make an assessment of its likely future impacts on an organisation.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

    Assessment Summary

    Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

    Assessment Task Value Due Date
    Tutorial Presentation and Paper 20% Presentation Schedule to be determined in Week 2 tutorial class.
    Information System/Information Technology Report 20% 21 April 2011
    Examination 1 60 % To be advised

    Teaching Approach

    Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
    This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

    Feedback

    Our feedback to You

    Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
    • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
    • Graded assignments with comments

    Your feedback to Us

    Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

    For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
    http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
    http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

    Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

    If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
    https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

    Required Resources

    Boddy, D., Boonstra, A., & Kennedy, G. (2009). Managing Information Systems: Strategy and Organisation (Third Edition). Harlow, England: Pearson Education Limited. 




    Unit Schedule

    Week Date* Activities Assessment
    0 21/02/11 Review the unit site in Moodle and ensure you are registered for a tutorial No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
    1 28/02/11 Introduction  
    2 07/03/11 Conceptual Foundations  
    3 14/03/11 Information Technology and Information Infrastructures Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    4 21/03/11 Information Systems in Organisations Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    5 28/03/11 Ethical and Social Issues Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    6 04/04/11 Information Systems Strategies Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    7 11/04/11 Business Process Design Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    8 18/04/11 Cultures, Structures and Politics Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations. Assignment 2: Report due 21 April 2011
    Mid semester break
    9 02/05/11 Organising and Positioning Information System Activities Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    10 09/05/11 People and Information Systems Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    11 16/05/11 Implementing Information Systems Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
    12 23/05/11 IS Costs, Benefits and Business Cases Assignment 1: Tutorial Presentations
      30/05/11 SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC

    *Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

    Assessment Policy

    To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

    • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
    • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
    • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

    If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit

    Assessment Tasks

    Participation

    • Assessment task 1
      Title:
      Tutorial Presentation and Paper
      Description:
      Each student is required to present one tutorial paper that critically discusses some of the key ideas raised in an assigned reading. Full details of the assignment will be made available on the Moodle website for the unit.
      Weighting:
      20%
      Criteria for assessment:

      The criteria used to assess submissions are:

      1. Synthesis - you are able to summarise the key issues and arguments of a tutorial reading.
      2. Critical Analysis - you are able to evaluate the author's arguments with care and balance, demonstrating some knowledge of broader literature in the topic.
      3. Presentation - you are able to present your ideas to your tutorial class and promote their discussion.
      Due date:
      Presentation Schedule to be determined in Week 2 tutorial class.
    • Assessment task 2
      Title:
      Information System/Information Technology Report
      Description:
      Each student is required to prepare a report on the current state of play and future prospects for a class of information systems or information technologies.Full details of the assignment will be made available on the Moodle website for the unit.
      Weighting:
      20%
      Criteria for assessment:

      The criteria used to assess submissions are:

      1. Understanding - you are able to describe a class of information systems or technologies, highlighting salient issues regarding their use in organisations.
      2. Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position regarding the current state of play and future prospects by using logical argument drawing on the concepts presented in the unit.
      3. Presentation - that you have presented your work in a suitably formatted report style, with appropriate referencing.
      Due date:
      21 April 2011

    Examinations

    • Examination 1
      Weighting:
      60 %
      Length:
      3 hours
      Type (open/closed book):
      Closed book
      Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
      None

    Assignment submission

    Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/

    You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

    Extensions and penalties

    Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.

    You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

    Returning assignments

    Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later

    Resubmission of assignments

    Assignments must be submitted by the due date unless special consideration applies. There is no resubmission of assignments.

    Referencing requirements

    All Faculty of Information Technology masters coursework and undergraduate units should use the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guide. For examples see http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/tutorials/citing/infotech.html.

    Policies

    Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
    http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

    Key educational policies include:

    Student services

    The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis

    READING LIST

    Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. (2007). Essentials of Management Information Systems (Eight Edition.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall. 

    Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. (2010). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (Eleventh Edition.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

    Pearlson, K. E., & Saunders, C. S. (2010). Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach (Fourth Edition). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

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