ECM2431 - Information Systems (2023)

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MODULE TITLEInformation Systems CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM2431 MODULE CONVENERDr Vladimir Ryabov (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 15
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

***DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP STUDENTS ONLY***

The integrating theme of this module is the focus on an organisation and the ways it can develop its capabilities using information technology.

Information systems are an integral part of all business activities. This module is designed to introduce you to contemporary information systems and demonstrate how these systems are used throughout organisations. The focus will be on the key components of information systems - people, software, hardware, data, and communication technologies, and how these components can be integrated and managed to create competitive advantage.

You will gain an understanding of how information is used in organisations and how IT enables improvement in quality, speed, and agility. This module also provides an introduction to systems and development concepts, technology acquisition, and various types of application software that have become ubiquitous in modern organisations and society.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to ensure you understand the role and value of IS/IT in organisations. In particular, you will be able to demonstrate the following competence:

  • Critically analyses a business domain in order to identify the role of information systems, highlight issues and identify opportunities for improvement through evaluating information systems in relation to their intended purpose and effectiveness.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Critically analyse a business domain in order to identify the role of information systems and highlight issues.

2. Evaluate information systems in relation to their intended purpose with regard to their effectiveness.

3. Explain why Information Technology is important to business and society.

4. Understand how and why information systems are used today.

5. Explain the technology, people, and organisational components of information systems.

6. Understand the alignment between IT strategy and organisational strategy

7. Understand globalisation and the role information systems has played in this evolution.

8. Understand how businesses are using information systems for competitive advantage vs. competitive necessity.

9. Understand the value of information systems investments as well as learn to formulate a business case for a new information system, including estimation of both costs and benefits.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

10. Identify the major components of an information systems infrastructure.

11. Understand how information systems are enabling new forms of commerce between individuals and organisations.

12. Understand how information systems enable core and supportive business processes as well as those that interface with suppliers and customers.

13. Appreciate how IS represents a key source of competitive advantage for firms.

14. Understand existing and emerging information technologies, the functions of IS and its impact on the organisational operations.

15. Aware of emerging technologies that enable new forms of communication, collaboration, and partnering.

16. Understand how various types of information systems provide the information needed to gain business intelligence to support the decision making for the different levels and functions of the organisation.

17. Understand how enterprise systems foster stronger relationships with customers and suppliers and how these systems are widely used to enforce organisational structures and processes.

18. Understand how organisations develop and acquire information systems and technologies.

19. Understand how to secure information systems resources, focusing on both human and technological safeguards.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

20. Communicate orally and in writing

21. Think analytically and critically

22. Organise your own work

23. Work to a deadline

24. Make decisions

 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Introduction (1 week)
• Digital transformation and information systems
• The need for information systems
• Components of information systems
• Types of information systems; their uses, functions and impacts
IS in organisations (2 weeks)
• Role and impact of IS in business processes
• Information systems for competitive advantage/necessity
• Alignment between IT strategy and organisational strategy
IS applications (2 weeks)
• Enterprise applications
• New forms of IT-enabled commerce
• Business Intelligence and decision making
IS infrastructure and architecture (4 weeks)
• Organisational IT infrastructure for IS
• Cloud-based solutions
• Enterprise architecture; EA frameworks
• IT management and IT governance processes
IS acquisition (2 weeks)
• The acquisition process
• Analysing a business domain to highlight issues and identify IS needs
• Value of information systems investments; benefits realisation
• Formulating a business case for information systems
Emerging technologies (1 week)
• New forms of communications
• Social information systems

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22.00 Guided Independent Study 128.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 18 Online learning activity, including virtual workshops, synchronous and asynchronous virtual lectures and other e-learning.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Group workshops
Guided independent study 128 Coursework, exam preparation and self-study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Contribution to class discussion N/A 1-24 Verbal
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 50 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Business case exercise 50 2,000 words 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20-24 Written
Written exam 50 1.5 hours 1-24 Written
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Business case exercise (50%) Business case exercise 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20-24 Completed over summer with a deadline in August
Written exam (50%) Written exam (1.5 hours) 1-24 August assessment period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be deferred in the assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you may be required to sit a referral. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10 July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 08 February 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Information, systems