RD 430 Strategic Management with Information Technology
Instructor H.M. Van Bemmelen. Help phone: (860) 395-1778
1) Course Description
The course begins by describing how business strategies are formulated, and how information technology fits into the planning process. Some success criteria for business strategy are examined, including the use of information technology as a business transformation strategy. The related information systems requirements, and the specific criteria for generating the information systems plans are analyzed.
This is subsequently followed by the use of business accounting models, simulators, and specific case scenarios for generating general business plans and departmental cost center plans. Students are grouped in teams to develop their own chosen business plans for a class project. (The use of information technology and/or the Internet is a project requirement.) The use of the Internet as a resource for searching relevant information is also required.
Forecasting information technology trends, software and hardware tools, and the application of some modeling software involving artificial intelligence are discussed in the context of business intelligence needs and information technology architectural strategy.
Recent Internet based business ventures (successful and failed) are discussed and evaluated as cases. The organizational aspects for new entrepreneurial ventures which may be using the Internet are analyzed. The results of the student business plans are compared as investments.
Exams cover text book, class material, and discussions.
2) Course objectives and learning outcomes.
This course will aid students to understand the need for using strategic information technology tools to leverage corporate strategic objectives, and provide students with the background to use information technology for business models or entrepreneurial ventures.
(1) Students will be able to assess the likely changes in organizational roles and structures of traditional business functions as a result of the rapid technological change, as well as the entrepreneurial venture process.
(2) Students will learn to recognize the appropriate application of information technology related tools to improve operational functions.
(3) Students will be able to contribute to the formation of new corporate strategies to take advantage of the information/Internet technologies.
(4) Students will prepare business plans as a project & simulate results.
(5) Students use the Internet as information source for the business plan project.
(6) Students will learn how to use financial models and simulators to predict and improve business performance.
3) Text books
"A Practical Guide to Information Systems Strategic Planning"
by: Anita Cassidy; 1998 St Lucie Press.
"Digital Capital: Harnessing the power of business webs"
by Don Tapscott; 2000 Harvard Business Press.
4) Simulator. Students receive and use a simplified financial simulator.
5) Reference material
"Netrepreneur" by J. Lowery. Que; "Re-engineering the Corporation", M. Hammer '93
"Executive Strategy-Strategic management and Information Technology", F Betz; 2001 Wiley & Sons.
6) Grading: 35% Final Exam, 30% Midterm, 15% Homework, 20% Project.
Homework consists primarily of case analyses |
