MIS 5402
Managing Technology and Systems
Week 3 – System Thinking and
Crowdsourcing
Spring 2016
David S. McGettigan
(mcget@temple.edu)
Adapted from material by James Moustafellos, Munir Mandviwalla and Steven L. Johnson
Key Concepts from Last Week:
1. Objectives for the course relative to your aspirations and
the importance of leadership
2. Competitive advantage examples in each major function
of the corporation
3. Innovation and leader are inextricably linked in that
organization change is difficult but necessary for long term
success
Discuss and Collect:
Weekly Reading Summary
1. One key point you took from each assigned reading, including
the cases: one sentence per reading.
2. One key point you learned from the readings as a whole: one
sentence maximum.
3. One discussion question that you would ask your fellow
classmates: one sentence maximum.
Breakout Session :
In your group, discuss
UBER
- How did Uber achieve its present position
- Where are the positive feedback loops? Is Uber loosing momentum?
- Should Uber continue or pivot?
- Was surge pricing a distraction or a core part of the business model?
- Why did the use of social media fail Uber in Seattle?
Discussion :
UBER
Systems Thinking Versus Process
Thinking
Process Thinking
Systems Thinking
• Considering the
system as a collection
of independent
processes
• Decompose and
optimize
• Considering the
system as a collection
of integrated
processes
• Synthesize and
optimize
For what types of problems is each best suited?
Breakout Session :
In your group, discuss
FEEDBACK
&
SYSTEMS THINKING
- What is Feedback? Referring back to the Uber case, how does their
system build in Feedback?
- What is Systems Thinking? How does Uber and other online
marketplaces use a Systems Thinking approach?
- As a team, diagram the Uber business process. Include how feedback
is integrated into and affects this system
Discussion :
FEEDBACK
&
SYSTEMS THINKING
Discussion :
1 HOUR OF
CODE
Learn IT Assignments #1
Activity: You too can code
Objective
The objective of this activity is to demystify programming by learn the basics of a popular
programming language (JavaScript).
Activity Requirements
Go to http://www.codecademy.com/ and create an account (“Sign up”).
Go to https://www.codecademy.com/courses/hour-of-code/0/1 and complete the
activity.
Prepare a 1 page document answering the following questions:
1. Has your view of computer programming changed after completing an hour of code?
2. Some people say that every student should learn to code. Do you agree or disagree?
3. What are 3 key things you learned?
4. Are you likely to use this resource again? Would you recommend it to others? Why
or why not?
1. Has your view of computer programming changed after completing
an hour of code?
2. Some people say that every student should learn to code. Do you
agree or disagree?
3. What are 3 key things you learned?
4. Are you likely to use this resource again? Would you recommend it
to others? Why or why not?
Next Week: KODAK
See the course blog for format + questions
1. Evaluate Kodak’s strategy in traditional photography. Why has the company
been so successful throughout the history of the industry?
2. Compare traditional photography to digital imaging and outline the main
differences. How has value creation changed in digital photography relative to
traditional?
3. Evaluate Kodak’s response to Sony’s introduction of the Mavica in 1981. Was
it appropriate? Why / why not?
4. Explain why Fisher’s attempt to transform Kodak failed.
5. Would Kodak’s position be different had the company adopted a different
strategy in the 80s and 90s, or was the actual outcome inevitable?