BADM 534
Management of Information Systems
West Virginia University
College of Business and Economics MBA Program
Spring, 2006
Monday and Wednesday, 10:30 to 11:45, Room 129, CRN
10962, Sect. 001
Virginia Franke Kleist, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, MIS
111 B & E Building Room 129
Virginia.kleist at mail dot wvu dot edu
(304)-293-7939
Instructor:
Office Hours:

W 2:30 to 4:00, F 11:00-1:00, 2:30 – 4:00 and by
appointment
Required Materials:

Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P. (2006). Management
Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm. New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Ninth Edition.
Webtext: Dr. Michael Rappa, E-Commerce Learning
Center, North Carolina State University, pages on
Managing the Digital Enterprise : Michael Rappa's
Ecommerce Course at NC State University

Course Overview:

Technologies of Information Systems:
To become a strong manager in information systems, one must obtain a good
understanding of the fundamental technologies. The course will include text based
lectures and discussions on the latest technologies of:
o
o
o
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Telecommunications (Network architectures, networking, LANs,
enterprise networking, wireless computing)
The Internet (VoIP, Wireless, Structure, protocols)
Electronic Commerce Technologies
Computing Platforms and Infrastructures
o
o
o
o
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Data Warehouses, database technologies, Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, Data
Mining
Network Security (Encryption, firewalls, biometrics, network address
translation)
Operating Systems
Distributed Computing (Client/Server, Intranets and Extranets, handhelds,
mobile computing, m-commerce)
Management of Information Systems:
The course will also include an overview of the classic managerial topics of:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Strategic planning for MIS
Systems analysis and design
Applications Development
Systems implementation
Systems management
Strategies and use of electronic commerce in business processes and
operations
Managing security issues
Managing international information systems
Understanding the return on investment from information systems
Current and New Issues in MIS:
Further, the class will have several in depth discussion sessions on current readings
related to the emergence of the digital firm. The readings will be web based, and will
cover important, current themes in managing information systems. These topics will
include areas such as the following:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
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Intellectual Property and the Internet
Information Technology and Ethical, Social and Workplace Issues
Information Technology and Strategic, Competitive Advantage
Pricing Information Goods
Business Models of Electronic Commerce: Potential for Success or
Failure?
Marketing and Retail Electronic Commerce: What goes in to a successful
electronic commerce web site?
Network security issues and evolving technological solutions
Global Information Technology Developments
Future Directions of Electronic commerce and Business: Issues of
Electronic Commerce Firm Valuations
Course Objective is Managing Information Systems:
As the above section describes, this course focuses on the managerial aspects of
information systems (the “m” in MIS). The student is expected to learn, think and act as
an executive level manager in understanding and assessing the use of information
systems to promote success in business. The student will also learn how to assess
emerging, new technologies from a business management perspective. The lectures and
the class discussions are designed to explore information systems planning, systems
development, database management, implementation, use, strategy and international IS
management considerations. Tests and two in-depth case analyses will be stressed in the
student evaluation process, as well as in class case presentations and discussions. A
major emphasis of the course, and of the course student evaluation process, will be to
encourage:

the development of the ability to make good, effective, strategic and cost efficient
MIS decisions in the face of rapid technological change and numerous constraints,
as if one were in the real world work environment, and,

the development of the ability to communicate these good decisions in writing, as
well as verbally with one’s peers in an effective and convincing manner, while
respecting the views and input of others.
Course Design:
The typical week will involve a text -based lecture format mixed with class interactions
and discussions on cases and real world information systems activities. There will be 2
formal case write-ups (five to six pages in length), and three exams- these activities are
individual in nature, and are each worth 100 points for 500 points of your grade. There
will be two team based activities, one tech updates and one analysis presentation. I often
call on students at random, and you are expected to be prepared with both the book
readings, cases and the Digital Firm topic readings. The general atmosphere of the
classroom case discussion is expected to be as if one is present at a business meeting of
executives trying to solve a real world MIS problem.
Student Evaluation:

Tech updates (team grade, 1 at 50
points)

Bonus points (attendance, homework,
small labs, discussion effort, random
readings pop quizzes)

Rappa webtext discussion group (team
grade for presentation and analysis
report)
50 points
50 points
100 points

Exams (individual grade, 3 each @ 100
points)
300 points
500 total points
Grading:
Grades are based on the following percentage based scale:
97.5 percent and up
93.0 percent and up
90.0 percent and up
87.5 percent and up
83.0 percent and up
80.0 percent and up
77.5 percent and up
73.0 percent and up
70.0 percent and up
Below 70 0
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD or F
Individual Case Write-up:
One formal case will be assigned for analysis and discussion during the the semester, and
this will require a formal, written analysis. The response is to be 6 pages in length, using
12 point font. Your cases should be well organized, with an introductory paragraph that
states the key points of the paper and what the paper will cover, such as an executive
overview. Each case is worth 100 points. Do not use “I,” “we” or “you” in your
writing. Do use “bullet points” to convey more material in a compact way, and use
headings to make your work well organized. At the end of your case, please have a
summary or conclusions paragraph which reiterates the main points of your discussion.
Cases are due at the beginning of the class on the last class. I will not accept emailed
cases. Late cases will be accepted but will receive a 10 point per day reduction.
The case write-up will be assigned points based on the following evaluation methods:
 Mechanical presentation issues: grammar, form, punctuation, appearance, and
spelling;
 Business writing skills: clarity, focus, concise argument and persuasiveness of
discussion, and,
 Thinking ability: depth, thoughtfulness, originality, understanding, and
sophistication and creativity of response.
For further guidance in how the cases will be evaluated, please refer to the “Case and
Paper Evaluation Form.”
Exams:
Three exams will be given, covering the material in the lectures, readings, discussions
and textbook. Detailed review sheets and big hints will be given out in advance of the
tests. You are responsible for the answers to materials that are covered in the lectures, but
may not be in the book. A mix of multiple choice answer, and essay will be used for the
tests. The exams will contribute 300 points to the total student evaluation grade. Chapter
material as well as readings will be included in the exams.
Tech Update:
Tech Update. Groups will present one “Tech Update.” Each group will cover their topic
in an 8 to 10 minute talk, using slides, supported with a short, one or two page paper and
copy of the slides. Topics might include Apple’s iPod technology and its future uses in
more mainstream environments, the new Blue Ray disc standard and its relationship to
the existing HDTV technology, crossover wireless phones with web accessibility, hybrid
car technology and its future potential impact on the auto industry or anything interesting
and futuristic in the world of cutting edge technology.
The group will be given a grade for each tech update for 50 points based upon the
following items:
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





Innovativeness: New and original. Cutting edge technology or issue. The latest
stuff, or the most forward looking technology.
Presentation: The manner in which the assignment was presented, packaged
and/or submitted: Readability of slides, clarity of spoken presentation,
professional, clean, neat.
Written: Coherence and logic of written portion of assignment. Adherence to all
case and report guidelines, including using proper sources and citations.
Completeness: The degree to which all of the expected responses were included.
Responsiveness: Ability to respond to questions from classmates and
instructor
Analysis: Ability to comment on and to assess the overall potential and
limitations about the subject matter and tie it to course. What is the long term
projection for this technology? How successful might this technology be? Will
this technology have an impact on business in the long run? Is this technology or
is this firm likely to be a success, or are there things about this technology that are
risky, unlikely to be stable over the long run? What is the “big picture” about this
technology?
Added Value: Anything above the requirements that increases the assignment
value, understanding or distinguishes it from your peer’s work in a favorable
manner
Total time in the classroom is not to exceed 10 minutes
Team Discussion of Managing the Digital Enterprise:
Each team will be assigned a section of our class electronic textbook, Dr. Michael
Rappa’s Managing the Digital Enterprise, to analyze, review and present to the class, as
well as to lead a group discussion on. This assignment is worth 100 points. The
following are the requirements for this assignment:



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
Five page report containing an analysis of essence of the readings, team based
report, using proper paper presentation skills. Do not summarize the articles, but
rather analyze these, explaining how these articles fit together, and address the
larger implications of the topic. What is the big picture behind the articles?
Fifteen to twenty minute Power Point presentation of the key issues and theme of
this chapter, including a brief summary and analysis of the Rappa readings
Lead class in a ten minute discussion of the Rappa chapter after the presentation
Total time in classroom is not to exceed about 25 minutes
Analysis paper is due at the start of class on the day that your team is assigned
this work
Grading for the written analysis will follow the form posted in the evaluation
section of your WebCT organizer, including proper use of sources
For this assignment, your group does not need to prepare all of the articles in the chapter.
Instead, your team may select between six to eight of all of the chapter articles which you
find to be the most interesting. It is expected, however, that each team member will read
at least two articles in depth, and then skim the remaining articles that the team selects.
The team should meet to have a discussion of these articles as well as to prepare the
presentation, discussion and written report. The result should be a cohesive and easily
understood synopsis of the key points of the assigned chapter. The class is expected to
skim three articles for the days that a team is presenting a chapter of the electronic
textbook.
Plagarism:
Please read and be fully aware of the definition of plagiarism as stated in the Academic
Dishonesty policy of West Virginia University:
http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/integrity.html. If the professor becomes aware of
any sentences, paragraphs, graphs, data, or concepts from other research that are
presented in either a case or a research paper for this class without having been cited
using a reference to the original source of the material, the case or research paper will
receive a grade of zero points and that paper may not be resubmitted again in the class.
The student will be reported to the head of the MBA program, and every effort will be
made to give the student an unforgivable F for the entire course.
Please be certain to cite all sources used in research, as there are no deviations from this
policy by this instructor.
Instructor Access:
My office hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30 to 4:00, and Friday from 11:00 to
1:00. I am always happy to meet with you then, or else any time that is mutually
convenient by appointment. You are always welcome to email me with questions or to
arrange a meeting. I will always respond to your emails within 24 hours, Monday
through Friday, but am less responsive to the telephone because I do not always work in
my WVU office. I encourage and welcome your email. I enjoy meeting with students
during my office hours, am also happy to discuss careers in IS, resumes, possible firms to
target for employment, or any issues which are important to you about the class. If you
are uncomfortable with any aspect of the course, and wish to make a criticism or make a
suggestion, but wish to do so anonymously, please leave an unsigned note in my mailbox
or under my door, and I will try and accommodate you if at all possible.
Social Justice:
I concur with the West Virginia University commitment to social justice and expect to
foster a nurturing learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect,
and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex,
age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any
suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will
be appreciated and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a disability and
anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please
advise me and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).
Syllabus:
DATE:
TOPIC:
ASSIGNMENT:
(Subject to some change week to week depending on progress
and interest).
Mon.,
1/9/06
Introductions,
Syllabus, Lecture on
Chapter 1:
Managing the Digital
Firm.
Buy or acquire text. Read Chapter 1.
Wed.,
1/11/06
Class Discussion:
What does “Being
Digital” mean to
you? What is digital
technology doing to
our business world?
Is the Internet just
another new
technology, like
Lecture, Chapter 1.
Discussion: Read and prepare for discussion case at end of
Chpt. 1 on Dollar General.
Discussion: Readings on “What is the Digital Firm?” Read
(skim and get the main ideas) from three interesting selections
and be prepared to discuss “Being Digital” using three articles
that you select to read from Dr. Michael Rappa's Digital
many we have seen
over the last 100
years, or is it
monumental and
paradigm changing
in significance to our
world?
Enterprise course and textbook titled Managing the Digital
Enterprise at the North Carolina State University page:
http://digitalenterprise.org/introduction/intro.html
Mon.,
1/16/06
No class.
Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday observed.
Wed.,
1/18/06
Lecture: Chapter 2:
Information Systems
in the Enterprise
Read Chapter 2.
Discussion: Be prepared to discuss the case at the end of
Chapter 2, Snyder’s of Hanover.
Mon.,
1/23/06
Chapter 3:
Information Systems,
Organizations,
Management and
Strategy
Read Chapter 3.
Read and be prepared to discuss article: “Crossing the Chasmand Beyond,” Geoffrey A. Moore, pp. 362-368, found in
Burgelman, R. A., C. M. Christensen, and S. C. Wheelright,
Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation, Boston:
McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2004, 4th edition.
Discussion: Be prepared to discuss the case at the end of
Chapter 3, Albertson’s vs. Wal-Mart.
Additional material on information systems strategy from Dr.
Kleist will be added to the lecture.
Wed.,
1/25/06
Discussion about
strategy of using
electronic commerce
technologies in
business
applications.
Class discussion: Read and think about case study questions
for class discussion of case p. 618: Citgroup.
Read and be prepared to discuss article: “Competing
Technologies: an Overview,” W. Brian Arthur, pp. 368-378,
found in Burgelman, R. A., C. M. Christensen, and S. C.
Wheelright, Strategic Management of Technology and
Innovation, Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2004, 4th edition.
Team 5 Presentation and Analysis Due: Channels of
Electronic Commerce Information Systems. Skim over three
articles on channels of electronic commerce from Dr. Michael
Rappa's textbook titled Managing the Digital Enterprise at
North Carolina State University,
http://ecommerce.ncsu.edu/topics/channels/channel.html
Think about how some of these articles might show examples
of electronic commerce used by firms for competitive,
sustainable strategic advantage. How might a firm sustain a
competitive advantage conferred by an information technology
edge? In particular, focus your efforts and readings on the
Dell case material given in the readings. Visit the Dell
website. Do outside research on Dell’s financials, its strategy,
other current events that you are able to discern. What is the
fundamental Dell strategy? How successful has it been? Will
this strategy continue to be successful in the future? What are
the threats against Dell's business model? Where is Dell going
in the future? What have you learned from the Dell business
case?
Mon.,
1/30/06
Chapter 4: The
Digital Firm
Read chapter 4, read and prepare (skim this reading) “Can the
Music Industry Change its Tune?” case for class discussion
Team 1 Tech Update due.
Wed.,
2/1/06
Chapter 5: Ethical
and Social Issues in
the Digital Firm
Read Chapter 5. Read and prepare case for discussion on
“Security Versus Privacy; Does Terrorism Change the
Debate?”
Class Discussion: Read and be prepared to discuss article,
“Digital Distribution and the Music Industry in 2001, “ by B.
Cha and K. Rajgopal, pp. 378- 410 in Burgelman, R. A., C. M.
Christensen, and S. C. Wheelright, Strategic Management of
Technology and Innovation, Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin,
2004, 4th edition.
Mon.,
2/6/06
Lecture: Chapter 6:
IT Infrastructure and
Platforms
Read Chapter 6.
Wed.,
2/8/06
Lecture day
Chapter 5 and 6 lecture. Some exam review comments. All
other work has been shifted to Monday to respect other work
commitments in the class. Monday is no longer an optional
day.
Mon.,
2/13/06
Review for Exam 1
Team 2 Tech Update Due. (10 minutes)
Team 3 Tech Update Due. (10 minutes)
Team 6 Presentation and Analysis Due: Read articles and
present an analysis of the Rappa web text regarding various
aspects of business ethics on the web, articles from Dr.
Michael Rappa's textbook titled Managing the Digital
Enterprise at North Carolina State University:
http://digitalenterprise.org/ethics/ethics.html. (25 minutes)
Class discussion assignment: Skim over three articles from the
above web text chapter to enhance the team discussion.
Handout distributed for review for Exam 1. (30 minutes for
questions)
Wed.,
2/15/06
EXAM #1
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and readings.
Mon.,
2/20/06
Lecture: Chapter 7:
Managing Data
Resources
Read Chapter 7. Homeland Security and Law Enforcement (p.
257) for class discussion.
Wed.,
2/22/06
Lecture: Chapter 8:
Telecommunications,
Networks and the
Internet
Read Chapter 8. Analog vs. digital transmission, network
topologies, EDI, wireless transmission methods, network design
and management software.
Mon.,
2/27/06
Lecture: Chapter 8
Read Chapter 8.
Team 4 Tech Update Due.
Wed.,
3/1/06
Lecture: Chapter 9,
The Wireless
Revolution.
Read Chapter 9.
Mon.,
3/6/06
Class discussion day
Team 7 Presentation and Analysis Due. Read articles and
present an analysis of the Rappa web text regarding various
aspects of successful business models on the internet,
http://digitalenterprise.org/models/models.html
Team 8 Presentation and Analysis Due. Read articles and
present an analysis of the Rappa web text regarding various
aspects of intellectual property on the internet,
http://digitalenterprise.org/ip/ip.html
Class discussion assignment: Skim over three articles from the
above web text chapters to enhance the teams’ discussions.
Wed.,
3/8/06
Lecture: Chapter 10,
Security and Control
Read Chapter 10.
3/13/063/17/06
Spring Break
No assignment
Mon.,
3/20/06
Lecture: Chapter 10,
Security and Control,
cont’d from before
Spring Break.
No assignment.
Lecture: Chapter 12,
Managing
Knowledge in the
Digital Firm
Read Chapter 12.
Wed.,
3/22/06
Team 5 Tech Update Due.
Team 9 Presentation and Analysis Due. Read articles and
present an analysis of the Rappa web text regarding various
aspects of security and control,
http://digitalenterprise.org/security/security.html
Class discussion assignment: Skim over three articles from the
above web text chapter to enhance the team discussion.
Mon.,
3/27/06
Web Page Design
Discussion Day
Team 10 Presentation and Analysis Due. Read articles and
present an analysis of the Rappa web text regarding various
aspects of the web page design process,
http://digitalenterprise.org/design/design.html
Class discussion assignment: Read several articles from Mr.
Rappa's web text:
http://ecommerce.ncsu.edu/topics/design/design.html regarding
various aspects of the web page design process.
Visit your favorite web sites. Think about your favorite 3, and
be prepared to present your favorite website to the class and
discuss why these sites are superior to others like them. What
are several factors for a good web site, and how do your
selections reflect this? Be prepared to share these with the
class.
Wed.,
3/29/06
Lecture, Chapter 12,
Managing
Read Chapter 12. Be prepared to discuss Pfizer case on p. 453.
Knowledge in the
Digital Firm
Team 6 Tech Update Due
Team 7 Tech Update Due
NO OFFICE
HOURS FOR
KLEIST THIS DAY
OR FRIDAY, 3/31
Mon.,
4/3/06
Chapter 14,
Redesigning the
Organization with
Information Systems.
Team 1 Presentation and Analysis Due. Read articles and
present an analysis of the section of Rappa’s text on Digital
Automata, about software programs that use artificial
intelligence techniques such as intelligent agents on the
internet to deliver new forms of corporate and personal
information:
http://digitalenterprise.org/automata/automata.html
Class discussion assignment: Skim over three articles from the
above web text chapter to enhance the team discussion.
Wed.,
4/5/06
Mon.,
4/10/06
Lecture on Chapter
15, Understanding
the Business Value
of Systems and
Discussion:
Measuring the
Business Value of
Information
Technology
Read Chapter 15.
Class Discussion:
Trust in Electronic
Commerce; Privacy
in Online Digital
Data
Team 3 Presentation and Analysis Due Read articles and
prepare class presentation of your analysis, and lead discussion
on Rappa’s web site on trust in electronic commerce:
http://digitalenterprise.org/trust/trust.html
Team 2 Presentation and Analysis Due. Read articles and
prepare class presentation of your analysis on Rappa’s
ecommerce metrics web site:
http://digitalenterprise.org/metrics/metrics.html
Class discussion assignment: Skim over three articles from the
above web text chapter to enhance the team discussion.
Team 4 Presentation and Analysis Due Read articles and
prepare class presentation of your analysis, and lead discussion
on Rappa’s web site on privacy in online digital data:
http://digitalenterprise.org/privacy/privacy.html
Class discussion assignment: Skim over three articles from the
above web text chapters to enhance the teams’ discussions.
Wed.,
4/12/06
Review for Exam 2
NO OFFICE
HOURS FOR
KLEIST
Exam review will be posted.
FOR CLASS TODAY: PLEASE ATTEND THE TECH FAIR
DURING CLASS HOURS AND WRITE A TWO PAGE
PARAGRAPH OF WHAT YOU SAW THAT WAS
INTERESTING. 10 POINTS.
Dr. Kleist is in Washington, DC this day.
Mon.,
4/17/06
Presentation, Mr.
Paul D. Franke,
President and CEO,
Software
Management Inc.
Mr. Paul D. Franke, Presentation and Discussion. description
of company, see: http://www.softwaremgt.com/index.cfm for
company website.
Wed.,
4/19/06
EXAM #2
Exam covers Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 and discussions
from readings.
Mon.,
4/24/06
Techno lab day
Meet in lab for hands on learning lab on web page building,
Microsoft Project, Microsoft Visio lab activity
Wed.,
4/26/06
CASE
DISCUSSION
Team 8 Tech Update Due
Team 9 Tech Update Due
Team 10 Tech Update Due
CASE DISCUSSION.
We will have a case discussion this day of a case to be posted
for you to read. No written reports will be required, however.
Wed.,
5/3/05
FINAL EXAM
Final exam in same format as Exams 1 and 2, cumulative, 100
points. Covers: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15
and discussions from readings.