E-COM 500 - Business and Information Technology
Credit Hours:
3
Contact Hours:
This is a 3-credit course, offered in a 14 week format. The exact number of hours
per week that you can expect to spend on each course will vary based upon the
weekly coursework, as well as your study style and preferences. You should plan to
spend 10-12 hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the
discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research.
Faculty Information
Name:
Phone:
CSU-GC Email:
Virtual Office Hours:
Course Description and Outcomes
This course introduces students to the ways private and public enterprises depend on information technologies
for achieving strategic and operational objectives. Businesses have expanded to include technology linkages
between supplies and customers that imply increasing the need for information technology resources within
firms. These resources have become more visible and the accompanying roles and accountability of information
systems functions have changed dramatically as a result.
The overall objectives of this course are to provide comprehensive coverage of IS management practices and
technology trends for advanced students and managers.
Students are exposed to the role of the information technology manager. Students will learn how to align
business and IT objectives toward common strategic directions promoting operational efficiency. Students will
learn strategies for assessing the feasibility of technology-based solutions to complex problems in organizations
that rely on information technology to achieve business objectives. Students will also learn strategies for
evaluating cutting edge technology along with current industry standards with a focus on the impacts to an
organization. Emphasis will be placed on the role of an information technology manager in the preparation and
implementation of enterprise-wide IT infrastructure solutions that are flexible, sustainable, and efficient and
that add value to an organization.
Course Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Appropriately apply information technology terminology.
Describe information systems that are used in organizations to accomplish operational tasks.
Analyze and evaluate information technology trends.
Describe various impacts of technological innovation on business.
Analyze cost considerations with information technology initiatives.
Analyze and explain the benefits of networking technology in the workplace.
Participation & Attendance
Prompt and consistent attendance in your online courses is essential for your success. If for some reason you
would like to drop a course, please contact Saudi Electronic University.
Online classes have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on-campus classes. Budget
your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with your instructor. If you are having technical
problems, problems with your assignments, or other problems that are impeding your progress, let your
instructor know as soon as possible. Any assignment not completed within 7 days of the due date will not be
graded and a score of zero (0) will be assigned.
Course Materials
Required:
Brown, C. V., DeHayes, D. W., Hoffer, J. A., Martin, W. W., & Perkins, W. C. (2012). Managing information
technology, (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prenctice Hall. ISBN: 9780132146326
Austin, R. D., Nolan, R. L., & O’Donnell, S. (2009). The adventures of an IT leader. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
Press. ISBN: 9781422146606
Course Schedule
Due Dates
The Academic Week begins on Sunday and ends the following Saturday. All assignments are due by Saturday at
midnight KSA time of the week assigned. Any assignment not completed within 7 days of the due date will not
be graded and a score of zero (0) will be assigned.
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Discussion Activities: Application of knowledge is an important step in the learning experience and
every course has key discussions wherein students can apply and analyze content as well as move
toward synthesis. This course has Discussion Forums that provide learners an extended opportunity to
interact with one another in an instructor-facilitated dialogue that focuses on key course themes.
Students will apply and synthesize knowledge learned to case studies simulating real-world decisionmaking.
Mastery Exercises: These exercises will assess learner knowledge in each topic area.
Critical Thinking Application Assignments: each assignment will require students to apply their
knowledge learned in the module to real-world scenarios.
Week #
Readings
Chapters 1, 2, & 3 in The Adventures of an IT Leader
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Assignments
Discussion (25 points)
Chapter 1 in Managing Information Technology
1
Carr, N. G. (2003, May). IT doesn’t matter. Harvard Business
Review. Retrieved from
http://www.proxios.net/pdf/ITDoesn'tMatter.pdf
Chapter 4 in Managing Information Technology
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Chapters 13, 14 & 15 in The Adventures of an IT Leader
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Discussion (25 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Critical Thinking (90 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Discussion (25 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Critical Thinking (90 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Discussion (25 points)
Chapter 16 in The Adventures of an IT Leader
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Critical Thinking (90 points)
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Discussion (25 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Critical Thinking (90 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Discussion (25 points)
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Critical Thinking (90 points)
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Discussion (25 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Chapter 2 in Managing Information Technology, pp. 19-33
2
Chapter 2 in Managing Information Technology, pp. 34-59
3
Chapter 3 in Managing Information Technology
4
5
6
Melville, N., & Ramirez, R. (2008). Information technology
innovation diffusion: An information requirements paradigm.
Information Systems Journal, 18(3), 247-273.
7
Chapters 5 & 6 in Managing Information Technology
8
Chapter 7 in Managing Information Technology
9
Chapter 12 in Managing Information Technology
Greengard, S. (2009, December). 10 trends for 2010. Baseline,
(101), 16-22.
10
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11
Power Point Lecture: Davenport, T. (2011). QuickTalks: Tom
Davenport: Analytical technologies [Books 24x7
video]. Retrieved
from http://mmlviewer.books24x7.com/toc.asp?bookid=4343
7
Big Data and Cloud Computing:
IBM. (2012, August 2). Competing for the individual: How small
& medium businesses can capture the big data opportunity.
Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLG8xEhj6Lo
12
Chapter 11 in Managing Information Technology
Chapter 13 in Managing Information Technology
13
Chapters 4 & 5 in The Adventures of an IT Leader
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Discussion (25 points)
Mastery Exercise (0 points)
Portfolio Project (350 points)
Carr, N. G. (2003, May). IT doesn’t matter. Harvard Business
Review. Retrieved from
http://www.proxios.net/pdf/ITDoesn'tMatter.pdf
14
Brynjolfsson, E. (2003, July). The IT productivity gap. Optimize,
(21). Retrieved from
http://ebusiness.mit.edu/erik/Optimize/pr_roi.html
Assignment Details
This course includes the following assignments/projects:
Week 3
Case Study: Selection of an Information Technology Platform (90 points)
Read the case study I-1, from the 7th edition of Managing Information Technology, entitled IMT Custom
Machine Company, Inc.: Selection of an Information Technology Platform.
Write a debriefing report that includes the pros and cons of the four options presented to the VP and
Division Manager in the case study. Include a recommendation for the one of the four options you feel
would be the most appropriate solution. If none of the four options is the appropriate solution,
recommend a new option. In your response remember to address the following:
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How well staff is able to handle the option
Key applications and their ability to work with type of system
Tools available that work with the type of system
Stability of vendor[s]
Cost
Consistency with business group strategies and vision
Budget and capacity planning
Software licensing
Your report should be 4-5 pages in length and well-written. Use Saudi Electronic University academic
writing standards and APA style guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
Week 5
Critical Thinking: Case Study: Debriefing Report for VoIP2.biz, Inc. (90 Points)
Read case study I-2, from the 7th edition of Managing Information Technology, entitled VoIP2.biz, Inc.:
Deciding on the Next Steps for a VoIP Supplier.
Write a debriefing report to include options for future activities to be presented to the Board of
Directors detailing the following options:
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Staying with current plan
Closing down the company
Selling the company
Slowing down rate of growth
Asking for a 90 day extension to take care of the cash flow problem
Reduce expenses
Other possibilities
Your report should be 3-4 pages in length and well-written. Use Saudi Electronic University academic
writing standards and APA style guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
Week 7
Critical Thinking: Reviewing the Adventures of an IT Leaders (90 Points)
For this assignment, complete a 3 to 5 page summary based on your readings in the Adventures of an IT
Leader. As you read the chapters think about pertinent issues and the relationship of these factors to
situation outcomes. As you prepare your paper, respond to the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How much time and effort should an IT department devote to scanning for and analyzing emerging
technologies?
What are your responses to Bernie Ruben’s three questions in taking action on the blog issue at IVK:
a. What if anything should we do about this blog entry?
b. What should be our general policy about blogging based on inside information from
within the company?
c. What should be our process for spotting emerging technologies and analyzing them to
see how they might e relevant to use for better or worse?
Which of the three proposed processes should IVK sue for enforcing infrastructure technology
standards? Recommend and justify.
Are IT standardization and innovation (or flexibility) in conflict in an organization like IVK?
What do you think of the kid’s toolkit approach to management?
Use Saudi Electronic University academic writing standards and APA style guidelines, citing references as
appropriate.
Week 9
Critical Thinking: Website Analysis (90 Points)
The objective of this assignment is for you to increase your knowledge about how businesses are
leveraging the Internet to conduct business. Because you will be using public web sites to do your
research, the focus will be on marketing, sales, and customer service transactions with end-consumers
(B2C).
1. Choose an industry of interest where several companies have developed online e-business
strategies with public B2C web sites. This industry might include traditional companies operating
as bricks-and-clicks firms, as well as dot-com companies.
2. After you have looked at several public web sites for companies in this industry, select 3 or 4
companies you think will provide an interesting comparison about how companies are
leveraging the Internet today. (Hint: you might want to include one company with a website you
think is significantly inferior to at least one other company’s site.)
3. Analyze each of the websites in terms of the overall “look-and-feel” of the site from the
perspective of the targeted consumer, as well as how well each web site has addressed the 7Cs
in the model developed by Rayport and Jaworski (described at the end of Chapter 7 in the
textbook).
4. Write up your findings, including the following content:
 Introduce the industry you selected and the web sites you selected. Include the reasons
why you chose this industry and these particular companies, and include the URL for each
site.
 Describe and also compare the ways that these companies’ web sites address the 7Cs and
any other characteristics you wish to emphasize. For example:
o How easy was it to identify the content or services available?
o How easy was it to navigate between pages?
o Did the site download easily?
o Was the use of graphics and animation appropriate for the target audience?
o Were the linking capabilities of the Web exploited?
o Was there a sense of “community”?
o Was a privacy policy available and easy to find?
 Based on your analyses, provide some recommendations for the company whose web site
you considered to be the weakest. Be sure your ideas are appropriate for the industry you
selected, and take into account whether companies in this industry traditionally have sold
directly to end-consumers or not and using what channels (e.g., catalog, physical store, or
via a distributor).
5. Use outside resources to provide current statistics and forecasts for the industry you selected,
as well as any information about B2B applications that the companies may be using. Be sure to
provide full citations to all third-party sources, including a “last date accessed” for all references
to a URL. The SEU Virtual Library is an excellent site to find outside resources.
Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length and well-written. Use Saudi Electronic University academic
writing standards and APA style guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
Week 11
Critical Thinking: Case Study: Making Information Systems Investments (90 Points)
Read case study IV-1 from the 7th edition of Managing Information Technology, entitled The Clarion
School for Boys, Inc.—Milwaukee Division: Making Information Systems Investments
The case study provides an example of the practical and political difficulties encountered in IS planning
and also provides an example of assessing current IS resources.
Develop a detailed outline of a long-range information system plan for Clarion—Milwaukee.
A long-term plan should include the following sections:
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Statement of precise objectives
Analysis of current and future environment, including business, information technology, and
user information
Proposed information technology action plan, including hardware, applications, personnel,
network, and facilities
Resource and funding needs justification
Implementation plan
Organizational change
Training
Label each section clearly.
Note: special consideration should be made to adoption of innovative, emerging, or IT trends.
Your outline should be 2-3 pages in length and well-written. Use Saudi Electronic University academic
writing standards and APA style guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
Week 14
Portfolio Project – Consultant Case Study (350 pts)
Put together a case presentation based on one of the following options:
1) Case from the text book Managing Information Technology
2) Case based on The Adventures of an IT Leader
3) Case from real work situation (must be pre-approved)
Follow a problem-solving approach. You will play the role of consultant assuming you have been hired
by the organization to:
1) Provide objective opinion of the situation (specific details below)
2) Provide realistic options for actions for the organization.
Final project includes two artifacts:
1) Presentation – can be done in PowerPoint, Google Docs presentation, or other presentation
software readable by the instructor.
a. Each slide should include lecture notes – i.e., what would you say if you were actually
presenting this?
b. Make sure each slide summarizes the general idea – you do NOT want to be reading
slides to your audience.
2) Summary report – maximum length of 5 double-spaced pages.
a. Can include copies of tables and diagrams used in presentation, but they must be cited
according to APA guidelines.
b. Describe the current situation.
c. The problem/and or opportunity, depending upon which case you have chosen.
d. The solution and justification for why you’ve chosen that solution.
e. An evaluation of the solution and how it will be effective in solving the problem or
leveraging the opportunity.
Course Policies
Course Grading
20% Discussion Participation
45% Critical Thinking Activities
35% Final Portfolio Paper
Any assignment not completed within 7 days of the due date will not be
graded and a score of zero (0) will be assigned.