Business Driven InformationTechnology

Spring 2011

Dr. Thomas Rienzo
3325 Schneider Hall
thomas.rienzo@wmich.edu
269-387-5511

See Course Schedule!

BBA PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
CIS 1020 is directly related to your ability to meet three goals for undergraduate students receiving a degree from the Haworth College of Business:

  • Communicate effectively.
  • Understand and use computer-based information systems and infrastructures.
  • Practice acceptable standards of ethical and professional behavior.
Instructor: Thomas Rienzo
Office Address: 3325 Schneider Hall
Office Hours: M-W: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM; R: 10:00 AM - Noon
Office Phone: 387-5511
E-mail Address: eLearning Mail client for course correspondence, otherwise thomas.rienzo@wmich.edu
Class Schedule: M-W 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM, Room 1330 or Computer Lab 2250
  CRN: 13313

Course Theme:

Information and System Literacy

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to information-communication literacy, system literacy, and business information technologies. It emphasizes the relationship between IT and business processes and the importance of aligning business information systems with business strategy. By interacting with integrated enterprise system(s), this course helps students understand the modern IT-driven business value chain and business process integration (BPI). The role of IT in organizational change and business transformation, IT and history, and IT cultural issues are discussed. Team/individual class projects are used throughout the course.

Prerequisites: CIS 1020 or 1100, BCM 1420

Textbook:

Business-driven Information Technology (4th ed)-Customized for WMU
Baltzan, Phillips
ISBN-13:978-0-07-741397-2
available at Bernhard Center and University Bookstore
Note: This is a custom book negotiated by the WMU CIS program to reduce textbook costs.  It is not available online.

 

BUS2700 Business Driven Information Technology Casebook Spring 2011
-- available at University Bookstore only

Course Objectives for Students:

After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to:

  • Explain and demonstrate information and communication technologies in business and their various functions and cross-functions.
  • Understand IS-driven business decision making.
  • Understand the role of IT in a modern business organization.
  • Recognize how an integrated enterprise system improves business process integration.
  • Recognize IT-related cultural values and concerns in the modern business environment.

Content Integration

BUS 2700 is more concerned with what information and communication technologies do in a business than how they are programmed or constructed. It is assumed that CIS 1020/1100 courses provide background in computer literacy; therefore issues of computer hardware and software are nominally covered in BUS 2700. However, business-driven information technologies are rigorously covered, adding an additional level of complexity to modern business enterprises introduced to students in BUS 1750. In addition, computer skills that students develop in CIS 1020/1100 are essential to the team/individual projects in BUS 2700. BUS 2700 provides the information technology context for quantitative, business decision-making techniques introduced to students in future classes.

Course Topics and Content: covers the following 9 learning modules.
  • Module 1. Introduction to IT Literacy introduces a business information technology Infrastructure model with layers involving telecommunications, computer networks, the Internet, computer hardware/software, communication systems and business information systems applications.
  • Module 2. The Internet and its Business Applications introduces the Internet with its history, governance, and protocols. Intranets, Extranets, E-commerce, and concepts of network security are discussed.
  • Module 3. IS Driven Business Decision-Making examines the way information systems are used in business decision-making.
  • Module 4. System Literacy introduces information systems development life cycle.
  • Module 5. IT in the Business Value Chain introduces the concept of enterprise systems (SCM, CRM, ERP) and connects them with the business value chain.
  • Module 6. IS Driven Business Process Integration discusses characteristics and functions of integrated enterprise systems such as ERP systems.
  • Module 7. IT and Organizational Change explores the shifts and trends in business organizational structure that are resulting from the control and optimization capabilities of integrated information systems.
  • Module 8. IT Driven Business Transformation explores the transformation of business from a traditional industrial work system to an IT-based work system.
  • Module 9. IT Cultural Issues looks at information security, privacy, and ethics.
Teamwork

In preparation for typical business work environments, BUS 2700 includes group project submissions. Team activities are meant to develop skills and interests that will encourage students to pursue lifelong learning in the Information Age.  Team members will be evaluated by their peers.  Peer evaluations may affect points earned for projects.

Firing and Resigning

Although students are expected to participate in their assigned teams, the course does provide a last resort mechanism to quit a team or fire non-performing members.  Anyone leaving a team is responsible for finding another team to join in the same class section.  If students leaving assigned teams are unable to join other teams, they must complete all designated project activities by themselves, and will be eligible for no more than 80 percent of the maximum points possible for each project.

Firing

Non-performing group members can be dismissed using the following process:

  1. Team creates and signs a group dismissal policy and has it approved by instructor.
  2. Group provides specific requirements for non-performing members and documents them in writing
  3. Group notifies instructor of non-performance and provides documentation in step 2.
  4. Group produces a memo notifying non-performer that he/she is off the team and copies instructor.

Resigning

Students believing they are unfairly performing a disproportionate share of project work may resign from a team using the following process:

  1. Compose a memo to the team describing specific reasons for dissatisfaction and specific changes desired.  Memo must state that resignation will follow if changes are not implemented.  Instructor must be copied .
  2. Compose resignation memo and resign from team.  Copy instructor.

Remember, anyone leaving his or her assigned team must find another team in the same section, or complete all future assignments individually.  Individual project submissions will be eligible for no more than 80 percent of project points.

Assignments: Projects and assignments may be described in the text, case book, and/or E-Learning system

Proj/Assign Topic Develops
1 Collaboration Software Information Literacy
2 IT and Globalization Information System Literacy
3 SAP Purchase Processing ERP / System Integration
4 GP Sales Processing ERP / System Integration
5 Database Project Data Organization
6 IT and Decision Making Data Analysis
7 OLAP Cubes Business Intelligence
8 Business Reporting Data Organization and Analysis
9 Security, Privacy, Ethics Information System Literacy

Grading Policy

Projects, Assignments, and Peer Evaluations: 390 points

Projects or Assignments Type Points
Project 1 - Collaboration Software Individual 10
Project 2 - IT and Globalization Group 60
Project 3 - SAP Purchasing Individual 40
Project 4 - GP Sales Individual 40
Project 5 - Database Individual 35
Project 6 - IT and Decision Making II Group 50
Project 7 - OLAP Cubes Individual 30
Project 8 - Business Reporting Individual 40
Project 9 - Security, Privacy, Ethics (incl presentations) Group 75
Peer Evaluations   10

Discussions and In-class Exercises: 60 points

Discussion/Exercise Points
iPod Discussion 5
World is Flat Discussion 5
In-class exercises 50

Exams and Quizzes: 550 points

Exam Points
Chapter Quizzes 150
Exam 1 100
Exam 2 100
Final Exam - Comprehensive 200
Total 1000

Initial points for group projects will be based on reports and group performance assessments. Low peer evaluations by two or more members of your team may adversely affect your grade.

Grading Scale

A=920+ BA=919-870 B=869-810
CB=809-760 C=759-700 DC=699-650
D=649-600 E=below 600  

Academic Honesty:

You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies, Student Rights and Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test

Look over http://osc.wmich.edu and www.wmich.edu/registrar for code of honor and general academic policies on such issues as diversity, religious observance, student disabilities, etc.

Attendance Policy:

Given the nature of this course and the value added by attending the class, attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to contribute in the class and have the responsibility, not only for their own learning, but also to contribute to the learning of their fellow students. More than 6 absences may result in one-half grade level penalty.

Late Assignment Policy:

All assignments are due by the end of the class period on the date in the syllabus. Late assignments will be docked 10% of the maximum grade obtainable for that assignment if late up to one week, 20% if over one week late. Assignments more than 2 weeks late will receive no credit. All assignments must be turned in before final exams. The course instructor can take into account extenuating circumstances such as illness at their discretion.

Late Exams Policy:

Students are expected to take exams when scheduled. If you expect to be absent on exam day, see the instructor in advance for a make-up. All makeup exams are given at the discretion of the instructor.

Cell phones and pagers

Cell phones and pagers must be on "vibrate" or off during class meeting times