Information Systems Management – (MBA)

Contents

The master’s degree programme in Information Systems Management (ISM) emphasizes the multi-disciplinary nature of the development and management of information services. The curriculum is composed of modules, each focusing on one of the key competence areas, and the master’s thesis.

Core Studies

The following modules address the common knowledge and skills every ISM graduate will master.

* Methodology Studies (8 ECTS credits) Methodological skills belong in the fundamental competence set of any ICT professional. The skills are built using a practical approach. The research and development methods are applied to real life development projects.

• Research and Development Methods (5 ECTS)
• ICT Management Frameworks (3 ECTS)

* Leadership and Communication Skills (10 ECTS credits) Managing multi-cultural and multi-professional teams require not only strict management competences but also strong leadership skills. In the training of ICT people the leadership and communication skills are often neglected and, therefore, they are given a special attention in the curriculum of ISM. In this module the students also evaluate their managerial and leadership skills and adopt the mindset of continuous development of these skills using various communication methods as the tools.

• Personal Development (5 ECTS)
• Leadership and Communication in Multicultural Environment (5 ECTS)

* Business and ICT Linkage (17 ECTS credits) The ISM programme emphasizes the cooperation between the business and ICT functions on all levels of the organization. The student learns the business principles and the two roles of ICT in creating value to the business, i.e. as the provider of the services and as the facilitator of service innovations. Foreseeing and managing the changes due to the developing business environment and evolving ICT technology are essential skills of an ISM graduate.

• International Corporate Strategy (5 ECTS)
• Aligning ICT and Business (5 ECTS)
• Riding the Waves of Change (4 ECTS)
• Opportunities of ICT Technology (3 ECTS)

Elective Studies (15 ECTS)

After the core studies two alternative modules are available for the student to further specialize either as a service development manager or a program manager.

* Service Development Manager Orientation The Service Development Manager provides the business with ICT services. A service refers to a means delivering value to the business (e.g. running a CRM system and related processes). The continuous improvement of the services and the design of innovative services driven by the business function belong to the work profile of a service development manager. He or she may work at strategic or operative level either in the customer or supplier organization. Mastering the best industry practices of service management in various areas, such as vendor management, is among the key competences of the service manager.

• Service Management in Practice -Case Study (5 ECTS)
• Service Management Best Practices (5 ECTS)
• Vendor Management (5 ECTS)

* Program Manager Orientation The Program Manager realizes the ICT services according to the business targets. A program refers to a large activity, often international and composed of several projects, aiming at increasing the business value (e.g. introducing an ERP system and related processes). The Program Manager possesses the management and leadership skills to accomplish the required change in the organisation. He or she may work in the customer or supplier organization. Mastering the best industry practices of program management in various areas, such as sourcing management, is among the key competences of the service manager.

• Program Management in Practice -Case Study (5 ECTS)
• Program Management Best Practices (5 ECTS)
• Sourcing Management (5 ECTS)

Free-Choice Studies (10 ECTS)

The student completes his or her competence profile by freely selecting the most suitable courses. A large collection of master level business management, communication management and technology oriented courses are available in HAAGA-HELIA.

Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS credits)

Master’s thesis is the core of the studies. The thesis work is usually tied to development efforts made in business projects or community activities. Applied research is carried out to improve development efforts in a way that business development achieves the desired value. The work is supported by workshops in which the student presents the theoretical basis and empirical results, shares insights, learns together and achieves guidance from the the moderator

Funding details

A scholarship scheme which covers the tuition fee for the second and third semester is available. The scholarships are meant for non EU or non EEA students who show good results in their studies, i.e. the number and level of the ECTS credits, during the first and second semester. A free form application for the scholarship together with the transcript of records must be submitted to the Programme Director for each semester not later than 10 January for the spring semester and 10 September for the autumn semester.