Information Systems Management & Innovation – (M.Sc.)

Contents

You will be assessed by 15 percent exams and 85 percent coursework. The study programme includes:

• Eight core modules
• A project and dissertation.

You will be taught by members of staff from ISM. One will be your personal tutor throughout the course, offering you advice and guidance throughout your studies.

CORE MODULES:

In order to gain expertise in the key elements in information systems and management, you will be required to study eight core modules.

1. Foundations of Information Systems:

In this module you will study key theories, frameworks, and models to explore how computing and IS have evolved over the last forty years.

Key themes include: four eras of business computing; models and frameworks for the IT organisation; IT governance and management.

Topics covered include:

• The mainframe era (1960-1980)
• IT and the finance function
• The enterprise systems era (1980-1999)
• Tangible business benefits and IT investments
• The Internet era (1999 onwards)
• Key players in ICT.

By the end of this module you will have:

• Studied a range of ICT models and frameworks from the past forty years
• Explored strategies, applications, and implementation of ICT across industrial and not-for-profit sectors
• Applied ICT theoretical models and frameworks across different industry and market segments
• Understood the relationship between ICT in a business and not-for-profit setting.

This module is assessed by group presentations and an exam.

2. Enterprise Systems Development:

Many contemporary organisations are replacing their legacy systems with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software which integrates all the major business processes. In this module you will consider the managerial issues and factors associated with the development of these complex, tightly-coupled software packages.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of ERPs functionality through using SAP R/3, the leading commercially available solution. You will use SAP to configure a virtual enterprise and this practical grounding will be complemented and enhanced by exploring case studies and research literature.

You will examine topics such as:

• Business process redesign & integration in the modern enterprise
• Challenges and risks faced in ERPs acquisition and implementation
• Development process and methodology
• Critical success factors.

This module is assessed 60 percent by an individual 3,000 word essay, and 40 percent by a group presentation and report.

3. Management of IT & Outsourcing:

In module you will explore the role of Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) in contemporary business. You will focus on management issues concerning the utilisation of IS/IT within organisations, including issues related to IT project and risk management, IT outsourcing, and the management of global teams. Learn to appreciate an Information System as a combination of people, work activities, and support technologies

You will learn to recognise the role of IS and IT, including e-business, in different organisational environments and the competitive advantage they can bring. You will also consider the principles of strategic information systems planning and management in a competitive global environment.

You will explore the main principles of IT project and risk management, with a focus on IT outsourcing and management of global teams. Using explanatory models and tools you will learn to evaluate IS opportunities to make informed decisions about IT implementation strategy. Case studies will expand your understanding of application and management of IT and outsourcing in different types of organisations.

You will examine topics such as:

• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Customer Relationship Management
• IT project management and risk management
• Managing IT outsourcing projects
• Global IS issues and collaboration between globally distributed teams.

This module is assessed 80 percent by an individual 2,000 word essay, and 20 percent by group presentations.

4. Organisational Analysis:

This module will introduce you to key concepts in organisational analysis. In terms of the implementation of information systems, you will come to understand how organisational structures and processes affect employees' orientation to work, technology and management.

You will explore key concepts and theories that you can draw on in other parts of the course when studying specific areas of IS and management.

• Organisational stucture
• Instutions and environment
• Power and control
• Corporate culture
• Leadership.

5. Business Systems Integration & Consultancy:

This module builds on the idea that firms develop systems integration strategies (SISs) for planning processes. The important activity of integrating data and information information, and developing an information strategy using technology is a key role in contemporary firms. In 2007/08, experts from Deloitte came to discuss the challenges and approaches to client work, with other guest speakers also bringing in industrial insights to enrich the learning.

You will use case studies, syndicate exercises, and group work to explore the subject.

A key aim of this module is to give you the a theoretical and practical understanding of the many issues that arise when developing a business systems and integration strategy. You will work in small groups to develop a Business Systems and Integration Strategy based around a real live company. As part of the group assessment, groups will be expected to present their findings to company representatives in a Dragons' Den style showdown.

During the module, you will examine topics such as:

• Systems Integration (SI) within the context of IS management
• Data integration
• Customer relationship management
• Service-oriented architecture, business process mapping and its linkages with SI strategy
• SI strategy implementation.

This module is assessed 60 percent by an individual 2,500 word essay, and 40 percent by a group presentation.

6. Strategic Management of IS:

Part of the teaching of this module is based on case studies presented by our industrial contacts at Ernst & Young and Google.

Yoy will become equipped to develop and implement effective information systems strategies for a diversity of competitive and organisational settings.

You will learn to deal with the human resource, social, cultural, and organisational aspects of IS. You will also study the design of management processes for effective implementation of information systems strategies.

Topics covered include:

• Issues in strategy implementation
• Enterprise systems strategy implementation
• Managing virtual teamworking and inter-organisational network
• Security and risk management in the IT context
• Social networking technologies and value creation.

This module is assessed 80 percent by an individual 3,500 word essay, and 20 percent by group work.

7. Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence:

This module will give you the fundamental knowledge in the adoption of data warehousing technologies to build business intelligence capacity. You will gain hands-on experience in the design and use of SAP data warehousing system and an online analytical processing (OLAP) software package.

The module uses lectures, case studies, directed reading, and computer lab sessions to equip you with a sound appreciation of the factors affecting successful deployment of enterprise data management solutions.

Business intelligence enables an organisation to sense and respond to the demands of its competitive environment. This module will will equip you for an IS and / or management role by providing you with insights for decision-making via interactive analysis of enterprise data.

Topics covered will usually include:

• The nature and application of business intelligence practices and data warehousing technologies
• Data querying using OLAP
• Data warehousing architecture and development
• Data warehouse implementation with SAP Business Warehouse
• Data warehouse project management
• Data mining and other key current business intelligence applications
• Challenges in enterprise data management.

Assessment is 75 percent by two essays each of 3,000-4,000 words. The remaining 25 percent will come from data warehouse querying and / or OLAP work.

By the end of the module you will have:

• Demonstrated an understanding of the nature and /use of data warehouse technology and enterprise business intelligence practices
• Developed a working knowledge of a major enterprise data warehousing system and OLAP software
• Developed and used a data warehousing system
• Learned how to query information from databases and data warehouses
• Critically evaluated the adoption/use of data warehouse systems and business intelligence practices for achieving organisational benefits.

8. Knowledge Innovation & Change:

This module offers you several theoretical and practical frameworks that integrate concepts of information technology, innovation, and strategic management. You will explore the introduction, integration, and effects of new technologies and systems within a firm. You will consider technological innovation from two angles: efficiency improvement within a business, and product or service innovation with the consumer in mind.

Topics covered include:

• Technology-driven process innovations
• Technology-driven product innovations
• Standardisation battles
• Enterprise systems integration
• Impact of technological innovation on business performance and competitiveness
• Managing innovation and change
• Emerging topics in technological innovations.

By the end of this module you will have:

• An awareness of various business processes that take place within and between the organisations
• An awareness of the enterprise systems that support business processes
• Explored issues related to enterprise systems integration within and between organisations
• Acquired knowledge and understanding of a range of strategic management and technological innovation concepts
• Understood the strategies that link technological innovations to competitive advantage.

This module is assessed by written work and group presentation.

DISSERTATION:

You must complete a satisfactory dissertation of around 12,000 words to be awarded your MSc in Information Systems & Management. This piece of work, undertaken in your third term and over the summer, gives you the opportunity to apply the techniques and theories you have learned during the taught modules. You will have a member of staff from our Information Systems & Management group (ISM) group as a supervisor for the duration of the project.

The dissertation is often preceded by a 'real-life' practical consultancy project. You provide a report to your client following your project work and this forms the basis for the full dissertation. You need to add additional academic content to the report including: literature review, methodological discussion, and reflection on the project process and outcomes.

There is also the opportunity for some students to go to Bentley College, Boston, USA to undertake their project and dissertation.

Alternatively you might undertake a research-based project based at WBS, perhaps working on data supplied by an outside organisation. Your focus will then be on desk based research, and a dissertation with strong literature and empirical content will be expected.

Recent projects

• A strategic review of ERP systems at Avery Weigh Tronix
• Assessing the IT outsourcing maturity of organisations at Hewlett Packard
• Market assessments for new e-learning products
• An investigation of knowledge process outsourcing for Pershing Bank of New York
• Applications rationalisation for Coventry City council
• Mobile communications and remote data transfer options for Middlemarch
• Re-engineering of a Cargo Handling System using the product life cycle at BA Regional cargo
• Two tier-integration at Warwickshire County Council
• Anti-Spam Policy Framework (ASPF) Model Development at Ernst & Young
• Exploring the challenges involved in valueing the benefits of implementing intranets at British Telecommunications.

Funding details

We strongly advise you to arrange funding for your time at WBS as early as possible.

Scholarships

In 2011-2012, we are offering more than 80 WBS scholarships for UK/EU students,
worth over £400,000. We automatically consider all eligible applicants to WBS courses, while funds are available.

We strongly recommend that you apply for a place on your chosen course as early as possible if you'd like to be considered.

WBS Scholarships

WBS Scholarships are intended for participants who are likely to be in the top 20 percent of their class. You must bring both outstanding experience and diversity of background to the class, and be a successful ambassador for WBS following graduation.

Warwick Scholarships

The University of Warwick Graduate School also offers some scholarships which may be available to applicants. You will generally need to apply for these separately.
Scholarships are usually awarded towards payment of your academic fee. Some funding sources have deadlines, some closing as early as February in the year of entry.

Banks & loans

Your bank might be able to offer you preferential borrowing rates on a loan, or an interest-free overdraft. You might want to make an early appointment with a bank representative to discuss your requirements.

Some United Kingdom banks may offer you a Career Development Loans (CDL), backed by the Government. The scheme is available to those intending to work in the United Kingdom or European Union countries. It can help fund up to two years of study.

Overseas students

There is some funding available for overseas students who are studying in the UK. However, available funding is usually awarded on a competitive basis and there are often many applicants for few awards.

The University of Warwick International Office's web site holds lots of information on funding for overseas students.

It may be possible to apply in your own country for British government awards. Talk to your local British Council office. In particular, overseas students are able to apply for a British Chevening Scholarship.

Check the conditions of eligibility in the booklets produced by the different grant-awarding bodies to see if you are eligible. Sometimes you may be able to put together small grants from different agencies, one paying fees alone while another contributes to your living expenses or travel.