Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems - 150:249

MBA Program
College of Business Administration
University of Northern Iowa
November 8, 2006 – February 9, 2007

Revised 11/08/2006

Facilitator
Dr. Daniel Power
255 Curris Business Building, Department of Management
College of Business Administration University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0126 U.S.A
phone: (319) 273-2987, fax: (319) 273-2922
e-mail: Daniel.Power@uni.edu
web site: http://DSSResources.COM

Course Schedule

Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm in CBB 131 and 7:30-9:00pm in CBB 224. Meets from Nov. 8-Dec. 13, 2006 and Jan. 10-Feb. 9, 2007. Saturday Seminars 8:30-12:00 (noon) 11/11 and 12/9 in CBB 224.

Required Texts

Power, D. J. Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers, Quorum Books, 2002.

Course Packet, Microsoft Excel 2002, Copyworks.

You will receive a free subscription to DSSResources.COM. The subscriber zone has support materials that you should find useful.

Catalog Description

Provides students with knowledge of the role of information systems within an organization; systems, information and decision theory; information systems applications including decision support; and systems evaluation and selection. Prerequisites: consent of MBA Director.

Course Overview

This is an advanced course in information systems and information technology (IS/IT) for MBA students. The course is targeted to students who want more expertise in developing, managing and using information systems and especially Decision Support Systems, but who do not want to master and use the specialized systems development and technical skills associated with an MIS major curriculum. If you want to be a sophisticated IS/IT user and possibly an innovator AND a business manager or staff support specialist, then this course should be a "good fit" for you.

Today, business information systems are a primary channel for communicating, storing and retrieving product orders, accounting records, and other business data. In your information systems foundation course, you learned that information systems support most tasks and functions of an organization. Also, you learned most managers are involved with using and managing information. You should have developed some knowledge of how computers, software, networks and information systems support business decision making and operations. You probably realize that some of what you learned is already dated or obsolete. We are studying complex, rapidly changing systems and technologies. For all of the above reasons, managers need to continually learn more about IS/IT and they need to develop a positive partnership with Information Systems professionals. Managers and IS professionals must share responsibility for the effectiveness of information systems and share responsibility for dealing with the problems and opportunities presented by rapidly changing information technologies. Managers must consider both information systems and information technology issues when they design jobs, supervise subordinates, work with customers and suppliers, formulate strategy, develop goals and plans and implement management controls.

Your knowledge of information systems and information technology must include understanding how IS/IT can help you be a better manager and how it can help improve the management and operations of the company where you work.

The primary focus of this course is exploring the design and development of decision support systems and web-based information systems. We will also explore the role of information systems in supporting organization goals and the impact of information systems on organizations.

My perspective will be both managerial and technical. My overriding concern is helping you become a person who can use and manage information systems and technologies to improve you own productivity, the productivity of subordinates and co-workers and the productivity of the organization as a whole.

Course Objectives

As a result of our work together in this course, you should:

Develop a more sophisticated understanding of how IS/IT can help a firm meet its objectives, including gaining a competitive advantage, increasing revenues and profits, decreasing expenses, providing better customer service, and improving decision making.
Become a better informed consumer of Decision Support Systems and information technology resources. Review the foundations on which information technology and applications are built. We will especially emphasize buying and developing DSS applications.
Develop skills that can help you use and manage information technology resources.
Learn more about the Internet, the World-Wide Web and its potential business uses and impacts.
Become more aware of the impact of information systems on organizations and anticipate changing technologies.
Explore new organizational capabilities, management/leadership principles, and sources of value that arise within networked companies.
Engage in sustained reasoning about IT including defining a problem, formulating a solution, and planning, designing, executing, and evaluating a solution.
Develop contemporary skills related to using a spreadsheet for decision support.

Grading Process

Most of our class sessions are oriented to mini-lectures, discussions, student presentations, web-based materials, cases and company examples. The readings, case studies and supporting material will introduce you to problems and solutions associated with management use of information and decision support systems. Discussions will emphasize using and managing information systems and information technology. Grading will emphasize mastery of concepts and understanding of the material discussed and presented in class sessions. Students are responsible for completing all assigned readings.

Your final grade is a function of four major components, including:

Quizes/short write-ups/Excel exercises	100
2 Case Analyses and a case presentation	100
Project and Presentation	100
Exam on DSS book	100

Students receiving at least 92% of the points will receive an A; at least 82%, a B; at least 72%, a C. Plus and minus grades will be awarded. The curve may be adjusted downward at the discretion of the instructor.

Quizes/short write-ups/exercises

You will be expected to complete a number of in-class and out-of-class assignments, quizes and Excel exercises (100 points). If you have problems that prevent you from following the class schedule, please let me know in advance and we will discuss how we might accommodate your situation. In class labs are open book and open notes. If the lab is submitted at the end of the lab session, then the student can receive 100% of the points. Lab exercises submitted within 24 hours of the end of a lab session can receive a maximum of 80% of the total points for the lab.

Case analyses

You will be expected to complete two case study analyses during the course. All students will submit a 5 page typed analysis (35 points) of Power & Roth “Ertl's Decision Support Journey” by noon on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 by email. Each student will select another case to analyze, summarize and present (35 points written analysis; 30 presentation and PPT slides).

Project and Presentation

The project (100 points) is an opportunity for students to study an existing DSS, propose an innovative DSS or build a small scale DSS using Excel. Some students will conduct a decision process audit and analysis and then develop a proposal for building a decision support system. Some students with strong technical skills can alternatively request permission to use Microsoft Excel to build and document a small-scale, spreadsheet-based DSS. Some students may research and write a case study. Students have a choice in the type of project proposed between a more managerial and a more technical end user development task. A maximum two (2) page project proposal must be submitted by Wednesday, November 29, 2006. Projects will be presented during the final class sessions. Students may work individually or on a 2 person team on the project.

Exam DSS Book

The exam (100 points) covers the content in Power Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers. The exam will include 35 multiple choice questions (70 points), 10 short answer questions (20 points), and an open book/open notes essay question (10 points).

Attendance and Class Participation

You are expected to participate in all class sessions. Active, consistent participation in class is an essential part of the learning experience. You need to read the materials and prepare for the discussions and lab sessions. I may assign graded review questions for students to complete and submit. Meaningful participation in discussions is valued and needed. Meaningful participation means making a contribution to our discussion, and it does not mean simply agreeing with what others have said. However, as I realize unexpected situations occur at home and at work, we can negotiate the “make up” for one missed class session. I reserve the right to lower your grade for limited participation in course activities.

Affirmative Action/Disability Policy

"The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protectionfrom illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodation through the Office of Disability Services. The ODS is located at: 213 Student Services Center, and the phone number is: 273-2676."

Updates

Course materials, syllabus and assignments may be updated, revised or altered during the course. When possible changes will be announced in class or by email with at least 1 week notice. Also, check the course web page. Last updated November 8, 2006.