STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
(Business Report)
You will be required to conduct research on strategic information systems e.g. (AIS/ERP) for your client. You are required to pick a case study in one of the areas mentioned below (not limited to). Then prepare a Business Report for the client detailing the processes of selecting an information system (AIS/ERP) to help them to make informed decision for investment in information system to take their business to the next level including:
1. Compare and contrast the issues and challenges that face strategic information systems planners. Your answer should clearly discuss the issues each sector (private or public) face when managing IT/IS strategically.
2. Critically evaluate whether or not an IS Strategy may help an organisation to achieve a competitive advantage. If an IS Strategy can help an organisation achieve a competitive advantage – how might an organisation sustain such an advantage?
3. What approaches could an organisation adopt when attempting to develop innovative uses of strategic IS?
4. Choose either Outsourcing or End User Computing, as a strategic option. Critically discuss how the Director of IT/IS of the chosen organisation would manage the strategic option you have chosen.
5. Evaluate the statement that: Strategic Information Systems can add business value to an organisation through IT/IS. Your answer should include relevant case evidence that supports your arguments.
6. Critically discuss what constitutes having a ‘good’ internal control in a contemporary and complex business world. Your answer should cover how organisations could develop an internal control strategy so that they are not exposed to excessive risks or behaviours that could harm their reputation for honesty and integrity of their staff.
The report should be about 3,500 words and should be submitted in an MS Word format document for the client. You are required to find information system (AIS/ERP) that addresses the different six aspects (mentioned above) of the clients’ business especially the area of their enumerated challenges and should also ensure that the client’s business requirements are addressed.
Remember: this is a report intended to convince a board of directors to adopt your proposal. Your report must therefore be complete, yet concise; be clear and convincing, and professionally presented. Above all, the report must be specific to the needs of the business.
Case Studies in the areas of:
• Public Transport
• Travel
• Real Estate
• Education
• Library
• Banking • Immigration
• Health
• Medicine
• Pollution
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture
Submission Requirements:
Please make sure the submission has the appropriate presentation and writing style. The research should include a list of at least 8 references used in the research report and a bibliography of the wider reading done to familiarize oneself with the topic. All reports must use the Harvard referencing style
Self-check submission allows two attempts and shows the similarity level of your submission contents to other students’ submissions. So please make sure the submission percentage is not high and you’ve paraphrased the contents of your submission in your own English.
You are reminded to read the “Plagiarism” section of the course description. Your research should be a synthesis of ideas from a variety of sources expressed in your own words.
Submission:
• Soft copy to self-check and Final Submission with signed cover sheet Marking rubric is attached.
Assessment Criteria:
Score Very Good (9-10) Good (7-8) Satisfactory (5-6) Unsatisfactory (3-4)
Fits with criteria /10 Appropriately choose an
AIS/ERP that fits. understanding of the nature and purpose of the business
Evidence of understanding of the nature and purpose of the business Adequacy of understanding of the nature and purpose of the business Reports that choose systems/software not relevant will lose marks from this category.
Score Very Good (12-15) Good (9-11) Satisfactory (8-10) Unsatisfactory (5-7)
Presentation and writing style
/15 marks Information is well organized. Correct layout including times new roman, font size 12 or calibri, font size10, double spaced. About the right length.
Very well written, excellent paraphrasing and proper grammar and punctuation are used throughout. Information is organized, Correct layout including times new roman, font size 12 or calibri, font size10, double spaced. About the right length.
Well written, some paraphrasing and proper grammar and punctuation Information is somewhat organized, Some elements of layout or length incorrect.
Proper grammar and punctuation mostly used, but overuse of direct quotes.
Information is poorly organized, Some elements of layout or length incorrect.
Proper grammar and punctuation not always used.
Excessive overuse of direct quotes
Score Very Good (12-15) Good (9-11) Satisfactory (8-10) Unsatisfactory (5-7)
Introduction
/15 marks
Introduces the topic of the research report in an extremely engaging manner which arouses the reader's interest.
Gives a detailed general background and indicates the overall -plan-.
Introduces the topic of the research report in an engaging manner which arouses the reader's interest.
Gives some general background and indicates the overall
-plan- of the report. Satisfactorily introduces the topic of the research report.
Gives a general background.
Indicates the overall
-plan- of the report. Introduces the topic of the research report, but omits a general background
of the topic and/or
the overall -plan- of the report.
Score Very Good (17-20) Good (13-16) Satisfactory (10-12) Unsatisfactory (6-9)
Criteria completion
/20 Evidence of understanding of the nature and purpose of the business.
Evidence of understanding of
the implications for the company The chosen software/system has the capacity to address challenges identified within the business. Evidence of understanding of
the implications for the company You gain marks for ensuring that all of the points mentioned above as challenges within the business are covered in your report by the chosen software / system.
Score Very Good (9-10) Good (7-8) Satisfactory (5-6) Unsatisfactory (3-4)
Evidence of
Research
/10 marks Substantial range of appropriate and current,
supportive evidence
Good range of appropriate and current, supportive evidence.
Suitable range of supportive evidence used. Not always appropriate and/or current. Minimum cited.
Insufficient range or number of supportive evidence used.
Score Very Good (17-20) Good (13-16) Satisfactory (10-12) Unsatisfactory (6-9)
Development of
Discussion
/20 marks Logical, insightful, original discussion with well-connected paragraphs.
Evidence of full engagement with the literature found, with relevant and detailed analysis. Detailed, original discussion develops logically with some connection between adjoining paragraphs.
Understanding of reading shown. Some relevant analysis. Adequate discussion develops logically.
Understanding of reading shown. Few relevant analysis. Inadequate discussion of issues and/or
lacking in logical flow
Little/no demonstrated understanding of reading.
None/little discussion or analysis.
Score Very Good (5) Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Unsatisfactory (2)
Conclusion
/5 marks An interesting, well written summary of the main points. An excellent final comment on the subject, based on the information provided.
A good summary of the main points.
A good final comment on the subject, based on the information provided. Satisfactory summary of the main points.
A final comment on the subject, but introduced new material.
Poor/no summary of the main points.
A poor final comment on the subject and/or new material introduced.
Score Very Good (5) Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Unsatisfactory (2)
Referencing
/5 marks Correct referencing (Harvard) All quoted material in quotes and acknowledged.
All paraphrased material acknowledged.
Correctly set out reference list and bibliography included.
Mostly correct referencing (Harvard)
All quoted material in quotes and acknowledged. All paraphrased material acknowledged.
Mostly correct setting out reference list and bibliography included. Mostly correct referencing (Harvard) Some problems with quoted material and paraphrased
material
Some problems with the reference list or bibliography. Not all material correctly acknowledged.
Some problems with the reference list or bibliography.
Total
/100 marks
Final marks /20