Unit information: Management of Knowledge and Information in 2014/15

Unit name	Management of Knowledge and Information
Unit code	MGRCM2617
Credit points	15
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Hall
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	none
School/department	School of Economics, Finance and Management
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

All organisations have to be able to strategically manage information and knowledge systems and their organisational effectiveness. This unit is designed to give students an appreciation of the management issues of making the right information and knowledge available within an organisation by use of information technology (IT) and knowledge management techniques and processes. The unit recognises that the fundamental role of information and knowledge to enable the delivery of the organisation's strategy and focuses on analysis of problems and evaluation of possible solutions. The unit considers different approaches to IT development and knowledge management interventions and the impact of the changing corporate environment knowledge and information flows.

The Unit aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical issues associated with the planning, development and implementation of information and knowledge systems in organisations. It will focus on enabling the students to examine business problems and scenarios in terms of information and knowledge requirements and think critically to evaluate the types of systems and interventions that can be put in place. This is a management course not a technical one and as such it requires no previous IT expertise or knowledge.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course the student should be able to:

• critically examine various methods of of IT development ;

• understand the how knowledge flows within an organisational context;

• understand how organisational factors hinder and aid the flow of information and knowledge

• apply techniques learnt on the course to the individuals future working environment;

• understand the business applications of IT and Knowledge management;

• be able to critically examine information and knowledge issues in organisational problems and be able to propose and evaluate Information technology and knowledge management solutions

Teaching Information

Lectures (approximately 50% of contact hours)

Seminars, casework, practical work (approximately 50% of contact hours)

Assessment Information

Assessed 100% by assignment of approx 3000 words.

• Critical understanding of course topics and practical application to problems

• Knowledge of current themes and debates within the subject

• Ability of students to apply theory to practical situations

• Interaction with other management themes and topics

Reading and References

• Laudon, K. and Laudon, J. (2006) Managing Information Systems: Managing the digital firm, Prentice Hall, New Jersey

• Chaffey, D. et al (2003) Business Information Systems Prentice Hall, London

• Pearlson, K. (2004) Managing and using information systems: A strategic approach, John Wiley, New York

• Chris Collison & Geoff Parcell (2004) Learning to Fly: Practical Knowledge management from leading and learning organisations. Capstone London

• The Harvard Business Review on Knowledge Management ( ) Peter F Drucker et al Harvard Business School Press

• Working Knowledge: How Organisations manage what they know. Thomas H Davenport & Laurence Prusak (2000) Harvard Business School Press