Unit information: Information and Innovation in 2014/15

Unit name	Information and Innovation
Unit code	MGRCM0009
Credit points	15
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Christopher Durugbo
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

What innovations have changed and will change the way organisations exchange information and knowledge? Why does information technology matter for innovating organisations? How do innovative organisations use information and knowledge to gain competitive advantage? This unit aims to provide an introduction to the main concepts and theories of information and knowledge exchanges in organisations and the role played by information technology innovations in enhancing these exchanges. It is designed to give students an overview and understanding of the theoretical and practical issues associated with: using innovative information technologies, using information in innovative ways, and using information systems to be innovative.

• This is a management course not a technical one and as such it requires no previous information technology (IT) expertise or knowledge.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

• apply the main concepts and theories of organisational information and innovation;
• describe information systems and exchange patterns in organisations;
• evaluate how information and knowledge strategies hinder and aid innovation;
• analyse practical information systems and management practices for innovation.

Teaching Information

Lectures (approximately 50% of contact hours)

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

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed in two ways:

Group Project (25%) for the delivery of a poster (10%) and presentation (15%) that will require groups of students (4 or 5) to apply the main concepts and theories of organisational information and innovation and to describe information systems and exchange patterns in organisations. The poster and presentation will assess students’ comprehension of information technology innovation within a real-world information system. Students will also be assessed on their application of knowledge and information exchange concepts / theories and emphasis will be placed on both presentation and content. Group work will also offer an avenue for students to develop their communication, presentation and negotiation skills.

Written Assignment (75%) of approximately 3000 words (excluding executive summary, tables, figures, references and appendices) that will require individual students to demonstrate their abilities to evaluate how information and knowledge strategies hinder and aid innovation and to analyse practical information systems and management practices for innovation. The individual work will be carried concurrently with the group project and will offer an opportunity for students to enhance their reflective and analytical skills.

Reading and References

• Laudon, K. and Laudon, J. (2012), Managing Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, Pearson, Harlow.
• Tidd, J. and Bessant, J. (2013), Managing Innovation, Wiley, Chichester.
• Pearlson, K.E. and Saunders, C.S. (2009), Strategic Management of Information Systems, Wiley, Chichester
• Hislop, D. (2013), Knowledge Management in Organizations, Oxford University Press, New York.
• Brynjolfsson, E. and Saunders, A. (2010). Wired for Innovation: how Information Technology is reshaping the Economy. The MIT Press, London.
• Newell, S., Robertson, M., Scarbrough, H. and Swan, J. (2009). Managing Knowledge Work and Innovation. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.