IS 223 Information Systems in Context: An Introduction to

Information Systems in the Business Context

Course Overview

The course is designed to present students with the idea of “IS in Context”. That is, the
focus will be on learning IS concepts in the context of application to real business
problems. To provide this context, the course will rely on case material, outside
readings; an interactive online class preparation tool (Nomadic Field Manuals); and
hands on exercises through MyITLab. The purpose of this is to engage students in
understanding how the effective management of information adds value to a business
and how to apply information technology to that process.

While the majority of the course will focus on the use of Information Systems within
specific business contexts, 5 sessions will build on the freshman digital sector course
and examine how information technology is disrupting industries and creating new
business models. We will examine how digital business models are different from
conventional ways that businesses have competed and made money.

Course Goals

1. Provide all of our SMG students with an understanding of the important role that
information/and information technology plays in supporting the effective operation
and management of business.
2. Build on the Digital Sector course that students take as freshman and elaborate
on the themes of “place to space” and the implications for business of the digital
enterprise.
3. Provide students with the opportunity to acquire hands on experience with
business software applications by building a website and designing and using a
relational database by using MS Access.
4. Provide a foundation course so that students who decide to concentrate in IS will
have a solid grounding from which to move to upper level courses.

Learning Objectives

After taking this course, a student will have a solid understanding of:

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 • How information technology has disrupted traditional businesses and created
new business models.
• Understand business process mapping and be able to use traditional Business
Process Mapping Notation (BPMN) to map a process.
• Understand the basics of systems analysis and design and the criteria for
choosing a particular system.
• Understand how information is stored and retrieved for use in a business setting
with an introduction to relational databases and hands on exercises.
• The principles of web site design and use including Search Engine optimization
and Search Engine Marketing with a hands on experience in web page design.
• Issues associated with IT security and privacy and some of the basic threats to
information systems as well as an understanding of established practices and
software tools to prevent hacking and fraud.

Specific Topics to be covered

• Information Technology and the disruption of traditional business models/

challenges and opportunities.
• Business process mapping
• Managing information/design and use of a relational database
• Systems Analysis and Design/ Principles of the systems development life cycle
as well as alternative methods
• Information technology hardware and software basics for business
• IT security/threats and defences
• The ethics of fake identities on the Internet and scenarios for addressing this
issue
• The Internet as the business storefront/ designing a website
• Search Engine optimization and search engine marketing

What is Expected of Students

Prepare the Readings: The course pack will consist of a custom published book which
can be obtained from the copy center. We will be using the same book this semester as
was used in the Fall 2014 course so that you can purchase a used book. This book
contains the assigned chapters, articles, and cases for class. In addition, you will be
using MyITLab (The Access code will come with the purchase of a new book or you
may buy access to MyITLab through a credit card on line ($50.00). Nomadic Field
Manuals are also a required material for the course and can be purchased online for
$20.00. These resources will provide specific exercises designed to prepare students
for class discussions and provide hands on experience in using a relational database.

Complete the hands on assignments: Students will be required to complete various

relational database assignments using MyITLab from Pearson and also be required to
submit a website that they have designed and completed.

Class Contribution. Students are expected to prepare for every class, including the
introductory lecture. The class is highly interactive. To prepare for the class discussion,
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students should summarize the problem or topic covered in the article, outline the
article’s core points and recommendations, and assess the strengths / weaknesses of
the readings’ central argument. To prepare for cases, students should pay attention to
the main story and the details, think about the factors that contributed to the existing
situation, and about the course of action they would recommend and why. Where
assigned, students will be expected to have completed the Nomadic Field Manual
exercises or the software assignments prior to class. Class participation will be graded
based on the completion of the Nomadic Field Manuals prior to class; ability of offer
intelligent and thoughtful comments and questions in class; and demonstrated
knowledge of the material based on “cold” calls during class. Active participation on
the part of each student is crucial to a valuable class experience.

Attendance. Attendance is expected at every session of the course. This is particularly

important in an introductory course. Students are allowed two absences per semester
without notification. In the event that a student has to miss class, the instructor should
be notified ahead of time. Assignments are always due at the beginning of class on
their due date, even if you are unable to attend class that day.

Course Grading and Assignments

The final grade of the course will be composed of five components:

Component Type Weight

Contribution to Class Discussion Individual 5%
IT Proposal /Write up Team 7.5%
Team Presentation Team 7.5%
Midterm Exam Individual 27.5%
In class Quizzes – Ad hoc Individual 10%
Homework (4-5)/ In Class Quizzes Individual 15%
Final Exam individual 27.5%

Contribution to Class Discussion (Individual)

• Please see preceding section “What is Expected of Students.” Please note that
all contribution to class discussion will be taken into account, including questions
to instructors and to other teams presenting their work. Participation on the
Nomadic exercises will count towards your class participation grade.

IT Proposal/Writeup (Team) Due March 19, 2015 (Date

• Each student will be placed on a team. One of the assignments for the class will
involve a team writeup of a recommendation to an entrepreneur trying to
establish a business based on a mobile application. We will use the “Exercise
App” case. Materials will be posted in SMG Tools reminding you of the elements
of a good proposal. Please use these as a guideline. Your write up will be graded
by both the Writing Center instructors and your Professor. One half of your
grade will be determined by the quality of the writing and the other 50% will be
based on the content of the proposal. The Writing Center can work with your
team if you set up an appointment to see them. The Writing Center team will hold
optional workshops prior to the proposal due date.
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Presentation (Team)
• Each team will have an opportunity to select a topic on which to do additional
research and present their findings to the class in a 10 minute presentation
including no more than 5 slides. Students are expected to research at least 8
separate sources (websites, articles etc.) and list these separately as an
appendix to the presentation. Each of the topics will be correlated with the
content of that day’s class, so presentations will occur throughout the semester.
Below is a list of Team Presentation Topics and due dates: Note: Depending on
the size of the section, some classes may have 2 presentations on a particular
topic.

• Connecting all our devices to the Internet ; Thursday, January 29, 2015
• What is the future of bricks and mortar retail?: Tuesday, February 5, 2015
• Understanding Alternatives to the traditional Systems Development Life Cycle:
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 (Note: this is the first day of class after Spring Break)
• Understanding unstructured databases; Tuesday, March 31, 2015
• Information tracking and privacy; Thursday, April 2, 2015
• Understanding Open Source Software: Tuesday, April 7, 2015
• Gaming digital advertising; Thursday, April 9, 2015
• The Future of Crowdsourcing ; Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mid Term Exam (Individual)

• The Mid-Term Exam will be scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2015 from
6:00pm-8:00pm at various locations across campus. Yes, because my
sections all meet on Tuesdays/Thursdays at current time we will have class
on that date unless I tell you otherwise. You will be notified where your
section will be taking the exam. Note that this is the week before Spring Break.

Quizzes (Individual)
• There will be unannounced quizzes during the semester. These will give you an
opportunity to keep up with the material and identify areas where you need to
focus more prior to the midterm or final.

Final Exam (Individual)

• The final will cover many but not all of the topics we will have covered in class.
More details to follow

Academic Accommodations for students with special needs: In keeping with University
policy, any student with a disability who needs or thinks they need academic
accommodations must call the Office of Disability Services at 353-3658 or stop by 19
Deerfield Street to arrange a confidential appointment with a Disability Services staff
member. Accommodation letters must be delivered to the instructor within two weeks of
the date on the letter and not later than two weeks before any major examination.

Course Materials

The materials for our course include:

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• Material posted on SMG tools as assignments and other readings
• Software. Microsoft Access 2013 must be on your laptop in order to fully
participate in class exercises. You may do Access homework on any of the lab
machines within SMG or in Mugar Library. You will not be asked to use Access
during either exam, but you will be asked questions that demonstrate your
knowledge of how to use the software for business purposes. In addition, copies
of “Exploring Microsoft Access 2013” have been placed on reserve in Pardee
library for your use. You may check out these books for 24 hours.
• Wordpress.com, a free website development tool.

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 DETAILED CLASS SESSIONS, READINGS,

PREPARATION AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 1 IS1 Tuesday January 20, 2015

Introduction to Information Systems

Objectives

• Introduce Information Systems as a critical enabler of 21st century business

• Discuss the requirements of the course
• Review the materials needed for the semester
• Organize into teams for later assignment in the semester
• Enroll in MyITLab (Not necessary for my sections) – I will use my own Access
tutorials and it saves you money of having to enroll.
• Enroll in Nomadic https://beta.nomadic.fm/join

Required Reading
• There is no required reading for the first class, but you should have purchased the
required text from the bookstore or from a someone who took the class Fall 2014
semester.
• NOTE: Access is required by next week for the next segment of the course. You
must get MS Access 2013 on your laptop as soon as possible as our homework
assignments will begin right away.

Week 2 IS2 Thursday January 22, 2015

Information Systems in Global Business Today

Objectives

• Define the components of an information system

• Understand the interdependence between organizations and information systems
• Introduce information technology infrastructure terms and definitions
• Examine complementary assets
• Understand how IS in a business context is different from computer science

Required Reading
• Chapter 1 (Book) Information Systems in Global Business (pages 1-39)

Preparation and Questions: “Introduction to Information Systems”

• Read the Disney case study at the beginning of the chapter. What is the problem that
Disney is trying to solve? How did they use information technology to create a better
experience for their customers?
• How could you use information technology to create a better experience for: Registering
for classes? Playing golf? Skiing at a popular resort? Ordering in a restaurant?
• Read the UPS case near the end of the chapter. How does UPS use information
technology to achieve its business objectives?
• What are the components of the information system that make this work?
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 • Can you think of examples from your experience where a better use of information
technology would improve your customer experience? How would that work?
• How is IS different from computer science?
• What are complementary assets?

o In-class exercise: In 2003 Nicholas Carr wrote a now famous article in the
Harvard Business Review called, “IT Doesn’t Matter”. His basic argument was
that Information Technology had become a commodity in the developed world
just like electricity and water. He argued that while technology was necessary,
it would not help businesses differentiate themselves versus the competition
any more than access to electric power is a strategic advantage. In what ways
do you think this statement is true? In what ways do you think that it is false?

Week 2 IS3 Tuesday January 27, 2015

Technology Infrastructure: Understanding the Digital Platform

Objectives
• Define IT infrastructure and describe its components.
• Assess contemporary computer hardware platform trends.
• Understand what is meant by cloud computing

Readings
Chapter 7 (pages 122-148)

Questions and Preparation

• What has been the business impact of cloud computing?
• What are the business implications of Moore’s Law?
• How have the widespread use of mobile devices affected business? Personal life?

Week 3 IS4 Thursday January 29, 2015

From Digital Platform to Digital Business
Objectives

• Understand the concept of a digital business model and its components

• Apply the principles from the Weil and Woerner reading to other examples in media and
other industries.
• Examine how the digital platform enables different ways of segmenting and reaching
your market
• Identify how the concept of the Long Tail is changing approaches to business

Required Reading
• Peter Weil and Stephanie L. Woerner “Optimizing your Digital Business Model” Sloan
Management Review, (Chapter 2) (pages 41-49)
• (Chapter 7) (pages 149-168)
• “Long Tail” Wired Magazine (SMG Tools Week #3 Resources)

Preparation and Questions”

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 • The authors propose a framework for understanding digital business models. It is
composed of content, experience and platform
• Come to class prepared to discuss what each of these terms means for different
industries. Why are they important? How do organizations differentiate on one or more
of these aspects of their business?
• Do you agree with the authors’ proposal that businesses don’t need to be a leader in all
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• What is the concept of the “Long Tail”? How does a digital platform enable this
phenomenon?
• What is necessary for the concept of the Long Tail to work in a market?
• How has the evolution of contemporary software platforms enabled the digital business
model?
o Team Presentation Topic: The Consumer Electronics Show opened in
January in Las Vegas. The main theme of the show is that every
electronic device needs an Internet address; kid’s watches, thermostats
etc. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Read the short
article below as preparation.

Week 3 IS5 Tuesday February 3, 2015

Information Technology and Industry Disruption

Objectives

• Examine how IT has disrupted and is still disrupting the video industry
• Understand the concept of the Long Tail
• Apply the principles of the digital business model to understand current disruptions in the
video industry.

Required Readings
• Movie Rental Business: Blockbuster, Netflix and Redbox (Chapter 4) (pages 55-76)

Preparation and Questions: “Movie Rental Business” and “Long Tail”

• What are the key success factors in movie rental? How do Blockbuster, Netflix and
Redbox compare on these dimensions?
• How do the various players create and capture value? (movie studios, theaters, DVD
retailers, Blockbuster, Netflix, Redbox, On Demand, Apple TV)
• What factors led to Netflix growth? How should Blockbuster have responded?
• Amazon is now competing with Netflix. How has Netflix responded?
• Apply your finance skills and analyze Exhibits 7-9. Which company is the most
profitable? Why?
• What role has technology played in affecting the success of these businesses?
o Team Presentation Topic: What is the future of retail shopping in a digital
world? Can bricks and mortar coexist with online? Do online-only retailers
have an insurmountable advantage in transaction costs?

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Week 4 IS6 Thursday February 5, 2015

Understanding Business Processes as the basis for Customer Experience

Nomadic Field Manual:
Make sure that you have logged in order to do the assignment before class.
Your posts are due by 9:00 pm the preceding evening before class in order to get credit for the
assignment

Objectives
• Understand at a basic level what a business process is
• Understand how to map a business process
• Understand the relationship between business processes and information systems
• Examine how the structure of a business process can enhance or detract from customer
experience

Required Readings
• Nomadic FM on Business Process (Nomadic log in)
• Chapter 5 (pages 78-101)

Preparation and Questions: “Nomadic Field Manual”

• Complete the assignment in the Nomadic Field Manual before you come to class. FM
Assignment will be discussed in class
• Which process at BU did you identify as the most inefficient? Why?
• Does this process affect your experience as a student at BU? How?
• What are the key aspects of the process that are annoying? How could they be
changed?
• Examine the business process map on page 81. Make sure you understand the
notations on the map.
• Are there parts of the process you would want to change? Why? Where are the “friction
points” in this process?
• Why are they there?

Week 4 IS7 Tuesday February 10, 2015

Understanding Business Processes as the basis for Customer Experience

Objectives
• Apply business process mapping to an actual case example
• Apply concepts of information technology infrastructure to analyze an investment in
information technology in an actual case example.
• Identify the relationship between business processes and the data required to make the
process work.

Required Readings
Chapter 6 (pages 105-120)

Preparation and Questions: “Business Process Mapping Notation” and “Junk Van”

• Review the business process mapping notation that we discussed in the previous class.
Be prepared to apply a map to Kingo’s existing process.
• What are the business problems that Marcus Kingo is facing?

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 • How is the current structure of his process affecting customers?
• How would you think about changing the current process?
• What technology choice would you recommend? Why?
• Are there other choices that Kingo did not consider in making a list of possible
technology platforms?
• How did you create the different weightings for technology choice? For example, was
cost the most important factor in your decision?
• How did you weight current versus future needs in your decision?
• What data does Kingo need in order to meet customer needs and manage his business?

o In class exercise: Create a business process map for parts of Kingo’s existing
business process.

Week 5 IS8 Thursday February 12, 2015

Database I

Objectives
• To understand what a database is
• To understand the difference between spreadsheets, databases and files
• To understand how businesses use database software to access critical information for
managing all aspects of the business
• To explore how to construct a relational database

Readings
Chapter 8 (pages 170-181)

Preparation and Questions: “Database Basics”

• What is an entity? What is a table? What is a query? What is a report?
• How are tables joined together to answer specific questions that management may have
such as “who are our biggest suppliers”?
• What is a primary key? What is a foreign key?
• How is a spreadsheet different from a database? How do you determine when to use
these software tools?

Week 5 IS9 Thursday February 19, 2015

Database II

Objectives
• Understand the basics of building an Access Database
• Show basic commands in Access
• Create and join tables

Readings
Chapter 8 (pages 182-193; stop at Q7)

Preparation and Questions:

• How do E-R diagrams facilitate the design and development of a database?

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 • What are cardinalities?
• What is normalization?

Week 6 IS 10 Tuesday February 24, 2015

Database III

Assignment: Complete MyITLab Grader Project 1 from Chapter 1 before class IS10
(Chapter Capstone exercise)

Objectives
• Review Meta-Data concepts and illustrate in class with Access
• Understand data models and how the choice of data model affects database design
• Review data relationships
• Review Grader Projects from MyITLab

Readings
Chapter 8. Finish reading the chapter and review the League Database tables, E-R diagram and
reports. (pages 193-205)

Preparation and Questions:

• Go to the “Using your knowledge” section on page 201. Prepare to discuss questions
1-4.
• Go to page 203 and read over the “Collaboration Exercise”. Answer Question 1 on your
own. We will work together in class to answer questions 2-5

Week 6 IS 11 Thursday February 26, 2015

Bringing Process and Data together
Assignment: Grader Project 1 from Chapter 2 must be completed before the start of class
IS11 to get credit. Chapter Capstone Exercise

Objectives
• Revisit business process mapping with a real example
• Bring together Process mapping with database design and queries

Readings/Assignment
SMG Tools (Week 6 Folder) Big Mike’s Machines

Preparation and Questions:

• Complete the Assignment and be prepared to discuss in class.

Week 7 IS12 Tuesday March 3, 2015

Midterm Review

Objectives
• Review materials to be covered on the midterm

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 •
Midterm Exam Tuesday March 3, 2015

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