CIS 8200 - Information Systems Strategy

PREREQUISITE: CSP 1-8.

MATERIALS (Required)

- Evans, Philip and Thomas S. Wurster, Blown To Bits: How the New Economics of Information Transforms Strategy,? Harvard Business School Press, (2000). [EVANS]

- Shapiro, Carl and Hal R. Varian, Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy. Harvard Business School Press, (1999). [SHAP].

- Hagel, John III and John Seely Brown, The Only Sustainable Edge. Harvard Business School Press (2005). [HAGEL]

COURSE OBJECTIVE

To examine the way information technology is being used to influence the competitive strategy of corporations and to assess the impact of strategic deployment of information systems.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course emphasizes the use of information technology to develop distinct competitive advantage in relations with competitors, customers, and suppliers, and with respect to products and services. It examines these central issues:  

• The design of information systems offering strategic advantages
• The competitive potential for strategic use of information systems 
• Special issues related to interorganization information systems
• Special issues related to strategic use of information systems involving international networks
• Development of financial and audit structures for strategic use of information systems
• The impact of information technology on the global business community

Course participants examine strategies of actual companies and identify other strategies that can be deployed to gain competitive advantage in diverse settings. In addition, the implications of geo-political developments on the international business community are examined as they are occurring.

COURSE POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Grading

Final grades will be based on following weights:

Examinations               

Exam 1                         45%

Exam 2                         55%

Class participation            ** 

TOTAL                          100%

 **  Class participation is expected. 

Attendance

Course attendance is expected.

Excessive unexcused absences will result in a lower grade.

Individual missing more than 3 classes (unexcused absences) will be dropped from the course by the instructor.

Make-up of examinations

Makeup examinations will be given only for excused illnesses (accompanied by physician's letter) or for emergency in immediate family.

Tentative Schedule of Classes                                                               WEEK TOPIC ASSIGNED READINGS   1     Business Drivers Information technology’s Competitive Potential   EVANS 1,2   2     Strategic Alignment   EVANS ,3 SHAP 1   3     Strategic Management and Competitive Strategy   SHAP 2, 3 Porter 1996   4     Rethinking Business Through IT Developing a Competitive Strategy   EVANS 4, 5, 6     5     Identifying an Industry-Defining Advantage   SHAP 4 Porter 2001   6     Creating an Industry-Defining Advantage     SHAP 5, 6     7     Linking Strategy & Operating Models     8     Examination     EVANS 7, 8 9   Developing an Information Architecture     EVANS  9, 10   10   Strategy Reformulation: How disruptive technology changes business strategy   EVANS 11   11   Strategy Reformulation: Business challenges in the new ?Computer industry?     12   Strategy Reformulation: Competing in the restructured IT industry     13     Combative Strategies, Business Models and Performance of Key Industry Players   SHAP 8,9   14     The Impact and value of Information Technology in Competitive Strategy     15     Trends:  Beyond 2003