1. Introduction

This assessment is an individual assignment. The assignment has two sections (Part A and Part B): in Part A, you are required to write a scholarly academic article based critical engagement with a chosen topic; part B focuses on critical discussions of key factors that need to be considered for a medium-term corporate strategy.

Part A

Mobility plays a critical role in the way we live. Our food, clothes and household waste all need to be transported, contributing to our economy and quality of life. Movement of people from one location to another without traffic stress is critical to ensure the quality of life to the people living in the city. But the increasing use of planes, cars and other fossil-fuel dependent modes of mobility are causing more pollution, putting at risk our environment and health. It can also be noted that the traffic accidents are affecting the society indicating the need for smarter mobility. Cleaner and smarter mobility/ transport can actually meet Oman's need for mobility and at the same time deliver many public health benefits, including cleaner air, fewer accidents, less congestion and less noise pollution. Carbon-dependent transport sector can be turned into a clean and smart mobility system.

The purpose of the task is to understand the significance of Smart Mobility, and explore their connection with IS-IT strategy. Write a research article critically analysing IS/IT strategy frameworks/models. Investigate the nature of IS/IT strategies that successful firms/cities undertake. You are required to focus any one of the following topics:

- Smart City logistics
- Urban Cable Cars - A case study of Oman
- Mobility as a service

Part B

The objective of Part B is to formulate business processes/objectives and critically evaluate strategies pertaining to a city with particular reference to information systems and information technology applications. You are required to imagine a fictitious organisation belonging to ‘smart transport' business domain. You can make relevant assumptions such as annual turnover, contribution to GDP, market share, products/services etc. You are required to define and discuss the structural identity and analyze the organization using appropriate concepts and strategic decision-making models in relation to IS/IT strategy. You should define the various strategic choices available and identify the barriers to implementation.

You are also required to initially analyse any key characteristics of the sector to which the identified organisation belong. The assignment must include a critical discussion of any key factors and important themes that need to be considered in the formulation of a medium-term corporate IS/IT strategy for the identified organization. The critical aspects of IS/IT strategy such as demand, control framework and supply concerning the organisation should be justified. You should define the various strategic choices available and identify the barriers to implementation. You are also required to initially analyse any key characteristics of the sector to which the identified organisation belong.

2. Intended Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the assessment, the student will be able to:

i. Demonstrate a mastery of the complex skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate one or more strategic decision-making models.

ii. Critically define the strategic choices that face organisations, using advanced skills in conducting research.

iii. Critically identify the barriers to the implementation of strategic choices.

3. Deliverables

You should prepare an assignment of approximately 5,500 words in length excluding appendices and references, but is not restricted to, the following.

Part A
a. Produce an article covering the following aspects of research (approx. 1700 words):
- approach to the problem and research questions, objectives
- theoretical framework; rigor of literature review
- methods or empirical analysis techniques, used data sources
- key findings and conclusions
- the importance of the research from the theoretical or empirical point of view

Part B
a. A brief profile of the sector to which the identified organization belongs - including any assumptions made as described previously (approx. 700 words).

b. A brief background of the identified organization - organizational details pertinent to the assignment (approx. 500 words).

c. Assess the need for IS/IT interventions within the identified organization with particular reference to information systems and information technology applications. (approx. 800 words).

d. A critical analysis of the identified organization using appropriate concepts and strategic decision-making models in relation to IS/IT strategy (approx. 1000 words).

e. A critical analysis of the strategic choices when compared to another company (a real-world business) of your choice within the same sector. Provide an analysis of chosen real-word company using appropriate concepts and decision making models (approx. 800 words).

Your assignment must be referenced using CU Harvard style of referencing and well organised/structured.

IS/IT Strategy

On completion of this module, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a mastery of the complex skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate one or more strategic decision-making models.

2. Critically define the strategic choices that face organizations, using advanced skills in conducting research.

3. Critically identify the barriers to the implementation of strategic choices.

Deliverable (a) Research article
 approach to the problem and research questions; objectives;
 theoretical framework; rigor of literature review;
 methods or empirical analysis techniques; used data sources;
 key findings and conclusions;
 importance of the research from the theoretical or empirical point of view.

Deliverable (b)
A brief profile of the sector to which the identified organization belongs

Deliverable (c)
 A brief background of the identified organization
 Organizational details pertinent to the assignment

Deliverable (d)
Assess the need for IS/IT interventions within the identified organization

Deliverable (e)
 A critical analysis of the identified organization using appropriate concepts
 Strategic decision-making models, in relation to IS/IT strategy

Deliverable (f)
 A critical analysis of the strategic choices when compared to another company (a real-world business) of your choice within the same sector
 A critical analysis of the real-word company using appropriate concepts/ decision making models
 Depth of understanding of problem context, extent of clarity in evaluation
 Relevance, creativity, evidence of professional approach
 Rigor of literature sources and referencing.