Cardiff Metropolitan University

Module Title: Managing Information and Technology

Indicative Assessment Requirements for the Module;-

An individual work based on the role of information system (constituting 40% of the total module mark)

Maximum Word Limit and Assessment weighting for each aspect within the assessment:

Individual assignment (3000 words absolute maximum);

The marks for the assignment will be based on:
Ø Effective research and understanding of the theory 35%
Ø Application of knowledge 35%
Ø Structure and presentation 20%
Ø References (range & relevance) 10%

Description of Assessment Requirements

Students are required to produce an assessment of the role that Information system plays in organisations in their pursuit of gaining competitive advantage. Through addressing the set requirements of the assignment, students are expected to demonstrate course concepts and ideas studied in the course. In addition, students ought to demonstrate their analytical skills, and communicate using management terms or language.
The assignment requires students to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge, and therefore requires adequate research work.
Module Learning Outcomes to be Assessed:

· Understanding the effects of information systems on business and their relationship to globalization.

· Define and describe business processes and their relationship to information systems.

· Identify and describe important features of organizations that managers need to know about in order to build and use information systems successfully.

· Identify the unique features of e-commerce, digital markets, and digital goods.

· Analyse why information systems need special protection from destruction, error, and abuse.

Assignment Brief:

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Implementing an information system is considered to be a strategic decision, particularly in today's global market where it is crucial for business organisations to continuously strive to achieve competitive advantage.

You are required to produce a report, assessing the role of IT in generating competitive advantage. Your report should typically include:

1- Executive summary (maximum 200 words)
2- Introduction: The industry profile of the business organisation that you have chosen, its strategic goals, and its product(s)
and/or services., including e-commerce (It is recommended that you select a small/medium size organisation).

3- Analysis:
Apply Porter's 5 Forces model to describe the organisation's competitive environment;
You should also demonstrate an appropriate application of the primary activities of Porter's value chain;
Based in the above, assess how information systems could aid the management of your chosen organisation achieve the
objective of gaining competitive advantage.

4- Conclusion: the main conclusions/recommendations, drawn from the analysis provided

5- Bibliography: Listing of all sources

Harvard Referencing

The structure of a citation under the Harvard referencing system is the author's surname, year of publication, and page number or range, in parentheses, as illustrated in the Smith example near the top of this article.