For this assignment you will have to prepare a paper that critically discusses how organisations apply the strategic use of IS/IT to achieve competitive advantage. Some aspects and issues you may discuss in your paper could include (but are not limited to):
• Cite at least two successful and two unsuccessful examples of the use of IS/IT for gaining or enhancing competitive advantages.
• Highlight some success factors.
• What are some lessons learned?
• What are some internal (e.g. organisational, individual, and management factors) and external factors (e.g. market, industry, social, economic, technological and political/policy factors) influencing the success or failure of organisations' attempts at gaining and enhancing competitive advantages? Are internal factors more important than external factors? Or the other way around?
• Can IS/IT give organisations competitive advantages? Can gained competitive advantages be sustained? How/Why?
You should apply relevant knowledge discussed in your unit. You should prepare for this assignment by reviewing the literature (i.e. by using Pro Quest 5000 database at http://www.scu.edu.au/library/index. php/) and searching the World Wide Web (i.e. via Google). You should show evidence that you have read at least 15 references, which must be published after January 2008, in the literature (including references from academic and professional publications) to prepare this assignment. A variety of references are expected including books, refereed journals, case studies, newspapers, magazines and electronic references.
Format for Assignment 1
You will be marked on communication as well as content. This is done to emphasise the importance of aiming for effective communication as well as good content - not only here in a university assignment, but also in your day-to-day work. After all, if you do not communicate and present your ideas well, it is much harder to have your ideas accepted by busy colleagues or executives.
Your assignment should contain:
• Title page
• table of contents
• introduction
• main body of report with suitable headings and subheadings
• conclusions
• reference list
• appendices (if relevant).
References: Harvard Referencing Style is required in this subject.