MANAGING INFORMATION

ASSIGNMENT London School of Business & Finance (LSBF)

Module Assignment Title Assignment Type Word Limit Weighting Student Intake Issue Date Submission Date Feedback Date Issued by (Assessor) Internal Verifier Plagiarism

Masters in Business Administration

Managing Information
Managing Information Critical Evaluation of Relevant Issues Report 3500- 4000 words 50%

6th November

When submitting work for assessment, students should be aware of the LSBF guidance and regulations in concerning plagiarism. All submissions should be your own, original work. You must submit an electronic copy of submission will be electronically checked. your work. Your

Harvard Referencing Learning Outcomes

The Harvard Referencing System must be used. The Wikipedia website must not be referenced in your work. On successful completion of this assignment you will be able to:

LO

Learning Outcome Description

Knowledge and Understanding Systematic understanding of the organisation from an information perspective including an understanding of the implications of the global marketplace and the internet. Critical understanding of the competitive advantage versus necessary cost debate and HR and marketing

LO1

LO2

issues in the organisation and management of IT resources. Systematic understanding of the principles of knowledge management and how IT can be used to surface and capture tacit knowledge in international companies. Synthesise and evaluate complex information on IT related issues Identify and create alternative responses to problems and critically evaluate and discriminate between these alternatives exercising sound judgement in the absence of complete data Visualise complex issues that have not been directly experienced and find solutions to such issues

LO3

LO7

LO8

LO9

Scenario

In this modern corporate world information managers play an important part in the success of organisations. An information manager has to conduct continuous research and apply knowledge management to make an organisation better compete with competitors. This becomes particularly more important when a new organisation enters in a business environment.
Your Task

Imagine you have been appointed as the Information Manager of a newly established medium sized consultancy firm that is going to offer accountancy and management solutions in the UK. You have been given the task to lead the project of the development of information system. To meet your task please write a report as following: 1- Define and explain information system as an organisational and management solution 2- Carry out the environmental and industry analysis in which the firm is going to operate 3- Recommend an information system for the firm and evaluate its important organisational, technical and management aspects 4- Recommend how the suggested information system can successfully be implemented 5- Address some of the security threats it may face and give recommendations to control these threats

6- Highlight any ethical concerns that the firm may come across and recommend solutions.
Guidelines

GUIDANCE ON ASSESSMENT
All materials must be properly referenced. Length required is advised above. Longer work will not be penalised. However it should be noted that a concise and professional style which is well focused and clear in the points being made will gain good credit. Originality, quality of argument and good structure are required. What I want to see is that you can take a body of theory, understand it, choose what you want from it, apply it in a reasonable fashion and hence evaluate it. Your submissions will be expected to demonstrate the following qualities:

1. Answering the central focus of the assignment topics. 2. A critical appreciation of relevant literature and its use to support argument, substantiate model(s) and other aspects of the assignment. 3. Taking ownership of the content, being prepared to debate and argue a personal position, evidences evaluative skills. A submission made up of extracts from published sources which is descriptive and just theoretical, is not acceptable. Your submission must have interpretation and consideration of the challenges and issues of taking theory into practice (using cases and/or personal experience). 4. Ability to analyse relevant theoretical concepts in a critical manner, evaluation of material, indication of gaps in the literature. 5. Logical flow of ideas and treatment; imaginative approaches; appropriate selection of real world factors related to the model(s) or specific assignment topic. 6. Evidence of additional personal research, and the ability to analyse material from a variety of appropriate relevant perspectives. A clear listing of references and/or bibliography. 7. Presentation, structure, appropriateness headings/subheadings, tidiness. 8. A strong conclusion. Please ensure that you reference material which you take from text books, published documents, internet etc in the main body of your report, at the place you use it, as well as listing the publications in an appendix. Also, try to evaluate and critique this material and the experience you get from applying and using it. Such personal critique gains high reward in postgraduate level work! Please note that just providing a summary of current published works on your chosen topic will of methodology, breaking into section

not receive a high grade. Ensure that your writing style is one in which you take ownership of the content. Evidence personal evaluation this can often be achieved by evaluating prior experience or a case study within the context of the theory.

London School of Business & Finance (LSBF)

Module Assignment Title Grade 70%+

Masters in Business Administration

Description of Achievement Extensive Critical understanding of nature, role and purpose, and a critical appreciation of the impact of emerging technologies on a variety of professional and commercial organisations. Excellent focus and relevance to research question. High quality content and currency. Evidence of balance and objectivity. An extensive knowledge of the different types of management and the differing information needs necessary to these levels of management. Ability to synthesise relevant theoretical & practical approaches. An extensive knowledge of the sources of the information. Thorough evaluation of the impact of computers and communications technology within information systems. Able to draw a wide range of real-life examples. Extensive knowledge of trends and future developments and their likely effects. An excellent ability to manipulate and interpret data and Information. The Harvard referencing System has been used in a perfect manner.

60%-69%

Excellent presentation, Imaginative format, helpful to reader.

A critical understanding of nature, role and purpose, and an awareness of the impact of emerging technologies on a variety of professional and commercial organisations.

The literature identified evidences accurate scope and relevance to the research question. A good knowledge of the different types of management and the differing information needs necessary to these levels of management.

Evidence of deep understanding of the issues relating to the application of theory.

An ability to draw on a range of real-life examples. An extensive knowledge of sources of the information.

The Harvard Referencing System has been used an applied, but with minor errors. Reasonable evaluation of the impact of computers and


50%-59%

communications technology within information systems. Good knowledge of trends and future developments, and their likely effects. A good ability to manipulate and interpret data and information. The Harvard Referencing System has been used with few errors. Good presentation in an appropriate format, generally easy to follow.

A good knowledge of nature, role and purpose of IT within a variety of professional and commercial organisations. Key academic supporting literature identified and evidence of further personal reading and research.

Some knowledge of the different types of management and the differing information needs necessary to these levels of management.

Evidence of understanding of the issues relating to the application of theory.

Some knowledge of the sources of information. Tried to portray some real-life examples. Some knowledge of computers and communications technology within information systems. A reasonable attempt to manipulate and interpret data and information.

40%-49%

The Harvard Referencing System has been used and applied but some mistakes have been made. Clear and appropriate presentation. A basic but limited awareness of nature, role and purpose of IT within a variety of professional and commercial organisations. Basic relevant literature identified but little evidence of additional research. Little or no ability to differentiate the different types of management and the differing information needs necessary to these levels of management.

Identifies how theories & models may be applied. Little or no knowledge of computers and communication technology within information systems. Little ability to portray real-life examples. Some ability to manipulate and interpret data and information.

30%-39%

The Harvard Referencing System has been used and applied but major mistakes have been made. Some attempt to present work in an appropriate format, basic writing skills. Little or no awareness of nature, role and purpose of IT within a variety of professional and commercial organisations. Little or no relevant supporting literature identified or referenced.

Little or no attempt to relate or apply theory.

Little or no ability to differentiate the different types of management and the differing information needs necessary to these levels of management.

The Harvard Referencing System has been used and applied sporadically but major mistakes have been made. No attempt to present work in a structured manner, basic structure.

London School of Business & Finance Postgraduate Marking Criteria Criteria Level of Achievement Indicators Fail 029% 1 Research Systematic identification and investigation of appropriate sources Little or no evidence of appropriate research 3039% Information presented does not relate sufficiently to the task; there may be evidence of rudimentary research Pass 40-49% Adequate research has been carried out and appropriate information has been gathered and documented from readily available sources applying standard techniques 50-59% Information is accurate and from a range of sources, with evidence of some analysis and evaluation 60-69% Well informed judgements made of the relative value of connected information from a wide range of academic sources 70+% Extensive independent research, accuracy, familiarity with the material, and sound judgments

029% 2 Analysis Examination and interpretation of resources Little or no evidence of analytical engagement

3039% Judgments (with or without complete data) are not sound; critiques are not well argued; response to complex issues is not systematic or creative

40-49% Key elements within relevant information are identified, but may lack accurate interpretation and analysis

50-59% Uses examination and interpretation of sources to make sound judgments ; shows critical awareness of current problems

60-69% Judgements are astute and well supported; able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively; critiques are insightful and well substantiated; offers new insights

70+% Evidence of analysis which potentially contributes new ideas, processes or knowledge to the field or is ground breaking in a way that would be recognized as valid by experts in the field

029% 3 Subject Knowledge Understanding and application of subject knowledge and underlying principles Inaccurate and/or incomplete knowledge of the subject field and its development

3039% Fragmentary and/or partial knowledge of the subject and its development

40-49% Evidence of understanding key aspects of the subject context, in current debates and/or historical background.

50-59% Knowledge is accurate and current within the field, and applied appropriately

60-69% Systematic and extensive knowledge, at the forefront of their field of study, perhaps informed by related or external fields, used creatively

70+% Brings a valid individual understanding to concepts and knowledge in the field Where appropriate, able to propose original ideas or hypotheses

029% 4 Experimentation Problem solving, risk taking, experimentation and testing of ideas and materials in the realisation of concepts Unable to identify problems; does not understand the purpose of risk taking or exploration of alternatives

3039% Exploration of methods or concepts is not sufficient to resolve barriers and/or move practice forward

40-49% Operates within familiar and well established ideas, processes, media and/or materials; some evidence of exploration of ideas and concepts

50-59% Decision making is based on sound judgement of available options; risk is managed appropriately; applies established techniques creatively in the discipline

60-69% Effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations; demonstrates originality in tackling and solving problems; approach consistently moves practice forwards

70+% Risk taking shows a profound and precise understanding of the nature of the field, and progresses the field, perhaps in an individually distinctive way

029% 5 Technical Competence Skills to enable the execution of ideas appropriate to the medium Execution shows very limited command of techniques and poor judgement

3039% Techniques are limited or rudimentary in selection or skill

40-49% Skills are adequate to communicate ideas; accepted conventions and procedures are usually applied

50-59% Skilled command of conventions and procedures. Technical skills facilitate practice, conceptual development and the communication of ideas

60-69% Discernment and judgement are evident. Idea and technique are unified. Breadth of techniques adopted may be a feature

70+% Idea and technique are unified. Discernment and judgement are evident. Technical Skills may have contributed to conceptual advances

029% 6 Communication and Presentation Clarity of purpose; skills in the selected media; awareness and adoption of appropriate conventions; sensitivity to the needs of the audience Ineffective use of visual/ oral/ written communication conventions in the production and presentation of ideas

3039% Partial lack of awareness and observance of conventions and standards; lack of clarity in structure selection and organisation of information; lack of awareness of audience

40-49% Conventions and standards are applied; structure is clear; information selection and organisation shows awareness of audience requirements and preferences

50-59% Able to communicate own conclusions and explain and summarise existing work clearly, in appropriate media to specialist and non specialist audiences

60-69% Communication is persuasive and compelling; diverse audience needs are accounted for; message and medium are unified with personal style

70+% Communication shows an exceptional and integrated understanding of the topic and audience needs

029% 7 Personal and Professional Development Management of learning through reflection, planning, self direction, subject engagement and commitment Consistent lack of evidence of reflection or planning for learning. Little or no awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses in relation to task

3039% Evidence of reflection and planning for learning not consistently progressed. Incomplete awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses

40-49% Evidence that reflection and planning have led to increased subject engagement and commitment. Developing an awareness of strengths and weaknesses

50-59% Demonstrable capacity to continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level

60-69% Takes full responsibility for own learning and development through iterative cycles of well articulated purposeful analysis and planning, supported by extensive evidence

70+% Evidence of strong sense of motivation and commitment to personal and professional development, explicitly and clearly communicated and evidenced

029% 8 Collaborative and / or Independent Professional Working Demonstration of suitable behaviour for working in a professional context alone, or with others Shows little accurate knowledge of related profession; is unproductive working alone; does not collaborate effectively with others

3039% Insufficient understanding of professional life; struggles to plan and complete work alone; collaborates reluctantly; behaviour may be unsupportive of others

40-49% Awareness of main standards required of relevant profession. Able work both collaboratively and independently

50-59% Shows self-direction and/or originality in tackling and solving problems; can plan and implement tasks at a professional or equivalent level; able to work effectively in diverse teams

60%60-69% Regularly shows self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems; shows initiative and personal responsibility; consistently plans and implements tasks at a professional or equivalent level, autonomously or collaboratively; able to work effectively in diverse teams, in multiple roles

70+% Makes sound decisions readily in complex and unpredictable situations; operates both autonomously and collaboratively as a professional; a consistently strong contributor to any team, in any role