Information Systems Management MSc

Program Overview

The Information Systems Management MSc prepares professionals and graduates for management roles by providing practical knowledge in information systems and core management skills. Students will develop a deep understanding of information systems, management principles, and the technologies that drive modern organizations. Accredited by AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB, the program ensures high-quality teaching and prepares students for a successful career in management.

Program Outline

The program provides practical knowledge in the field of information systems and their impact on organizational structures and processes, alongside in-depth knowledge of essential management skills. The program focuses on core skills in key areas of management, including strategy, human resources, operations, and supply chain management. Students will learn about project management in conjunction with information technologies and information systems, and their role in controlling and driving organizations forward. The program offers options to tailor the curriculum to individual interests, including e-business and e-commerce, business intelligence, and international business strategy. Upon completion, students will possess an in-depth understanding of key management principles, cutting-edge theory in information systems, and a thorough knowledge of the technologies and systems that drive the modern workplace. They will be equipped to utilize these skills in managerial and professional roles, making them valuable assets in the workplace.

Outline:

It introduces information modelling techniques and provides experience in applying various systems analysis methods. Topics covered include soft systems analysis, structured systems analysis methodologies, business process modelling, data flow modelling, and object-oriented approaches (e.g., RUP/UML). (15 credits) (15 credits)

• Operations and Supply Chain Management: This module focuses on the production of goods and services, relating closely to all other business functions.
(15 credits)
• Managing People in Organisations: This module introduces students to the core aspects of Human Resource Management (HRM), using research-informed teaching to critically assess HR tools and techniques, engage with current debates in the field, and provide a reflective analysis of HRM today.
The module covers core building blocks in HRM, examines thematic themes, and introduces students to key issues and debates in HRM today. This module relates to the CIPD 'People Management and Development' standard. (15 credits) It uses a flexible approach combining face-to-face seminars with web-based learning material. The module begins with an overview of the principles involved in IS project management, followed by a discussion of IS development methodologies and their different characteristics and specialisms. The module culminates with a review of human resource management issues. (15 credits) This change occurs in complex social environments and has cultural, political, structural, and ethical impacts that need to be carefully managed. (15 credits)
• Strategic Management: This unit introduces key theories of Strategic Management of business organizations; those concerned with strategy design and development, techniques and frameworks for crafting strategic options, competitive challenges of a global market environment, implementation of strategy and change.
This theoretical understanding will then be illustrated and examined by reference to the way particular companies in contrasting industries have designed and executed their strategies. Particular attention will be devoted to expose students to many facets of strategy formulation/analysis and strategy implementation issues. (15 credits)
• Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation: This module assists students in the identification of, and preparation of a dissertation proposal.
Students will: familiarize themselves with on-going research in the School; identify and prepare a dissertation proposal; carry out a preliminary literature search in the area of the dissertation research topic; and be introduced to the use of social research methods and statistics for information management. (15 credits) Students will be supported through tutorials with a project supervisor, will apply research methods appropriate to their topic, and implement their work-plan to produce an individual project report. Students will already have identified a suitable topic and designed a project plan in the pre-requisite unit Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation. (45 credits)

Optional Modules:

• Digital Business: This module addresses theoretical and practical aspects of digital business in the age of AI.
It covers key concepts and current topics in commerce, including digital transformation, applications of AI in enterprises, the platform business, the concept of ecosystems, and various digital business models. The module aims to equip students with theoretical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to innovate and manage a business in the digital economy. (15 credits) Case examples from various domains, such as business, government, health, law, and social media, illustrate the topics investigated. (15 credits)
• Business Intelligence: This module covers the principles and practices of gathering and synthesizing business intelligence from the external environment, including organizations' competitive intelligence operations, environmental scanning activities, market intelligence, and strategic intelligence using open-source information.
A secondary focus is the role of BI software in organizations to collect and analyze internal information. Students will learn how to apply standard analysis frameworks commonly used in organizational business intelligence. (15 credits) The module is built around three key themes: Digital Divides; Sustainable Development; and Unequal impact of ICTs on social groups, e.g., on migrants and displaced populations. (15 credits) This theoretical understanding will then be illustrated and examined by reference to the way particular companies in contrasting industries have developed and implemented their international strategies. Particular attention will be devoted to the role played by the international business environment and its institutions, understanding and critique of various theories of the multinational enterprise, evaluating key strategic issues facing the multinational enterprise, and exploring inter-relationship between host government policies and multinational company strategies. (15 credits)

Assessment:

Assessments vary depending on the modules chosen but may include essays, report writing, oral presentations, in-class tests, and group projects. The program also includes a dissertation of 10–15,000 words, which provides the opportunity, under one-to-one supervision, to focus in depth on a topic of the student's choice.

Teaching:

A variety of teaching methods are used, combining lectures from academic staff and professional practitioners with seminars, tutorials, small-group work, and computer laboratory sessions. There is a strong emphasis on problem-solving and individual aspects of learning, with the expectation that students will engage in independent study, reading, and research in support of their coursework.

Careers:

The program prepares students for a management career while also developing skills in information systems and increasing their awareness of the important role that systems play in organizational infrastructures. Management consultants are often required with skills in information and information technology, and the course will provide students with skills in both areas.

Other:

The Management School is Triple Crown accredited by AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB. This accreditation signifies the school's commitment to high-quality teaching, ground-breaking research, and cutting-edge thinking. The school has close links with organizations, keeping them in tune with the changing demands of the workplace. They know what employers are looking for and want students to develop skills so they can apply course content in a company setting. Students will learn from experts, many of whom are former industry professionals and work closely with businesses. Because the academics are world-leading researchers, students' education will draw on the most current management theories. The school provides tailored on-site and online professional careers support, dedicated skills sessions, and events with experts from world-leading organizations and professional bodies. These activities will help guide students' personal and professional development to help them secure their dream placement, internship, or graduate role.

| Fees Type | Amount | Currency | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Home Fees (2024 annual fee) | £13,000 | GBP | | | Overseas Fees (2024 annual fee) | £29,700 | GBP | |