ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY WEST
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS 502
Fall 1999 Session
Instructor: Dr. Pierre A.
Balthazard
Office: FAB N108
Office Phone: 602.543.6120
Office Fax: 602.543.6221
Home Phone (messages): 623.825.0499
E-mail: pb@asu.edu
(or use FirstClass account)
Class Meetings: Wednesdays in CLCC 233 (SLN
08435) or Thursdays in CLCC 229 (SLN 22196) 6:10-9:00 PM
Office Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-5 PM
and by appointment
[Introduction] [Personal Background] [Professional Background] [Course Description] [Instructional Methodology]
[Required Materials] [Optional Materials] [Class Policies] [Performance Evaluation] [Student Rights and
Responsibilities]
Quick Links:
Course Content (skills & knowledge
inventory)
Course Outline (week by week)
Introduction
CIS 502 is designed for graduate students and managers who desire
an overview of contemporary information technology (IT)
management. In this course, IT refers to the technologies
of computers and telecommunications including data, voice,
graphics, and full-motion video. The course will examine
the relevant issues of effective management of information
services activities and highlights the areas of greatest
potential application of technology. No assumptions are made
concerning your experience with IT, but it is expected that, as
graduate level university students who have been around computers
for some time, you should feel confident picking up any manual
and teaching yourself how to use new software. ASU has the
Microsoft suite of products -- the use of a word processor, a
presentation package, and a spreadsheet are assumed. We will be
using the Access database package and other software for process
analysis in CIS 502. This is not a technical computer
course per se, but you need to feel comfortable using computers
to do well.
Personal
Background
I am 39, married 6 years and have a 5 year old daughter Arielle
and a 14 month old son Andre. I am from Montreal, Quebec,
Canada, and am very French. I have been in the U.S. since
1989 and have learned to "americanize" my English to
the point where I think that you'll forget that English is my
second language. My wife Terri is from Los Angeles
originally. I would love to again play hockey (like in college),
golf, or go boating and fishing -- if I ever found the time to do
so.
Professional
Background
I have recently joined ASU West as Associate Professor of
Information Systems in the School of Management. I was
previously associated (1993-1999, tenured earlier in 1999) with
the Bryan School of Business and Economics at the University of
North Carolina, in Greensboro, North Carolina -- the Piedmont
Triad region of the Tar Heel State. I began my teaching career in
1981 at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. I have also
taught at Concordia University (also in Montreal) and at the
University of Arizona. Over the past few years my research and
consulting has focused on electronic commerce issues,
computer-supported traditional and virtual groups, and behavioral
decision making in groups. I conduct research under multiple
"umbrella think tank organizations" such as Human
Synergistics and the Center for Applied Research in Chicago,the
University of Illinois at Chicago and the Center for the
Management of Information at the University of Arizona.
I earned the Ph.D. degree at the University of Arizona (1993) with specializations in Systems & Industrial Engineering and MIS. I also hold a Masters in MIS degree from Arizona (1991), a Graduate Diploma in Business from McGill University (1983) and a bachelors degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, also from McGill University (1981).
Current projects include the examination of "virtual" teamwork -- teams that work mostly through networks -- and the development of "synergistic" consensus algorithms -- where n heads are better than one. I have been fortunate to publish numerous research articles and have recently received support from the National Science Foundation. 1999 marks the fourth year of my national longitudinal study that examines business use of the World Wide Web. This work has received national and international attention and has been profiled by news organizations like National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Kiplinger.
With solid entrepreneurial roots, I especially enjoy helping organizations of all sizes derive a strategic advantage from the use of information technology. For instance, I have educated and consulted with top executives in the use of collaborative technologies at firms like VF Corporation, Burlington Industries, BellSouth, Ciba, Novartis, The Center for Creative Leadership, and the like. Organizations like the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the North Carolina and national CPA chapters, and the Association for Production and Inventory Control (APICS) have requested Continuing Professional Education seminars from me.
At ASU, I bring 19 years of experience and knowledge in the information technology fields to CIS 502, and other graduate and undergraduate courses to be determined (and developed).
Course
Description
A analysis of major business functions, organizational
structures, activities and processes and how information
technology can be employed to improve processes and business
performance to generate strategic advantage. Students will
analyze business operations, learn about new technology and learn
how businesses are applying information technology to remain
competitive.
Instructional Methodology
Lecture, class discussion, case-based and real-world analysis,
videos, web-based content and distributed threaded discussions.
Weekly assignments are usually produced individually or in small
teams. A comprehensive final examination (75-90 minutes)
will be held in the formal exam session.
Required
Materials
Most course notes and other information are available via the
World Wide Web. I will distribute other readings or make
them available at the library. Many course announcements will be
distributed over the Internet via the Web or E-mail. However, you
must acquire the following:
Harvard Business Scool Publishing Case Studies(all available at
the ASU West bookstore):
Otisline (A) (HBS #9-195-240)
Baxter Healthcare: OnCall ASAP (HBS #9-195-103)
Frito-Lay, Inc. (HBS #9-187-065)
P & G (HBS #9-195-126)
Union Bank of Switzerland: ATM Outsourcing (HBS #9-397-103)
Verifone (HBS #9-195-088 do not purchase if purchasing optional
book)
USAA (HBS #9-190-155)
Air Product and Chemicals (HBS #9-397-008)
Living on the Internet (HBS #9-697-052)
Also:
A high density "floppy" disk
Access to Microsoft's ACCESS database software
Access to a PC connected to the Internet
Performance
Evaluation
Just like the world of IT, CIS 502 is a very busy course --
requiring a significant amount of work out of class, including
library searches and "curiosity-based" readings.
Your final grade is derived from your performance on 10
"deliverables" including 2 Harvard case study analysis
and presentations, 3 strategic memos, 4 exercises including 1
comprehensive business process analysis, and 1 final examination.
There are approximately 10-12 Harvard (type) case studies in CIS
502. You are responsible to LEAD the in-class examination
of 2 case studies (and prepare 2 formal analysis reports), you
must hand-in a strategic memo for 3 OTHER cases (ones you are not
responsible to lead), and are required to be prepared to discuss all
cases in class and participate in their examination.
Each case analysis report/presentation is worth 10% (total of
20%), the strategic memos are worth 5% each (15%), and the grade
for your preparedness will be collapsed into a
"generic" participation grade (10% - for all class
activities). You will also complete the following
exercises: (1) Internet-based virtual teamwork analysis
(simulation and write-up - 10%); (2) a Web-environment scanning
exercise (short paper - 5%); (3) process analysis with BPWin
(comprehensive analysis of a process (15%); (4) An exercise using
the Structured Query Language (SQL) is also worth 10% of your
final grade. A comprehensive (usually open book!) final
exam to be held in the formal exam session and will be worth 15%
of your final grade.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
As a student in CIS 502 you have explicit rights and
responsibilities. Your full understanding and acceptance of the
following rights and responsibilities can lead to more effective
learning and more productive use of our time together.
You have the right to expect:
1. Your professor to be prepared for each class, to start class promptly at the designated time and to end class at the designated time.
2. Your professor to teach all scheduled classes or arrange for a qualified substitute if it is necessary to miss class because of illness or University approved commitments.
3. Clear statements of course expectations, policies, testing and grading practices and student performance.
4. Your professor to hold a reasonable number of office hours to discuss assignments or to assist you with course matters.
5. Knowledgeable assistance from your professor regarding class assignments and course content.
6. Professional behaviors reflecting equitable treatment, ethical practices and respect for your rights.
7. Opportunities to challenge ideas and defend your beliefs in a professional manner.
8. To be challenged to grow both academically and professionally.
9. Information regarding career opportunities related to IT and other business programs.
10. Your professor to abide by University policies.
11. Fairness and clarity in evaluation of your performance.
12. Adequate opportunity to appeal any perceived violations of the above rights.
You have specific responsibilities to:
1. Plan your study and work schedule appropriately to allow sufficient time to do quality class work. I suggest you devote at least 5 hours per class period to this class.
2. Arrive at each class on time and prepared to discuss assigned readings and participate in discussions.
3. Complete assignments by due dates and submit quality work.
4. Understand and follow course policies as explained in class and in the syllabus.
5. Commit yourself to grow both academically and professionally.
6. Work effectively and cooperatively as a team member on group projects if so assigned.
7. Practice ethical behaviors and display respect for rights of others.
8. Contact your instructor and discuss circumstances which may prevent acceptable performance and to make such contact on a timely basis.
9. Fully understand and abide by ASU Academic Integrity Policies and other University policies relating to student conduct.
10. Report observed violations of ASU Academic Integrity Policies.