Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BUSS3081: ELEMENTS OF BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS3081: ELEMENTS OF BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to NN43
Tied to NN34
Tied to N200
Tied to N102
Tied to N420
Tied to N300

Prerequisites

  • Information Systems OR Auditing and Accounting Information Systems.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Introduce a framework for Business Transformation that provides an insight into the strategic contribution of Business Transformation and the organisational competences required to succeed.
  • Provide participants with the opportunity to develop knowledge and experience of specific practices that contribute to important Business Transformation competences.
  • Introduce participants to the contribution of Information Systems (IS) in succeeding with a range of transformation scenarios and provide a foundation of knowledge for understanding how to exploit IS to create value through Business Transformation.

Content

  • The module draws on key literature / frameworks in the IS field is linked to current research:
  • Introduction to Business Transformation: Establish business transformation as a multi-disciplinary approach to change and realising the benefits from investments in IS.
  • Organisational competences for Business Transformation: Consider flaws in current approaches. Introduce a resource based perspective and a framework of competences for business transformation (for example building on work by Peppard and Ward).
  • Identifying opportunities: exploring a range of techniques to help in problem analysis and identifying opportunities for transformation.
  • Transformation in specific scenarios: The scenarios tackled will vary from time to time covering areas such as: Customer relationship management; Knowledge management; Knowledge worker effectiveness e.g. virtual teams; Technology trends and business opportunities. A context specific framework for change management will be introduced and using in the scenarios covered.
  • Additional practices for successful transformation: For example: Leadership of change; Effective measurement – driving change; Management of the portfolio of change initiatives; User centred design.
  • Developing the transformation capability of the organisation: Applying the principles and practices of transformation to plan a change programme to improve the transformation capability of an organisation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module participants will be able to:
  • Explain the contribution of Business Transformation to organisational performance.
  • Explain a framework of organisational competences required to succeed with Business Transformation (and use it as a diagnostic to identify priorities for improvement).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Use a range of specific practices that underpin organisational competences for Business Transformation.
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication - e.g. by completing the assignments.
  • Planning, Organisation and Time Management - by observing the strict assignment deadlines.
  • Problem Solving and Analysis - by applying the necessary analytical skills to make use of the taught material, in answering questions.
  • Initiative - by searching relevant literature and information in preparation of the summative assignment.
  • Computer Literacy and Information Retrieval - e.g. by word-processing summative assignments.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures and seminars. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars, and private study. The module will also use eLearning approaches to establish a 'blened' approach to teaching adn learning and build on the core contact time. Formative assessment is by means of in class exercises. Summative assessment is by means of an individual portfolio of evidence including a reflective overwiew.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 per week 1 hour 22
Seminars 8 4 in term 1. 4 in term 2. 1 hour 8
Preparation and reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Portfolio Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
An individual portfolio of evidence, including a reflective overview 4500 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

In class exercises.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University