Critically evaluate and synthesise theories and models in order to manage digital technology appropriately as well as make strategic decisions to foster its positive impact on businesses.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

Unit learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding/.

• Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical appreciation of the business impact of digital technology and how it should be managed in a variety of business settings, with the aim of maximizing a company’s success.

2. Demonstrate the following skills and abilities.

• Critically evaluate and synthesize theories and models in order to manage digital technology appropriately as well as make strategic decisions to foster its positive impact on businesses.

Assessment Task;

You are required to select a company and conduct research on a topic related to the strategic management of information systems, making reference to appropriate theory, literature and empirical evidence. You will then present this in a written report. The word length should be 3500 words. Assessment 1 accounts for 60% of the overall unit grade.

Firstly, you must research and select a company – The company is Aravind Eye Hospital, India.  

Secondly, for Aravind Eye Hospital you must identify Strategic Information Systems (SIS) Opportunities

Thirdly, evaluate SIS Opportunities and its impact on the company’s strategic position, Considering the following :

• Degree of competitive advantage,
• Costs and Feasibility associated to the implementation of Strategic Information Systems (from technical and resource points of view)
• Risk (understood as the probability of reaping and sustaining the competitive advantage promised by the SIS idea)

1. Executive Summary (300 words)

• State the purpose of this report (analysis of strategic management of Information technology implementation in the given company)
• Explain briefly why it was initiated (maximize company’s success via use of IS)
• Comment on the significance/value of the report to the selected organization (use of SIS to gain competitive advantage)

2. Introduction (400 words)

• General or broad background info on chosen org
• Main topic, purpose, rationale
• Use a brief theoretical introduction which discusses the Advantages of SIS  in assisting organizations in adapting to environmental uncertainties and change and to gain advantage
• Outline the purpose and objectives of this report
• Overview where data has been accessed from
• Outline the sections of the report which follow the introduction

• Do a SWOT, PESTLE and Porter’s 5 forces analysis to analyse the industry environment – use figures and tables.
• Identify strategic IS opportunity – basically Aravind eye hospital wants to impact more patients. Currently they are limited by physical infrastructure. IS would increase their reach and impact to more patients, increase efficiency, decrease cost, attract more patients, increase profitability. Also, India has a growing smartphone population with cheap data. Use of mobile apps is another option. Use of IS would give strategic competitive advantage.
• Evaluating the Gap between Existing and Required IS/IT Environments
• State type of IS, the IS strategy, the benefits, the drawbacks, the type of technology.
• Information Technology and Porter generic Strategies – Cost leadership strategy, Differentiation strategy or Niche Strategy.
• State the degree of competitive advantage implementation of IS would give
• Costs and Feasibility associated with the implementation of Strategic Information Systems (from technical and resource points of view)
• Risk (understood as the probability of reaping and sustaining the competitive advantage promised by the SIS idea)
• Business Process Re-engineering and role of information technology and tools – Visualization of Process, Process Mapping, Change Management, Customer Focus/Process Focus
• Implementation of Business Process Re-engineering in organization – customer orientation, empowering people, information and tools, training, paper work reduction
• Information Technology and Business Process Reengineering – strategic process, poduct, market and sales, services, accounting and finance, human resource management, virtual corporation and IT
• Approaches to Implement Virtual Organization eg telecasters, mobile networking

5. Recommendations ( 400 words)

Make recommendations aligned to ensuring the successful implementation of the  strategic IS

6. Conclusion (200 words)
7. References (AT LEAST 40 REFERENCES, HARVARD STYLE STRICTLY)