MIS 64080 Fall 2011 Brandyberry

Instructor:

Dr. Alan A. Brandyberry

Class Times:

6:15 pm-8:45 pm Monday, 210 Business Administration Building

Office Hours:

Mondays: 2:30-3:30 PM & 5:00-6:00 PM , Wednesdays: 1:00-3:30 PM, 8:45-9:15 PM (and by appointment)

Office:

A425  Business Administration Building

Phone:

330-672-1146

Email:

abrandyb@kent.edu (preferred contact method - please put 64080 somewhere in subject line)

Web Site:

http://vista8.kent.edu/

Catalog 
Description:

Investigation of selected emerging hardware and software technologies such as parallel processing systems, computer languages and operation systems, artificial intelligence, neural networks and chaos theory.

Prerequisites:

Graduate standing and permission of instructor.

Semester Topics:

Strategic Management of Emerging Technologies:

• Innovation Theories:
• Diffusion, Infusion, Adoption, & Implementation of Innovations
• Applying Innovation Theories to Business Cases

Specific Emerging Technologies:

• What are the emerging technologies of today?
• How may these technologies affect management and/or society today and in the near future?
• What are the likely technologies of the future (3-10 years) and how will these likely impact management?

Applied Learning:

• Student applied projects and informational presentations.

Required Texts:

None.

Attendance, 
Preparation, 
& Participation:

The material that is to be discussed in class should be read by the student before class.  Attendance will be taken and whenever you are not present you will miss activities that cannot be made up.  Missing class or portions of class will reduce your attendance/participation grade correspondingly.  Students should be prepared to discuss the reading material, assigned cases and discussion or review questions.  Failure to prepare and participate will also reduce this portion of your grade.

Cases 
& Assignments:

Students will be required to submit periodic written cases and computer assignments for credit.  These assignments will be described and assigned on a weekly basis.

Current Events:

Each week every student will bring in an article from an applied online or paper source that deals with identifying an Emerging Technology or with issues pertaining to managing or implementing the technology. You will turn in a copy of the paper with your name and the date submitted.

Be prepared to discuss in class:

• What is the technology?
• What makes it "Emerging"?
• Why this article is of interest to the class.
• The managerial implications of the technology and the article.

Project/Paper:

Projects can range from very technically-oriented (such as programming web services, integrating systems using XML or other techniques, cloud computing architectures, developing and implementing genetic algorithms, etc., etc.) to the completely non-technical.  Non-technical projects usually take the form of a research paper where students investigate a topic in-depth.  Examples of potential topics include: investigating the management and strategic issues associated with the implementation of any emerging technology in organizations; emerging technologies associated with "green" computing such as green data centers; and emerging technologies associated with combating increasing security threats such as viruses, worms, and cyber-terrorism (just some examples - there are literally thousands of potential topics to choose from).  Class time during this phase will consist of project reports and feedback sessions.

Examinations:

We will have only one exam, this will be around the midterm and will cover the management of emerging technologies material.  This exam will be administered on an open-note, open-book policy and will consist of short answer, short-essay, and essay type questions.  Any notes written by the student may be used by the student (photocopies of other student's notes or original copies of other students notes from this or other classes are not acceptable).  Only the books/articles/other materials used in this course may be used.  Books, notes, and any other test material may not be shared.  Note: Please do not assume that since it is open book that you do not have to study!  You should study the material as if these tests were closed book.  Most of your responses will have to come from your own knowledge; you will not have time to look up/learn all the material during the exam.  Use your book/notes to remind you of lists, a few forgotten definitions, etc., the concepts should already be known to you.

Students may feel free to inquire into any aspect of examinations or their scores during office hours.  However, to encourage quick resolution of problems or concerns which may arise, issues must be raised with the instructor within two weeks following return of the exam.  If the instructor is not contacted prior to that time the examination will be considered closed and grades finalized.

Attendance 
Policy:

Students are responsible for all in class announcements and material whether absence is excused or unexcused.  Missed assignments will not be made up.  In certain cases (emergencies) the score will be dropped.  All other cases receive a score of zero. Four or more unexcused absences will result in a zero score for the attendance/participation grade.  Less than four unexcused absences will reduce the grade accordingly.

Access:

In accordance with university policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access to this course, please contact the instructor during the first week of the semester.  Disabilities must be documented through the Office of Student Disability Services located in the Michael Schwartz Center.

Grading:

                                                                POINTS
Exam                                                          200 (31%) 
Attendance/Participation                                 50 (8%)
Assignments                                                100 (15%)

Current Events                                            100 (15%)
Final Project/Paper                                      200 (31%)
Total                                                           650 (100%)

The following scale indicates the minimum course percentage required for each letter grade:

Letter-grade determinations will be made on the following percentage basis (your score rounded to the nearest whole number):  A >93; A- 90-92; B+ 87-89; B 83-86; B- 80-82; C+ 77-79; C 73-76; C- 70-72; D+ 67-69; D 60-66 F <60.  A lower curve may be substituted at the discretion of the instructor.  Grade curving is only done at the end of the term for final grades.  Do not try to anticipate the curve - target the score that will get you the desired grade on the straight scale above.  Students are welcome at any time to inquire into their current grade status.

Grading 
Miscellaneous:

No "extra credit" will be considered.  I often am requested to provide extra credit work to students who are not satisfied with their current scores.  Although I appreciate the willingness to do extra work, the concept of extra credit does not function in courses where a curve may be applied to the final grades.  In this environment, students are penalized if they do not do the extra credit work, which should not be the case. 

"Incompletes" and "In Progress" grades will only be given in cases where unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances have made it impossible to complete the work required for the course in time.  Although I do understand that many of you work, have family obligations, and may be taking other courses, you are expected to adjust your course loads so you can allot sufficient time to the courses you are taking.  If you choose to overload yourself, you will have to live with the consequences. 

That said, please contact me with any problems you are having with the course.  I may not be able to offer you extra credit or an incomplete but I will do anything in my power (that is ethical and upholds the academic integrity of myself and the university) to make this course a positive and successful learning experience for all students who are willing to put in the effort required.

Day

Topics

Readings (topics will be updated on a regular basis in order to make sure we are dealing with the most current information available)

Aug 29

Course Introduction 

What is an ‘emerging technology’?  What is an innovation? What does adoption and diffusion mean?

·         Diffusion.ppt

·         Innovation.ppt

Sep 12

Current research concerning adoption of emerging technologies.  Technology acceptance models…what can we learn from them?

Assignment # 1 Due.

·         Venkatesh et al. 2003 (do not focus on the statistics and methodology – look at the models).

·         Cloud Computing Case

Sep 19

Determinants of organizational innovation. The first mover paradox.  Crossing the chasm.

(Lots of reading so no written assignment due.)

·         Damanpour, 1991 (again, do not get bogged down in the stats)

·         Christensen I

·         Christensen II

·         Linowes (Summary of Moore’s “Crossing the Chasm)

Sep 26

Absorptive Capacity.  Assimilation Gaps.

Assignment # 2 Due.

·         Xerox Case Handout

·         Cohen and Levinthal, 1990

·         Fichman & Kemerer, 1999

Oct 03

Integrating Technology and Strategy

Assignment # 3 Due.

·         Ambidextruous - HBR

Oct 10

Design and Evolution of a Technology Strategy

Assignment # 4 Due.

·         Cegielski, Reithel, & Rebman, 2005

·         Kohli & Melville, 2009

Oct 17

Enactment of Technology Strategy: Developing the Firm's Innovative Capabilities. 

Selection of Student Emerging Technology Topic and Project: Introduction

TBA

Oct 24

Midterm Exam

Oct 31

Specific Emerging Technologies – all students present their course project proposals.  Proposals due at class time.

Nov 07

Specific Emerging Technologies – selected student and instructor presentations and student/instructor project consultation.

Nov 14

Specific Emerging Technologies – selected student and instructor presentations and student/instructor project consultation.

Nov 21

Thanksgiving Recess - Instructor will be at an academic conference.  Students will work on projects.

Nov 28

Specific Emerging Technologies – selected student and instructor presentations and student/instructor project consultation.

Dec 05

Specific Emerging Technologies – selected student and instructor presentations and student/instructor project consultation.

Dec 12

Project Presentations – Final Projects Due