DE / EN

IT Management in the Digital Age

IS 512 for Master's program (MMM and Business Informatics)

General Information

Spring 2024
Performing Lecturer Prof. Dr. Armin Heinzl
Examiner Prof. Dr. Armin Heinzl
Course Format Lecture
Credit Points 6 ECTS
Language English
Grading Written exam
Exam Date 09.04.2024 (60min.)
Information for Students Limited number of participants (100)
Registration, Schedule: Portal2
Course material: Ilias
Tobias Maier, M.Sc.

Tobias Maier, M.Sc.

Contact person IT Management in the Digital Age

For further information please contact Tobias Maier.

Course Information

  • Brief Description

    Digitalization is changing the way firms compete and operate. It is difficult to think of any business process or functional area that is unaffected by information technology (IT) in contemporary firms. All conscientious managers, particularly those who are or aspire to be leaders, should develop a passion to manage all resources of firm including information and IT resources which are becoming increasingly critical for the success in digital transformation. Regardless of their current functional affiliation or career goals, successful transformations will critically depend on how future executives lead and direct IT-enabled strategic changes.

    This course introduces some of the key issues in managing IT as a key enabler of digital transformations. It provides an overview of IT in contemporary firms and how they enable and support a firm’s strategic and operational goals. By understanding how to engage in IT-related decision making and governance, managers can develop superior strategies and use IT as a lever to innovate and transform for competitive advantage. We will deal with decisions regarding the alignment of IT and business, the governance of IT within the firm, the outsourcing and offshoring of IT, and the controlling of IT initiatives. All of these themes will be discussed from a management perspective.

    Aim of Module

    This course is designed for students who desire an insightful synopsis of IT management concepts and practices that enable digital transformation. It emphasizes the management of information, information systems and information technology. The course examines issues associated with managing IT in various settings. Key IT management topic will be discussed considering aspects of planning, controlling, and governing.

    After completing this course, participants will be able to

    • analyze complex decisions of IT management (strategic alignment, governance, outsourcing, and controlling)
    • find and evaluate different options for action regarding these decisions
    • provide structured advice on feasible actions that improve a firm’s capabilities and competitiveness.

    Teaching Format

    If the Covid-19 pandemic permits, the course will be offered in a presence format. Please make sure you fully comply with the contemporary hygienic safety regulations of the University of Mannheim. Please do not forget your masks and keep the respective safety distance to your fellow students and instructor(s).

    In addition, the sessions will be recorded via Zoom and uploaded onto ILIAS.

  • Course Outline & Schedule

    Lecturer Prof. Dr. Armin Heinzl

    Schedule

    Date Time Topic Room
    13.02.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am No lecture! Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras O 148 MVV lecture hall (Castle east wing)
    16.02.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Section 1: Introduction Section 2: IT Returns and Impact O 148 MVV lecture hall (Castle east wing)
    20.02.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Case Study: e-Procurement at Cathay Pacific Airways O 148 MVV lecture hall (Castle east wing)
    23.02.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Section 3: IT Strategy Planning and Alignment O 148 MVV lecture hall (Castle east wing)
    27.02.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Case Study: Digitalization at Siemens O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    01.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Section 4: IT Governance O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    05.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Case Study: Information Technology and Innovation at Shinsei Bank O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    08.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Section 5: IT Delivery – Outsourcing Options, Decision & Implementation O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    12.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Case Study: IT Outsourcing at Adidas Group O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    15.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Section 6: IT Delivery-Offshore Outsourcing Case Study: Offshoring and Innovation at Globalco O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    19.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Section 7: IT Controlling O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    22.03.2024 10.15 am– 11.45 am Case Study: e-Procurement at Cathay Pacific Airways Exemplary Exam Recap / Q&A O 148 MVV Hörsaal (Schloss Ostflügel)
    09.04.2024 08.30 am – 09.30 am Final Exam SN 169
  • Literature

    • Dibbern, J., Chin, W. W., & Heinzl, A. (2012). Systemic determinants of the information systems outsourcing decision: A comparative study of German and United States firms.
    • Dibbern, J., Winkler, J., & Heinzl, A. (2008). Explaining variations in client extra costs between software projects offshored to India. MIS quarterly, 333–366.
    • Huber, T. L., Fischer, T. A., Dibbern, J., & Hirschheim, R. (2013). A process model of complementarity and substitution of contractual and relational governance in IS outsourcing. Journal of Management Information Systems, 30(3), 81–114.
    • Lacity, M. C., Khan, S. A., & Willcocks, L. P. (2009). A review of the IT outsourcing literature: Insights for practice. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 18(3), 130–146.
    • Martinsons, M., Davison, R., & Tse, D. (1999). The balanced scorecard: a foundation for the strategic management of information systems. Decision support systems, 25(1), 71–88
    • Melville, N., Kraemer, K., & Gurbaxani, V. (2004). Information technology and organizational performance: An integrative model of IT business value. MIS quarterly, 283–322.
    • Sambamurthy, V., & Zmud, R. W. Arrangements for IT governance: a theory of multiple contingencies. MIS Quarterly, 23(3), 26–290.
    • Wade, M., & Hulland, J. (2004). The resource-based view and information systems research: Review, extension, and suggestions for future research. MIS quarterly, 107–142.
    • Weill, P. (2004). Don’t just lead, govern: How top-performing firms govern IT. MIS Quarterly executive, 3(1), 1–17.

    Please make sure, you have read the papers as outlined above. Otherwise, no double loop learning will accrue! All papers and cases will be available on ILIAS.