THEORETICAL BASES FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Goal (1) To develop the skill of deeper analysis and understanding of information systems (and information management situation in general) in organizational context; (2) to get acquianted with several contemporary theories of importance for information management (structuration theory, theories of knowledge generation, a.o.); (3) to establish the habit of working with professional and academic literature on information management (online full text article databases).

Brief description The course deals with a number of important theoretical views onorganizational information management, IT solutions and information systems. Emphasis is on the theories that are currently discussed among professionals and academics of the field. For example, IT solutions often are conceptualized as networks that enable and optimize information flow (the "plumbing" view of information management). This rational view, however, is neither the only possible theory, nor is it sufficient for understanding all phenomena and difficulties that are encountered in the practice of information management. An important side-goal of the course is to provide a wide overview of theoretical literature that could be used by participants in their master thesis projects.

Study methods (1) Lecture; (2) independent study of literature; (3) assignments (mostly analytical, e.g. analysis of information management situation); (4) presentation and discussion of assignment solutions.

Evaluation methods Assignment solutions determine 20% of the grade; examination determines 80% of the grade.

Prerequisite 6015 Information Systems or equivalent course (introductory information systems course).

Mandatory literature A selection of articles from professional and academic journals; study material composed by the instructor (in web).

Supplementary literature A list of articles and books composed by instructor and made available in the web.