GSN498 Investment Strategies for Technology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | GSN498 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,186 |
| International unit fee | $3,570 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 04A 2025, Gardens Point, Internal (Start Date: 10 Mar 2025)
| Unit code: | GSN498 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Coordinator: | Corey Monaghan | corey.monaghan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit will develop an understanding of the ICT governance issues and processes and business strategy and IT alignment. It will introduce key current disruptive technologies and show how the ICT governance process and strategy facilitates effective adoption, adaptation and exploitation of these technologies. It will also provide students with some strategies for investigating and evaluating the impact of some current disruptive technologies that have the potential to radically change the process of business and business models.
This unit has been positioned in the later part of the MBA program as it requires students to have a broad multidisciplinary, 'big picture' view of businesses and how they operate. The unit builds upon the introductory work explored in Managing Technological Innovation and complements the other units in both the Leadership and Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Innovation pathways.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply the ICT governance process to a specific business organisation using the enterprise architecture method. KS 1.1Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: KS (1.1)
- Analyse and map the relationship of business strategy to business services and the relationship of business services to its application architecture. KS 1.1, HO 2.1
- Create and present a Business-IT alignment map. KS 1.1 , PC 3.2
- Critically evaluate the business value, impact and risks associated with the adoption of selected disruptive technologies. KS 1.2Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: KS (1.2)
- Create policy guidelines for the use of a disruptive technology within a specific organisational context. HO 2.2Relates to: EXEC Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
Content
- Digital Disruption and Leadership Models
- IT Governance, Enterprise IT Architecture and Bi-Modal IT
- IT investment decision-makingand Business Alignment of IT Investment
- Creating a Digital Vision and Strategy
- Financial Benefits and Implementation Risks of Digital
- IT Performance Monitoring
Course Learning Outcomes (Postgraduate - Executive)
The Graduate School of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines and professional practice.
1.2 Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable and effective business performance in local, national and global business environments.
Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues and situations and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.
2.2 Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex business environments.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead in diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences.
3.2 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts and for diverse audiences.
Self and Leadership (SL)
4.1 Demonstrate adaptive personal leadership and accountability, including self-awareness, reflective practice and foresight in adapting and applying knowledge and skills to inform and influence effective and innovative practice.
4.2 Lead, manage and foster the development of collaborative teams that value and leverage the diverse knowledge and skills of others to contribute to the development of robust, adaptable and sustainable courses of action.
Social, Ethical and Cultural Understanding (SEC)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national and global business environments.
5.2 Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate, interpret and critically reflect on, appropriate culturally and socially inclusive and responsible decisions and actions across diverse social and cultural contexts.
Learning Approaches
This unit adopts a blended learning approach and as such, includes a variety of teaching and learning approaches.
Three hour face-to-face class sessions are supplemented by the textbook and a range of online materials that are designed to support and extend learning prior to, during and after class sessions. Online materials are available in the unit Canvas site. Given the importance of the unit Canvas site to the teaching and learning strategy used in this unit, a computer or tablet device with internet access is strongly recommended for all students.
The principal purpose of the lectures and readings is to build upon the key concepts that were introduced through the Preparation for Class activities and readings. The purpose of the case study work, experiential learning tasks and all assessment tasks is to help the student develop their understanding of the concepts and enable them to be applied within a range of business contexts.
There is an expectation that the student will participate in class sessions, to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues with their instructor and their peers in an informal environment. These sessions also provide students with an opportunity to hone important generic skills that are in high demand in the business.
It is expected that students have completed all Preparation for Class activities and readings identified in the unit Canvas site prior to coming to class to be able to maximise the learning opportunities of the class sessions.
A variety of learning activities designed to engage students in their learning will be incorporated into the lectures/workshops. Such learning activities may include short lectures, class discussions, debates, role plays, group work, guest speakers, student presentations, simulations, case study analysis, videos, readings, wikis, media/current events reports, web searches, etc.
There is a commitment to critical inquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered. Students are encouraged to relate the theories and research discussed to situations known to them and will be encouraged to share their experiences relating to the topics explored in this unit with the class to enrich the overall learning experience of all students.
Expanding the awareness of Australian management policies and practices into intercultural and international perspectives is fostered within this unit. Typically, students enrolling in this unit have extremely varied backgrounds. There is diversity of professional background and socio-cultural background. Students are reminded that this is to their advantage and they have much to learn from one another. To this end, students are strongly encouraged to be sensitive to cultural, gender-related and international issues.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive a variety of formative feedback throughout this unit.
Informally, feedback will be given verbally in class through class discussions and during the debriefing of learning activities.
Direct feedback will be available to those students who request a private or group consultation session with the lecturer.
Formal feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks through a Criterion Reference Assessment sheet which will also include written feedback on the assessment task. The Criterion Reference Assessment Sheet will be available in the Canvas unit site at the commencement of the unit. Students will receive feedback on their formative assessment task prior to their summative assessment task being submitted.
Assessment
Overview
A further Guide to the Assessment Items is available from the unit Canvas Site.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project and Presentation
A Proposal for a Digital Transformation in an Organisation
Working in groups, you will act as the CEO and Executive Team to prepare and present to your organisation's Board seeking board approval to move to proof of concept for a proposed digital transformation of your organisation. The presentation will utilise PowerPoint slides and may be supplemented by a poster at least A1 in size.
Formative or Summative: Formative and summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.2)
Assessment: Report
You are required to write a report to senior managers about a disruptive technology of your choosing. You will need to:
- select and research a disruptive technology and analyse its effect on a target organisation.
- Identify the business value opportunities it presents and risks associated with this technology.
- Make recommendations on how the organisation could embrace this technology.
- Prepare a series of guidelines for the use of this technology by employees within the organisation.
Formative/Summative: Formative and Summative
Postgraduate Executive (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Other
GSN498 Canvas Site
Business Services Management Framework white paper, CRC Smart Services
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate Executive)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO2, Project and Presentation
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
KS (1.1): Advanced Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Project and Presentation
KS (1.2): Advanced Technical and Technological Skills
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: Report
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO3, Project and Presentation
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.GS75 Master of Business Administration
- Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks, and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines, professional practice, and digital innovation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Project and Presentation - Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills from a range of business disciplines to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable, effective, and transformational business performance in local, national, global, and virtual business environments.
Relates to: ULO4, Report - Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues, situations, and trends across multiple contexts and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.
Relates to: ULO2, Project and Presentation - Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing transdisciplinary digital strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex digital business environments.
Relates to: ULO5, Report - Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate, lead, and transform in diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: Report - Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO3, Project and Presentation