IT and Entrepreneurship

Course Content:

The knowledge society is a driving force in creating economic growth and it is an aim of
Information Systems to use IT to organize relevant information in an Entrepreneurial
fashion so as to increase its value, to add more value and, by provoking innovation, to
create new and superiour value chains. The information lifecycle and hierarchy as well as
the various types of Intellectual Property will be presented and explained. Subjects
covered involve the knowledge-based view of the organization, theories of knowledge
and information use as well as the role of various software systems (CRM, CMS, ERP,
EDM etc) in developing supportive Information Systems and in learning and knowledge
cycling.

Autumn Semester content summary: IT Consulting: The concept of "the Learning
Organization" and the role of IT in provoking learning in organizations.

Spring Semester content summary: IT Consulting: The preparation and issues involved
in writing a business plan for the client.

Whole module in detail:
? Information, learning and knowledge assets: SECI and other models.
? Learning theory and technologies
? The knowledge-based view of the firm
? The role of Information Systems in adding efficiency, provoking innovation and
creating new value chains.
? Economic strategy and the strategic management of Information Systems.
? Overview of Open Source tools, particularly in a setting of Boisots I-Space, and to
create applications linking these.
? Data mining and decision making
? Presentation techniques,business etiquette and developing an online presence.
? Adding value: entrepreneurial economics as an exception to I/O economics.
? Creating new vehicles for better systems (entrepreneurshp and
intrapreneurship).
? Issues associated with creating new vehicles; Companies House, raising capital &
tax issues, introduction to marketing.
? An overview of Intellectual Capital (IPR); patents, design & trade marks and
copyright.

Teaching: Lectures and workshops.

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Coursework: midway report or other presentation (25%)
? Coursework: a business plan for a new venture (75%).
STUDY OPTION 2:
? 2000 word essay (100%)
STUDY OPTION 3:
? 4000 word report in the form of a business plan (100%)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer