Reference no: EM132582226
SBLC4001 Managing Information and Technology Assignment
Learning Outcomes tested -
1. Evidence understanding of Information technology and its application to "real life".
2. Demonstrate understanding of the relationships between theoretical and practical applications of information technology.
Assessment Criteria - To achieve each outcome a student must demonstrate the ability to:
Assess the importance of IT in organisations as a store for data, information and knowledge.
Discuss the different social contexts and stakeholder perspectives of IT.
Understand the relationship between IT and process change within organisations.
Explain how IT contributes to the management of knowledge within organisations.
Analyse how interactions with customers and external parties can be managed using IT.
TASK DESCRIPTION - Smartville
Mercedes-Benz car manufacturers have plants in many countries including one in France, Hambach in a factory named Smartville. They assemble several models of Smart cars from parts imported from the head office in India and also obtained from their partner manufacturing organisations in France. Complete cars are then shipped to car dealerships; they do not sell cars to individual customers.
The Smart production site in Hambach (France) with its 2,000 workers is among the most modern automobile production plants. It has been built for 450 million Euros and has started production in 1998. In order to achieve optimized production processes the plant is arranged in the shape of a cross; in each of its four extensions different assembly works are provided. The centre, the so-called market place, serves as a test room for completed vehicles and for refinishing operations. The centre is multi-storied; thereby all the administrative, IT and changing rooms could be implemented in one central place.
Smartville, like other plants in the rest of the world, are technology based and they make full use of the relevant information/enterprise systems. The senior management at Smartville are mostly from India and the middle management consists of a mix of Indian and French managers; other staff are hired from the local community in France.
The above is a very brief description of Smartville. In this scenario, you are not required to know how Smartville operates or what their policies or decision-making processes are. However, you are required to write a report including the points provided below, based on the above broad scenario, providing your opinions based on the knowledge and research that you acquired through the study of this module using Harvard Reference Style.
As a consultant, you are required to write a report about Smartville including the below points:
THREE (3) relevant information systems (IS) that, in your opinion, form the core of Smartville business. Provide a brief summary of the general purpose of each of these IS.
Michael Porter suggests that two generally accepted strategies organisations often adopt are: cost leadership and differentiation. Discuss what these strategies are and make a judgement as to which
of these would be more appropriate for Smartville - explain reasons for your choice.
It is important that data kept within an organisation remains accurate, private and confidential. If any data within Smartville gets stolen or compromised, discuss whether the situation would fall under the Data Protection Act. Mention THREE (3) core aspects of the relevant Act.
Note - Length: 3000 Words and Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style. The use of a range of information sources is expected - academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing should be in Harvard style.