General knowledge of Information Systems in organizations.
 

Information Systems are widely used in almost any business organization today. Where information systems are deterministic, social systems are not. Hence, then interaction of the two in a socio-technical system gives rise to numerous conflicts and challenges that emerge across all stages of IS evolution: the initial design, development, implementation, adoption and use, diffusion and aggregate socio-economic effects of technology. Ultimately, we study information systems in organizations and society because we are concerned about the effects of these systems-both positive and negative-for the businesses and society.
 

The general objectives of the course are as follows:

1. To expose the student to current topical issues in the field of information systems.

2. To expose the student to the main authors and their contributions to this line of research.

3. To stimulate the student to develop critical thinking skills for actively discussing the different contributions found in the field of information systems.
 

We can trace the influence of technology at many levels related to management:

• Systems development and design
• IT & firm strategy
• IT, organizational structure and culture
• Business processes and coordination structures
• IT implementation and project management
• Technology sourcing and economics
• Telecommunications, mobile and ubiquitous computing
• Computing, cognitive science and artificial intelligence
 

The seminar will be developed in seven sessions in which we will build on an initial presentation of the subject, and on the research interest of each participant. The aim is to generate dialogue between participants what helps us all to progress in our research agenda.
Presentations of subjects will be done both by the professor and by participants, who will be required to contribute critically to the sessions, either introducing their work on
their own research or further developing on some of the issues studied in the seminar dedicated to different authors in the field of information systems.
Therefore, the seminar is designed as a series of work meetings, where the objective is also to learn from each other.
 

Students will be responsible for several presentations and a written report at the end of the class.
 

Classes will largely look the seminal publications (mostly articles) of the Information Systems field.

Where appropriate, we will look at several of the most important books with in management and information systems and cognitive science:

• Herbert Simon (1996), Sciences of the Artificial, MIT Press, 3rd Edition
• Herbert Simon (1997), Administrative Behavior, Free Press, 4th Edition
• Pinker Steven, (2002),The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature Viking.
   

Monday 12/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h. Tuesday 13/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Wednesday 14/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Thursday 15/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Monday 17/05/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Tuesday 18/05/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Wednesday 19/05/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Thursday 20/05/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.