Business Computing Applications

Welcome to BIS B123 Business Computing Applications.

BIS B123 is a five-credit, foundation-level course within the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree programme. This course introduces the basic concepts and applications of business computing. It also aims to equip learners with knowledge in evaluating computing applications in business organizations.

BIS B123 is delivered using a custom textbook, supplemented by a Study Guide, online multimedia components and learning support sessions.

Course aims

The overall aims of BIS B123 Business Computing Applications are to:

• introduce learners to fundamental concepts of business computing and its applications; and
• enable learners to develop the knowledge in evaluating business computing applications.

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of BIS B123 Business Computing Applications, you should be able to:

• Describe how information technology is applied in business operations.
• Manage and evaluate information systems to solve business problems.
• Analyse and discuss current issues in business computing applications.

Course overview

The following table gives a general overview of the course structure. It suggests the amount of time you should allow for completing units and provides a broad schedule for you to plan your work. This estimation includes time for reading the units and custom textbook, completing activities, self-tests and assignments, and attending live online tutorials.

In this course's textbook-based approach, learning modules have been carefully selected by the course team from a textbook suitable for BIS B123 Business Computing Applications.

In addition to the custom textbook, you will be working through the course using an HKMU- produced Study Guide. The Study Guide leads you along your study pathway unit by unit, providing commentary on each textbook chapter and supplementary self-assessment opportunities.

The third main place you will refer to for learning resources during the course is HKMU's Online Learning Environment (OLE). There, you will have access to a rich array of multimedia materials such as supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos), online activities and self-tests, and you will be able to discuss topics with other students and your tutor on the course discussion board. This course is further supported by regular live online tutorials.

The custom textbook

The title of the custom textbook is BIS B123 Business Computing Applications. The chapters are selected from the following textbook.

• Valacich, J, Schneider, C and Hashim, M (2023) Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World, 9th edn, Harlow: Pearson.

The Study Guide will indicate at which point you should read each chapter of the custom textbook.

Introductory video

• To start off, you should watch the introductory video for the course in the ePub version of this Course Guide or on the OLE. Then turn to the Study Guide for further guidance through the course.

The Study Guide

The Study Guide serves two functions. First, it provides you with information on the aims, learning outcomes, assessment strategies and means of support for this course. Second, it sets out your study pathway through the custom textbook and other course learning resources. You will therefore need to keep this document by your side as you work through the course.

The Study Guide is divided into five units. The titles of the units and the custom textbook chapters they will cover are set out in the following table.

The Study Guide directs you to work on exercises and activities related to the material covered. They can both help you gauge your progress and reinforce your understanding of the material covered in the textbook unit. More importantly, it gives examples to help you fully understand the concepts presented in the text, and can assist you in applying these concepts and techniques in the working environment. Together with the assignments, the activities will assist you in achieving the learning outcomes of the course. Also, you are encouraged to read quality journals, online material and newspapers on related issues to keep pace with the latest developments.

Supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos)

A series of supplementary lectures (pre-recorded videos) will be provided for this course, which aim to provide an overview of the major concepts covered in each unit. These videos will be uploaded to the OLE in due course. You are advised to watch them for an overview of the unit's topics before you start studying the unit. Please also download and skim through the related PowerPoint slides, which are also available on the OLE.

The Online Learning Environment (OLE)

This course is supported by HKMU's Online Learning Environment (OLE). You will find course materials and the latest course information on the OLE. You can also communicate with your tutor, the Course Coordinator and classmates through the OLE discussion board.

Learning support

Throughout this course, regular tutorial support will be provided. There will be five live online tutorials, each lasting two hours. Tutorials are not lectures. They provide you with an opportunity to discuss any problems you are having with the study materials. They also provide you with a good opportunity to discuss the course assignments.

While live online tutorials are not compulsory, attendance is strongly recommended. Tutorials are not only a time to discuss the course content and assignments with your tutor, but also give you a chance to meet and interact with your fellow BIS B123 students.

At the commencement of this course, a tutor will be assigned to help you in your study. Please note that much of your communication with HKMU during the course will be with your tutor, who will mark your assignments and offer timely feedback. Your tutor is eager to help you complete this course successfully, and will closely monitor your learning progress by keeping regular contact with you. If you encounter difficulties in your studies, you should always turn to your tutor for assistance. It is believed that learners who maintain regular contact with their tutors often achieve better performance in their studies.

You will be informed of the name and telephone number of your tutor once you are assigned to a tutorial group. Your tutor will set aside certain preferred hours of contact every week in order to attend to your telephone queries. They will inform you of these preferred hours in the first live online tutorial session. Please show consideration for your tutor by making telephone contact only during the preferred hours.

Do not hesitate to contact your tutor by telephone if you need help. The following might be some typical circumstances in which you would find help necessary. Contact your tutor if:

• you do not understand any part of the study units or the assigned readings;
• you have any difficulty with self-tests or practice exercises; or
• you have a question or problem with assignments, with your tutor's comments on or grading of an assignment.

You will be notified of the details of the live online tutorials, together with the name, phone number and telephone tutoring hours of your tutor, as soon as you are allocated a tutorial group.

Tutors are required to start live online tutorial sessions on time. If a tutor fails to turn up 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time, learners may assume the session is cancelled and should report the case to the Course Coordinator for the arrangement of a make-up session.

Your tutor is responsible for grading your submitted assignments. If you disagree with the grading, try to resolve the issue with your tutor. Remember your tutor is your first point of contact with HKMU in all academic matters. If your tutor is unable to resolve a problem, then you should contact the Course Coordinator immediately.

Assessment

This course is designed to enable you to move easily from the stated objectives, through the study units, to the assignments. You are expected to undertake regular self-assessment activities while working your way through the study units. When completing the assignments, you should apply the concepts and theories acquired during the course.

Formative assessment includes various self-assessment activities (e.g. self-tests, activities, and online discussions) that you will undertake while working your way through the study units. These activities allow you to develop and monitor your own progress.

Summative assessment consists of two written assignments and an oral presentation (compulsory assignment). There will be no examination for this course. Each of the two written assignments accounts for 40% of the total course mark while the oral presentation accounts for 20%.

The assessment items are summarized in the following table.

You are required to pass both the written assignments and oral presentation to obtain a pass in this course.

Assignments

There are two written assignments for the course. The assignments will cover all the five units. You will get feedback from your tutor on the assignments. For details, please refer to the Assignment File, which will be made available on the OLE.

How to submit assignments

You must use word processing software (such as Microsoft Word) to prepare the assignments, and submit them via the Online Learning Environment (OLE). All assignments must be uploaded to the OLE by the due date.

Failure to upload an assignment in the required format to the OLE may result in the score of the assignment being adjusted to zero.

Assignment extension policy

The assignment policy of the University as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your Course Coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances.

Applications for extensions must be submitted online via the OLE. Please note the following:

• Supporting documents must be submitted to justify applications for extensions of over seven days.
• Applications for extensions should normally be lodged before or on the due date.
• Applications are considered by:
  
  • your tutor for extensions of up to seven days;
  • the Course Coordinator for extensions of 8 to 21 days; and
  • the Dean for extensions of over 21 days.

After an assignment is submitted via the OLE, it is your responsibility to check that the assignment has been successfully submitted. Extension applications due to any problem with uploading will not be accepted. The University cannot accept any responsibility for assignments that are not received by your tutor due to any problem with submission via the OLE. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit.

According to the University's policy, no extension of the due date will be allowed for the final assignment. This policy will be strictly enforced. Any late submission of the final assignment will result in the score of the assignment being adjusted to zero.

Oral presentation

The oral presentation is a compulsory element of the course's assessment. That means you must attend the oral presentation or you will fail the course directly. During the oral presentation, your tutor will ask you questions about the contents of your assignments. You may consult your tutor on what you need to prepare for the oral presentation.

Case studies are a useful and increasingly popular form of learning and assessment in the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration. In this section we will look at why case studies are used and then suggest some learning strategies that you can use to approach case studies. We will also briefly discuss some problems that you may encounter as you learn from case studies.

What is a case study approach to learning

One main purpose of a case study is to explore an issue or a number of issues in relation to an organization. The intention is to get you to carefully diagnose an organization, focus on key problems and suggest how these might be resolved. Often the case is a real-life account of an organization which you are required to analyse in order to focus on a problem. Usually, the information that is provided is incomplete and you are often expected to observe developments in the organization over a period of time. The case study approach is an excellent opportunity for students to actively apply material learned and conceptual knowledge acquired to the reality of an organization.

At HKMU, case studies may be used as part of assignments, exams, study units or day-school exercises. You are normally given some information about a company (this could be both text and graphical information, such as figures and tables). You are then asked to think about some problems related to the company and to use concepts and apply theories that you have learned in the course to propose possible solutions for the company.

Let's have a look at two kinds of case study questions that you might be asked to work through in your courses. The first example is quite structured, while the second is much more open-ended.

Two examples of case study questions

1. Read the case study entitled 'ABC Consultants' and consider the following issues:
   • Using your understanding of the resource-based model, what measures could be taken to improve ABC's returns?
   • Drawing on your broad understanding of the consultancy industry, assess ABC's relative competitiveness and its profit potential.
   • To what extent do internal factors account for ABC's financial weaknesses?
   • Based on your assessment of ABC's financial weaknesses, formulate a new strategic intent and develop a mission statement for ABC.
2. Read the case study entitled 'XYZ Industries'.
   • Identify the key problems that are currently faced by XYZ's management.
   • Propose viable solutions to these problems.

Why case studies

As you can see from the above examples, a case study approach to learning requires a great deal of thinking and often will not easily yield a quick 'wrong' or 'right' answer. However, case studies are also good preparation for dealing with real-life business problems. Some cases may be short and relatively simple; others longer and complex. The purpose for both types of cases is the same: to give you an opportunity to develop your skills in analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the organization under examination, to consider the processes at work within the organization, and to make decisions about future actions.

Case studies are not meant to replace textbooks, but rather to prompt you to draw connections between theories and practice, and to apply abstract ideas, concepts and principles to specific concrete situations. Ultimately, case analysis will help you develop a number of skills that are crucial in business. In particular, they will help you to:

• analyse complex, unstructured, sometimes ambiguous situations;
• identify critical issues and problems;
• question your own and others' assumptions;
• improve your problem-solving skills;
• develop your ability to find alternatives and make informed decisions;
• make decisions with incomplete information and think strategically;
• self-educate yourself and draw on a broad range of resources and knowledge; and
• present and justify your recommendations in writing.

You may find that there are many possible 'right' answers to the questions in a case study. This illustrates that there is often no single best way to responsibly manage and solve real-life business problems.

Some guidelines for analysing case studies

The following strategies should help you to successfully analyse case studies:

1　Read the case and become familiar with the facts

First, skim read the case to obtain a general understanding of the main point(s). Highlight or underline the pertinent points as you read.

Read the case again, and this time note down the critical facts (such as names, time sequences and where events occurred). Try to understand how events have influenced decisions. Identify the important individuals or stakeholders, and try to assess the importance of the supporting information in the case. How reliable is this supporting information? Are there any gaps in the information given?

Make a note of any questions that you may have as you read through the case.

2　Assess the context of the case

Trytounderstandtheenvironmentoftheorganizationandthewidercontextofthecase.

Ask yourself questions about:

• The state of the organization: What is the state of this organization — good, bad or in- between? Usually this involves thinking about interpersonal relationships, and assessing production or financial problems.
• Key players and systems: How do people and systems operate in this organization? Why do they operate like this? Are the systems undergoing change? How successful are the changes? Is there anyone who may sabotage a future strategy? Is there someone who can ensure the success of a future strategy?
• Significant trends: How does this industry operate? What are the main or unique characteristics of the industry? What were they five or ten years ago, and what are they likely to be in the future? What impact are certain trends likely to have on the organization under investigation? How does this organization's performance compare with that of its competitors?
• Constraints: Clearly identify all constraints in the A constraint may be viewed as anything (usually beyond the control of the organization) that may prevent an otherwise feasible course of action from becoming a success. What is outside the control of individuals in the case study? For example, it is unlikely that any company or individual in Hong Kong could prevent a foreign government from imposing tariff barriers on imports.

Doing a SWOT analysis is a good way to get a better understanding of the organization and the context or environment in which it is operating. A SWOT analysis considers the Strengths and Weaknesses of the organization, and the Opportunities and Threats which the organization is facing in the external environment.

3　Recognize the case's symptoms

Read the case again and as you read, try listing all the symptoms of the case. The symptoms of a case are not the problems, but they may help you to identify the problems. Symptoms are all the things that are undesirable or that are not as expected. For example, falling sales could be a symptom of several problems such as poor market segmentation, poor product quality, or problems in a supply chain. At this stage of your analysis, you should just try to observe all the symptoms, and avoid prematurely identifying problems or suggesting solutions. (Like a doctor during a medical consultation, you would first need to observe and note all the symptoms of your patient before giving a definite diagnosis of the problem.) Then think about how the symptoms may be interrelated. Relationship diagrams, like the one below, may help you to see the relationships between symptoms.

4　Diagnose the case's problems

After getting a good grasp of the symptoms, you're ready to determine key issues that need to be analysed more closely. You are now diagnosing the situation, like a doctor diagnosing a patient's condition. Ask yourself, 'What seems to be the trouble in this organization?' and make a list of what you now perceive to be the key problem(s). You will probably need to go back to the details of the case and as you do this, you may add to or refine your list of potential problems.

If there are several problems, you will need to order and prioritize them. You might want to number the problems according to your perception of their importance, or make a matrix, like the one below, showing the relationships between various criteria and each problem.

Also try to establish if there are relationships or themes in common among the problems. Perhaps different problems in your list are actually variations of a broader central problem.

Ask yourself what assumptions you have made about the case. Are these assumptions reasonable and supported by facts? Would other people objectively suggest the same problems based on the facts you have? Are you suggesting problems that are not supported by the facts of the case?

After you have considered and prioritized the possible problems and questioned your assumptions relating to these problems, you should write a statement of the problems as you perceive them. Avoid suggesting solutions at this stage.

Once you have a problem statement, you need to find evidence in the case to support your problem diagnosis. Also, try to identify ideas, concepts and theories from your textbook and course units which help to explain what is happening in the case.

5　Formulate criteria for a 'good' solution and identify possible constraints to solutions

Before you propose a solution, you need to consider the characteristics of a 'good' solution. Obviously, your solution should bring benefits such as improved productivity, reduced costs or greater profits. However, it also needs to be viable and be able to accommodate the constraints that you have already identified. For example, you should ask yourself, 'Is the solution legal? Is there a budget for this solution? Does it conflict with the organization's culture?'

Try to brainstorm alternative solutions. Aim to generate a broad and creative range of options and then try to rate each according to various criteria.

Also refer to ideas, concepts and theories from your course materials as you consider and assess each possible solution.

It's often wise to propose a solution that allows for plausible alternatives if it should fail. Managers use the term 'satisfice' when they are considering acceptable alternative solutions — that is, they consider whether a solution is able to satisfy the situation while also making some realistic sacrifices to the existing constraints. Such a solution is a satisficing one rather than a maximizing one.

Finally, don't forget to consider the possibility of taking no action. What will actually happen if no action is taken? Are any (or all) of the solutions less viable than taking no action at all?

6　Recommend a viable solution

After you have assessed the merits and pitfalls of each alternative solution, select the best solution for the situation.

Remember that the solution needs to be viable. Can the recommended solution be introduced? Are there the resources and the willingness to implement it? Be realistic about what may work.

Explain why it is the best solution within the constraints of the existing context and explain how it can be applied to the organization. Suggest a time frame for the solution's implementation.

Outline possible strategies for implementing your solution, either partially or completely. You should consider as many feasible courses of action as possible should be considered before choosing the one that seems the most likely to succeed. The more ideas you have, the greater your chance will be of finding a solution that will work well. The complexity of most organizational problems means that it is highly unlikely that one idea alone will correct the situation. Usually a combination of actions is required, and these need to be funded differently, timed carefully and staffed as necessary.

7　Present your solution as a written recommendation

Review your final solutions and then prepare a set of written recommendations. These should clearly outline your proposed solutions in relation to the problems that you have identified. Your recommendations should also include details of why these solutions are the most appropriate given the circumstances and constraints of the case. Finally, you need to clearly state how and when your proposals will be implemented.

Your tutor and your course Assignment File can provide some guidelines on how to present your recommendations.

Some mistakes to avoid as you analyse cases

When you first tackle case studies, you should be careful to guard against the following mistakes:

1. One of the most common mistakes made in case analysis is repeating or simply summarizing the facts of the Your tutor is already very familiar with the case details, so you do not have to restate them. You are required to use and analyse the facts, not repeat them. Your analysis should contain only enough case material to support your arguments. Therefore, be analytical!
2. You may often be tempted to just deal with symptoms and ignore the causes of the It is very important to analyse the background of the case (and the climate in which the events of the case unfold).
3. Avoid discussing problems in isolation and do not overlook their interrelatedness. If you try to think in terms of 'systems' rather than individual problems, you will be more likely to avoid this pitfall.
4. Students often fail to state the assumptions underlying their If any important assumptions have been made, have you questioned them and are they reasonable and appropriate? Avoid using and interpreting case material selectively in order to justify a preconceived solution.
5. Practical limitations and constraints may sometimes be For example, a recommendation that a whole team be fired is probably unrealistic.
6. A very common mistake is poor integration of the facts in the case with the concepts, principles, and theories in the Such integration is vital. Ask yourself if relevant theories from your course have been fully and constructively applied.
7. Finally, recommendations are too often not spelled out in detail or are A timetable for implementing them is also often omitted.

Analysing cases poses many challenges and this is one reason the case study method is so rewarding. It is a very active form of learning. It offers you a risk-free opportunity to gain managerial and organizational experience and should greatly increase your confidence to make informed decisions in the real world.

Good luck and we hope you enjoy working through the cases that you encounter!

BIS B123 Business Computing Applications is designed to provide you with the theories, concepts, and tools to fully understand and apply concepts related to computing in the context of business organizations.

The course is presented through a mixture of printed and multimedia materials. As you work through BIS B123, you will need to refer to your Study Guide, custom textbook and the OLE, and you are provided with support through regular learning sessions.

The course is assessed through two assignments and an oral presentation. There is no examination for this course. We hope you will enjoy the course.

If you wish to defer your studies of this course until a later date, you should apply for deferment of studies. For the regulations governing deferment of studies, please refer to your Student Handbook. If you have applied for deferment of studies you should continue with your studies of this course and submit the required assignments until formal approval is given by the University.

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