Global digital transformation is a pervasive phenomenon reshaping various aspects of life, organizations, environments, and societies. As digital technologies become increasingly integrated across sectors, the importance of information systems is growing, not only for driving digital transformation but also for managing and controlling daily IT operations. This course aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of information systems, focusing on information management and control. As the first course in the SBWL on Information Management and Control, it introduces key concepts essential for both supporting digital transformation initiatives and effectively managing routine IT operations, offering students a comprehensive orientation to the broader curriculum.

Course Content:

• Introduction to Information Systems (IS)
• Corporate IT/IS Strategy
• Digital Transformation (DX)
• Digital Socio-Technical Systems, Human-Compatibility and Humans in the Loop
• IT Service Management (ITSM)
• Introduction to Software Engineering
• Requirement Analysis, Change and Risk Management, and Sustainability
• Governance and Compliance
• Emerging Challenges and Future Perspectives of the Field

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the Foundations of Information Systems: Develop a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts of information systems, their structures, and their roles in organizational contexts.

2. Recognize the Impact of Digital Transformation: Identify and discuss the wide-ranging effects of global digital transformation on organizations, environments, and societies, with a focus on its implications for information management and control.

3. Familiarize Themselves with IT/IS Strategies: Gain insight into corporate IT/IS strategies, understanding how they align with broader business objectives and contribute to organizational success.

4. Appreciate IT Service Management and Governance: Acquire a basic understanding of key frameworks and practices in IT service management and governance, recognizing their significance in maintaining organizational efficiency.

5. Explore Non-Technical Dimensions of Socio-Technical Systems: Develop an awareness of the human, social, and organizational factors that influence the design and management of information systems.

6. Gain an Introduction to Software Engineering: Become familiar with fundamental software engineering principles and their relevance in the development and maintenance of information systems.

7. Understand Requirement Analysis, Change Management, and Sustainability: Explore the basics of requirement analysis and change management, while gaining an introductory understanding of sustainability considerations in information systems.

8. Learn about Governance, Risk, and Compliance: Obtain an introductory understanding of governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks within the realm of information systems.

9. Understand Human-Compatibility in Information Systems: Develop an understanding of the role of humans in socio-technical systems and how information systems can be designed to enhance human interaction and compatibility.

10. Identify Emerging and Future Trends: Gain exposure to emerging trends and future perspectives in the field of information systems, understanding their potential implications for organizations and society.

These learning outcomes aim to provide students with foundational knowledge and broad exposure to the key topics within the field of information management and control, preparing them for deeper exploration in subsequent courses.

In this class, we use the flipped classroom teaching method. The flipped classroom teaching approach reverses the traditional learning model. In a conventional classroom, students are first introduced to new material during a lecture, followed by homework or problem-solving activities outside of class. In the flipped model, this process is inverted.

Students are introduced to the new material before class, typically through videos, readings, or other preparatory activities. They engage with the content on their own, at their own pace, before attending the class. This allows students to familiarize themselves with key concepts ahead of time.

During class, instead of listening to lectures, students apply what they have learned through interactive activities, such as discussions, group work, problem-solving, or hands-on projects. The teacher's role shifts from delivering content to guiding students, answering questions, and providing support as they apply their knowledge.

This method encourages active learning and deeper engagement with the material, as class time is used for clarifying complex concepts and practicing skills. It also promotes student autonomy, as learners take responsibility for initial content acquisition outside the classroom.

You are expected to study the provided materials before every session, starting from session 1. The course schedule and the assigned materials are available on the LEARN platform.

This course is part of the SBWL Information Management and Control.

Students need to first enroll into this SBWL successfully and then into this course.  

Please see the website of the SBWL: https://www.wu.ac.at/en/imc/teaching/sbwl/

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