INLS285

INLS 285

INFORMATION USE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Fall Semester 2013

Instructor: Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi	Class Meeting Times: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 to 1:45pm
Office: 200 Manning Hall	Class Meeting Place: 208 Manning Hall
Office Phone: 919-962-8364	Office Hours: Tuesday 2:00 to 3:15pm or By Appointment
E-mail: jarrahi@unc.edu Prerequisite: INLS 200

Textbook: Organization Behavior (Hitt, Colella, and Miller, 2011, 3rd Edition - ISBN: 0470528532)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to some of the organizational and management issues that shape the role of information and knowledge in organizational contexts. It focuses on basic concepts in the way that information, people, and technology interact to influence organizational effectiveness.

INLS 285:

Provides an overview of concepts in the study of information & knowledge and their use in organizations.
Creates a rich base of knowledge & experience about human behaviors in organizations
Introduces principles of organizational behavior (e.g., teamwork, leadership, and organizational change/innovation.)
Focuses on organizational implications of information technologies and prepare students for dealing with change in organizational contexts
Allows students to experience & integrate fundamental organizational concepts through multiple case studies and other assignments

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

The course will comprise an overlapping cycle of reflection and action. The actions will include exercises, case studies, and lots of readings. The reflection will include class discussion, integrative essays, and group projects. Students are expected to have read assigned readings prior to the class.

We will focus on some of the topics presented in a textbook that was adopted for the course. The book is available at UNC Student Stores. You may be able to buy it for less, new or used, at online book stores. In addition, a number of supplementary readings will be uploaded to the class Sakai site, so please download Adobe Reader if you have not already done so.

We will form and begin working in groups almost immediately. With some variations, we will maintain these groups through most of the semester. Your activities and behavior within these groups will illustrate many of the principles of organizational behavior that anchor the course.

You should regularly check Sakai site for the course schedule and assigned readings for each class. Please Note: Course schedule may change. The Sakai version will always represent the official and up-to-date syllabus.

SCHEDULE

CLASS	DATE		TOPIC	INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS DUE	GROUP ASSIGNMENTS DUE
CLASS	DATE		TOPIC	INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS DUE	GROUP ASSIGNMENTS DUE
1	20-Aug	T	Introduction and overview
INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATIONS
2	22-Aug	TH	Information in organizational contexts
3	27-Aug	T	The nature of knowledge
4	29-Aug	TH	Knowledge management
5	3-Sep	T	Knowledge sharing and seeking in organizations
6	5-Sep	TH	Guest lecture (knowledge management)	1st integrative essay due
PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS
7	10-Sep	T	Strategy
8	12-Sep	TH	Personality and intelligence
9	17-Sep	T	Learning and Perception
10	19-Sep	TH	Leadership
11	24-Sep	T	Ethics		Leadership presentation
12	26-Sep	TH	Groups and teams in organizations		Tower building (in class)
13	1-Oct	T	Groups and teams in organizations (2)	2nd integrative essay due (reflection on tower building)
14	3-Oct	TH	Organizational diversity
15	8-Oct	T	Organizational culture
16	10-Oct	TH	Organizational structure and design
17	15-Oct	T	Organizational memory		Structure and culture presentation
	17-Oct	TH	Fall Break (No Class)
18	22-Oct	T	Work processes and practices
19	24-Oct	TH	Organizational decision making
20	29-Oct	T	Organizational communication
21	31-Oct	TH	Informal networks and communities of practice
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONS
22	5-Nov	T	No Class (ASIST meeting)	3rd integrative essay due
23	7-Nov	TH	IT uses and organizations - work system method
24	12-Nov	T	Group presentations (work system assignment)		Work system assignment
25	14-Nov	TH	IT & strategy
26	19-Nov	T	Emerging IT: Mobile technologies and social media
27	21-Nov	TH	Guest lecture
28	26-Nov	T	Emerging IT: Student group presentations 1		Emerging IT presentations (Group 1 and 2)
	28-Nov	TH	Thanksgiving Break (No Class)
29	3-Dec	T	Emerging IT: Student group presentations 2		Emerging IT presentations (Group 3 and 4)
	12-Dec	TH	Final Examination (No Class)	Final exam due (12pm)

EVALUATION

In order to encourage participation in class activities, I have included an evaluation component for participation and involvement in class-time work. With reference to learning goals, the evaluation will include a set of group projects as well as individual integrative essays. Working on a system of 100 points total, different components will carry the following weights:

3 Integrative essays	30 points
Final exam	20 points
Group projects and presentations	30 points
Attendance / Participation / In-class Activities	20 points
Total	100 points

Integrative essays: These are individual assignments, where you will be required to synthesize material from the textbook or other sources. Assignments will be described in detail in the assignment section of Sakai. These may involve analysis of a case or a movie based on organizational concepts that we discuss. These should be typed, double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font), 5 pages in length.

Final examination: This will be a take-home exam and comprehensively assesses all aspects of the course. The final exam is similar to integrative essays in that it will require insights from your experiences during the semester and optimal application of organizational concepts. It therefore reduces the dependence on memorization. You will be given enough time at the end of the semester to complete this assignment and it is due in the final examination period.

Group work: These include a few group projects that motley result in PowerPoint presentations. You will work in groups to prepare presentation for the class. There will be no social loafing. In the end, you will get an opportunity to evaluate your fellow group members, and likewise be evaluated by them.

Attendance and Participation: The structure of this course is meant to engage and stimulate you. Your attendance and participation are therefore strongly encouraged, and will be rewarded. This includes attending classes, contributing to class discussions and activities, and working within your group. Your contribution will be judged not only on quantity, but quality and consistency as well.

You are required to attend all but two of the classes; in other words, you can miss two classes without penalty. Two points will be deducted for missing a third class and four points will be deducted for missing a fourth class, fifth class, etc.

LETTER GRADES

The numeric total that you have amassed during the semester will translate into a letter grade according to the following scheme:

A (95-100) highest level of attainment
	A- (91-94)
B (81-90) high level of attainment
	B+ (88-90)
	B- (81-84)
C (71-80) adequate level of attainment
	C+ (78-80)
	C- (71-74)
D (61-70) minimal passing level of attainment
F (<60) failed, unacceptable performance

There may be an extra credit component which is based on your group performance in class.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

Because of the participatory nature of this course, you can only benefit if you are present and engaged. Many of the activities involve group work, and group members will depend on your presence and contribution. Therefore regular attendance and adequate preparation before class are essential to your individual success, and that of the class as a whole.

Any late assignment will incur a penalty of 25% of the grade for each day late. If you have a recurring issue which causes you to repeatedly miss assignments, you will need to provide the relevant documentation from a medical practitioner, counselor, etc. If you are experiencing a personal problem, disability, or lifestyle issue that will interfere with your attendance and performance throughout the semester, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible.

As a common courtesy to us all, cell phones and other electronic devices should be on “silent” mode. You should bring your laptops but they should only be used for class purposes (i.e., not be checking email, surfing the web, or working on other class assignments, etc.). Please note that points may be deducted from your participation grade for disruptive behavior such as texting, and inappropriate use of laptops, etc.

COURSE WEBPAGE – SAKAI

Sakai will play a central role in this course. The readings, handouts, this syllabus, and all other electronic information about the course (including your grades) will appear on Sakai. In addition, the assignments and essays should be submitted to Sakai.

UNC HONOR SYSTEM

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has had a student-administered honor system and judicial system for over 100 years. Because academic honesty and the development and nurturing of trust and trustworthiness are important to all of us as individuals, and are encouraged and promoted by the honor system, this is a most significant University tradition. More information is available at http://www.unc.edu/depts/honor/honor.html.

The system is the responsibility of students and is regulated and governed by them, but faculty share the responsibility and readily commit to its ideals. If you have questions about you responsibility under the honor code, please bring them to me or consult with the Office of the Dean of Students. The web site identified above contains all policies and procedures pertaining to the student honor system. We encourage your full participation and observance of this important aspect.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

If you feel you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Also, please contact UNC Disability Services at (919) 962-8300 or disabilityservices@unc.edu at the Student and Academic Services Buildings, located in Suite 2126, 450 Ridge Road, to formally coordinate accommodations and services.

In support of the University’s diversity goals and the mission of the School of Information and Library Science, SILS embraces diversity as an ethical and societal value. We broadly define diversity to include race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, social class, age, sexual orientation and physical and learning ability. As an academic community committed to preparing our graduates to be leaders in an increasingly multicultural and global society we strive to:

Ensure inclusive leadership, policies and practices;
Integrate diversity into the curriculum and research;
Foster a mutually respectful intellectual environment in which diverse opinions are valued;
Recruit traditionally underrepresented groups of students, faculty and staff; and
Participate in outreach to underserved groups in the State.

The statement represents a commitment of resources to the development and maintenance of an academic environment that is open, representative, reflective and committed to the concepts of equity and fairness.