INLS 385: Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness

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

Summer Semester 2016

CLASS TIME: Everyday 11:30am - 1:00pm

CLASS MEETING PLACE: 304 Manning Hall

INSTRUCTOR:	Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi, PhD	PHONE:	919-962-8364 (Office)
OFFICE:	200 Manning Hall	EMAIL:	jarrahi@unc.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Each Tuesday from 2:00PM to 3:15PM or by appointment.

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 385:

• Provides an overview of concepts in the study of knowledge and its use in organizations.
• Creates a rich base of knowledge and experience about human behaviors in organizations.
• Introduces principles of organizational behavior (e.g., teamwork, and leadership)
• Focuses on organizational implications of information technologies and prepares students for dealing with change in organizational contexts.
• Allows students to experience and integrate fundamental organizational concepts through 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 each 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 throughout 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 the 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.

SUMMER I

Summer term courses are different from other courses. There will be roughly the same number of hours as regular semesters, but it will take place over only three weeks. The expectation is to spend about three hours on this course every day outside class. As a result, this course will be the equivalent of a full-time job over the five weeks.

SCHEDULE

CLASS	DATE		TOPIC	INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS DUE	GROUP ASSIGNMENTS DUE
1	11-May	W	Introduction and overview
INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATIONS
2	12-May	TH	The nature of knowledge
3	13-May	F	Knowledge management
4	16-May	M	Knowledge sharing in organizations
PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS
5	17-May	T	Strategy
6	18-May	W	Groups and teams in organizations
7	19-May	TH	Groups and teams in organizations (2)		Tower building (in class)
8	20-May	F	Leadership
9	23-May	M	Organizational communication
10	24-May	T	Organizational structure and design	Tower building reflection due
11	25-May	W	Organizational culture
12	26-May	TH	Organizational diversity
13	27-May	F	Learning and perception
	30-May	M	Memorial day (No Class)
14	31-May	T	Organizational decision making
15	1-June	W	Organizational structure and culture		Structure and culture presentation
16	2-June	TH	Work processes and practices
17	3-June	F	Informal networks and communities of practice
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONS
18	6-June	M	IT uses and organizations - Work system method
19	7-June	T	IT & strategy
20	8-June	W	Group work in class
21	9-June	TH	Guest panel
22	10-June	F	Emerging IT: Social media
23	13-June	M	Group presentations (work system assignment)		Work system assignment
24	16-June	TH	Final Examination (No class)	Due 12:00pm

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:

Tower building reflection	15 points
Final exam	30 points
Group projects and presentations	30 points
Attendance / Participation / In-class Activities	25 points
Total	100 points

Tower building reflection: This is as an individual assignment and involves analysis of your group process based on organizational concepts that we are discussing. It should be typed, double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font).

Final examination: This will be a take-home exam that comprehensively assesses different aspects of the course. The final exam 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 on May 30, 2014 – 2:45pm.

Group work: These include two group projects that result in PowerPoint presentations. You will work in groups to prepare presentations 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. Your participation and attendance will fall in one of the following categories:

a) You attend regularly and frequently have thoughtful things to say.

b) You attend regularly and speak often (and on topic).

c) You attend regularly but rarely speak.

d) You attend sporadically and do not contribute.

e) You have exceeded the maximum number of allowed unexcused absences.

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:

Letter	Points	What it means
A	95 >	Mastery of course content at the highest level of attainment that can reasonably be expected
A- B+ B B-	91-94 87-90 83-86 80-82	A totally acceptable performance demonstrating an adequate level of attainment
C+ C C- D+ D	77-79 73-76 70-72 67-69 60-66	A marginal performance in the required exercises demonstrating a minimal passing level
F	< 60	For whatever reasons, an 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 to 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 for 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.