Course Description: Organizational Study of Information Systems (OSIS)
This course examines the dynamic relationship between information systems (IS) and organizations, focusing on how technology and organizational structures co-evolve. Rather than treating IS as purely technical tools, the course explores them as socio-technical systems that shape — and are shaped by — people, processes, culture, and strategy.
Students will engage with foundational theories and cutting-edge perspectives in areas such as organizational information processing, institutional theory, sociology of technology, and digital innovation. Through these lenses, we will analyze how organizations adopt, implement, manage, and sustain IS for competitive advantage, resilience, and transformation.
Key themes include:
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The mutual shaping of organizations and technology.
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Emerging organizational forms such as virtual teams, agile enterprises, and value networks.
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New patterns of work, including distributed work, crowdsourcing, and global software development.
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Contemporary IS innovation trends like cloud computing, open source, mobile platforms, and digital infrastructures.
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Theories and frameworks that explain IS adoption, integration, and consequences at the organizational level.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
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Analyze IS adoption and implementation challenges from an organizational perspective.
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Apply theoretical frameworks to evaluate the impact of IS on work, structure, and strategy.
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Identify opportunities and risks associated with emerging IS innovations.
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Critically assess organizational requirements for integrating and sustaining IS.
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Predict organizational outcomes of IS initiatives using sociological and institutional perspectives.
Through lectures, discussions, and case study analysis, students will develop the ability to link conceptual theory with real-world practice, preparing them to lead organizational decision-making about technology in complex and evolving environments.