325-207 Managing in Information Societies

50 points of commerce subjects.

This subject critically examines the nature and impact of the 'information age' within a broad organisational and societal context. It will first explore the recent history of work organisation and organisational structure to identify changes associated with new information technologies, the internet, e-business etc., including the purported rise of the knowledge intensive firm, the virtual firm and the knowledge worker. It will examine the effects of changes in workplace organisation and organisational structure on employees, such as the use of emotional labour and new patterns of unionisation and professionalisation; and on management practice, such as new ways to manage intellectual assets and new interorganisational relationships. The subject will also examine the growth of particular sectors in information societies, which may include the service sector, biotechnology and dot.com companies, as well as multisector/multinational initiatives to develop and harmonise new technology and software, such as the development of new Internet languages. Finally it will examine the wider social and ethical implications including the existence of different information societies around the world, which result from the differential global effects of the 'information age'. Of particular interest in this subject will be the way in which power is exercised and differentially distributed in organisations and societies through the use of new technology.

• High level of development: oral communication; written communication; problem solving; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Moderate level of development: collaborative learning; team work; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.

• Some level of development: synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software.

A 2-hour examination (50%), written assignment(s) totalling not more than 4000 words (40%) and a tutorial presentation exercise (10%).