COMPANY RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT
Instructions
Students are to conduct a Group research assignment about a company. Your Group should interview the MIS manager of a selected company to find out what that firm does, how it does it, and how it could do it even better. A small to medium-sized firm is preferable. Groups should observe a segment or a particular function of the companys MIS operations and carry out in-depth study and analysis. A Group report should then be prepared as well as a PowerPoint presentation.
The main purpose is to identify ways the firm has used information systems to improve productivity and quality in the last 3-5 years, and to recommend specific courses of action that will lead to further productivity and quality improvements in the next couple of years.
The assignment aims to assist students to apply learned MIS concepts, skills, and strategies to real-life situations by studying the IS practice of a real-world company. By focusing on an interesting company and business process, students are expected to add to educational experience and learning should be more effective and meaningful.
This assignment will take time and effort and will require careful coordination. To assure that all Group members work smoothly and avoid the free-rider problem, it is suggested that you divide the project into tasks, assign direct responsibility to individual members, and establish deadlines for each part of the assignment (e.g., contacting firm, visit and interview, report ‘writing, preparing the presentation slides, etc.). All Group members must visit the company and participate in the interview of its MIS manager.
Suggestions
Clear agenda: First, you must have a very clear agenda of when your Group members will be able to work and meet. You should prepare a calendar of activities as soon as possible. A project calendar starts from the end, that is, from the date of the Groups presentation, back to the preparation of slides, back to report writing, and back to all the preceding necessary activities.
Topic selection: Second, a Group does generally best when the topic or area selected is interesting to its members. Any IS management topic covered in the textbook is appropriate. You may select a broad area (e. g., how does the company manage technology?) or a narrow issue (e. g., what led to the decision to purchase a specific computer?). You should invest some time finding an interesting and appropriate topic.
You should focus on a particular issue for which you can gather sufficient information, stay with it, and make it an interesting case for the rest of the class.
Company selection: Third, you must be practical in selecting a firm. A small to medium-sized firm is preferable. Generally, it is more interesting when the Group chooses a firm about which the class knows very little (i. e., stay away from McDonalds or the bagel stores). However, an important criterion is to have quick access to the company and its managers.
Some example for your company selection:
A family-owned business may prove interesting to the Group;
The workplace of one of your parents, your relatives, or your friends;
Your previous boss at a job you have held may be a simple contact.
Contact your selected company: Fourth, the way you establish the initial contact with a company is critical. You should contact the manager who is responsible for the MIS function in the firm. Be a student and polite, ask him or her for assistance with your project (but first you must have an idea of what you want to study!).
The following suggestions should be followed:
Emphasize that this is an assignment for a Management Information Systems class, that you will give them a copy of your report, and that you will not take much of their time (a minimum of one visit of about 2-3 hours).
Avoid asking for an indiscriminant plant tour or for a general interview without a clear purpose.
Insist on a specific time for a meeting or on meeting someone else in the company if the manager is not available.
Show flexibility if the manager is very busy.
Interview preparation: Fifth, prepare for the interview. The managers time is valuable, so use it effectively. Some suggestions should be followed below:
Prepare specific questions in advance. While one Group member asks a question the others should take turns at taking notes.
During the interview ask for a tour of the facilities if possible (you may have to come back to the firm).
Ask if there is another person in the company with whom the manager recommends you speak.
Inquire about any company documents (diagrams, forms, schedules, etc.) you may obtain to illustrate to the class the topic or area you are studying. Ask if you can take pictures.
Before you leave, make sure to obtain contact information should any further clarification be needed.
Report
You should use Word for your report. The project report should be written in a formal business format. You should send a copy, or link, to the manager you interviewed.
The company we chose was Banana Republic, the clothing company. and this is the part that i have to do.
6.Analysis of a specific process, department, or function of your choice (4-7 pages).
This section is the main part of the paper. It should address ways the firm has used in the last 3-5 years to increase productivity, improve quality, or both.
Analyze the main processes and flows. You may follow a specific example by tracing the production of one particular product item or a particular task performed by someone you observed.
Describe the basic tools and equipment used: hardware, software, networks, data; use diagrams, photos, where appropriate.
Identify and examine critical procedures, people and essential skills.
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Added on 01.12.2015 18:57
Again, i have to ONLY do step 6.
Instruction files
