MG487      Half Unit
Innovation and Information Systems: Concepts and Perspectives

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Elzbieta Taylor MAR 4.26

Teacher known as Ela Klecun

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation. This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange, MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MSc in Management (1 Year Programme), MSc in Media and Communications (Media and Communications Governance) and Master of Public Administration. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).

Course content

The course explores the theoretical foundations for the study of digital innovation and concomitant organizational and social change. It integrates concepts and perspectives from the field of information systems and a range of other disciplines of the social sciences. By the end of this course, students will be able to draw from existing theories to address critically issues of digital innovation, organizational change and information systems management.

The lectures cover literature related to three broad themes: digital ecosystems; the socio-technical process of the construction of digital technologies; information technology and organizational change. For each of these themes we identify and discuss relevant theoretical concepts and perspectives. The discussion of theories is structured in terms of technical/rational and socially embedded approaches.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures, 18 hours of seminars and 5 hours of workshops in the AT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of the AT. There will be no teaching during this week.

In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.

Formative coursework

Formative feedback is provided at the seminars and the workshops. Seminars guide students to discuss selected journal articles that elaborate on concepts and theories introduced at the lectures. Workshops assist students to develop their critical literature review essay.

In addition, students will complete a formative essay of 750 words on which feedback will be provided.

A mock examination, shared with MG472 and MG481 will be held. 

Indicative reading

• Brynjolfsson E (2010), Wired for innovation, Cambridge, MA, The MIT Press

• Ciborra, C (1993) Teams, Markets, and Systems: Business Innovation and Information Technology Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

• Ciborra, C. (2000) From Control to Drift: The Dynamics of Corporate Information Infrastructures Oxford, OUP.

• Gawer, A. (ed) (2009), Platforms, Markets and Innovation, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.

• Latour, B. (2005) Reassembling the Social: an Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory.  Oxford, OUP.

• Tiwana, A. (2013) Platform Ecosystems: Aligning Architecture, Governance and Strategy, Amsterdam, Elsevier.

• Willcocks, L., and Mingers, J. (2004) Social Theory and Philosophy for Information Systems, Chichester, Wiley.

Assessment

Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the spring exam period.
Essay (50%, 3000 words) in the AT.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2023/24: 107

Average class size 2023/24: 19

Controlled access 2023/24: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Commercial awareness