FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FIT5086 ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATICS Assignment 3: OI in Context ORGANISATIONAL CASE STUDY AND REFLECTION ON OI PURPOSE The purpose of this assignment is for you to explore the context and applications of the principles of organisational informatics in the real world through detailed research into an organisation of interest. The goal is to engage with an understanding of ways OI is applied by working through and reflecting on a Case Study Organisation of current relevance. The intention of this assignment is also to develop your skills in researching organisations in relation to the OI framework and to gain experience in shaping a formal case study toward a level relevant for an IT professional. The assignment also aims to develop YOUR reflective understanding of how OI is applied in relation to complexity – noting that the real-world environment demands a broad understanding through a close study of an organisation. It is expected that your contribution will approach a level of depth and professionalisation appropriate to your future roles in IT management. The research component intends to engage your understanding of the depth of evidence expected in industry level case studies. Key learning objectives are to: ● conduct an in-depth case analysis of an organisation’s strategies and processes for managing information and knowledge, and the technology to support those processes ● explore a range of organisational informatics (OI) issues confronting the target organisation ● identify the potential for organisational innovation that could result from effective deployment of organisational informatics ● understand how organisational informatics is enacted Key skills objectives are to: ● actively engage in understanding OI through researching a ‘live’ organisation ● develop skills in building a case study through evidence and application of the OI framework and relevant models ● further develop your reflective and presentation skills in ways expected of IT professionals. 1 FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 2INTRODUCTION TO CONTEXT OF THE CASE STUDY When COVID-19 emerged as a global pandemic in 2020, international organisations – particularly the UN and the World Health Organisation, national governments, national companies, multinational corporations, all grappled with their response. NGOs and small businesses, Community groups were also impacted but many rose to the challenge of addressing local needs imposed by COVID-19. For some – such as the Australian communities devastated by the 2019-20 bushfires – there was barely time to process the loss from one calamity before COVID-19 further impacted their lives. Across the world others faced extreme adversity as the cumulative impacts of the disease, economic downturn, and unemployment converged. In many places around the world environmental impacts and severe weather events in 2020/21 further compounded the impact on already stretched infrastructure and human services. One aspect of OI is to consider both what is going on both inside and external to an organisation. As we have seen, this new context of global change creates enormous challenges, but also opportunities for organisations. In social terms, some sociologists and others are describing the global experience of COVID-19 as the ‘Great Reset’. While some have taken a hopeful view of the opportunity for humanity to come together for greater collective action on social justice and climate change, others point out the growing disparities between different groups across society running from lines of class, racial and gender and other layers of inequality. In response to this very changed world we are asking you to look at a Case Study of an organisation which highlights, as well as looks at in more depth, those elements from your studies in organisational informatics. How have technologies, knowledge sharing, as well as a shift in culture and new practices, contributed to organisational change through the COVID-19 pandemic How have organisations responded, or perhaps reacted, to COVID-19 Did they pivot their operation into a different form of production Was their research and development re-prioritised Did they take on something completely new CASE STUDY IMPORTANT Preparation and Progress Support In Weeks 4 – 5 ● your tutor will facilitate forming case study groups of 3-5 students ● In the tutorial your assigned group will have the opportunity to scan the World Economic Forum article from March 2020: COVID-19: How companies are responding ● From this article your group should select 2 -3 potential organisations for further research ● Discuss your case study options with the whole group. ● By the end of Week 5 you should have confirmed one case study after discussion with your tutor FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 2 3Group allocation: Each group will be required to make their own arrangements to collaborate virtually. Because of privacy laws, students in each group will need to work out how they will share contact details and coordinate their messaging. Moodle and Google suite has a range of facilities/apps that support collaboration. Please remember that you will need to work together so you will need good communication. Groups will be finalised by Thursday 1 April (no, really). In Weeks 6 – 11 Team sessions for the Case Study: These sessions from Week 6 – 11 are in addition to the tutorials and are mandatory for all group members. Where possible these sessions will be conducted directly before and/or after the scheduled tutorials. Alternatively tutors will arrange a suitable time with you for these sessions. Developing a professional level case study of an organisation is a challenging undertaking. To support the development of your case study, you will have the opportunity to work with your tutor to get feedback on your progress each week. This will be conducted as weekly online or in person group consultations with the tutor. These meetings will be short, about 20 minutes, at a regular agreed time for each team. The consultations are designed ● for your group to provide a short briefing to explain the group’s plan and progress ● for the group to ask for specific points of advice and direction as needed ● for the tutor to provide some steering and ongoing feedback on your case study development and ensure that the group is working consistently on the case study throughout the latter part of the semester. These group consultations are in addition to the weekly tutorial classes. Case study selection: While we are looking to give students an opportunity to select a range of different organisations, your tutor will guide you toward organisations where there is an adequate level of academic material for you to effectively work up the case study. As a guide, large established organisations have adequate history and studies conducted on them to form a good case study. For newer organisations your group will need to demonstrate a capability of researching across the organisational type – for example if you choose a start-up company or a NGO – you will need to read across the literature. Your tutor will discuss the best approach to the case study with your team. The organisation your group has selected for the FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 3 4Case Study will need to be confirmed with your tutor by the end of week 5 (Thursday 1 April). Your case study must have a specific focus that relates to OI. YOUR TASK Case study components The Case Study Assignment is broken into the following parts: ● Parts A and B require group work ○ Part A is a group in-class presentation on the Organisational setting and context. One transcript of the full presentation in pdf format should be submitted on behalf of the group. Tutors may records the in-class and online presentations to support assessment of individual contributions. ○ Part B is a group report on an area of OI of focus for the Case Study Organisation. This is a single report submitted by the whole group. As a guide, each student should clearly address a separate aspect of the OI Framework or related concepts of relevance to the Case. One report in pdf format should be submitted on behalf of the group. ● Parts C and D are a continuation of the Case Study but these are to be developed and submitted individually ○ Part C is an individual consideration of innovation in relation to the Case. ○ Part D is a reflection on your individual learnings in relation to OI. This is a culmination of your studies and you can draw on a particular aspect of your studies to demonstrate your thinking, understanding and (hopefully) appreciation of OI. Parts C and D should be submitted in one pdf formatted document. FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 4 5THIS IS A SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS ONLY – PLEASE SEE FULL DETAILS BELOW Weighting 50% of Unit Part A: 10% The Case Context Group Presentation Part B: 15% OI Enacted – A Group Report on the Activity-in-Focus Parts C and D: 25% Organisational Innovation and Transformation – Individual Review and Reflection Word Limits Word limit guide Please see further detail in section below Part A – Group Presentation: 2 Slides per student Part B – Group Report: 3000 words – 750 words / students Part C and D – Individual Review and Reflection: 1000 words Submission Dates Part A – Presentations will be conducted in class in Weeks 9 – 10 Tutors may record in class and online presentations for assessment Single submission / group of presentation slides and transcript of presentation Submission final recording Week 11 21 May 2021 11:55pm, 2021 Part B – Single Group Report to be submitted in Week 13 Week 13 4 June 2021 11:55pm, 2021 Part C and D – Individual Review and Reflection Week 14 11 June 2021 11:55pm, 2021 Submission Presentation slides must be shared / emailed to tutors on the day of presentation. Presentations will be assessed in class as well as reviewed via recordings and the transcript submission. All submissions will be via Moodle Assignment Submission. Note that upon submission to Moodle you are declaring the work is wholly your own original work. TurnitIn will be used for similarity checking of all submissions. FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 5 6Assessment Criteria OVERVIEW – A full marking guide for each component will be made available on Moodle. The key criteria for the Case Study will consider your ability to clearly consider, interpret and outline IN YOUR OWN words. In contributing to the Case Study you will demonstrate: ● CONTENT – An overview of the organisation and its response to COVID-19 Demonstration of a good level of research to communicate the organisational structure, practices and inter-relationships with information and technology as per the OI framework. ● CONTEXT – An understanding of the domain, sector, field of interest or other setting noted in relation to the Case Study organisation. A demonstrated awareness of externalities which impact on the development and implementation of organisational informatics. ● CRITICAL REVIEW – A level of critical understanding of the inter-relationships outlined in the OI framework. A consideration of the externalities and impacts organisations face in re on relevant issues in organisational informatics. The review demonstrates a sound understanding of organisational innovation and potential for transformation. ● CONCEPTUAL CONSIDERATIONS – An understanding of relevant broader considerations of culture, systems, complexity or similar concepts in relation to OI. An ability to apply appropriate models to explore organisational change and transformation. ● CITATIONS and SOURCES – Appropriate use of relevant references drawing on Unit materials with evidence of wider sources to illustrate examples of relevance to the post topics. Ability to source a range of contemporary sources to develop a perspective of the Case Study. ● CONTRIBUTION – An ability to actively promote, participate and engage through the presentation and report development. The contribution demonstrates an ability to work toward a cohesive assignment as a team member. FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 6 ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS Part A – The Case Setting Presentation The group presentation for Part 1 is aimed to share your understanding of the Case within the context of organisations navigating rapid change. The Organisation: Describe your case organisation setting in terms of what the organisation does, its core business, where it does its business and how it does it. The Context: Give an overview of the broader context in which the organisation operates. You should include the industry / sector for the organisation and note the relevant national, international socioeconomic environment and current context. You should outline the key impacts COVID-19 has had on this sector and the subsequent response of the organisation to these changes. The Activity-in-focus Outline an area of activity-in-focus for the organisation (remember that availability of material on that activity is a legitimate reason to choose this focus). Note that members of your group can develop some areas of interest which may widen your initial scope of interest. In the presentation you need to briefly ● identify how this focus relates to the organisational informatics framework and ● suggest at least one model from the unit which could be applied (and why) to explore the activity of interest. The Presentation The group should prepare this presentation as if it was being presented in a professional setting – for example to brief technical staff on broader considerations for contributing to organisational change processes. It should be informative and well-researched. It should acknowledge particular considerations as a result of organisational change and impacts in relation to the OI framework. Presentation Format Guidelines I. Title Slide II. Slide showing student names & sections researched / presented III. Presentation outline slide STUDENT 1 IV. Introduction to the Organisation – their preCOVID focus V. The Organisation’s response to COVID-19 STUDENT 2 VI. The Organisational Context today VII. The key impacts of COVID-19 to date – positive | negative STUDENT 3 VIII. The Activity-in-Focus – description and reason for interest IX. The Activity-in-Focus – its relation to the OI Framework STUDENT 4 X. An OI related model proposed for exploring the Case XI. Opportunities and challenges considered in exploring OI in the Case FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 7 XII. Concluding Slide / Summary / Questions for discussion XIII. Reference List Slide (APA Version 6 or 7 format) Discussion All presenters should be prepared to answer questions on their contributions and present some further points and questions to prompt discussion with the tutorial group. Part B – Organisational Informatics Enacted Group Report This report aims to professionally represent a status report on how OI has been enacted in the organisation with respect to your activity-in-focus. The report should focus on an aspect of the organisation’s immediate response to COVID-19. Your tutor will facilitate and support the development of this section with your group. The report should focus on an application of the elements of structure included in the OI framework and its link to information and systems, as well as at least one model introduced through the unit. Where you use these models you need to briefly describe the model with cited references. Contents and Report Organisation As a guide your report should include the following sections. The word limit is provided here as a guide. This can be discussed with your tutor – for example if you choose as a group to focus on structure over practices etc. However, as a guide, each student should contribute about 750 words to the report. A cohesive report is preferred but if your group divides up development of each section individual contributions need to be clearly identified in the submission. Report structure ESSENTIAL: TITLE PAGE CONTENTS PAGE TABLE of TEAM MEMBER NAMES/IDs WITH CONTRIBUTIONS NOTED RECOMMENDED CONTENTS AND WORD COUNT LIMITS: I. Synopsis / Rationale The synopsis can include a brief overview of material presented in Part 1. This section should clearly explain why a particular activity was selected for focus and can briefly summarise the report content. (250 words) II. Overarching considerations: Organisational culture and change This section should outline the notable challenges and changes identified as a result of COVID-19 specific to the Case organisation. This should be a more detailed discussion which extends the material from the initial presentation to consider cultural impacts and/or other key changes implemented by the organisation based on further detailed research. (500 words) III. Structure: infrastructure – design – governance – space FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 8 Describe how your activity-in-focus is organized, managed and supported within the broader organisation. Discuss these in relation to the changes made of the organisation. Ideally your discussion will focus on one key element of structure from the OI framework and note the relationships between one other elements of structure in OI. (750 words) IV. Practices and Process: services – exploration – exploitation Describe how organisational change for the activity in focus has demanded a particular change in practices and processes. You could consider any of the elements of the OI framework in exploring these change processes. Additionally, you should critically examine whether any organisational processes support or are barriers to the conduct of the activity and whether current practices effectively exploit the existing capability. (750 words) V. Information: Capacity and Capability Identify what technological capacity and capability relates to the activity-in-focus and consider the relevant data and information demands for the activity. For example, you could consider how the activity-in-focus / change implemented by the organisation as a result of COVID-19 has resulted in a changing demand or approach to information in the organisation. (500 words) VI. Conclusion: The report should include a brief summary of the key findings from your research and make a statement about considerations for how the organisation is reorienting in relation to COVID-19. You do not need to make any recommendations to the organisation in this report. (250 words) ESSENTIAL: Reference List (APA Version 6 or 7 Standard) Part C – Organisational Innovation and Transformation Review – Individual Research This section of the case study is an exploration of how organisational informatics is or could be used to help innovation in the organisation. This aspect of your case may not be discussed in public documents so this section will largely rely on your understanding of OI based on your readings and work undertaken throughout the unit. This is an individual review of an aspect of innovation identified which relates closely to the Case Study development and demonstrates your ability to apply an overview of OI in relation to a particular organisational challenge. In this section you should demonstrate your individual research skills and examination of an example of organisational innovation and/or aspect of organisational transformation in detail. This review aims to be a forward looking document. As a guide you should write the review as if you have considered where the organisation is now (Part 2) and are now looking at where the innovation and/or transformation they have adopted might take the organisation into a post COVID sense. You should summarise your findings and make recommendations to the organisation based on your FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 9 understanding of the potential for implementation of an OI approach in relation to innovation and transformation. Identifying sources for Part 3 You need to draw on additional sources for this review however there is unlikely to be detailed academic material directly available for this organisational change as it is very recent. Your options to consider are: ● exploring what is directly available from the organisation itself – noting that web and promotional materials and even annual reports are often aspirational and may be ‘advertorial’ in nature. ● identifying information in the contemporary press – industry sources which looks at this organisation or the relevant sector in more detail. ● considering historic studies of the organisation to provide a point of comparison ● identifying academic literature, including unit materials and guest lecture information, on innovation and transformation in related domains which can be related to the example you are exploring. As a guide you should assemble at least 8 specific references for this review. The recommended word count is between 1800 and no more than 2000 words. The suggested structure and indicative word count for each section is shown below. Review Structure Note that your tutor can work with you to support development of a suitable structure depending on how you are looking to approach your review. However the following approach is recommended. ESSENTIAL: TITLE PAGE CONTENTS PAGE SUGGESTED REVIEW STRUCTURE: I. Synopsis / Rationale The synopsis can include a brief overview of material presented in the Group Report in Part 2. This section should clearly explain why a particular innovation / transformation process was selected for focus. Here you can also briefly summarise the content or the review. (150 words) II. Overarching considerations: Organisational culture of innovation – transformation This section should briefly outline the organisation’s approach to innovation and/or transformation in response to COVID-19. If the organisation is a start-up or more recent NGO you can talk more broadly about the nature of this organisational type in context of change. For example you can discuss some of the externalities which could FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 10 support or challenge innovation – transformation, such as the reduction in globalised travel or changing investment demand in relation to sustainability (250 words) III. Applying the OI Framework – Structuration effects: Drawing on your knowledge of the organisation and its practices (i.e., Parts 1 and 2), your task is to discuss how those practices contribute, or could be transformed, to enhance the organisation’s capabilities and/or its competitiveness.. Describe your chosen innovation – transformation to demonstrate an understanding of how organisational structure and practices/processes are inter-related. Your discussion can be applied to products, processes or the organisational management/governance itself as an extension of the activity-in-focus from Part 2. For example you can explore what learnings the organisation (may have) achieved as a result of transformation processes and how these could be relevant to organisational structure in the future. (500 words) IV. Innovation – Transformation in focus: Apply a suitable model to discuss the future potential of innovation – transformation. For example you can consider the Cynefin Model, concepts of Complex Adaptive Systems or Network Models in more detail to outline some of the potential further values or challenges linked to the innovation – transformation selected. For example you can apply a model to consider how the organisation is more or less resilient as a result of these processes. (500 words) V. Information: Capacity and Capability Discuss how the innovation – transformation process has impacted on overall information processes of relevance to the organisation as a whole. In particular you should examine how existing and/or proposed capability contributed to the organisation’s potential to innovate in relation to COVID-19 and how this may relate to their post-COVID innovation – transformation. (250 words) VI. Conclusion: The review should include a brief summary of the key findings from your research and make a statement about how the innovation – transformation is reorienting the organisation in relation to COVID-19. Based on your review you should make 2 -3 recommendations to the organisation in relation to their further approach to innovation – transformation. (150 words) ESSENTIAL: Reference List (APA Version 6 or 7 standard) FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 11 Part 4 – Individual Reflection (1000 words) This section should be appended to and submitted together with your Part 3 Case Study. This aims to identify how the case study has informed your understanding of organisational informatics and what lessons you have learnt from conducting this case study. Consider what you have discovered about the role of case studies and OI for this organisation and organisations in general. You should use a select number of sources to support your reflection. As a guide you should only draw on 4 – 5 sources, one or two of which you may choose to link more closely to your reflection. You should look at the library materials available through the unit to develop your reflective review. The forum posts offer an opportunity to develop your reflective writing style so talk to your tutor if you are unsure about how you are going about this. Submission details The group components of the case study (Parts A and B) will be prepared by the whole group and submitted for assessment as a group assignment. To support this, you are required to prepare an online presentation for week 9. This will be a formative assessment of your group work. This means that you will be able to use the feedback provided by the tutor to prepare your final group submission of Part B in week 12. Parts C and D are individual components of the case study. Each group member must prepare their own individual assessment of innovation and reflection on the case study for submission in Week 14. Each submitted item (group and individual) should demonstrate that you have explored the Case in detail and that you are able to present your investigations in a coherent way that “tells the story” of the case study. It is expected that you reference literature such as journal papers, practitioner articles and websites to support your investigations. The content of all such references must be written in English. All entries in bibliography must also be in English. Make sure that you comply with academic requirements relating to citing all your sources. Your references must adhere to a suitable Style Guide for citations and references. The guide can be accessed at http://www.monash.edu/it/current-students/resources-and-support/style-guide FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 12 Assignment 3 Requirements Summary The table sets out suggested word length rather than limits. You are encouraged not to exceed the length but you must present your work in a coherent, understandable way that covers the case in detail. Item Word length Submission to Moodle & Format Weighting Part 1 Organisation Setting and Context Group Presentation Recording & Transcript ALL PRESENTATIONS: ● Title Slide ● Slide showing student names & sections researched / presented ● Introduction / Overview slide ● 2 slides per student: ● Presentation should run for 10-15 minutes ● Concluding Slide ● Reference Slide (APA Version 6 or 7 format) Presentations must be shared with / emailed to the tutor on the day of the presentation. Tutors may record the online or in class presentations to support their assessment of each student. Group submission: 1 full transcript of the prepared presentation material in *.pdf format FILE NAME FORMAT FIT5086_Ass3Part1_Case StudyTitle Group contribution 20% Individual contributions may be moderated Part 2 OI enacted Group Written Report: No more than 3000 words As a guide each student should contribute 750 words each to the report. (not including the bibliography) 1 copy must include page showing team names and contributions. FILE NAME FORMAT FIT5086_Ass3Part2_Case StudyTitle.pdf Group contribution 30% Individual contributions may be moderated. Individual Written submission Part 3 Organisational Innovation – Transformation Part 4 Reflection Part 3 No more than 2000 words Part 4 No more than 1000 words (not including the bibliography) Combine Parts 3 and 4 and upload 1 pdf file FIT5086_Ass3Parts34_St udentName_StudentID.p df Individual contribution 50% FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 13 SUPPORTING YOUR STUDIES WRITING, CITING AND REFERENCING The Unit’s recommended readings for each week will be made available on the Moodle site. These are your starting points for developing the foundation understanding of OI for your Case Study. You can draw on any other reputable primary sources in addition to these readings. These can include other research articles, established news sources from named journalists and well known business and industry publications by authoritative sources (i.e., experts in the field). You must clearly cite the article and any other sources used in your posts. You must acknowledge ALL the sources that you use to develop your assignment submission, so that it is clear what are your ideas and what are the ideas of others. Use the APA Citation Style (http://guides.lib.monash.edu/content.php pid=346637&sid=2835402) to provide enough information about your references so that a future reader may locate and read the original source. Please get in touch with the library team at any time during your studies – they are there to help support your learning and academic writing. Everyone at the University works on their writing practice through their studies, teaching and research life – so no-one should feel worried about asking for help and support to improve our writing skills. Please also see Academic Integrity Below Academic Integrity: We assume that you have completed Monash’s Academic Integrity training before starting this Unit. If you have not completed it successfully you need to do so before starting this assignment. If you have successfully completed the required modules you will be able to answer this question: WHAT IS PLAGIARISM Students should be aware that the plagiarism and collusion policies at Monash University have recently changed. Please ensure you are familiar with the updated ‘Student Academic Integrity: Managing Plagiarism and Collusion Procedures’ of Monash, available at https://www.monash.edu/students/study-support/academic-integrity FIT5086 – 2021s1 Reflective Posts 14 Plagiarism occurs when students fail to acknowledge that the ideas of others are being used. Specifically, it occurs when: other people’s work and/or ideas are paraphrased and presented without a reference; other people’s work is copied either in whole or in part; other people’s designs, codes or images are presented as the student’s own work; phrases and passages are used verbatim without quotation marks and/or without a reference to the author or a web page; lecture notes are reproduced without due acknowledgement other people’s material is read out at a presentation as if written by the student. If you are still not sure what plagiarism is, or have concerns about your approach to your studies, you must complete the Academic Integrity online materials and/or seek further help and advice from the Research and Learning team of the Monash University Library. The originality of your work will be evaluated by your tutor to assess whether the academic integrity of your work needs further investigation. EVIDENCE OF PLAGIARISM – INCLUDING CONTRACT CHEATING – MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDIES AND CAREER. Penalties for plagiarism can include: ● a zero mark for the assessment task ● a zero mark for the unit ● suspension from the course ● exclusion from the University. Where a penalty or disciplinary action is applied, the outcome is recorded and kept for seven years, or for 15 years if the penalty was exclusion. Contract cheating is now illegal in Australia – That is when a student contracts, asks or is solicited by someone else to undertake an assignment on their behalf to submit as their own work. Monash is currently working with the Commonwealth of Australia to deal with agencies offering these types of ‘writing’ services. Please note that severe penalties may be imposed in relation to these services, so please do not be caught up in this activity. Note that fines can be imposed even where there was no payment made – so don’t let someone ‘do you a favour’ – this is also illegal. For information about new contract cheating law in Australia please see this website: https://www.education.gov.au/tackling-contract-cheating – this si
