Information Systems and Digital Transformation Assignment Brief 2024-25  | UoSM

ISDT Assessment Task Details and Instructions

The assessment is a digital portfolio, which includes two tasks:

Task 1: Writing and publishing 3 blogs on the required content (50%)

Task 2: Producing an advisory report based on the given case study (50%)

Detailed instructions on both tasks are as below: 

Task 1: Writing and publishing 3 blogs on the required content (50%)

Over the six weeks of teaching, you will be conducting 3 blogs, ideally published consistently and regularly during the period. The blogs should be uploaded to online platforms (e.g. WordPress, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) for sharing before your submission.

Your blogs should cohere around the themes/topics and requirements as explained below: 

1. Expected entries into the Portfolio will include three 600-word blogs on required topics of information systems and digital transformation, as below: 

• 1 blog on information systems usage in business. You can pick up any aspect of IS in the business world, such as (but not limited to) Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analysis, Search and Social Media Marketing (SSMM) and Robotics Process Automation (RPA), etc. 
• 1 blog on “What the Paper Says” critique. To write the blog, you need to pick up 1 academic paper on any theme discussed in lecture sessions (e.g. Social Media Analysis, Cloud Computing, Business Ethics, AI, etc.). In your blog, you need to indicate the title and source of the paper and write a critical review of ‘what the paper says’ (similar to a ‘mini literature review’).
• 1 blog on your reflection of adopting generative AI in your study of Python coding.  In module seminars, you will be introduced to ethical usage of generative AI and its applications in current business, followed by activities of integrating generative AI to support your learning on Python coding for data analysis, visualisation and business intelligence.  In this blog, you should reflect on how this approach works, the benefits/concerns of using generative AI in coding practice, and how this might impact your future practice and lifelong learning as digital business professionals. You are suggested to use the Gibbs Reflective model to guide the writing in this blog.

2. Your blogs should present your research, understanding and reflections on themes learned during teaching weeks, in the blogging style. So, engaging your audiences (e.g. ‘chatty’ tone, ‘call for action’, etc.), mixed use of multimedia elements (e.g. hyperlinks, pictures, etc.), are all good techniques. 

3. If there are any references for your blog, you can either adopt APA 7th  edition using proper in-text citation and putting a reference list at the end. OR, in blogs, you can insert hyperlinks to your referenced journal paper/websites, etc.  Each blog should be max 600 words long, excluding references at the end. 

4. All 3 blogs should be included in this submission. 15 marks would be deducted for each missing blog. Each blog would have 5 marks on ‘Presentation’ and 10 marks on ‘Content’, and.  5 Marks will be reserved for publishing your blogs onto online platforms (such as social media and blogging platforms) with a regular interval instead of all in one week. If you have uploaded your blogs online, please remember to insert the URL of your blog(s) in your submission, so that you can get the marks.  Please refer to the ‘Assessment Criteria’ session for the marking allocation table. 

Task 2: Producing a digital transformation advisory report based on the given case study (50%)

Case Study Brief: Ivyleague UK Limited

Ivyleague (UK) Limited has been manufacturing clothing for over 15 years and offers an extensive range of shirts & accessories for the discerning gentlemen and ladies. It started its business as a Business-to-Business (B2B) model, offering Original Design Manufacture (OEM services) to its customers (such as Next, John Lewis, JD Williams, etc.).  However, retail landscapes in the UK kept changing in the past. Some notable clothing retailers faced bankruptcy due to COVID-19. To be proactive in managing the change, Ivyleague UK Limited wants to transform its business model to add a Business to Customer (B2C) arm, alongside the existing B2B model. Ivyleague developed its brand, Taylor and Hunt, in recent years, marking their first step in the B2C direction. Although the B2C part of the business only accounted a very small fraction of its business, it has been evolving and has accumulated a certain consumer base over the years. When the B2B trading environment was dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the owners of Ivyleague saw a leap in the B2C sales through their webpages. They have realised this would be a disruptive change and a transformation to their business and targeted marketing. They understand the importance of data analysis, innovative application of information systems and emerging techs, and digital marketing to support the success of this new business model, but do not know how to proceed to build on the website.  As a result, as a digital transformation consultant, you are invited to help explore potential benefits and risks of the transformation and provide suggestions to handle the change better.

Please apply the knowledge you learned in the class and provide an advisory report based on an investigation of existing marketing, competitor, barrier and potential technologies/information systems related to this transformation process.  Ivyleague also needs advice on how to transfer to your proposed business model steadily and how to cope with challenges in the digital transformation process. As a result, they are looking for you to propose a new business process model and develop a digital transformation strategy for their business.

The consulting pitch should include two parts:

1. Analysis of the current business environment of Ivyleague as a clothing manufacturer. You are required to undertake a horizon scan in the clothing manufacturer sector (e.g. key players, business information systems adopted, customer research, etc.). Then apply SWOT or PESTLE analysis on Ivyleague to embed a B2C business model. (analysis on current, 20 marks)

2. Provide suggestions to Ivyleague on a digital transformation roadmap to add a B2C model, with support from findings in the first part (e.g. usage of data, information systems/emerging techs, and digital marketing). In the roadmap, you should indicate suggested steps to achieve the transformation goal, together with the potential risks in the process and your proposed solutions to mitigate the risks. You should also include a Business Process Model to indicate what Ivyleague’s business will look like after the transformation is completed; how the business model will be managed?  (proposal for future, 20 marks) 

The advisory report should be written in a proper academic way (headings, in-text citations, interlink between sessions, etc.), linking to scholarly research and careful referencing should be adhered to throughout, along with APA 7th edition guidelines. 10 marks are allocated for writing style and referencing. The pitch should be max 1,700 words long, excluding references at the end.

ISDT Assessment Criteria

Your blogs would be marked in terms of Presentation (communication, use of multimedia elements, 5 marks), and Contents (required tasks, knowledge, analysis, referencing and using evidence, 10 marks).  5 marks will be reserved for continuous professional blogging practice (see Task 1).  

Each required component in the Advisory Report has 20 marks. Writing and referencing occupy 10 marks (see Task 2). 

Mark allocation table is shown below:

Marks will be awarded for:

• Integration of a wide range of relevant knowledge;
• Critical analysis and synthesis of a theme, incorporating evidence of original thinking; 
• Appropriate use of multi-media elements in blogs to engage the audience; 
• Appropriate reference from a wide range of sources (e.g. reputable digital business site/academic papers/new stories);
• Well-structured blogging style;
• Reflective and professional academic writing

Marks may be deducted for:

• Work that is plagiarised from other sources without the use of academic referencing
• Uncompletion of assignment tasks
• Misunderstanding of the concepts
• Lack of imagination
• Lack of discussion
• Descriptive writing rather than reflective and critical 
• Evidence of little effort put into the assignment

Your attention is also drawn to the School policies on plagiarism and referencing. Assignments may not be submitted late. Marking penalties for late submission will follow the University regulations for PMC and late submission. 

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Critically appraise alternative IT/IS transformation solutions against business needs to bridge potential gaps in business and IT strategic alignment
2. Reflect on paradigms of philosophical enquiry, the application of systems and systems thinking, acknowledging the value of critical thinking in IS and Digital Transformation
3. Evaluate critically the legal and ethical implications arising from new technologies in a business setting 

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

4. Conduct a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of various business requirements, design and integration techniques
5. Appraise critically alternative third-party vendors/IT/IS solution providers
6. Identify and recognise the value in the application of business analysis tools such as value stream mapping, gap analysis, business/IT audits and environmental scanning
7. Make a critical appraisal of contemporary models, evaluate methodologies and practices of historic IT Strategy and contemporary Digital Strategy, in the context of current research and emerging trends.
8. Conduct market evaluation of IT solutions and understand how this is done on a practical level

Employability Skills developed and demonstrateda 

• Communication YES
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving YES
• Data Literacy YES
• Digital Literacy YES
• Industry Awareness YES
• Innovation and Creativity YES
• Proactive Leadership YES
• Reflection and Life-Long Learning YES
• Self-management and Organisation YES
• Team Working NO

Word Count

The word allocation table is shown below:

Reassessment

If you fail your assessment and are eligible for reassessment, the deadline for resubmission will be informed by the School Office in due course. For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances for absence/non-submission, this will be your replacement assessment attempt.  

The reassessment task is the same as the original task. The reassessment support will be provided in the format of 2 tutors’ drop-in sessions

We know that having to undergo a reassessment can be challenging; however, support is available.  Have a look at all the sources of support outlined earlier in this brief and refer to the Personal Effectiveness resources.