Information Technology for Business Management MSc

This programme is designed to provide you with an integrated, interdisciplinary knowledge of business management and IT, thereby increasing your skill set and enhancing your future career prospects. The combination of theory and practice in an accessible and applied style, make this course particularly attractive for those wishing to embark upon a business career in which they can apply IT skills.

What will you study?

You will graduate fully conversant with the language of e-business and equipped to deal with emerging technologies. You will have the opportunity to integrate your studies and demonstrate your practical expertise by working on a live consultancy project. The course builds on theory and the practical application of key business functions in a business management context. This provides a focus for the integration of information technology.

Through your dissertation you can also research an IT management-related issue of particular personal interest or relevance to your career aspirations.

Kingston Business School works closely with the business world's principal professional bodies in order to harmonise its education provision with the needs of today's business practitioners. You will learn how to turn theory into practice and gain a qualification that has real value in the real world. Find out more...

Research is an essential part of the day-to-day life of Kingston Business School and is embedded in its intellectual activities and development. In the most recent RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) undertaken in 2008, the research output of Kingston Business School was the highest rated of any new university. Ninety per cent of our research submitted was assessed as 'recognised internationally' or higher. Of this, 10% was classified as 'world leading' and 35% as 'internationally excellent'. 

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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• E-Commerce Operations

• E-Commerce Operations

  This module looks at the opportunities and challenges that face managers and organisers who are developing e-commerce initiatives. It provides:

  • a strategic and theoretical framework to help you understand the process of change and competition in e-commerce operations; and
  • and understanding of the operational issues which need to be addressed.

  Areas of study include the e-commerce environment, trends and developments in e-commerce initiatives, marketing, supply chain management, and strategy and planning.

  
   
• Information Resources Management
• Services Operations Management

• Services Operations Management

  The aim of this module is to:

  • develop the analytical skills you need to contribute to issues concerning service operations management and service innovation; and 
  • explore the strategic contribution that effective service operations management can play within organisations.
  
   
• Business Information Technology Consultancy Project

• Business Information Technology Consultancy Project

  The Consultancy Project develops your management consultancy skills through a live internet start-up project. It acts as a focus for integrating the taught components of the course enabling you to:

  • apply your internet computing knowledge in a business context; and
  • apply innovative thinking to business problems.

  You will work with a small group of cohorts to design and develop a prototype system for an organisation that wishes to set up an innovative www-based business application. You will produce a business plan and marketing strategy for the application. The project will also enhance management skills such as teamwork, negotiating, presenting to clients, project management, and problem analysis and solving.

  
   
• Strategic Management of Information Systems

• Strategic Management of Information Systems

  This module aims to provide an understanding of the strategic issues involved in the management of IS and IT. You will:

  • develop strategies for the exploitation, management and implementation of internet and e-commerce applications; and
  • gain an overview of the major models found in corporate strategy literature.
  
   
• Business Internet Systems

• Business Internet Systems

  This module aims to provide a theoretical understanding, as well as practical competence, in the techniques of structured systems analysis and design in new and emerging fields of business internet systems.

  Methodologies covered will range from SSADM to Rapid Application Development and Prototyping. You will study software development strategies, specification and design, programming tools and techniques, query languages, systems development management, as well as security and fraud.

  
   
• Project Management

• Project Management

  This module introduces the basic concepts of project management with the emphasis on business related tasks. The students are not expected to have any prior project management experience. The main focus is on planning, monitoring and control of project resources, using standard and popular project management techniques.

  
   
• Research Methods and Dissertation

• Research Methods and Dissertation

  Initially this module will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a research project.

  You will then investigate a specific business problem via a substantial piece of independent work, which demonstrates your proficiency in:

  • the design of a research project;
  • the application of appropriate methods;
  • the collection and analysis of data; and
  • the presentation of results.
  
   

Option modules

• Strategic Project Management

• Strategic Project Management

  This module introduces students to project management and the role of project managers in an organisational environment. This encompasses a number of strategic issues such as time planning, cost and quality planning when resources have to be shared amongst a number of demanding projects. Risk management is an element of this approach. The teaching approach includes case study and examples of project management, successful and unsuccessful, which have been documented in the past. Group discussion will allow the students to appreciate the subjectiveness of project management in contrast to the scientific approach of project planning.

  
   
• Information Governance and Security
• Supply Chain Management

• Supply Chain Management

  This module focuses on supply chain management issues on a national, international and global level. It covers:

  • supply chain management fundamentals, including issues relating to power, transparency and buyer:supplier relationships;
  • how effective supply chain management contributes to competitive advantage; and
  • different approaches to managing supply chains.
  
   

The Faculty of Business and Law runs a number of postgraduate and post-experience open days. Visit us to find out how we can help you achieve your career ambitions.

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This course is taught by staff from Kingston Business School.

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