Information System Assignment: A Self-Reflection On Learning Experiences

Question

Task: Task Summary
This information system assignment task requires you to reflect on your experiences in MIS500 this trimester by following a four-step process to gain insights into the work you have done and how it relates to your own career and life more broadly. In doing so, you will need to produce a weekly journal to record your learning and then as the trimester comes to a close reflect on these experiences and submit a final reflection of 1500 words (+/- 10%) that will include the weekly journal as an appendix.

Context
This is an individual assignment that tracks your growth as a student of Information Systems over the trimester. It is scaffolded around your weekly learning activities. Completing the activities and seeking input from your peers and the learning facilitator is essential for you to achieve a positive result in this subject. Before you start this assessment, be sure that you have completed the learning activities in all of the modules. This reflective report gives you the opportunity to communicate your understanding of how information systems relate to your career and future.

Task Instructions
1. During Module 1 – 5, you were asking to produce a weekly journal to record your learnings each week. Based on these weekly journals, please write a 1500-word reflective report about your experience focussing on how this will support developing and planning your future career.
2. You are required to follow the four steps of Kolb’s learning cycle when writing the reflective report.

Answer

Introduction
This course on information systems and the impact of its different components on various business contexts considered while preparing this information system assignment has opened up several concepts of modern-day business strategies in front of my eyes. The learning structure has been beneficial in gradually revealing the ideas of technological innovation to help understand the 'what' and 'how' of modern business in the growingly digital environment. There can be hardly any path left open for business entities to ignore technological innovation and survive in the increasingly competitive environment of trade and commerce globally. Hence, for an aspirant of the global business sector labor market, this course, with its detailed explanations of technology, business model, communication, and collaboration, has been a quick and easy preparatory process.

Reflective Observation
In the initial learning stages, the course introduced us to the concept of information systems, its difference from standard notions of information technology, where only computers and networks are considered the only components of the system. We have been guided towards further research and analysis of assessments and tasks regarding the same concept to get more apparent concepts in module one. Then, in module two, we have been introduced to the business-specific applications of information systems with all of their possible branches. This module also involved further readings, original research, assignments, and group discussions for idea interchange. In the next week, the course advanced to one of the core components of information systems: data. In this module, we have been guided and directed towards a comprehensive assessment that involved team contract, scrum board, and final report, which was followed in the 8th week by a group project of presentation. The differences between data information and knowledge and their hierarchical relationship were discussed in detail during this module, apart from data-driven business concepts. Besides the detailed discussions on data and knowledge, this module also reflected on the competitive strategies of businesses that depend mainly on information systems and the utilization of big data by corporations. In the third module, the course reflected on Enterprise Resource Management and the process of analyzing data in connection with Porter's value chain. This module has been crucial because of its introduction and adequate explanations about business intelligence and its role in a competitive edge for business in digital commerce. I have accomplished the weekly assessment tasks with Scrum 1 and 2 and the group report at the end of the module. In module 4, managerial insight on data-driven decision-making was offered. The whole learning was efficient with the case-study approach in a make-believe business environment. The second part of this module imparted knowledge about collaboration with stakeholders and the agile process for strategic business growth. I have been an active part of the group reports and presentations required by the end of this module. Finally, in the fifth module, I have come across some crucial business considerations in a digital commercial environment that includes ethics, legality, and security. Assessment on the learning was carried out in individual and group projects. The 5th module also offered an opportunity of revising the learning of the last four modules through reflective assignments.

Abstract Conceptualization
I have realized the difference between an information system and computers in general. Like most users and beneficiaries of the information system, I also considered only computers and networks as information technology. The first module helped me realize the expansion of information system concepts that include data, artificial intelligence, web 2.0 technologies for collaboration, etc. As an aspirant in the future business market, I have developed the basic skills of utilizing technology for business after this module's learning. After explaining information systems in a business context, I have realized the various possibilities of its application for easy and more effective business operation, improving productivity. Concepts of data analysis in organizational performance and integration among different business units have helped me identify possibilities from multiple foci of enterprise resource management. Concepts of big data analytics and the possible benefits and disadvantages in applying the techniques have enriched my understanding of digital business processes. I have come across different areas of extensive data application through the learning module. For instance, extensive data analysis helps analyze market dynamics and demographics, customers' preferences, payment options suitable for customers, the introduction of new products and processes, etc. One of the most remarkable results of big data analysis is a competitive advantage over its peers. The companies, especially in the e-commerce industry, have found high Returns of Investment (RoI) through their big data analysis systems. The original research and group assessments opened up new ideas for improving the business process with big data analytics in this learning module. The readings and learning assignments following the explanation of Porter's value chain in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) made me realize a manager's viewpoint in a company's data-driven business process and endeavors. Information technology not only helps the external business process and communication but also improves internal collaboration and management. Every component of a business process, like accounts, production, marketing, sales, stakeholders' communication, supply chain management, etc., depends on the advanced application of data mining, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for competitive benefits. The concepts of data-driven decision-making in business, with the most significant possible flexibility and scalability for future growth and development of a business, have developed some crucial managerial focus for controlling business growth in the current digital environment. A significant but difficult aspect of the company is communication with stakeholders. Lessons on integrated information systems based on data analysis and predictive approaches from users' search habits will help me practical problem-solving in relevant business environments. Finally, information technology comes with some legal, regulatory and ethical liability, thoroughly discussed in module 5. It has helped me generate the concept of regulatory requirements and legal compliance along with information system security and privacy of users' personally identifiable information. The importance of data governance and disaster recovery strategies for information system disasters are the by-products of this learning module, which I have come across during original research and completion of assignments.

Active Experimentation
The learning from this course will undoubtedly help me apply the concepts of modern technology and innovation in my professional domains. After this course, I have become more precise in addressing various aspects of information systems. I can now differentiate among the components and determine the relevance of each element in different business scenarios and commercial environments. I may apply the knowledge of data analysis in understanding the market trends and offer more personalized services and products to the customers, thereby increasing profit margin. Different analytical models like prediction, prescription, and description will help in the practical delivery of factual information and insight from apparently trivial sets of data collected through mining algorithms. Various analytical processes based on statistical differentiation of data categories will further add to product and market analysis by comparative studies like affinity assessment among search terms and customer demographics. I shall also utilize integrated business management software for planning and managing resources in the organizations where I will work. I shall further use integrated communication and collaboration knowledge through modern collaborative platforms with real-time communication facilities. It will help the organization offer flexibility to the workforce while serving the consumers for the highest possible duration and best possible precision. Artificial intelligence is also applicable in direct customer interaction. The chatbots in use all over digital commerce are the results of machine learning. In case of an entrepreneurship endeavor, I can draft a foolproof business strategic plan after internalizing the teaching of this course. The lessons learned from this course's ethical, legal, and regulatory explanations will help me ensure business continuity in an information system environment by preventing potential threats to the IS assets.

For instance, I shall detect the necessary regulatory requirements for the business domain where I shall be working. There are several national and international regulatory frameworks to protect the information assets of entities. Adherence to these frameworks, under the audit and certification of concerned bodies, will help in protecting consumers' valuable information from cyber threats. Naturally, it will ensure customers' and stakeholders' trust in the business. For example, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a globally accepted regulatory framework for digital transactions. The covered entities under this regulation follow some basic steps to protect the transactional data of customers. However, I shall apply this knowledge and skills in the relevant fields of occupation.

Conclusion
Evident from the above discussions, the lessons learned during this course will add a few feathers to my professional qualification in my CV. Besides the written acknowledgment of this learning, any recruiter or shareholder ready to recruit me or to invest in my unique business ideas will find this knowledge convenient for their profit. I shall be able to develop business strategies in a digital market with better precision and original ideas following the completion of this course. Business proposals with detailed visuals of technological processes will undoubtedly find a profitable market in this age of digital globalization.

References
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AppendixA
Journal
Module 1

Appendix B
Mod 2

Appendix C
Module 3

Appendix D
Mod 4

Appendix E
Mod 5