Factors Affecting IT Change In Hydro-Quebec

Videos of Interest… Something to Think About…

In this video, Michael Porter presents his new “shared value” framework to create not only economic value for corporations but also for society. He argues that organizations should begin taking the lead and adopt a modern competitive strategy to solve societal problems. Will this new business model be adaptable to an organization like Hydro-Quebec discussed in the Case Assignment?

TED Ideas Worth Spreading. (2013, June). Michael Porter: Why business can be good at solving social problems. Retrieved from http://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/michael_porter_why_business_can_be_good_at_solving_social_problems.html

Assignment Overview

The case for this module involves Hydro-Quebec and its efforts to reorganize and restructure its IT support and management functions in line with new demands and new business models. It effectively captures the complexity of the interactions required when IT management is required to adapt creatively to changing business demands, and the enormous number of factors that need to be taken into consideration in this adaptation. It will certainly challenge your abilities to think about how new systems have to integrate with legacy systems, about the personnel and human resources issues involved, and about the changing nature of the information base in IT, from one based primarily on hardware and technical expertise to one based on software, business knowledge, and customer relationships. As we will see in future modules, technology does not go away; it just plays a different role than it did in the early days of IT management. This case is a good exposure to the new realities of IT management and the breadth of understanding of the business and its environment required of managers in this rapidly evolving world.

Case Assignment

Please read the Hydro Quebec case:

Dube, L., Bernier, C. and Roy, V. (2007) Information Resource Management at Hydro-Québec. International Journal of Case Studies in Management. 5(2):September. HEC023.

Use information from the course background readings as well as any good quality resource you can find. Please cite all sources and provide a reference list (use APA format) at the end of your paper.

Your answer to the following will be assessed:

• Describe the external factors and internal factors affecting change in IT management at Hydro-Quebec.
• What changes would you suggest for Hydro-Quebec and why?

Assignment Expectations

Length: Minimum 3–5 pages excluding cover page and references (since a page is about 300 words, this is approximately 900–1,500 words).

Assignment-driven criteria (25 points): Demonstrates clear understanding of the subject and addresses all key elements of the assignment.

Critical thinking (10 points): Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem. Shows analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of required material.

Scholarly writing (5 points): Demonstrates writing proficiency at the academic level of the course; addresses the Learning Outcomes of the assignment.

Quality of references (4 points) and assignment organization (3 points): Uses relevant and credible sources to support assertions. Assignment is well organized and follows the structure of a well-written paper.

Citing sources (3 points): Uses in-text citations and properly formats references in APA style.