Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2011 - 2012

Module Title	Business Support Systems
Module Code	OSC2
School	Oscail
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Anne Morrissey	Office Number	D104
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

Array

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the basic principles of research
2. Describe the characteristics of the basic research methodology strategies
3. Conduct a literature review
4. Design a qualitative research study
5. Employ appropriate research methodology to qualitative inquiry
6. Appraise the different data collection techniques
7. Critically appraise the key components of the Irish legal system.
8. Identify the key principles of Irish law and locate and explain the sources of Irish law.
9. Identify and critically appraise specific areas of Irish law of particular relevance to managers and businesses.
10. Display critical judgment regarding the application of legal principles to factual problem situations.
11. Develop legal research and writing skills.
12. Critically evaluate the importance of current topics, such as waste management, energy usage, and carbon emissions to business
13. Research sustainable environment in practice in a range of organisations and appraise the findings
14. Determine a set of approaches for implementing these sustainable practices in an organisation
15. Critically analyse issues in sustainable development and environmental protection
16. Produce an element of an environmental management system, such as a set of environmental policies, or a waste audit

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Directed learning	40	Study the course notes and core text
Independent learning	180	Source and read the additional material referenced in course notes
Moodle discussion	45	Use the online discussion forum to debate questions relating to the assignment and course material
Assignment	110	Prepare the assignment according to the given criteria
Total Workload: 375

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Legal Frameworks sub module.
Core elements• Introduction to Irish Law• Court Procedure and Litigation• Remedies and EnforcementSpecific content for MSc in Management for Sustainable Development• European Environmental Legislation• Environmental Legislation in Ireland• Water Protection and Management• Waste Management• Legislation on chemical products• Noise regulations• Air emissions regulationsSpecific content for other programmes• Commercial Dispute Resolution• Contract Law• Tort Law• Intellectual Property• Data Protection and Freedom of Information• Employment Law I• Employment Law II• Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Research Methods 1.
• Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry and Traditions of Qualitative Inquiry• Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods• Designing a Qualitative Study• Designing a Quantitative Study• Collecting Qualitative Data – Observing; Interviewing; Documents, Archives and Artefacts• Collecting Quantitative Data: Experiments; Surveys and Questionnaires• The Basics of Managing Qualitative and Quantitative Data• Basic Data Analysis and Reporting.

Business and the Environment sub module.
• Corporate Social Responsibility• Sustainable Development• Sustainable Development & the Firm• Theories and Approaches to examining sustainable development & the firm including Systems Thinking• Environmental Management in organisations• Regulations• Best Available Techniques• Know your Business• Strategic Environmental Management• Environmental Management Systems• ISO 14001 (Systimax Case), EMAS, Eco-label, The Natural Step• Developing an EMS.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Research Methods Assignment	33%	n/a
Assignment	Legal frameworks Assignment	33%	n/a
Assignment	Business and the Environment assignment	34%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Oxford: 0, The Essential Legal Skills Set, Oxford,
Oxford: 0, Oxford Dictionary of Law,
Robson, C.: 2002, Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers., Oxford UK: Blackwell,
Senge P, Smith B, Kruschwitz N, Laur J, Schley S.: 2008, The Necessary Revolution., Nicholas Brealey, London,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

ISSC

Grad. Cert Strategic Systems Management

ISSM

MSc in Information Systems Strategy

ISSMC

Grad.Cert Information Systems Strategy

ISSMD

Grad.Dip Information Systems Strategy

MISS