MG487 Half Unit
Innovation and Information Systems: Concepts and Perspectives
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Ela Taylor
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation. This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange and MSc in Media and Communications (Media and Communications Governance). This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply:
Places on oversubscribed courses will be allocated via a random ballot process with priority given to students with the course in their Programme Regulations, followed by other Department of Management students, then students from elsewhere in the school. Providing you apply before the Department deadline of 10am on Monday 29 September 2025, the time you applied will not be taken into account. Please be aware that places on high demand courses cannot be guaranteed. By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student’s chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
For further information and updates on course availability during Week 1, please see the Department of Management Electives Moodle page.
Deadline for application:
Please apply by 10am on Monday 29 September 2025 with your first course choices. No allocations are made before this date and time.
For queries contact:
Please view the Department of Management Electives page for contact emails.
This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).
Course content
The course explores the theoretical foundations for the study of digital innovation and concomitant organisational and social change. It integrates concepts and perspectives from the field of information systems and a range of other disciplines of the social sciences. By the end of this course, students will be able to draw from existing theories to address critically issues of digital innovation, organisational change and information systems management.
The lectures cover literature related to three broad themes: digital ecosystems; the socio-technical process of the construction of digital technologies; information technology and organisational change. For each of these themes we identify and discuss relevant theoretical concepts and perspectives. The discussion of theories is structured in terms of technical/rational and socially embedded approaches.
Teaching
1.5 hours of lectures in the Spring Term.
18 hours of seminars, 16 hours of lectures and 4 hours of workshops in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.
Formative assessment
Formative feedback is provided at the seminars and the workshops. Seminars guide students to discuss selected journal articles that elaborate on concepts and theories introduced at the lectures. Workshops assist students to develop their critical literature review essay.
In addition, students will complete a formative essay of 750 words on which feedback will be provided.
A mock examination, shared with MG472 and MG481 will be held.
Indicative reading
- Ciborra, C (1993) Teams, Markets, and Systems: Business Innovation and Information Technology Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
- Ciborra, C. (2000) From Control to Drift: The Dynamics of Corporate Information Infrastructures Oxford, OUP.
- Demetis, D.S. and Angell, I.O. (2024) The Technological Construction of Reality, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.
- Gawer, A. (ed) (2009), Platforms, Markets and Innovation, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.
- Gawer, A. (2022). Digital platforms and ecosystems: Remarks on the dominant organizational forms of the digital age. Innovation (North Sydney), 24(1), 110–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/14479338.2021.1965888
- Latour, B. (2005) Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory. Oxford, OUP.
- Markus, M. L. (2017). Datification, organizational strategy, and IS research: what’s the score?. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 26(3), 233-241.
- Tiwana, A. (2013) Platform Ecosystems: Aligning Architecture, Governance and Strategy, Amsterdam, Elsevier.
- Willcocks, L., and Mingers, J. (2004) Social Theory and Philosophy for Information Systems, Chichester, Wiley.
Assessment
Exam (50%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Essay (50%, 3000 words)
For detailed assessment information, including all deadlines and timings, please see the relevant course Moodle page. Assessment timings will be available at the start of each term.
Key facts
Department: Management
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 87
Average class size 2024/25: 25
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Commercial awareness