Teaching
IS 566: Environmental Scanning for Information Professionals
Last Taught Fall 1999
Wednesdays, 9:40-12:25
Instructors
Dr. Carol Tenopir
ctenopir@utk.edu
Fall office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-11 and 2-3:30; Wednesdays 8:30-9:30
or by appointment
974-7911
Dr. Elizabeth Aversa
aversa@utk.edu
Temple Court 109
974-1369
Course Description
Principles and practice of environmental scanning; information evaluation
and synthesis; role of strategic information in modern organizations.
Course Goals/Objectives
1. To develop an understanding of how external information is used in modern
organizations.
2. To explore how managers turn information into knowledge.
3. To identify major sources of information about the environment external
to an organization that will help predict trends or assist decision makers
within a specific organization.
4. To develop an awareness of how to recognize useful information that will
help identify trends and assist decision makers in an organization.
5. To learn the query languages of selected online systems.
6. To develop advanced skills in online search strategy formulation.
7. To learn how to analyze and synthesize information retrieved from disparate
sources.
Methodology
A combination of lecture, class discussion, group presentations, and online
searching. Students will learn to search several online systems through
a series of exercises and will also be expected to spend additional time
searching online systems. Interpretation and analysis of issues and trends
derived from the information retrieved will be demonstrated by students
in a comprehensive written and oral report for an agency. An environmental
scanning project, online searching, class participation, and exams are required.
Course Assignments
For the final Environmental Scanning Project and lab assignments students
will work in small groups. Grades on group projects will be given to the
group, although the instructors reserve the right to give separate grades
if the workload is not shared equitably.
1) Environmental Scanning Project:
Your final project will be to conduct an environmental scan using appropriate
resources from each of the commercial online systems covered in class, the
web, and any other appropriate print or online resources. Review the materials
retrieved, extract what you think are important trends, and write an analysis/final
report. Groups will be formed early in the semester and an organization
selected by September 15. Students will need to begin to familiarize themselves
with the characteristics of the type of business as soon as they make this
selection. Many of the lab assignments will incorporate environmental scanning
techniques. Further details will be given in class.
DUE DATE: December 8, 30%
2) Each group will present their research project in a formal
presentation. (You may invite representatives from your agency to attend.)
Presentations will be strictly limited to 30 minutes. Audiovisual aids or
handouts should be used as appropriate. The contribution of each team member
must be evident.
DUE DATE: Presentations will be scheduled December 1 and December 8; 10%
3) A mid-term examination will cover readings and material
covered in class to date.
DATE: October 13; 20%
4) The final exam will cover readings and material covered
in class from the mid-term until the last class session.
DATE: Wednesday, December 15, 9:40-12:25; 20%
5) Online search exercises will be due on the ten dates indicated
in the course calendar. Each online exercise will be done in teams of 2-3.
If a research project group has more than 3 members, they should split into
teams of 2 or 3 people for the online search exercises. Each team will turn
in an edited printout for each exercise, annotated with comments and answers
to questions as described in the exercise. Exercises will not cover every
feature of a system. They will reinforce some of the basics for each system
and will illustrate some special features that relate to the class topic
of the week. Many exercises will require you to search on more than one
online system and to locate comparable Internet resources. Unlike the IS530
Lab Workbook, the exercises will not substitute for reading system documentation
and other materials supplied by the online vendor. Studying system documentation
on each system's web page and materials passed out in class, plus additional
online practice on your own is assumed.
DUE each week as assigned; 20%
Textbooks
Chun Wei Choo, Information Management for the Intelligent Organization:
The Art of Scanning the Environment. ASIS Monograph Series. 2nd. Edition.
Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 1998.
Mary Ellen Bates, The Online Deskbook. Wilton, CT: Pemberton Press, 1996.
IS566--Coursepack at Graphic Creations.
Additional Readings
Some additional books and book chapters are in the library reserve room.
In addition, you will be given materials in class from each system vendor
that will supplement the documentation found in the Temple Court lab and/or
found on each system's web page. Many more search tips and techniques can
be found regularly in issues of Online, E-Content (formerly Database), Information
Today and Searcher magazines. In addition to print, you can access web versions
of Online and E-Content at http://www.onlineinc.com
and Searcher and Information Today at http://www.infotoday.com
and in ASCII full text on NEXIS and in DIALOG's file 148, Trade & Industry
Database.
Course Schedule
SESSION 1: August 25
Topics:
Introduction
What is environmental scanning?
What is issues management?
Online System:
Lexis-Nexis
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 4, first half (pages 71-82)
Robert L. Heath, "A Foundation of Community: Issues Management As an
Organizational and Academic Discipline," pp. 1-37 in: Strategic Issues
Management. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publicatons, 1997.
SESSION 2: September 1
Topic/Online System:
Lexis-Nexis training by Lexis-Nexis representative
Readings:
Bates, "LEXIS-NEXIS"
SESSION 3: September 8
Topics:
Overview of online sources, systems, and services
External vs. internal sources of information
The Oil spot model
Online System:
Lexis-Nexis
Readings:
Bates, "Foreword" and "Introduction"
William L. Renfro, Chapter 5: "Key Stages of The Issues Management
Process," pp. 67-92, in: Issues Management in Strategic Planning. Westport,
CT: Quorum Books, 1993.
Due:
Lab #1
SESSION 4: September 15
Topics:
The Intelligent Organization
Groups formed for final research project
Online System:
LEXIS/NEXIS
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 1
Renfro, Chapter 1: "Issues Management: the Need," pp. 5-24.
Due:
Lab #2
SESSION 5: September 22
Topics:
Understanding information needs
Understanding information use
Groups select type of organization for final project
Online Systems:
LEXIS/NEXIS and DIALOG
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 2
Bates, "DIALOG"
Renfro, Chapter 3: "The Link to Strategic Planning," pp 57-61.
Due:
Groups turn in the name of their organization
SESSION 6: September 29
Topics:
Understanding information needs and use (continued)
Online System:
DIALOG
Readings:
Sugar, William. "User-Centered perspective of Information Retrieval
Research and Analysis Methods." In: Martha E. Williams, ed. Annual
Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 30, pg. 77-109. Published
for the American Society of Information Science by Learned Information,
Inc., 1995.
Allen, Bryce L. "Cognitive Research in Information Science," In:
Martha E. Williams, ed. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology.
Vol. 26, pg. 3-37. Published for the American Society of Information Science
by Learned Information, Inc., 1991.
Renfro, Chapter 6: "Purposes and Missions," pp. 93-100.
Due:
Lab #3
SESSION 7: October 6
Topics:
Managers as information users
How managers use information
Online System:
DIALOG
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 3.
Renfro, Chapter 7, "Building an Issues Management Function: First Steps,"
pp. 103-120.
Katzer, Jeffrey and Patricia Fletcher. "The Information Environment
of Managers," In: Martha E. Williams, ed. Annual Review of Information
Science and Technology. Vol. 27, pg. 227-263. Published for the American
Society of Information Science by Learned Information, Inc., 1992.
"Extroverts or Introverts II: A Litmus Test for Strategic Planners."
The Futures Group, Inc., August 1998. http://www.tfg.com/pubs/extroverts_ii.html
Due:
Lab #4
SESSION 8: October 13
MID-TERM EXAMINATION
SESSION 9: October 20
Topics:
Dow Jones Interactive training by Dow Jones representative
Online System:
Dow Jones Interactive
Readings:
Bates, "Dow Jones News/Retrieval" (note: the old name)
Due:
Lab #5
SESSION 9: October 27
Topics:
Environmental Scanning and issues management applied
Online System:
Dow Jones Interactive
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 4, pp. 82-104
Heath, Chapter 2
Due:
Preliminary rough draft of project
SESSION 10: November 3
Topics:
Environmental Scanning Applications
Online System:
Dow Jones Interactive
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 5
Culbertson, Hugh M., et al. Social, Political and Economic Contexts in Public
Relations: Theory and Cases. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,
1993.
Select one of the following cases to read for class discussion:
Chapter 7, "Police in America: Catching Bad Guys and Doing Much, Much
More," pp. 123-151.
Chapter 12, "David and Goliath Coexist: The Story of Osteopathic Public
Relations," pp. 227-269.
Due:
Lab #6
SESSION 11: November 10
Topics:
Selecting Sources
Introduction to DataStar
Online System:
DataStar
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 6
Kight, Leila K. "How to Predict Companies' Future Actions--A Three-Part
Series," Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science 23
(October/November 1996): 14-21.
Bates, "Choosing the Right Database" and "DataStar"
Due:
Lab #7
SESSION 12: November 17
8
Topics:
Selecting online systems
Online System:
DataStar
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 7
Bates, "Getting the Most From Your Search Dollar."
Tenopir, Carol and Katie Hover. "When is the Same Database Not the
Same? Database Differences Among Systems," Online 17 (July 1993): 20-27.
Due:
Lab #8
SESSION 13: November 24
Topics:
The intelligent organization
Online System:
Internet and the World Wide Web
Readings:
Choo, Chapter 8
Bates, "Internet"
Due:
Lab #9
SESSION 14: December 1
Topics:
Wrap-up, future, and course evaluations
Online System:
others
Readings:
9
Bates, "Where to Get More Information"
Due:
Lab #10
Group reports if class size is large
SESSION 15: December 8
Topics and Due:
PROJECT DUE
Group reports
FINAL EXAM DATE/TIME: Wednesday December 15, 9:40-12:25pm
Evaluation Summary
Research Project, 30%
Midterm Exam, 20%
Presentation, 10%
Laboratories, 20%
Final Exam, 20%
Environmental Scanning Final Project
From the Syllabus:
Each group will select an organization and a topic of interest to that organization
for the major environmental scanning project in this class. You may select
one of the organizations/topics listed here or locate a different organization/topic
of interest to the group. The group must check with Dr. Tenopir and Dr.
Aversa by the end of class on September 15th to get approval of the organization
and topic, whether you select one of the following or add a new one. Class
time will be allocated for this purpose, but your group should discuss your
interests before then. Do not contact the organizations until you check
with Drs. Tenopir and Aversa.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee:
**"Health Issues to Finish out the '90s"
**"Managed Care Issues"
**"Women's Health Issues"
Eastman Chemical
**"Chemical Industry Issues for the 21st Century in":
(choose one):
--the U.S.
--Europe
--Latin America
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Library
**"The future of libraries in government agencies"
**"Cost recovery for libraries within organizations"
National Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy
**"Biodiversity Preservation: Issues and Opportunities"
**"Conservation Attitudes"
Your final project will be to conduct an environmental scan using appropriate resources from each of the online systems covered in class, the web, and any other appropriate print or online resources. Review the materials retrieved, extract what you think are important trends, and write an analysis/final report ("issues brief"). Groups will be formed early in the semester and a type of organization selected by September 15th. Students will need to begin to familiarize themselves with the characteristics of the type of business as soon as they make this selection. Many of the lab assignments will incorporate environmental scanning techniques.
Steps:
--Identify organization and topic.
--Do background reading on the organization, the type of organization, and
the topic.
--Talk to people in the organization about their perceptions of the topic.
--Devise approach to searches (what topics should be searched, what resources
should be searched, etc.)
--Allocate online and print searches to group members and devise online
strategies.
--Conduct searches and judge relevance.
--Read retrieved material and highlight issues.
--Group and discuss issues and agree on important issues.
--Do additional searches of print and online materials as needed.
--Integrate material from all searches.
--Write rough draft.
--Revise as necessary.
--Write final report.
--Present report to organization and class.
Outline of Report:
I. Define and Explain the Issue(s)
A. Background and current status of the issue(s)
B. The nature of the impact of the issue(s)
C. The timeframe during which the issue(s) will have an impact.
II. Define Major Stakeholders
A. Which groups the issue(s) will impact and why
B. Categorize the position toward the issue(s) that each group has taken
or is likely to take
III. Position Development
A. Define and list all position options.
B. Recommend a position to the organization
IV. Appendix
A. List all external resources used to research this topic
B. List all internal resources used to research this topic
Important Dates:
September 8: Small groups formed. Arrange to talk about common subject interests
and possible organizations/topics for your project before next week.
September 15: Decide organization for project (this can be changed if necessary. Talk to instructors about your organization/topic. Obtain approval from Dr. Tenopir.
October 27: Preliminary rough draft due, so instructors can give you feedback.
December 8: All written projects due.
December 1 or 8: Your oral presentation of the group report will be on one of these days.