MANAGING DIGITAL GOVERNANCE

Catalog description

This course equips current and future public and nonprofit managers with capabilities and strategies to evaluate, participate in, and/or lead an information technology (digital governance) project to improve or even transform public service and governance. Because information technology has become increasingly integrated into public service and governance, understanding the role of information and information technology in government has become a necessity. This course provides the concepts and tools for public and nonprofit managers to succeed in the information age by better managing information as a resource and information technology as an enabler for public services and governance. The topics include digital divide, online participation, strategic IT management and change management, information resource and knowledge management, financing IT projects, IT project and performance management, management of IT outsourcing, and business process management. Basic literacy in computing and information technology is an integral part of the course. The discussion of these topics will address the growing use of information and communication technologies such as social media, smart mobile devices, and internet of things. Moreover, this course addresses the interplay of management, technology, and policy in the context of public service organizations, including governmental and non-profit organizations. This course offers the best of both practical and academic worlds via assigned readings and exercises, discussions, and a service-oriented project. The emphasis is on research-based knowledge and best practices informing one another. The class discussion is aimed at integrating professional experience with quality research to generate additional insights.