Overview

This unit aims to develop students’ analytical understanding of social media and digital communication technologies in organizational contexts. It introduces how organizations use digital platforms, data, and networks to support communication and decision‑making, and explores social network concepts, technology adoption, and ethical considerations. The unit prepares students to communicate informed analyses and work effectively in professional and collaborative environments.

Requisites

Prerequisites
INF10003 Introduction to Business Information Systems

Rule
INF10003 Introduction to Business Information Systems
OR
INF10006 Information Systems Fundamentals

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-August-2027
31-October-2027
Last self-enrolment date
15-August-2027
Census date
31-August-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
21-September-2027
Results released date
07-December-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Analyze the role of social media and digital communication technologies in organizational contexts, including their use in supporting communication, collaboration, and decision‑making
  2. Examine how organizations collect and use data from digital platforms, including social media and mobile technologies, to support organizational activities and decision‑making
  3. Apply social network concepts and basic social network analysis techniques to understand relationships, information flows, and patterns of interaction in organizational and online environments
  4. Discuss the adoption and implementation of digital communication technologies in organizations, including challenges related to change, user adoption, and integration.
  5. Work effectively as a member of a team to contribute to the development of mobile business and social media solutions.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case Analysis Individual  30 - 40%  1,2
Case Study Report Group  30 - 50%  3,4,5 
Writing Test Individual  20 - 30%  1,2,4

Content

  • Social media, digital networks, and data communications in organisational contexts
  • Organisational use of digital platforms and data to support communication and decision‑making
  • Social network concepts and introduction to social network analysis
  • Mobile and enterprise communication technologies, including cloud computing and IoT
  • Adoption and implementation of communication technologies in organisations
  • Security, privacy, and ethical issues in digital communication
  • Evaluation of the value of digital communication technologies for organizations.

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.