IS MAJOR ANALYSIS: A FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING EMERGING TRENDS

Abstract

This effort examines a framework for evaluating current information systems (IS) majors. The approach is developed for application to AACSB-accredited schools and consists of a base school, a number of peer schools, and an equal number of aspirational schools. A framework for viewing information technology (IT) trends is established whereby these trends are mapped to generally accepted courses for these majors. A framework for integrating IT trends in the IS major is presented to guide the development of a suggested IS major. The confluence of the courses in the IS majors and the emerging IT trends is proposed in order to formulate a revised major that blends the trends with the courses. The framework suggests a frequency analysis for relating courses to trends. A new IS major can be drawn from the analytics of the proposed framework. Overall, application of this framework may lead to a new suggested IS major having a contemporary design with a focus on the agility to continue to accommodate new and emerging trends in IT as a means for increasing student interest in the major.