TITLE: Business Geographics for Managers

Content Outline

Grading Procedures

Text & References

Prerequisites

1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
   Business geographics (BG) refers to the specialized application of geographic information systems (GIS) concepts and tools to the analysis of business problems. As these tools become integrated into corporate information systems, managers in all fields must learn to apply them effectively in business decision making. In this course, students will develop these skills by learning the basic operations of GIS software and by completing several business geographics projects using this software and a variety of data sources.
2. PURPOSE:
   Consumer-focused, quality driven firms are increasingly integrating GIS tools into their corporate information systems. To use these tools effectively, managers must develop skills in business geographics - the application of GIS tools to business problems. Business geographics allows decision-makers to analyze business data, both internal and external, from a spatial perspective. This approach uses mapping tools to present demographic, customer, firm and competitor data in clear, visual formats which communicate underlying relationships very effectively. In this course, students develop skills in business geographics analysis by completing a basic course in ArcView GIS software, assigned exercises in major BG applications and independent projects of their own design.
3. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
   At the conclusion of the semester, students should be able to:
   1. Demonstrate knowledge of business geographics concepts, tools and applications,
   2. Perform basic GIS tasks with ArcView 3.1 software
   3. Perform and present a market assessment analysis with thematic mapping tools,
   4. Geocode customer/company/competitor information,
   5. Perform and present a customer profile analysis, and
   6. Perform and present a site selection/trade area analysis
4. CONTENT OUTLINE:
   None
5. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
   ESRI's Introduction to ArcView GIS online course, text/article readings and discussion, Web based exercises, and independent projects.
6. FIELD, CLINICAL, AND/OR LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:
   Students are encouraged to use actual datasets for their companies in course-related projects. Proprietary information will be protected.
7. RESOURCES:
   Text, Internet and WWW resources, handouts, business geographics datasets.
8. GRADING PROCEDURES:
   1. GRADING FACTORS:

      Factor	Final Grade %
      Exam 1	100 points
      Exam 2	100 points
      3 class business geographics projects	150 points
      Individual business goegraphics project	100 points
      Successful completion of ESRI's Basic of    ArcView online module

      
      
   2. GRADING SCALE:

      Average		Grade
      90% or above		A
      80 - 89%		B
      70 - 79%		C
      60 - 69%		D
      Below 60%		E

      
      
   3. GRADING NOTE:
      Final grades will be based on points earned as a percentage of total possible points. The grading scale will be altered only for the benefit of the class.

   4. DAILY EXERCISES:
      Most daily exercises require submission of written material to the course discussion list. These exercises are not formally graded, though their completion is recorded. This information will be used in determining grades in marginal situations, i.e. within one point of the boundaries cited below.
   5. GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:
      Graded assignments are due by 4:30 PM on the date specified.  Late assignments will be assessed a 20% grade penalty.

   6. MAKE-UP EXAMS:
      Students may make up missed examinations only in extremely unusual circumstances and only with prior consultation with the instructor.

   7. EXTRA CREDIT:
      Individual extra work to improve a grade will not be allowed.

   8. FINAL EXAM & WORK:
      All students will take the final exam.  The Faculty of the Department of Management and Marketing expects professional quality performance on all written work submitted for credit in our courses. Professional quality performance includes; 1) proper grammatical construction and spelling, 2) logical and clear presentation of content, and 3) neat, well structured documents.

   9. CLASS PREPARATION:
      The Faculty of the Department of Management and Marketing expects students to be prepared for each class meeting. This includes studying assigned material before the class meeting at which it will be discussed. It also includes participating in class discussions.

9. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
   Students are expected to complete course Assignments on a timely basis. Attendance is neither recorded nor formally graded.
10. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
    With this reference, the Academic Dishonesty Policies of Murray State University and the College of Business and Public Affairs are incorporated into this document. These policies will be enforced vigorously in this course. Copies are available in the classroom and from the instructor. Students have full responsibility for reading, understanding and complying with these policies.
11. TEXT AND REFERENCES:
    1. Harder, ArcView GIS Means Business, 1997. (Required)
    2. Excerpts from the following books are available through online reserve:
       1. Grimshaw, Bringing GIS into Business, 1994
       2. Hughes, The Complete Database Marketer, 1996
       3. Longley and Clarke, GIS for Business and Service Planning, 1995
       4. Pol and Thomas, Demography for Business Decision Making, 1997
       5. Weinstein, Market Segmentation, 1994
    3. ESRI, Using ArcView GIS , 1998 (Supplemental)
    4. Subscription to Business Geographics or American Demographics (Recommended)

12. PREREQUISITES:
    MKT 667 or consent of instructor