Reference no: EM133864535
IT Capstone
Assessment - Preparing a Literature Review
Task
This assessment is to be completed individually. This assessment requires you to prepare a detailed literature review on an identified problem and provide an outline of the recommended research approach. The goal is to demonstrate your ability to critically analyse existing literature, identify gaps, and propose a methodical approach for further research.
Assessment Description
For this assessment, you are required to conduct a comprehensive literature review on a specific problem within your field of study. Additionally, you must develop a detailed research outline addressing this problem. The task involves summarizing key findings from at least 7 academic sources, critically analysing the literature to identify gaps, and proposing a research approach to address these gaps. Your literature review should be based on the word count indicated above and include clearly stated research objectives, questions or hypotheses, methodology, data collection and analysis techniques, and expected outcomes. This assessment aims to demonstrate your ability to critically engage with existing research and formulate a coherent, methodologically sound research plan. Ensure your work is well-organized, properly cited in any acceptable referencing style.
Learning outcome 1: Design a plan for research that aims to identify the causes and potential solutions of a complex IT problem for a client.
Learning outcome 2: Recommend and critically analyse multi-disciplinary IT solutions.
Assessment Instructions
Students must conduct scholarly research and include appropriate references. You should use at least seven (7) sources of information and reference these in accordance with any acceptable referencing style. These may include a combination of textbooks, websites, social media platforms, industry reports, census data, journal articles, conference proceedings and newspaper articles. These references should be presented as in-text citations and a referencing list at the end of your assessment in the form of Bibliography (not included in the word limit). Avoid using Wikipedia and other similar sites. Ensure that you use only articles published within the past seven years. You must submit your report in Word document or in PDF format. The report should be well-structured and organised. It should include the following details:
Introducing the Problem: Begin by clearly stating the IT problem faced by the company indicated in the case study. Provide a concise overview of the problem and its significance for the company. Explain why it is crucial to identify the causes and potential solutions for this problem. Conduct scholarly research to gather additional insights into similar IT challenges faced by other companies in the industry.
Literature Review: Conduct an extensive review of academic sources related to your chosen problem. Summarize key findings from at least 7 credible sources, including journal articles, books, and conference papers, as indicated above. Critically analyze the literature to highlight gaps, inconsistencies, and areas needing further research. Organize your review coherently and logically.
Research Outline: Develop a structured research outline that addresses the gaps identified in the literature review.
Include:
Research Objectives: Clearly state what your research aims to achieve.
Research Questions or Hypotheses: Formulate specific questions or hypotheses.
Methodology: Identify the research methods (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed) and justify your choices.
Data Collection: Outline the techniques you will use to collect data (e.g., surveys, interviews).
Data Analysis: Explain how you will analyse the collected data.
Expected Outcomes: Discuss the potential results and their significance.
Formatting: The literature review should be between 1800-2200 words. Use APA, Harvard or any standard referencing style for citations and bibliography.
Case Study 5: Networking Challenges in a Logistics Company
Background Swift
Transport is a global logistics company managing shipments and warehouse operations across multiple continents. The company's operations rely on real-time network connectivity to track inventory, optimize delivery routes, and maintain communication across global hubs. Recent issues include network outages at critical distribution centers, cybersecurity threats, and latency in supply chain management applications.
SWOT Analysis Strengths:
Global Reach: Extensive operations across continents enhance market presence.
Advanced Tracking Systems: Real-time shipment tracking boosts operational efficiency.
Skilled IT Teams: Dedicated teams maintain infrastructure integrity.
Established Client Relationships: Long-term contracts provide consistent revenue streams.
Weaknesses:
Legacy Hardware: Outdated systems at older hubs impact performance.
Overburdened Networks: Increased demand during peak seasons strains capacity.
Fragmented Operations: Lack of centralized control over distributed networks.
Inconsistent Security Measures: Variability in security protocols across regions.
Opportunities:
IoT in Logistics: Expanding IoT use can improve inventory and route optimization.
Cloud-Based Systems: Migration to cloud platforms for better scalability.
AI Integration: AI can enhance predictive maintenance and route planning.
Partnerships with Tech Providers: Collaborating for advanced networking solutions.
Threats:
Cyberattacks: Increasing threats to critical operations.
Service Downtime: Network outages affect delivery timelines.
Regulatory Compliance: Stricter regulations on cross-border data sharing.
Competitive Innovations: Rivals adopting cutting-edge logistics technology.
Challenges Faced by the Company
Distribution Center Outages: Frequent network failures at hubs delay shipments and reduce customer satisfaction.
Latency in Supply Chains: Slow network responses impact real-time inventory updates.
IoT Security Risks: IoT devices used for tracking shipments are vulnerable to cyber threats.
Operational Scalability: Growing demands require frequent network upgrades.