The use of technology is deeply embedded in many organizations. Items such as intranets, cloud computing, and smart phones have changed the very nature of how work is completed for many.

Write an essay in APA format describing what does it mean to be a “Digital Firm”? Additionally, discuss in detail how technology is utilized in various areas within an organization that you are familiar with, and describe why information systems/technology is so important in organizations today. A minimum of one reference besides the textbook should be utilized.

All assignments should be completed in a Word document using correct APA formatting (Headers, one inch margins and double spacing, title page and References page, etc.). Points will be deducted for incorrect grammar, punctuation and spelling errors. All assignments should be uploaded in the Assignment area. Essays that are pasted into the Assignments area will not be accepted.

Rubric Detail

Criteria

Excellent – A

Effective – B

Competent – C

Not Effective – D

Unacceptable – F

Content Synthesis and Ideas

35 to 40 points .
Excels in responding to assignment. Interesting, demonstrates sophistication of thought. Central idea/thesis is clearly communicated, worth developing; limited enough to be manageable. Paper recognizes some complexity of its thesis: may acknowledge its contradictions, qualifications, or limits and follow out their logical implications. Understands and critically evaluates its sources, appropriately limits and defines terms.
29 to 34 points .
A solid paper, responding appropriately to assignment. Clearly states a thesis/central idea, but may have minor lapses in development. Begins to acknowledge the complexity of central idea and the possibility of other points of view. Shows careful reading of sources, but may not evaluate them critically. Attempts to define terms, not always successfully.
24 to 28 points .
Adequate but weaker and less effective, possibly responding less well to assignment. Presents central idea in general terms, often depending on platitudes or cliches. Usually does not acknowledge other views. Shows basic comprehension of sources, perhaps with lapses in understanding. If it defines terms, often depends on dictionary definitions.
20 to 23 points .
Does not have a clear central idea or does not respond appropriately to the assignment. Thesis may be too vague or obvious to be developed effectively. Paper may misunderstand sources.
0 to 19 points .
Does not respond to the assignment, lacks a thesis or central idea, and may neglect to use sources where necessary.

Organization & Coherence

23 to 25 points .
Uses a logical structure appropriate to paper’s subject, purpose, audience, thesis, and disciplinary field. Sophisticated transitional sentences often develop one idea from the previous one or identify their logical relations. It guides the reader through the chain of reasoning or progression of ideas.
20 to 22 points .
Shows a logical progression of ideas and uses fairly sophisticated transitional devices; e.g., may move from least to more important idea. Some logical links may be faulty, but each paragraph clearly relates to paper’s central idea.
18 to 19 points .
May list ideas or arrange them randomly rather than using any evident logical structure. May use transitions, but they are likely to be sequential (first, second, third) rather than logic-based. While each paragraph may relate to central idea, logic is not always clear. Paragraphs have topic sentences but may be overly general, and arrangement of sentences within paragraphs may lack coherence.
15 to 17 points .
May have random organization, lacking internal paragraph coherence and using few or inappropriate transitions. Paragraphs may lack topic sentences or main ideas, or may be too general or too specific to be effective. Paragraphs may not all relate to paper’s thesis.
0 to 14 points .
No appreciable organization; lacks transitions and coherence.

Research Support

5 to 5 points .
Uses evidence appropriately and effectively, providing sufficient evidence and explanation to convince. APA style is used throughout and in the correct manner.
4 to 4 points .
Begins to offer reasons to support its points, perhaps using varied kinds of evidence. Begins to interpret the evidence and explain connections between evidence and main ideas. Its examples bear some relevance.
3 to 3 points .
Often uses generalizations to support its points. May use examples, but they may be obvious or not relevant. Often depends on unsupported opinion or personal experience, or assumes that evidence speaks for itself and needs no application to the point being discussed. Often has lapses in logic.
2 to 2 points .
Depends on cliches or overgeneralizations for support, or offers little evidence of any kind. May be personal narrative rather than essay, or summary rather than analysis.
0 to 1 points .
Uses irrelevant details or lacks supporting evidence entirely. May be unduly brief.

Grammar and Writing Mechanics

5 to 5 points .
Almost entirely free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
4 to 4 points .
May contain a few errors, which may annoy the reader but not impede understanding.
3 to 3 points .
Usually contains several mechanical errors, which may temporarily confuse the reader but not impede the overall understanding.
2 to 2 points .
Usually contains either many mechanical errors or a few important errors that block the reader’s understanding and ability to see connections between thoughts.
0 to 1 points .
Usually contains so many mechanical errors that it is impossible for the reader to follow the thinking from sentence to sentence.