Business Studies V Computer Studies

The Purpose of this post is not contrast the of the two domains. Rather this blog intends to emphasize the significance of studying these to subjects together. Yes, it is understood the world is booming with technology and all development sectors are incorporating it. So, are all businesses utilizing IT assets. And the emerging tech businesses have transformed world into more dynamic landscape.

But especially catering to business studies and IT or computer studies: Students fail to integrate the two. Starting from their primary education the two courses show no compatibility among them and students later on pursue them separately. In Pakistan and few other nations too, at least this is the case. Where the education at secondary level is grouped into Pre-Engg, Pre Medical, and Computer studies.

The Dilemma

These divisions clearly divide these courses in to the obvious domains. We are taught to connect Biology, Physics & Chemistry as Pre Medical. Math, Physics & Chemistry as Pr Engg. Plus, Computers is separated with Computer, Physics & Chemistry. Finally, Commerce is on the sideline, consisting of Business, Accounts and Economics. Forget other subjects like Arts.There is no other combination. How about a great combination that I would like myself to go back to my 'A' Levels and study: Math, Business and IT. But even if I studied this combination would govt universities take me in Commerce, or IT or Engg? Would they take me in? As govt or private universities in their handbooks and brochures mention the sets to enroll for a particular program.

I would not go into the detail of enrollments. But this blog here wants students to study Business and computers together. However, the students wouldnt dare to do that. The students were always brought up int the strata and fragmented concepts. As when they are to study business and computers combined for the future. They donot understand the idea. They think computer is too techincal for them and requires hardcore skills. In contrast, business is consisting different domains, theories, case studies- all theoretical and soft skills.

Issue

The problem is that students at lower levels, have no idea Business studies has dimensions: HR, Marketing Finance, Supply Chain, Accounts, Law and even IT! Similarly Computer studies have further dimensions: Hardware, IT, SEO, SQL, Data Analytics, Database-RDMS, Programming, Networking , Applications & Software, Web Development and more. When choose this combination you can focus on particular dimensions and study all other with macroscopic lens. Probably a lot of students do not even know such a combination exists. Bachelors in Business Administration; Majors in Management Information Systems.

Students

So, I m a business student and when i talk to other fellow colleagues and discuss any tech interests, they are like: "what is this? We dont get your point." "Why don't you go to software engg?" And when I talk to computer/software engineers, the students are like : "you know quiet a lot" "Why aren't you studying with us?"

Students were even shocked to here there is a majors such Management Information Systems; despite studying two core compulsory components of it. And when people ask me what are your electives, I tell them currently, MKT-521: Channel & Distribution Management and MIS-509: Software Project Management. Almost everyone, is in for a shock and I wonder- am I saying something impossible? Therefore only 3/500 BBA students can be seen to pursue MIS majors. Maybe other institutions have a bit more. But still the minority.

Harsh Reality

Unfortunately, these students even after studying core prerequisite courses like MIS IS Audit and MIS CRM never understood the purpose of those courses. These course were key integration of management and information systems. They need to further understand what is an ERP? How is it related to business or is it just IT stuff? They need to understand how a CRM software is at the heart of e-commerce. They know CSR and Customer Relationship Management, but they don't know Sage, Sales force or Microsoft Dynamics or other CRM application software. They know commerce but they forget to learn 'e'.

They do not understand without such knowledge, who will sell or buy an enterprise software, what is software sales, or how will they work in an IT management company and understand their business process. Who will be business development executive in IT industry. Even IT people fail to analyze business and people. Yes, that what these MBA ITs are doing filling this gap. But how about we have more BBA MIS/IT. That way have have more tech based entrepreneurs.

Skills

Moreover, in today's world learning some basic IT skill set is not difficult. Using Youtube, MOOCs or Microsoft Virtual Academy, Google Learning and Udemy, anyone can learn Wordpress, HTML Web Development, C language, C#, SQL, Python and simple software tools.Simple internships in software houses can be a head start. Students be better equipped for new ventures and have complete tools for entrepreneurship. All businesses and banks (eg hbl innovations) are looking for technology and innovations. They need more data. Data Analytics and Marketing Analytics are in demand courses. Highest demand than ever. A collaboration of business and IT is necessary more than ever.

The Future

As Satya Nadella of Microsoft puts it, process of Digital Transformation is here.The world is booming with Tech Business, as I stated earlier and is obvious. Be it Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Baidu, Yahoo, Facebook, AliBaba and others like Souq, Alwadi. Oredoo and many more. Even in Pakistan, the success of this emerging business is unprecedented and glorifying. Be it Daraz or Yayvo, Careem or Uber, Food Panda, Jovago and much more to come. All these businesses require Information Systems Managers to lead. And to lead in the world of innovation, integration of business and technology, is the first step.

**This is written on the observation of author. It is subjective.