Objectives and competences
In this course, students will:
1. Understand the role of IT governance and IT management as strategic functions that contribute to organizational performance and sustainability.
2. Gain knowledge of contemporary frameworks, standards, and models for IT governance and apply them to the analysis and planning of IT solutions.
3. Develop the ability to critically evaluate various architectures, security, and data governance frameworks, including approaches for ensuring IT system quality and resilience.
4. Acquire competences for conducting advanced research in the field of IT management, including conceptual model development, construct operationalization, and use of appropriate methods (DSR, MMR, SEM).
5. Reflect on the ethical, regulatory, and sustainability dimensions of IT governance, including the impact of research on practice and policy-making.
Content (Syllabus outline)
This course explores IT as a strategic function within organizations and emphasizes the importance of methodological approaches in both IT management and research. Students will examine the distinction between IT management and IT governance, and their impact on organizational performance.
The course covers key frameworks and standards for IT governance (COBIT 2019, ITIL 4, ISO standards), maturity models, and the roles of digital leadership (CIO, CTO, CDO) in developing digital capabilities. Special focus is given to green IT, sustainability, ESG, and ethical aspects of IT governance.
Topics such as cybersecurity, resilience, IT service quality, and data governance are addressed through relevant standards (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, DAMA-DMBOK) and architectural approaches (SOA, microservices, cloud governance).
The research-oriented component includes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, the use of Design Science Research (DSR) and Mixed Methods Research (MMR), conceptual model development, and model testing with PLS-SEM/CB-SEM. Ethical issues in research and the impact of scientific findings on IT governance practice and policy are also emphasized.
Detailed Course Content
1. Fundamental Concepts of IT Management
• Distinction between IT management and IT governance
• IT as a strategic function and business enabler
• Connection with organizational governance, strategic decision-making, and performance
2. Frameworks and Standards for IT Governance
• COBIT 2019 and its principles (value, risk, resources)
• ITIL 4: service-oriented approach and key processes
• ISO standards (ISO/IEC 38500, ISO/IEC 20000, ISO/IEC 27001)
• Maturity models for IT governance
3. IT Leadership and Development of Digital Capabilities
• Digital leadership structure: CIO, CTO, CDO – roles and responsibilities
• Management of IT resources, projects, and programs (PMBOK, PRINCE2, MSP)
• Compliance, ethics, and accountability in IT leadership
4. Green IT and Sustainable IT Governance
• Sustainability aspects of digital infrastructure and services
• Green IT indicators (energy efficiency, equipment lifecycle)
• Impact of ESG on IT governance strategy
5. Cybersecurity, Resilience, and Risk Management
• Security management (ISO 27001, NIST, Zero Trust Architecture)
• Cyber resilience and business continuity/disaster recovery planning (BCP, DRP)
• Risk and incident management
6. Quality Management of IT Services and Data
• IT service quality and user satisfaction
• Data quality management (accuracy, completeness, timeliness)
• Data governance as a distinct domain with its own frameworks (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM)
7. Digital Infrastructure and Architectural Approaches
• System architectures: monolithic, SOA, microservices, serverless
• Hybrid solutions and connectivity (interoperability, API management)
• Cloud resource governance (cloud governance, FinOps, SLAs)
8. Research Approaches and Methodological Paradigms
• Research methods in IT management: qualitative, quantitative, mixed
• Use of case studies, interviews, surveys, secondary data
• Design Science Research (DSR), Grounded Theory, Mixed Methods Research (MMR)
9. Development of Conceptual and Empirical Models
• Building conceptual frameworks (e.g., IT capabilities, digital maturity)
• Construct operationalization and measurement instrument design
• Model testing (PLS-SEM, CB-SEM) and validation
10. Research Ethics and the Impact of Research on Practice
• Responsible handling of sensitive data and research participants
• Influence of research on policy, standards, and IT governance practices
• The role of the researcher as advisor and co-creator in business environments
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• research assignments
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Development of Knowledge and Understanding
The learner will be able to:
1. Understand the fundamental differences between IT management and IT governance and their strategic relevance.
2. Explain key frameworks and standards for IT governance (COBIT, ITIL, ISO) and their importance in achieving business objectives.
3. Describe the roles and responsibilities of digital leaders (CIO, CTO, CDO) in developing digital capabilities.
4. Outline contemporary approaches to managing IT infrastructure, data, and security, including aspects of resilience, quality, and sustainability.
5. Understand conceptual and empirical research approaches in the field of IT management and their application in scientific and professional practice.
Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
The learner will be able to:
1. Analyze complex interrelations between IT strategy, resource management, risk, and organizational objectives.
2. Critically evaluate the relevance and applicability of various IT governance standards and models in different contexts.
3. Formulate well-argued proposals for improving IT governance based on case analyses and research data.
4. Synthesize knowledge from multiple domains (IT, organization, ESG, security) into integrated approaches to IT management.
5. Reflect on the impact of research findings on practice, ethics, and policy in IT governance.
Key / Transferable Skills
The learner:
1. Communicate professional and research findings in the field of IT governance to diverse target audiences.
2. Apply appropriate methodological approaches to solve complex problems in IT management.
3. Work effectively in interdisciplinary and international teams to address strategic challenges of digital business.
4. Independently search for, analyze, and interpret scientific and professional sources in the domain of IT governance.
5. Critically apply IT management knowledge in real-world organizational contexts.
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Practical Skills
The learner:
1. Apply COBIT, ITIL, and ISO frameworks to assess and improve IT governance in organizations.
2. Plan and conduct maturity assessments of IT functions and develop recommendations for improvement.
3. Conduct research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods (e.g., case studies, DSR, MMR).
4. Develop conceptual models, operationalize constructs, and design measurement instruments.
5. Test and validate empirical models using SEM methods (PLS-SEM, CB-SEM).
Readings
Andersen I., Borum F., Kristensen P.H., Karnoe P: On the Art of Doing Field Studies, Handelskolens Forlag, 1995
Yin R.K.: Case Study Research – Design and Methods; SAGE Publications, 2003
Van Grembergen W., De Haes S.: Enterprise Governance of Information Technology, Springer, 2009
Brand K., Boonen H.: IT Governance based on COBIT 4.1, Van Haren Publishing, 2007
Baan P. (ed.): Enterprise Information Management, Springer 2013
Additional information on implementation and assessment • written exam 50
• research paper 50
Student passes the exam, when each part of the examination is evaluated as positiv.
