Objectives and competences
In this course, students will:
1. Understand the strategic role of digital transformation in modern organizations and distinguish between digitization, informatization, and transformation.
2. Become familiar with digital business models, architectures, and maturity models, and apply them to strategic change planning.
3. Develop the ability to connect strategy, processes, and technologies, including the use of BPMN, ARIS, and Visio tools.
4. Evaluate the impact of ESG, ethics, and regulation on digital transformation and design sustainable digital strategies.
5. Acquire competences for strategic analysis and leadership in digital transformation through the application of practical tools and real-world examples.
Content (Syllabus outline)
The course explores digital transformation as a strategic process within organizations. Students learn the fundamental concepts of digitization, digital transformation, digital maturity, and business models. Emphasis is placed on the integration of strategy, business processes, and advanced technologies (AI, cloud, IoT). The course also covers sustainability, ethical, and regulatory aspects of the digital environment (ESG, GDPR, AI Act). In the practical part, students analyze a company, develop a transformation strategy, and model business processes.
Detailed Course Content
1. Fundamental Concepts of Digital Transformation
• Digitization, digital transformation, informatization
• Technological, organizational, strategic, and societal dimensions of transformation
2. Drivers of Digital Transformation and Business Model Changes
• ESG, disruptive technologies, user experience
• Changes in business models and industry structures
3. Digital Maturity Models and Transformation Capabilities
• Digital maturity models (MIT, Deloitte, Capability models)
• Self-assessment and strategic use of maturity models
4. Digital Business Models and Business Process Modeling
• Platforms, servitization, omnichannel approaches
• BPMN, ARIS, Visio – linking strategy and processes (AS-IS / TO-BE)
5. Strategic Leadership in Digital Transformation
• Roles of CIO, CTO, CDO
• Digital culture and IT-business alignment
• Digital governance structures
6. Advanced Technologies as the Foundation of Digital Transformation
• Cloud (Azure, Power Platform, Dynamics)
• IoT, blockchain, digital twins, metaverse
• Technology as a source of competitive advantage
7. Sustainability, ESG, and Digital Responsibility
• Green technologies, circular economy
• Sustainability indicators and ESG in strategy
8. Ethics, Regulation, and Digital Sovereignty
• GDPR, AI Act, DSA, DMA
• AI ethics, algorithmic bias
• Digital identity (IAM), trust, eIDAS
9. Change Management and Competence Development
• Change management strategies
• Digital competencies and implementation strategies
10. Project: Strategic Analysis of Digital Transformation
• Company analysis, maturity, strategy, ESG
AS-IS/TO-BE modeling, tools: ARIS, Visio
Learning and teaching methods
- lectures
- guided classes in computer room
- case analysis
- problem-based project-based learning
- collaborative learning
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Students in this course:
1. Understand the fundamental concepts of digital transformation and distinguish it from informatization and digitization. (PILO 2a, PILO 3b)
2. Evaluate an organization’s digital maturity and apply maturity models in strategic planning. (PILO 2a, PILO 3a)
3. Connect business strategy with digital business models and processes. (PILO 2a, PILO 3a)
4. Use business process modeling tools (e.g., ARIS, Visio) in the context of strategic transformation. (PILO 3b, PILO 3c)
5. Identify the impact of advanced technologies (AI, cloud, IoT) on organizational competitiveness. (PILO 2a, PILO 3a)
6. Recognize the relevance of ESG and sustainability in digital transformation strategies. (PILO 4a, PILO 4c)
7. Analyze the role of ethics and regulation (AI Act, GDPR, DSA) in shaping digital solutions. (PILO 4a, PILO 4c)
8. Gain practical experience in strategic analysis of digital transformation using a real company case. (PILO 3b, PILO 3c)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Students in this course:
1. Understand the fundamental concepts of digital transformation and distinguish it from informatization and digitization. (PILO 2a, PILO 3b)
2. Evaluate an organization’s digital maturity and apply maturity models in strategic planning. (PILO 2a, PILO 3a)
3. Connect business strategy with digital business models and processes. (PILO 2a, PILO 3a)
4. Use business process modeling tools (e.g., ARIS, Visio) in the context of strategic transformation. (PILO 3b, PILO 3c)
5. Identify the impact of advanced technologies (AI, cloud, IoT) on organizational competitiveness. (PILO 2a, PILO 3a)
6. Recognize the relevance of ESG and sustainability in digital transformation strategies. (PILO 4a, PILO 4c)
7. Analyze the role of ethics and regulation (AI Act, GDPR, DSA) in shaping digital solutions. (PILO 4a, PILO 4c)
8. Gain practical experience in strategic analysis of digital transformation using a real company case. (PILO 3b, PILO 3c)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme
Readings
Gupta, S. (2018). Driving digital strategy: A guide to reimagining your business. Harvard Business Review Press.
Babu George, Justin Paul (2020). Digital Transformation in Business and Society: Theory and Cases. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-08277-2.pdf
Ovidiu Vermesan, Franz Wotawa, Mario Diaz Nava, Björn Debaillie. (2023). Industrial Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Applications. Taylorfancis. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003377382
Additional information on implementation and assessment Theoretical exam 60%
Coursework 40%
Final exam - written exam with at least one question from each section within the course.
Coursework - ongoing assignment with at least one assignment from each section of the course or project.
