Digital Strategy, 15 Credits

Contents

Module 1. Digital Business Strategy, 7.5 credits. 
Digital strategy involves organizations' strategic use of digital technology to enable value creation, compete in markets, and adapt to changes in the surrounding environment. By introducing theories, concepts, and analytical tools, the course module provides a conceptual foundation for understanding the dynamics of digitalized business environments, fundamental forms of digital change within organizations, and the mutual influence between organizations and their environments as digital technology is leveraged for strategic purposes. The module content is exploratory in nature, combining an introduction to a broad range of concepts with in-depth exploration of the most central topics in the field. Concrete examples are also used to highlight the units, roles, and tasks that realize digital strategy within organizations.

Module 2. IT Governance, 7.5 credits. 
IT governance involves the planning, design, and management of IT-based systems, structures, and processes to support the realization of organizations' overarching strategies and goals. The course module highlights how IT-infrastructure can both facilitate and hinder change initiatives and how organizations can use IT governance to promote both stability for efficiency and flexibility for innovation. Using theories of strategic IT-alignment, architecture, and digital infrastructure as a starting point, the module introduces frameworks and methods for IT governance. The module provides the opportunity to delve deeper into relevant areas through individual work. Concrete examples are used to illustrate the units, roles, and tasks that implement IT governance within organizations.

Expected learning outcomes

Module 1. Digital Business Strategy, 7.5 credits. 
Regarding knowledge and understanding the student is, after the module, expected to be able to:
1. Account for and explain key concepts related to digital strategy.
2. Analyze the conditions, challenges, and opportunities for strategic use of digital technology.

Regarding proficiency and aptitude, the student is, after the module, expected to be able to:
3. Identify and synthesize scientific concepts and models.

Regarding evaluative capacity and approach the student is, after the module, expected to be able to:
4. Evaluate the applicability of concepts, models, and theories in relation to digital strategy.

Module 2. IT Governance, 7.5 credits. 
Regarding knowledge and understanding the student is, after the module, expected to be able to:
1. Account for and explain key concepts, methods, and frameworks relevant to IT governance.
2. Account for and explain the relationship between business, IT, and digital strategy.

Regarding proficiency and aptitude, the student is after the module, expected to be able to:
3. Apply theoretical concepts to analyze business-, IT-, and digital strategies.
4. Compare different frameworks for IT governance.
5. Apply theoretical perspectives to highlight various aspects of IT governance as a phenomenon.

Regarding evaluative capacity and approach the student is, after the module, expected to be able to:
6. Critically and with theoretical ground evaluate the use of standardized frameworks and methods for IT governance.

Required Knowledge

Admission to the course requires 90 credits in one of the following subjects: Informatics, Computer science, Business administration, Pedagogy, Psychology, Political science or Sociology or equivalent studies. Also required is English B/6.

Form of instruction

Teaching is normally done in the form of lectures, seminars, group exercises and supervision in connection with self-studies. During the course necessary computer applications, which students shall use on their own, may be introduced.  Some assistance may be given in the use of these applications. Some course segments may be compulsory. Teaching is normally done in English. Strong skills in written communication and English are important to be able to complete the course.

Examination modes

Module 1. Digital Business Strategy, 7.5 credits. 
The examination modes that are applied are seminar, individual assignment, and written test. Final grades are pass with distinction, pass or fail. 

Module 2. IT Governance, 7.5 credits. 
The examination modes that are applied are group assignment, individual assignment, and written test. Final grades are pass with distinction, pass or fail. 

Examination modes are stated for each module. For students who fail the first exam a second exam is normally given soon afterwards. Students who do not pass the exam after these two attempts have the possibility to take the exam during subsequent re-exam periods.

A student who has failed twice on a course, or part of a course, is entitled to ask for another examiner, unless there are special reasons against it. Requests for new examiners are made to the Director of studies.

If special reasons exist, the examiner has the right to decide on another examination form.

Grades on the course as a whole are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. In connection with the description of the content and form of the examination, it is stated what is necessary for the grade Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG). To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 15-credit course consisting of two modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) on both modules. To receive the grade Pass (G) for the course as a whole, the student must have achieved at least the grade Pass (G) on both modules.