Business Strategies for a Digital Age (GRAL017)

This course includes strong theoretical foundations and hands-on practice of digital strategy and transformation concepts. Digitalization is a megatrend responsible for restructuring organizations and redefining industries. The course is sub-divided into three modules. The first module contains classical strategy frameworks laid out by Micheal Porter and other influential management scholars. It is further extended into global strategy to understand strategies of multi-national organizations.The second module describes digital strategy and how it has evolved from classical strategy school of thought. Students are familiarized with the economic foundations and managerial implications of multi-sided platforms and business/innovation ecosystems. In a world increasingly characterized by digitalization, these forms of organizing economic value creation have become a pivotal element of modern strategizing and business innovation. Based on the empirical insights from academic research, students are taught different digital strategies adopted by organizations and how it enables them to thrive in a constantly changing technological environment. It further extends into digital transformation framework laid out by David Rogers.  Students will be able to understand the transition from analog to digital age by learning how advancement in digital technologies have transformed the understanding of organizations about customers, competition, data, innovation, and value proposition. The understanding of digital transformation will help students to navigate through the changes it has brought to various industries.The third module creates a deeper understanding of agile methodologies serving as means to achieve digital transformation. This hands-on module contains a workshop on Scrum methodology. The students will learn managerial perspectives for digital product development by working on a product development project. The knowledge in this field will also enable them to potentially achieve professional certifications in Scrum and Product Ownership areas.

• Ability to directly transfer their knowledge to practice: Students learn about digital transformation in general and apply the knowledge to the selected company in particular (as part of the course project).
• Ability to analyze micro (market) and macro environments, implement an industry analysis and be able to apply strategic evaluation tools to understand business environment.
• To be able to develop a digital strategy for the company, assess digital risks and defend the proposed recommendations.
• Ability to work in and lead a team virtually and in-person, to present work results in written or oral form, to be able to argue decisions.
• Develop personal and professional abilities, critical thinking, and creativity.