COURSE SCOPE: This course introduces students to digital transformation – a (significant) organizational change triggered and shaped by digital technologies and socio-technical changes - from a strategic leadership perspective. It consists of two parts.

In the first part, students will get to know features and consequences of digital technologies and phenomena based on these technologies, namely artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, industry platforms, marketplace platforms, information platforms, online communities and crowds, smart manufacturing, and smart products. In addition, students will become familiar with key features of digital transformations and how to manage them.

In the second part, students will apply all these insights to examine Digital Retail and D2C. The corporate partner for this part is Holzkern, a young startup company from Austria founded by former SIMC students that is working in partnership with experienced watch manufacturers to transform raw, natural materials into unique timepieces.

COURSE ORGANIZATION & MANDATORY APPLICATION: Teams will be compiled by the instructor. To that end, each student registered to this course has to 1) submit her/its/his CV (no formal requirements) as PDF file via e-mail and 2) fill out a form. Both submissions are due on Thu, 25^th February 2021 2pm. Compiled teams will be announced in the first session.

• Understand key digital technologies and digital technology-based phenomena as well as their managerial and societal implications
• Know how to set up digital transformation projects
• Know how to implement digital transformation projects
• Know how to successfully work in virtual/hybrid teams

Part 1 (Day 1 to Day 3): Absence of one day is tolerated

Part 2 (Day 4 do Day 8): Mandatory attendance for at 75% of a team for each day - teams have to take care that information is circulated within the overall team

• Interactive theory inputs
• In-class discussions (random buzz groups)
• In-class team work
• Outside-class team work
• Team coaching

There are three assessment elements. Each is graded from 1 (excellent) to 5 (insufficient). All elements have to be at least sufficient to pass the course.

• 20% Digital potential analysis (Individual Assessment)

• 60% Teamwork deliverables (Group Assessment)

• 20% Final presentation (Group Assessment)

Link for Zoom room will be shared with registered students shortly before the first day