In this course, the why, what and how of digital business models will be explained together with several examples of companies failures and successes in their aim to use digital technologies to optimise existing or create new value propositions to their customers / users. After explaining why enterprises must transform their current business models to cope with the challenges of the modern digital economy, a five-model-framework will be introduced to enable digital transformation.

An in-class case study will be provided by the lecturer to be jointly solved during sessions 2, 3 and 4. In addition, students will apply this framework in a company of their choice, delivering their solutions one week after course end.

At the end of the course, students will:

• Understand why enterprises must transform better and faster along their strategy journey by leveraging the power of data to create value or end up evaporating in the fast changing digital economy.
• Understand what makes a business grow in value and how co-creation, innovation, service design and digital transformation contribute to it.
• Understand how to successfully navigate from strategy-to-execution to achieve business transformation that delivers value to customers, partners and stakeholders in the digital business ecosystem.
• Apply a five-model-framework to support a real case of business transformation in the digital economy.

Attendance of minimum 80% (or 5/6 sessions) is mandatory.

• Lectures
• In-Class Case Study
• Discussions

(Individual) Class Participation (20%): During sessions 2, 3 and 4

Students are expected to prepare the sessions and the in-class case study in advance. Class participation will be based on students’ ability to answer lecturer’s questions and/or contribute to course discussion. No participation will be graded with “0”.

(Group) Written Assignment (30%): Due one week after course end

Students will develop a new or optimized digital-based business idea for a company of their choice, using the course five models. The resulting concept should address client’s problems, have a logical flow, be factual, include concrete recommendations and be succinct and written in plain English.

(Group) Video Assignment (10%): Due one week after course end

Students will produce a 5-min. video pitching the business idea developed in their written assignment, requesting funds from investors.

(Individual) Exam (40%): At the last session

A mix of multiple-choice and open questions

Incoming students- You may send an email to the institute's secretary for registration to reserve your spot. sekretariat.itl@wu.ac.at

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• Before and after class
• By appointment