Digitalization: Phenomenon and theoretical approaches

Digitalization is a term used in many contexts but often with different meanings and connotations. However, a recurring theme is that digitalization is connected with change, whether for different stakeholders such as individuals, businesses, industries, or at the societal level.

This course provides an introduction to digitalization as a phenomenon and research topics related to information systems (IS) for businesses and industries (e.g. digital work, transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation). It deals with relevant theoretical terms and models to understand digitalization as a phenomenon, which is understood as the application of digital technologies in organizations.

After completing the course, the following overall learning outcomes should be achieved:

Knowledge

Students should:

• Have in-depth knowledge of concepts and models of digitalization.
• Have an overview of key topics related to digitalization in information systems research.
• Have an understanding of digitalization as a historically contingent phenomenon.

Skills

Students should:

• Have a good ability to analyze and evaluate the impact of digitalization on various stakeholders, such as individuals, businesses, industries, and society as a whole.
• Be able to apply conceptual knowledge about digitalization.
• Be able to identify different perspectives on IS based on phenomena.

General competences

Students should:

• Be able to critically reflect on the application of digital technologies in organizations.
• Have research-based skills for finding, reading, interpreting, and referencing of academic papers within digitalization.
• Understand the role of digital technologies for sustainability and twin transition (digital-green).
• Be able to convey research results on digitalization both in writing and orally.

The course will be held as a series of seminars. Every seminar examines a theoretical topic on digitalization from the syllabus. Students will present a scientific article in groups for each seminar, followed by a plenary discussion.