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Masters in Digital Transformation Management

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Digital Transformation Management Master's Degree (M.A.) in Germany

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What is a Master's in Digital Transformation Management? And why should you study it?

As one of the largest transformation processes in the history of mankind, digitalization is changing the demands placed on companies and business processes. In order to successfully shape digital change within companies, managers with extensive process management and IT know-how are needed.

The master's Degree in Digital Transformation Management offers you well-founded specialist knowledge on the opportunities and challenges of digitization as well as the efficient use of new IT technologies in companies. You will develop digital strategies and business models and gain insight into processes of innovation and change management.

With this degree, you acquire the competence profile to drive digital transformation in international companies.

International Business Management Training at the Interface to IT

In the master specialisation “Digital Transformation Management” you will deal with theoretical, strategic and technological aspects of digital change in companies. You will learn the characteristics of digital organisations, develop strategies for digital business models and learn how to implement them in companies. The basics of digital marketing will also give you an insight into the possibilities and limitations of online marketing activities. How do you establish a unified communications policy? And which technologies can be used resource-efficiently?

  • ECTS 120
  • Semester 4
  • Language English
  • Type of Study Full-time
  • Degree Master of Arts
  • Campus Cologne
  • Internship Integrated**
  • Semester Abroad Integrated**
  • Start of Studies Winter Cologne
  • Study Fee* 5.730 €
FINANCIAL AID
RANKINGS & ACCREDITATIONS

Study Course Plan

Some information about the study plan for the study programme Masters in Digital Transformation Management:

General business teaching units

Business Economics3 ECTS ? !
  • Analysis of demand, supply, and market equilibrium

  • Theory of consumer choice

  • Theory of the firm, production and cost analysis

  • Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, contestable markets

  • Game theory

  • Pricing strategies

  • Factor markets, labor economics

  • Economics of information

  • Industrial organization

  • Limitations of markets and interventions by the government

  • Econometric techniques related to these topics

Empirical Research Methods3 ECTS ? !
  • Development of a research question

  • Primary vs. secondary data

  • Steps of research process

  • Research designs

  • Quantitative and qualitative data

  • Structured methods of data collection: questionnaire and structured interview

  • Un- and semi-structured methods: qualitative interview and focus group

  • Quantitative and qualitative content analysis

  • Ethical considerations of data collection

  • Sampling

  • Data analysis using statistical software programs (SPSS)

  • Univariate analysis, bivariate analysis (crosstab and correlation), multiple linear regression

  • Writing a research report – structural and other formal requirements

Strategic Analysis & Management3 ECTS ? !
  •  Strategy making process and strategic reasoning: cognitive process of strategy 
    creation through the prism of logic and intuition

  • Setting strategic purpose in the context of responsible stakeholder management

  • Advanced external environment analysis: markets, industries and competitive 
    landscapes in static and dynamic perspective in the domestic and international 
    context

  • Diagnosing and managing strategic capability through national borders over time

  • Cultural and institutional context of strategic management: concepts, frameworks 
    and analytical tools

  • Generic and interactive business strategies, inside-out and outside-in perspective on 
    achieving and sustaining competitive advantage internationally

  • Network-level strategies

  • Corporate development and configuration: strategic options and portfolio matrices

  • Strategy formation

  • Strategic change and corporate restructuring

  • Strategic renewal

  • Strategy evaluation and strategic controls: tools and methods

  • Organizing for success

Innovation Management & Digital Transformation3 ECTS ? !
  • Diagnosing the change context: diffusion and dynamics of innovation 

  • Sources & types of innovation

  • Product/service, process & business model innovation

  • Individual and corporate creativity

  • Strategic innovation management & the innovation process incl. New Product Development (NPD)

  • Introduction to digitalization, digital age & digital divide

  • Digital drivers & disruptive forces

  • Technological drivers of digital transformation

  • Socio-technological change associated with the adoption of the mentioned drivers

  • Introduction to the digital organization & digital business models

  • Impact of digitalization on the value chain (Industry 4.0)

  • Digitalization-related innovation theories & technology management

  • Digitalization leadership & organisational transformation concepts

  • Change management & transformational leadership

  • Agility and VUCA world

  • SCRUM and Design Thinking

Programme specific teaching units

Business Models & Systems in a Digital Era3 ECTS ? !
  • In this course, students acquire skills to develop and evaluate digital business models and learn how selected business systems and applications can improve a company’s performance.

  • Students know the function, structure and types of business models and selected systems and can describe and explain how and to what extent business models change.

  • They understand the impact of digital technologies and business systems and the relevance of data for high performing business models.

  • They can explain the need to adapt existing business models or develop new ones in the face of the growing importance of digitalization in diverse industries.

  • Students are familiar with state-of-the-art business model frameworks and apply them to support digital business model development.

  • They develop their own digital business models, present their ideas in a pitch format and evaluate their results.

Business Coding3 ECTS ? !
  • Introduction to software development

  • The Internet (components, client-server-database communication)

  • Understand how to modularize a business problem into components (front-end, back-end, databases, APIs)

  • Coding in JavaScript, or Python

  • Understanding data assignment/updates, data types, loops, selection statements, structured data, functions and methods)

  • Documenting, testing, and debugging of scripts

  • Data privacy and security (authorization, authentication, and encryption)

Digital Strategizing3 ECTS ? !
  • Fundamentals

  • Starting points for digital strategies (selection)

  • Challenges in introducing digital strategies – four fights

  • Identification of success factors for digital strategies (selection)

  • Agile strategy management

  • Social and ethical aspects of digital strategies

Digital Organization, Automation & Technology3 ECTS ? !
  • Basic concepts

  • Fundamentals

  • Characteristics of the digital organization

  • Digital maturity models, digital maturity assessment

  • Summary: Capabilities of digitally transformed companies

  • Digital transformation of the organization – Case studies: Born-digital companies Digitally transformed companies

Interdisciplinary competencies

International Project Management2 ECTS ? !
  • Social competence: Communication, motivation, groups and team structures, leadership, conflict management

  • Methodological competence: Structural aspects, time management, cost management, human resource management, creativity and problem solving

  • Organisational competence: Quality management, documentation, risk management, project start and closure

Language & Communication Skills2 ECTS ? !

The “Scholarly Writing and Analysis” course is offered for German native speakers. German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers.

General business teaching units

Corporate Social Responsibility3 ECTS ? !
  • Cornerstones of sustainable management

  • CSR as management approach

  • Practical approaches of organizational effectiveness

  • Tools for CSR implementation

  • CSR and financial performance

  • Life cycle assessment

Corporate Governance3 ECTS ? !
  • Historical developments around the world

  • Directors and board structures in different parts of the world

  • Family business governance

  • Role of institutional investors

  • Corporate governance in mergers and acquisitions

  • Socially responsible investments

  • Corporate governance in different regions

Value Based Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Value maximization and corporate objectives, shareholder value and stakeholder value approach

  • Financial measurement of corporate strategies and competitive advantage: the principles

  • Shortcomings of traditional profitability ratios for a value-based management

  • Economic Value Added, Cash Value Added

  • Identifying the drivers of value creation and investment decision-making

  • Management compensation and incentives for value creation

Sustainable Supply Chain Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Defining the state of a sustainable supply chain based on actual trends

  • Discussion of various theoretical concepts (e.g. Stakeholder Theory, Slack Resource Theory) and their implications for sustainable supply chain management

  • Defining a “New Normal” of how to do business (e.g. circular economy, regenerative business models, carbon literacy training)

  • Sustainable Marketing (definition, Green Marketing Strategy Mix, Green Washing and Sustainable Consumer Buying Behaviour)

  • Sustainable Procurement (definition, Sustainable Procurement Process Model with a focus on sustainable supplier relationship management; new trends like circular procurement)

  • Sustainable Logistics

  • Sustainable Design

  • Carbon Emission / Human Rights in global supply chains

Programme specific teaching units

Strategic Digital & Social Media Marketing 3 ECTS ? !
  • Concepts: Online Marketing/ Digital Marketing

  • Digital marketing sub-disciplines and major activity areas

  • Performance measurement using Web analytics (e.g. Metrics and Tools)

  • Data-driven Advertising

  • Programmatic Advertising

  • Legal and ethical aspects of digital marketing (e.g., EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR))

  • Strategic planning and design of a social media marketing campaign

     

Experience Lab: Search Engine Marketing3 ECTS ? !
  • Introduction: definition

  • Search Engine Optimization / SEO

  • Keyword research

  • On-page SEO

  • Web analytics and SEO tools

  • Search Engine Advertising/ SEA

  • Campaign settings 

Business Project6 ECTS ? !

The overall objective of this course is to provide students with possibility of applying their business knowledge on concrete business situation, related to the field of their specialization.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Define project goals for the “client”.

  • Work under the set timeframe and agreed project scope.

  • Cooperate in the international project teams.

  • Evaluate markets/ industries/ competitive landscapes.

  • Develop possible strategic directions for the “client” business.

  • Formulate recommendations.

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS ? !

A business elective is a business or management-related elective course.By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge.

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS ? !

By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. An interdisciplinary elective is an elective from another discipline than your own specialization.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Event Management (Ted Talk) Seminar2 ECTS ? !
  • Basics of event management

  • Objective of the event and different types of events

  • The event as a marketing and communication tool

  • Planning and preparation

  • Event execution

  • Tasks and role of the event manager

  • Choosing the right venue

  • Personnel selection

Programme specific teaching units

Data & Analytics3 ECTS ? !
  • Data- and evidence-based decision making

  • Differentiation between data, insight and evidence

  • Characteristics of data

  • Relevance and consequences of data quality

  • Use case analysis for data-driven decisions

  • Sampling, statistical significance, statistical methods

  • Data visualization and report building

  • Behavioral foundation of human decision making

  • Errors and flaws in human information processing and decision making

  • AI and automation

  • Current business applications for AI and automation


Applied Business Programming & Analytics3 ECTS ? !
  • Business problem analysis, complexity reduction and modularization

  • Designing a software solution process

  • Understanding the data flow

  • Software evaluation and effort estimation

  • Software progress reporting and tracking

  • Software selection

  • Requirements document or wireframe

  • Programming and implementation solution

  • Versioning, incremental refinement and development of solution

  • Testing of solution

  • Bug fixing of solution

  • Preparation of demoing

Mastering Change Management3 ECTS ? !
  • Definition and context

  • Organizations and the environmental change

  • The formal and informal subsystem of change

  • Forms of change

  • Frequency and magnitude of change

  • Organizational responses to change

  • Resistance, commitment and readiness to change

  • Implementing change management

  • Change Funnel

  • Change Communication

  • Culture and the organizational change

  • Politics and the organizational change

  • Power and the organizational change

Agile Mindset & Agile Methods3 ECTS ? !
  • Agile Foundations (theory & practice, incl. examples and mini tasks

  • Agile Mindset

  • Agile Practices and software fostering agile methods

  • Agile Methods

  • Agile Transformation of Organizations 

Venture Lab4 ECTS ? !
  • Discovering and evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities

  • Developing business ideas from opportunities (e.g. based on using Design Thinking, Personas and User Stories).

  • Feasibility analysis of business ideas

  • Transferring the idea into a Business Model

  • Business Model and its building blocks (value proposition, customers segments, channels, customer relationships, revenue model, key partners, key activities, key resources, cost structure)

  • Business Plan: Introduction, Sample Case and General Outline

  • Developing the details of the business plan

  • Finding sources of financing: Business angels; Private equity; Start up financing; Venture capital investors

  • Preparing a pitch deck for successfully presenting the new venture business plan

Integrative Case Studies3 ECTS ? !
  • Focused review of the curriculum content

  • Pre-assessment quiz/ content area assessment as benchmark for students’ status quo

  • Guide and Strategic Plan to Case Study Analysis

  • Writing a proper Case Study Analysis report

  • Developing proper answers to Case questions, applying the relevant theoretical knowledge and frameworks

  • In-depth Case Study Analysis with focus all subject areas of the curriculum

  • In-depth Case Study Analysis with special focus on Strategic Management

Business Simulation Game3 ECTS ? !

In a business simulation game participants have to manage their own virtual company which operates in the same market as other participant-operated competitors. This involves making typical management decisions in realistic environments. Beside the deepening and active examination of subject-specific knowledge the simulation games also include the team environment, where interaction, communication and prioritization are of paramount importance. Participants learn how to manage risk and uncertainty while time is limited and information constrained. Group-reflections help to take over different perspectives and to discuss pros and cons of content- as well as behavior-related actions.

Master Thesis Tutorial2 ECTS ? !

During the Master Thesis Tutorial you will learn the fundamentals for your Master thesis: Defining the topic as well as structuring the thesis and you will learn the theoretical knowledge for scientific working.

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS ? !

A business elective is a business or management-related elective course.By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge.

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS ? !

By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. An interdisciplinary elective is an elective from another discipline than your own specialization.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Assessment Center Bootcamp2 ECTS ? !
  • Consulting Industry: Sector Overview Company Profiles – Job Opportunities and Consulting Careers

  • Job profile: Characteristics of capabilities and skills needed as a consultant

  • Job application and interview training

  • Consulting (mini) case study training

  • Framework for processing case studies

  • Brain Teaser Training

  • Case Simulation (Individual and Group Cases)

Programme specific teaching units

Master Thesis18 ECTS ? !

During your 4th semester you are working on your Master thesis. You have 19 weeks to complete your thesis and the subject is freely selectable. A supervisor from CBS will support you and you can write the thesis in collaboration with a company as well. Or you can write your thesis in connection with a stay abroad.

Internship or Study Abroad10 ECTS ? !

You can choose between an internship (lasting at least eight weeks) or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

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High practical relevance within the digital transformation management master's programme

Specific basics on the topic of innovation management are already taught in the first semester.  You will also learn how business models are changing in the digital age and how to develop a digital business strategy.

The second semester gives you an insight into the success factors with subjects such as Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

You will learn how to convince investors, partners and managing directors in the Innovation Lab - Business Plan Writing and Pitching in the third semester and optimise your practical application in the Capstone Simulation Game. In this digital business game, you take business decisions with your team and put your business skills into practice.

From the third to the sixth semester, you will acquire specialised knowledge about financial contexts and processes. The curriculum focuses on topics such as the models of capital market theory, the presentation of financial instruments and the connection between risk and return on financial investments.

The fourth semester: room for initiative

In the fourth semester, you work on your Master's thesis. You can choose whether you write your Master's thesis in cooperation with a company during an internship or during a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

High practical relevance within the Digital Transformation Master's programme

Theory meets practice: To gain work experience as a digital transformation manager at an early stage, there is the option of a practical semester during the Master's thesis. Whether in the marketing department of a start-up or in the human resources management of a large corporation - with this specialisation, you can gain practical experience in various fields of activity.

In order to prepare you for your career entry in the best possible way during your studies, the CBS focuses on you, the student. In practical projects and experimental learning formats, such as simulation games, you learn to develop your own take on management decisions. You learn what is important in business and convince future employers with your experience.

Through various networking and recruiting events, you will get to know well-known companies during your studies. With this support, you can focus entirely on your personal career goal. Your Master's degree in Digital Transformation Management will help you to effortlessly enter and advance in the business world.

Specialised but flexible

As a facilitator for digital change processes, many paths are open to you after graduation, be it employed or self-employed. With the help of the career events at the CBS and during internships, you can get to know various professional fields at an early stage and already lay the foundation for your career during your studies. The Master's programme also enables you to embark on an academic career.

Build up your expertise with a graduate degree

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Philip Kollmann
Project Manager
Wayne´s Coffee

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Bereichsdirektorin Reisevertrieb Deutschland / Vice President Sales
HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung

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Ernst & Young GmbH
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EMEA Regional Product Expert
Google Inc.

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GE Healthcare

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Elanco

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Boston Consulting Group

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