Masters in Digital Transformation Management

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

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?

Auf einen Blick - Digital Transformation Management (M.A)

Campus

Cologne

Start of Studies

Winter

Semester

ECTS

120

Study Fee*

5.730 €

All facts in detail

Language English
Type of Study Full-time
Degree Master of Arts
Internship Integrated**
Semester Abroad Integrated**

Start of Studies Winter Cologne

*The displayed prices are semester fees. For non-EU students' fees please check the tuition fees information page. Status: January 2024.

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) Seminar3 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

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS

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.

This is what our alumni say

Philip Kollmann

Project Manager
Wayne´s Coffee

"Especially the soft skill courses have been of great help for my performance in job interviews. Through my work in the Finance and Business Club I have built up a broad network and acquired project management skills that have enabled me to score points with companies."

Katrin Rieger

Bereichsdirektorin Reisevertrieb Deutschland / Vice President Sales
HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung

"The practical learning in small groups prepared me optimally for today's project and team work. The CBS provided me with the decisive soft skills and current knowledge from the world of business."

Christopher Rosenbaum

Manager
Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

"The Management Studies programme prepares you thoroughly for the tasks of a consultant. In particular, the development of presentation techniques as well as analytical thinking is of enormous importance in the everyday life of a consultant."

Oliver Kiderle

EMEA Regional Product Expert
Google Inc.

"The focus on internationality and practical skills have had a very positive influence on my development at Google. Especially the structured and very versatile project work, which is often found at a private school, was extremely helpful."

Kalle Kenkel

Commercial Excellence Manager
GE Healthcare

"My studies at CBS prepared me for a career in today's dynamic, global work environment. As one's origin and physical location become less and less decisive, it has become increasingly important to have a multinational network and adapt quickly to various cultures and environments."

Neil Jordaan

Global Digital Content Manager
Elanco

"Many professors shared their professional business experience with us in class and were able to illustrate dry theory with practical examples. I also enjoyed the international atmosphere on campus."

Patrick Stein

Head of Human Resources
Boston Consulting Group

"The strongly practice-oriented studies and the international orientation of the CBS, as well as the lectures held in English, were an absolutely necessary basis for starting a career with a renowned, international company."

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