BST 1140 Business Development and Digitalisation

BST 1140 Business Development and Digitalisation

Course code: 
BST 1140
Department: 
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Credits: 
15
Course coordinator: 
Ragnvald Sannes
Tarjei Alvær Heggernes
Course name in Norwegian: 
Forretningsutvikling og digitalisering
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
Bachelor Specialisations HSØA
Semester: 
2021 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
Norwegian
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

In combination with BTH 1141 Bachelor Thesis, Business Development and Digitalisation (15 credits) this course will constitute a specialization of 30 credits. It will be stated on the diploma that it is a specialization. It applies to students on the Bachelor Programme in Economics and Business Administration and the Bachelor Programme in Marketing Management. The course may also be chosen by other students as an elective in their third year of study.
The specialization is intended to give the students in-depth, management-oriented knowledge and understanding of how enterprises may apply modern information and communication technology to strengthen their competitive position. Our perspective is that the right focus and good application of ICT may make enterprises more efficient and constitute an important factor in innovation processes, or form a central element in the products supplied and services provided by the enterprise. Furthermore, we emphasize that the smart use of information technology opens for a more efficient dialogue with the market, not least in connection with the application of e-marketing and WEB shops. The course is intended to provide the students with an understanding of the problems that are important in connection with the management of IT drives that support business utilization of information technology through the implementation of an IT strategy.
The students are to learn how digital business processes are developed, improved and utilized. The students are also to learn how digital business processes work together with knowledge processes in an organization and between organizations. The students are to learn how business strategy interacts with the strategic use of IT in an optimal way for digital enterprise development.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

On completion of the course the students are to be able to:

  • Understand the different types of business information systems and technology used by organizations
  • Know the structure and components of a modern systems architecture 
  • Know of digital tools for end-user automation
  • Understand the theoretical foundations of digitalization
  • Understand theories and models for digital innovation
  • Understand the connection between digital technology, business processes and business development.
  • Understand how digital business development may be carried out in the three value configurations (chains, shops and networks)
Learning outcomes - Skills

On completion of the course the students shall:

  • Be able to describe the way systems and process work together (process digitalization)
  • Be able to analyse the consequences for the enterprise resulting from the introduction of digital business operations
  • Be able to formulate requirements for functional solutions 
  • Be able to do digital innovation
  • Be able to create prototypes for digital solutions
  • Be able to use digital tools for task automation
General Competence

On completion of the course the students shall:

  • Have a holistic perspective on digitalization, including ethical considerations
  • Have curiosity towards and interest in digital innovation
  • An ability to acquaint themselves with the everyday digital life of enterprises
Course content

Digital technology in organizations
The role of digital systems in a business
Different types of digital systems (business systems)
Different forms of digitalization
The digital revolution - business and technology understanding

Information systems and technology
Information systems (digital systems)
Hardware and infrastructures
Technological development

Enterprise and systems architecture
Processes, technology and people
Standardization and integration
Technology platforms, cloud services and ecosystems
Business systems and system architecture
The Internet of Things
Data integration, interfaces and mobile devices
Data security and vulnerability

Business development with digital technology
Strategic, tactical and operational changes
Situational awareness
Business processes: analysis and change
Data structures and information flow

Data-driven organizations
Big data and artificial intelligence
Insights and data-driven decisions
Data-driven business models

Privacy and ethics
Privacy and GDPR
Digital dilemmas
Sustainability

Digital innovation
Innovation processes and uncertainty
Alternative development methodologies
Different project forms
Digital service design
Digital procurement
Organizing for digital innovation

Digital skills
Collaboration tools in digital organizations
Simple coding
Simple automation: Chatbot and Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Data analysis: from Excel to dashboard
Introduction to machine learning
E-commerce

Teaching and learning activities

The course is carried out with a number of tools such as digital teaching, classroom teaching with lectures, examples, group assignments and discussions. In addition, various tasks will be given to train digital skills.

See also comment about exam.

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Qualifications

Two years of college education in economics and business administration, marketing or equivalent is required for taking the course. 

Covid-19

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be deviations in teaching and learning activities as well as exams, compared with what is described in this course description.

Teaching

Information about what is taught on campus and other digital forms will be presented with the lecture plan before the start of the course each semester.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Weight: 
100
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 3)
Duration: 
1 Semester(s)
Comment: 
During the course, students will complete a number of assignments / exercises to practice analytical and practical skills in digitization. This is carried out in the form of a project assignment with several sub-assignments

In order to promote the best possible learning, the sub-assignments must be submitted along the way for a formative peer review.

The assignments can be solved in groups that work together throughout the semester and submit a joint project assignment.

All sub-assignments are submitted together for the group at the end of the semester.
Exam code: 
BST11402
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Structured test
Invigilation
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • No support materials
Duration: 
1 Hour(s)
Exam code: 
BST11403
Grading scale: 
Pass/fail
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
60 Hour(s)
Parts of the campus teaching can be carried out as digital teaching across campuses.
Prepare for teaching
150 Hour(s)
Group work / Assignments
150 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
30 Hour(s)
Feedback activities and counselling
10 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
400

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 15 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 400 hours.