Digitalization in Business Development
There is no longer any need to emphasize the importance of digitalization. It has become an integral part of society, and many companies are already on the path to digital transformation. Two recent developments illustrate just how dynamic this field is.
In recent years, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered enormous attention, not least thanks to breakthroughs such as ChatGPT and Microsoft’s CoPilot. AI is not only revolutionizing a wide range of industries; it is also fundamentally changing the way we work. In marketing, for example, it helps analyze customer data, create personalized advertising campaigns, and predict buyer behavior. In finance, it is used for risk assessment and fraud detection, and in supply chain management, it helps optimize logistics processes.
However, digitalization also has a major impact on companies’ business models, as evidenced not least by the emergence of platform business models such as those of Airbnb or Uber.
These developments present numerous opportunities for companies that can leverage them for their own growth. For this reason, they also play an important role in business development and the master’s program.
Digitalization in the Master’s Program
The topic of digitalization and the associated skills play a central role in the curriculum of the “Business Development & Management” master’s program. We explore how these developments can be leveraged by companies and what this means for specific areas (e.g., organizational development) across a total of 9 modules.
1st Semester
Business Development
Roadmap
5 ECTS credits
1st Semester
Development of Organization & Culture
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Business Model
Innovation
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Digital
Platform Economics
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Business Development
Analytics
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Agile Mindset
& Methods
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Competency, Learning,
and Knowledge Management
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Brand Lab – Disruptive
& Strategic Thinking*
5 ECTS credits
3rd Semester
Business Development
Practical Project
5 ECTS credits
* Elective modules in the “Sustainable Organizations” specialization
You’re also welcome to write your master’s thesis on a topic related to digitalization. This will increase the number of ECTS credits earned in this area to 67–representing 56% of the program. This is how you’ll develop your personal skill set in the field of digitalization!
"Digitalization isn't just changing processes and the way companies operate. It's changing the rules of the game and value creation models for entire industries. Companies that actively address these developments can capitalize on the opportunities they present. To do so, they need employees who understand these developments and can apply them to new business models. The Master’s program in Business Development & Management addresses these issues."
Key Course Content of the Modules
in the "Organizational Sustainability" Learning Path
Business Development Road Map (1st Semester)
- Strategic Business Development
- Market and Competitive Analysis
- Corporate Strategy,
- Business Unit Strategy, Strategic Marketing
- Agile Strategy Development
- Growth Strategies
- Business Development Roadmap
Organizational and Cultural Development (1st Semester)
- Introduction to Systems Theory
- Purpose-Driven Organization—Vision, Strategy, and Purpose
- Value-Based Development of Strategy and Culture
- Introduction to Systems Theory/Systemic Approach
- Modern Organizational Concepts and Models of Thought
- Cultural Change as the Foundation of Transformation
- Organizational Maturity Models
- Roles and Responsibilities in Change
- Modern Approaches to Change
- Analysis Tools for Transformation Processes
Business Model Innovation (2nd Semester)
- Business Model Frameworks
- Business Model Analysis
- Resilient Business Models
- Digitization of Business Models
- Sustainability of Business Models
- Business Model Development Process
- Business Model Innovation
Digital Platform Economy (2nd Semester | Elective Module)
- Key Digital Technologies (AI, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Cybersecurity)
- Principles of the Platform Economy
- Characteristics of platform-based business models
- Structure of platform-based business models
Agile Mindset & Methods (2nd Semester)
- Fundamentals of Agile Principles and Values
- Agile Mindset and Its Implications for Organizations and Leaders
- Modern Agile Methods
- Agile Formats for Team and Project Work
- Collaboration and Communication in an Agile Context
- Agile Approaches in Selected Functional Areas
Brand Lab – Disruptive & Strategic Thinking (2nd Semester | Elective Module)
- The five core disciplines of branding (differentiation, collaboration, innovation, validation, cultivation)
- Frameworks for rapid and disruptive ideation (swarming, six hats, assumption reversal, and others)
- Principles of Strategic Positioning
- The brand strategy design process (various methods for evaluating, testing, and reinforcing ideas in anticipation of competitors’ moves)
- Visualization methods (visualizing ideas and narrative design)
Competency, Learning, and Knowledge Management (2nd Semester | Elective Module)
- Introduction to the Concept of Competence and Classification Systems
- Development and Design of Organizational Competency Models
- Basic Definitions, Models, and Developments in Knowledge Management
- Methods and Techniques of Knowledge Management
- Processes and Levels of Knowledge Management in Organizations
- Introduction to New Learning
- Modern learning formats for social, agile, and self-directed learning
- Significance and Shaping Factors of Modern Learning Culture
Mindset & Leadership (3rd Semester | Elective Module)
- Structured course materials on the topics of the information society, ETL processes, data models, and tools for quantitative empirical social research
- In-depth application of tools for the business use of IT technologies and data—particularly Power BI and Azure
- Application of tools from the fields of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics
Business Development Practical Project (3rd Semester)
- Structuring a practical project with a direct connection to business development
- Conducting the necessary analyses (company, markets, customers)
- Developing appropriate solution concepts based on the problem at hand (business models, marketing strategies, HR strategies, etc.)
- Defining the prerequisites required for project implementation within the company and any necessary changes or development needs (organization, HR, procurement, service delivery, processes)
- Preparing and presenting the results in a format ready for decision-making