Program design and contents
Digital Economics
Move from understanding digital economic logic to making more informed decisions about platforms, software, and investments in your organization in 6 weeks.
In this module, you’ll delve into the economic principles behind digital transformation. You’ll explore how software growth, economies of scale, network effects, data structures, and lock-in are changing markets and competition, and why digital products behave fundamentally differently from physical products. The learning journey begins with the core mechanisms of digital market dynamics. You will then apply this logic to various organizational contexts, from non-profits to startups and established legacy organizations. Finally, you will examine leadership, governance, and societal impact: who is actually driving digitalization, and with what economic and societal consequences? Over the course of 6 weeks, you’ll participate in an online kick-off, three intensive on-campus days, and an in-depth phase. You’ll conclude with a graded assignment based on your practical experience. By combining theory, case studies, and reflection, you’ll develop a sharp analytical framework and concrete tools for making strategic digital choices.
Online kick-off
During the online kickoff, you will meet your instructors and fellow participants and learn about the program's structure and the final assignment. You will explore your learning goals, case study, and expectations, so you can focus on your on-campus work.
Day 1 – The Economic Mechanisms Behind Digital Market Dynamics
The first day focuses on the question: which economic forces dictate the rules of the game in digital markets? You'll explore software growth, economies of scale, network effects, data structures, switching costs, and lock-in. You'll see how these mechanisms lead to winner-takes-most markets, concentration of power, and vulnerable dependencies on platforms and suppliers.
Day 2 – Strategies for Digitalization in Different Organizational Contexts
On day 2, you will apply digital economic logic to three different types of organizations: a non-profit or public organization, a digital startup, and an established legacy organization. You will explore how the same mechanisms (scale, network effects, platform logic) play out very differently depending on mission, resources, governance, and existing structures.
Day 3 - Leadership and Impact in the Digital Age
The third day focuses on leadership, governance, and societal impact. You'll explore how roles like CEO, CFO, CTO, product lead, and supervisory board collaborate to steer digitalization, and the financial and organizational consequences of software growth and platform dependency.
Deepening after the lecture days
Between and after the lectures, you'll continue working independently with readings, assignments, and your own case study. You'll apply the insights from the lectures to your organization, analyze your own cases through the lens of digital economics, and further develop scenarios and recommendations.
Assessment of your own practice
You'll complete the master's module with a graded assignment that directly aligns with your work environment and learning objectives. In this assignment, you'll demonstrate your ability to apply digital economics concepts to your organization's context: you'll analyze market dynamics and software growth, justify strategic choices, and formulate concrete recommendations for investments, platform strategy, and governance.
