The economic logic of digital markets and platforms

Digitalization is often discussed in terms of technology and tools. But behind AI, platforms, and software subscriptions lies another layer: economic mechanisms that determine why some players experience explosive growth, margins are under pressure, or entire markets are being disrupted. Organizations are seeking to understand these digital rules, beyond the hype. In the Digital Economics Master Module, you will delve into this underlying logic. You will investigate how network effects, economies of scale, marginal costs, lock-in, and data structures shape digital markets and why software behaves very differently from physical products. You will explicitly examine digitalization as an economic issue: what does it mean for competition, market power, revenue models, and pricing strategies? Using cases and scenarios, from startups to legacy companies and non-profits, you will analyze how software growth, platform choices, and AI investments differ depending on the context. You will explore when building, buying, or outsourcing software makes economic sense, and what dependencies arise with suppliers and large platforms. This module provides you with vocabulary, frameworks, and practical tools to better inform digital choices. You will apply the insights directly to your own organization or customer case and develop concrete recommendations for investments, software portfolio, platform strategy, and governance. This allows you to effectively manage digital transformation not only technically but also economically.