What will I learn on this module?
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand how digitalisation, across the whole economy and government and the third sector, has resulted in wide-spread changes. These changes have led to wide-spread benefits, but also a series of challenges that impact on the ability of individuals and organisations to benefit from the digitalisation that is occurring.
The module is delivered through a lectures and workshops, covering the following issues:
• The scale and scope of electronic commerce
• ICT-mediated business models
• Digital platforms – growth, ‘winner takes all’ strategy and strategies
• Models of information systems within organisations
• Digitalisation – drivers, challenges and changing socio-technical structures
• Data – monetisation, flows, uses within organisations
Through this module you will gain skills to enable you to analyse and appreciate the emergence and development of digitalisation within organisations. On completing the module, you will appreciate the scope and dynamism of digitalisation.
How will I learn on this module?
The lectures will provide you with a theoretical underpinning of the module content, supported by workshops.
The module has a supporting reading list that provides you with an opportunity to explore how digitalisation has occurred across the economy, government and third sector.
The directed study will support and complement the work you have undertaken in face-to-face sessions.
Independent learning time is set aside for learning activities, self-identified by you, to gain a deeper and broader knowledge of the subject. You may undertake further reading.
The continuous practical nature of the workshops means that tutor (formative) feedback will be continuously received. In-class evaluations and directed learning activity provide formative assessment. Blackboard Ultra, the electronic learning platform, will be used to distribute material.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Support will be provided to you be a member of academic staff acting as module tutor as well as a teaching team providing the lecture and workshop material.
Your module is supported by an e-learning portal, which houses lecture materials, seminars, case studies and how-to multimedia and text files.
You will also receive a wide-ranging electronic reading list comprised of various books, conference papers and journal articles relevant to the material covered by the module.
There are two components to the assessment for this module. The first is a group presentation that explores digitalisation within the context of the government / third sector. The group work is worth 40% of the marks for this module. The second piece of assessment is an individual report focusing on digitalisation within organisations and is worth 60% of the marks for this module.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1: Understand the drivers for digitalisations and the benefits that it brings society and organisations.
MLO2: Appreciation of the obstacles to digitalisation within organisations.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO3: The ability to analyse the motivations for and the barriers to digitalisation within organisations
MLO4: Critical evaluation of digitalisation drawing on multiple data sources
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5: Communicate and work effectively in a group
How will I be assessed?
1. Group project – 40%
30-minute group presentation focusing on the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation. Feedback, verbal (when presented) and written (after the presentation) will be provided. (MLOs 1,2,3,4,5)
2. Individual report – 60%
2500-word (excluding references) individual report. Written feedback will be provided.
(MLOs 1,2,3,4,5)
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Digitalisation has changed organisations. From encouraging global value chains to the replacement of labour with technology and online shopping, digitalisation has been widely adopted across the economy, government and third sector. Innovative new business models have been adopted, and existing products and services delivered in new ways. While it has brought about enormous benefits, barriers to digitalisation have also been encountered that shape is adoption and limit not only the advantages that may result but also those who may enjoy them.
Understanding both the drivers and barriers to digitalisation is the focus of this module. The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and student-led activities. Throughout this module you will be introduced to models and frameworks that can be applied to understanding digitalisation within organisations. The knowledge gained over the course of the module will enable you to appreciate the widespread impact that digitalisation has had on organisations, government and the third sector.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Full Time with Advanced Practice
1 other options available
Department Newcastle Business School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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