Glob­al Di­git­al Trans­formation: Op­por­tun­it­ies and Risks

Course content

This course provides a critical examination of the advantages and, more importantly, potential risks associated with digital transformation.

Digital transformation is a global phenomenon that compels actors at all levels—firms, societies, and nations—to challenge existing paradigms and adopt new practices. While technological innovations offer significant opportunities, they also raise ethical concerns and intensify debates regarding their broader social impacts. Accordingly, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive understanding of both the direct and indirect, as well as the long-term, implications of digital transformation.

The diffusion of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, has accelerated across diverse industries and into daily life. This process encompasses not only corporate strategies but also government policies, such as regulatory compliance, governance, and societal adaptation. In the international context, digital transformation also intersects with pressing issues such as cybersecurity, sustainable development, and the persistence of the digital divide, in addition to global competition in the marketplace.

Through engagement with theoretical frameworks, such as institutional theory, global value chain analysis, and national innovation systems, this course analyses the multifaceted dynamics of digital transformation across different contexts. The focus of the course is on the normative dimensions, rather than the technical side.