Digital Transformation

Students must complete 12.00 credits total, consisting of:

• 12.00 credits of required courses

Required Courses:

• MBAN 5140 3.00 VISUAL ANALYTICS AND MODELLING

  This course is an introduction to the fundamental theories of visual communication design applied in data visualization and visual analytics. Students become familiar with data-driven decision making workflows and storytelling best practices. Major areas for discussion include visual design principals, data structures, taxonomy of data visualization models and weekly technical tutorials using the Tableau software.

• MBAN 6200 3.00 REALIZING VALUE FROM AI AND ANALYTICS IN ORGANIZATIONS

  This course provides a practical grounding in analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) and its business applications in organizations. Students will learn how to address business pain points through AI and analytics solutions and how to sell and deliver project ideas. Students will gain skills needed to transform an organization into an innovative, efficient and data driven company of the future.

• MBAN 6500 3.00 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN BUSINESS I

  Students are introduced to the field of artificial intelligence, with a focus on business applications and a historical perspective that covers the basic terminology and concepts. The course covers multiple facets of artificial intelligence including knowledge representation and symbolic reasoning; biologically inspired approaches to artificial intelligence; supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning; multi-agent systems; planning; and natural language processing.

• OMIS 6610 3.00 DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN SERVICES

  Digital technologies are changing the way service organizations do business and interact with their customers. Students explore and learn the foundations of digital transformation and make the connection among strategy, technology, and implementation. The course will provide students with real-life business cases in which various trade-offs must be made according to the technology, the business strategy, and the service requirements.

• OMIS 6620 3.00 DESIGN THINKING

  This course trains managers who participate in solving difficult business problems (e.g. IT transformations) how to modify their perspective on problem solving to innovate in organizations. Using design thinking, managers learn how to engage with their peers and users using a hands-on, step-by-step process. They learn how to contextualize problems, brainstorm, prototype and test technical solutions that achieve real-world validation.

Elective Courses:

It is also recommended that students in this specialization take courses from the following list of electives:

• OMIS 6610 3.00 DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN SERVICES

  Digital technologies are changing the way service organizations do business and interact with their customers. Students explore and learn the foundations of digital transformation and make the connection among strategy, technology, and implementation. The course will provide students with real-life business cases in which various trade-offs must be made according to the technology, the business strategy, and the service requirements.

• ORGS 6350 3.00 MANAGING CHANGE
  As the environment of many business and nonprofit organizations becomes increasingly complex and unstable, it is imperative that top managers be able to create a climate of flexibility and adaptability in their operations. Organizations must be able to undertake major change without destructive side effects to be truly successful. This course surveys the major methods available to the modern manager for effectively managing the process of change and creating a general climate in which needed changes are sought and welcomed throughout the organization. The course emphasizes case studies and the discussion of alternative change management models. Prerequisite: SB/ORGS 5100 3.00 or INTL 5220 for IMBA students
• ORGS 6400 3.00 POWER AND POLITICS IN ORGANIZATIONS
  This course examines, both conceptually and in a highly experiential ways, the basic dynamics underlying power, conflict and politics in organizations and the implications of the dance between power and powerlessness. Students explore the conditions under which conflict and power dynamics occur and start to identify their personal, managerial and organizational sources of influence and corresponding responsibilities. Prerequisite change: SB/ORGS 5100 3.0 or INTL 5220 3.0 for IMBA students
• ORGS 6420 3.00 CRISIS MANAGEMENT
  Crises in organizations are inevitable, and whether an organization survives them is due in large part to the actions of its managers and leaders. This course provides students with an overview of key factors in organizational crisis management, including (1) Assessing Crisis Vulnerabilities; (2) Planning for Crises; and (3) Managing during Crises. Prerequisites: All 5000-series Required Foundations of Management Core Courses.
• ORGS 6500 3.00 INTERPERSONAL MANAGERIAL SKILLS
  Research demonstrates that people and their ability to work effectively together are critical success factors for organizations. This course focuses on specific personal and interpersonal skills for organizational (and professional) effectiveness. With an emphasis on experiential exercises, the course helps students develop skills such as communication; time, conflict and stress management; performance management; gaining influence; and self-awareness (including emotional intelligence). Prerequisite: SB/ORGS 5100 3.0 and SB/ORGS MGMT 5150 3.0
• ORGS 6560 3.00 NEGOTIATIONS
  This course will provide students with insight into their own negotiation style and how to become a more effective negotiator. The course takes an experiential approach to exploring the concepts, theories, and psychology of negotiations. Students will gain knowledge of the different approaches to negotiations and the strategies and tactics unique to each. The course will provide students with opportunity to learn, practice, and refine negotiation skills as well as equip them with the skills necessary to negotiate constructive resolution to conflict in the workplace. Prerequisite: SB/ORGS 5100 3.0 or INTL 5220 3.0 for IMBA students
• ORGS 6650 3.00 THE ART AND SCIENCE OF LEADERSHIP
  This course provides future leaders a multifaceted approach to Leadership. Knowledge and skills are developed via: 1) exposure to current theories/research; 2) knowledge of one's current level of leadership ability via assessment tools; 3) opportunities to practice applying this new knowledge via course activities and projects. Students develop an in-depth plan for their own future development and success as leaders. Prerequisite: SB/ORGS 5100 3.0 or INTL 5220 3.0 for IMBA students
• ORGS 6720 3.00 MANAGING TEAM DYNAMICS

  Organizations have moved to flatter, team-based structures. Unfortunately, team dynamics (and ultimately team performance) is often left to chance. This course draws on solid empirical research to help future team managers increase the probability of team success. Participants will draw from their own experiences in discussing team management skills, and will apply them in experiential exercises (no group hugs).
  Prerequisites: SB/ORGS 5100 3.00 and SB/MGMT 6150 3.00 (Previously offered as SB/MGMT 5150 3.00)

• SGMT 6250 3.00 STRATEGY EXECUTION

  This course addresses the managerial challenge of executing a firm's strategy, by focusing on organizational elements that must be aligned to support a strategy as well as the tremendous difficulty of doing so. These elements include, but are not limited to, organizational structures and control mechanisms that "match" the given strategy as well as strategic leadership. Students learn and apply theory regarding strategy execution by analyzing implementation and performance in specific firms.

  Prerequisite: SGMT 6000 3.0

NOTE: Not all courses required to fulfill a specialization are offered each term. Course offerings are based on factors such as student demand and instructor availability. The office of Student Services & International Relations is available to provide advising on course sequencing and the fulfillment of program and specialization requirements within a student’s period of study. For current course offerings and details, please view the Schulich Course Offerings Database.

Those interested in learning about the Digital Transformation specialization should contact Professor Murat Kristal. Please note, Professor Murat Kristal cannot assist with enrolment, such email requests will not be answered. If you have questions about enrolment, please contact Student Services.