Unit outline_

CEMS6014: Global Digital Transformation

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Digital innovation is transforming markets, organisations and management itself. It is an important means for businesses in creating value for customers, and a necessary aspect of a modern manager's mindset. On the one hand, managers have to be able to critically examine the nature and promises of digital technology to make sense of unfolding trends and to avoid the trappings of technological fashions. On the other hand, the field of digital innovation offers new managerial techniques and tools for effective organizational management in changing environments. In this unit students learn to re-imagine the way in which business is done through digital technology and to employ managerial innovations such as agile methods and insight generation and design thinking for creative problem framing and solving. Learning is based on hands-on in-class activities, case study analysis, and classroom discussions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Management Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MMGT6015
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Katina Michael, katina.michael@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Katina Michael, katina.michael@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Portfolio or journal Blogposts
Socio-technical dimensions of digital transformation projects in public, private, third sector organisations, defence agencies and citizen science initiatives (Weeks 2-6)
10% Multiple weeks 500 words per blogpost + one diagram AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Interactive oral Interactive Oral
Implemented as an individual task, and built around an authentic scenario or simulation.
45% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 09:00

Closing date: 19 Sep 2025
20 minutes (oral) AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation group assignment Report presentation
Presentation and Q and A. Slides to be uploaded beforehand
10% Week 08
Due date: 13 Oct 2025 at 12:00
10 min + Q and A AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Written work group assignment Project report
35% for the report inclusive of 5 % for indivdiual contributions
35% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Nov 2025
5000 word report AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The course assessment is broken into four main components.

  • First, blogposts are due between Weeks 2-6 highlighting a digital transformation project using sociotechnical dimensions in diverse organisational/institutional contexts.
  • Second, in Week 7 there is an Interactive Oral based on the first 6 weeks of content taught in the subject, inclusive of 4 simulations. Students should be ready to present a response to a given scenario/simulation. A detailed schedule for the interactive orals will be made available in class and/or via CANVAS.
  • Third, a group presentation is to be delivered in Week 8, identifying key ideas of the group project as they are evolving.
  • Fourth, a group report is to be completed by Week 13.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Foundations of Digital Transformation Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Global Digital Landscape and Infrastructure Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Strategic Frameworks for Digital Transformation Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Technology Adoption and Change Management Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Industry Applications – Financial Services Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Industry Applications – Retail and E-commerce Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Industry Applications – Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Emerging Technologies – AI and Machine Learning Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Emerging Technologies – Blockchain and Web3 Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Global Implementation Challenges Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Future Trends and Strategic Planning Workshop (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. discuss, evaluate, and reflect on the key issues, debates, principles, concepts, and theories of the information society
  • LO2. apply appropriate methods for technology foresight and provide defensible evidence-based arguments to support the findings
  • LO3. plan, manage and write independent reflective research papers
  • LO4. analyse and reflect on complex material in individual and group work
  • LO5. work collaboratively to prepare narrative visualisations and/or infographics to display complex ideas in a clear and accurate manner.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Content has been updated to reflect recent technology trends

Disclaimer

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