This course will examine critical issues, current debates and key concepts related to digital transformation of society, with a focus the development, deployment and regulation of disruptive technologies in the public sector. Topics will explore contemporary issues and challenges faced by public managers and civil servants in digital environments, particularly related to the areas of leadership culture, interactions with citizens, employee behaviour, internal efficiency, job displacement, and the future of work. The course will be divided into project teams working on different topics around a real-world case study. Each team will meet regularly with the supervisor to design and execute the project, to discuss progress, results and final output.

Upon completion of the course, students are able to

- Critically evaluate a research question in the broad topic of Digital Economy from the view of (micro)economics and information systems
- Plan a research project to answer such a research question
- Perform a structured literature search on a given topic
- Design an experiment or empirical study for a specific research question
- Identify appropriate analysis methods
- Conduct appropriate statistical analyses for said data
- Interpret the results of said analyses and evaluate them critically
- Write a research paper according to current academic standards from the relevant disciplines describing the research project and its outcomes

Attendance is mandatory.

Pursuant to the general guidelines issued by the Vice-Rector for Academic Programs and Student Affairs, the attendance requirement is met if a student is present at least 80% of the time.

Students conduct an interdisciplinary research project spanning all stages: from defining a research question, doing a literature research, to stating hypotheses, implementing an experimental or empirical study, analysing the experimental or empirical data and interpreting and critically reflecting the findings. Besides acquiring methodological knowledge, students gain practical experience in planning and carrying out a research project and also take the perspective of a project manager. Students work in groups and are coached regularly by the two lecturers.

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