DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

Digital transformation and sustainability (a.k.a. Twin transition) have become imperative for companies of all sizes in the current global scenario. The course aims to clarify the definitions of innovation and to explore the transformational role technological and digital innovations can play in advancing sustainability. The course introduces the most relevant concepts, frameworks and strategic tools used at the corporate level to understand how technological and digital innovations can power the environmental and social sustainability transition. To this end, the specific objectives of this course are the following: • Understand the key definitions of innovation and the main themes; • Understand the key concepts, including digitalization, digital transformation, and digital sustainability; • Understand the role of technological and digital innovations in advancing environmental and social sustainability; • Understand the system of relationships, information and the skills needed to govern digital transformation and environmental and social sustainability in a company; • Understand how to leverage the potential of digital transformation in advancing environmental and social sustainability using new forms of business model innovation; • Explore the strategic tools closely linked to technological and digital innovations that underpin sustainability management; • Critically evaluate the negative impacts of digital transformation and how to mitigate them to ensure environmental and social sustainability.

There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to understand: • The key definitions, concepts and tools enabling technological and digital innovations to advance environmental and social sustainability. • The role, the system of relationships, the potential and the risks associate to implement technological and digital transformation to ensure environmental and social sustainability.

The course aims to clarify the definitions of innovation and to explore the transformational role technological and digital innovations can play in advancing sustainability. The course introduces the most relevant concepts, frameworks and strategic tools used at the corporate level to understand how technological and digital innovations can power the environmental and social sustainability transition. The themes of digital transformation and sustainability will be discussed in the light of the main enabling factors and hindering barriers companies of all sizes face in the current global scenario.

There is no single core textbook. A selection of readings and cases plus the slides will be uploaded on the platform.

The teaching will be characterized by frontal lessons, case studies, simulations, testimonials and group exercises. The course may involve presentations by experts, managers and/or business owners for the purpose of better illustrating some of the issues of the course programme.

The assessment of this course will be based on a multiple level. An individual written exam could include a short case study analysis, multiple choice questions and open question/exercises. A groupwork on a real company project. An individual homework assignment could be considered as an alternative assessement option.

A selection will be made on the basis of the commitment shown during the course and examination results.