Digital Innovation Management (MSc)

The content of the degree programme is divided into the following subject areas:

In the area of digital innovation, we will discuss the key differences between digital and traditional innovation and how innovation can be managed: How does innovation happen? What are barriers, what are drivers? How is it possible to create innovations sustainably and continuously? What are traditional approaches to innovation and what are the differences compared to digital? How do you design new business models?

In the area of management and digital transformation, the effects of digital innovation on, e.g., corporate structure and working methods are addressed and how these can be managed: How do you manage to combine traditional and new business? Which strategies are suitable for making companies agile and advancing digitalisation? How to successfully manage companies in the digital environment?

In the area of projects, current challenges from practice partners are dealt with. Furthermore, currently implemented or planned solutions from practice are discussed. In addition to project management issues, the questions to be worked on differ depending on current challenges of practice partners. Examples are: How do I introduce an AI-supported system into a previously predominantly manual production process? How will the change be managed? How should the innovation process be designed to accomodate radical digital innovations?

The soft skills area is about interdisciplinary skills: How do I present convincingly? How do I moderate a topic? How do I conduct negotiations? How do I proceed in a consulting project?

In the area of methods, you will learn how to use creativity techniques and innovation games beneficially. Furthermore, you will practice analysing scientific papers and writing your own scientific papers, considering that the master's thesis qualifies as scientific paper.

In the first semester, you will learn the basics of innovation management, strategy and leadership, how to design an innovative organisation and business models, how to measure success, and how to conduct consulting projects. The topics are jointly developed in the interplay of current research results and methods used in practice, and enriched with project and team tasks.

The second semester focuses on projects with practice partners, introduces current topics such as artificial intelligence and design, and intensifies the knowledge of methods and structuring of scientific work with IS Research, thus preparing for the master’s thesis that follows in the third semester.

The third semester focuses on the preparation of the master’s thesis and supports and accompanies the thesis through the Academic Writing module in its structuring and correct formulation in English. The curriculum is rounded off by interpersonal skills and the training of convincing presentations, moderation of groups, and leading negotiations.

1th semester

• Introduction to Digital Innovation
• Digital Innovation Strategy
• Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship
• Strategy and Performance Management
• Consulting
• Digital Business Models & Approaches

2nd semester

•   Innovation Project
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Organization and Processes
• Design for Digital Innovation
• Digital Innovation in industry
• IS Research

3rd semester

• Interpersonal Skills
• Academic Writing
• Masterthesis und Seminar

What opportunities does the Master of Digital Innovation Management programme open up?

The job descriptions are diverse and the job offers numerous. Typical areas that are currently being sought relate to:

• Consulting for digitalisation and innovation (in-house or with consulting firms) with topics such as development and optimization of innovation processes, support in tapping digitization potential, and development of leadership and management models.
• Team and project management
• Project portfolio management of digitalisation projects

Other career options in the area of business analysis and business development, as well as in staff positions of executive management, include the identification and expansion of new business areas, such as data-driven business models. Graduates can also move directly into strategy and business model development.

• University degree with a minimum of 210 ECTS credits (University degree does not reach 210 ECTS)
• Average mark of 2.5 or better
• 15 ECTS from the field of IT management, information technology (IT) as well as business administration. We will test this knowledge as part of the application process. (Alternatively, oral exams (30 minutes each) can be taken at Neu-Ulm University.)
• 5 ECTS scientific work (optionally, a research proposal can be submitted)
• Ideally, applicants also have knowledge of business administration
• English B2
• For international applicants: German A1
  (The language certificate must be submitted by the end of the first semester.)
• The programme is approval-free

_{^{* Alternatively, oral examinations (30 minutes each) can be taken at Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences}}

Winter semester: 02.05. – 31.08.  

For non-EU applicants:
Winter semester: 02.05. – 15.07.

The programme is only offered in the winter semester.

The following text provides an overview of the key points of the Enrolment Regulations. In the case of discrepancies, the Enrolment Regulations are binding.

Yes.

The HNU bachelor’s degree programmes in the following subjects fulfil this requirement:

• Business Information Systems
• Information Management Automotive
• Information Management and Corporate Communication

If you cannot provide the 15 ECTS from the area of IT Management, Information Technology (IT) as well as Business Administration, then you can alternatively take oral exams (30 minutes each) at Neu-Ulm University. The exams take place online. To prepare for the oral exams, online pre-courses as well as self-study material are provided.