Registration does not begin until 02.10.2026 at 08:00. It ends on 12.10.2026 at 23:59.

For this group research project, you will be responsible for designing and implementing a research project centered around the field of digital transformation, with a particular emphasis on the ecological and social impact of these transformations.

We will explore the exciting and rapidly evolving field of digital transformation and its impact on organizations. We will focus on how digitalization can lead to social and ecological transformation processes within businesses.The use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, virtual reality (i.e., the metaverse) or IoT (Internet of Things) is rapidly changing the way organizations operate and create value. As managers, it is essential that you to understand these trends and how to leverage them to create sustainable, socially responsible, and profitable businesses. You will create your own research question and explore the topic within your project. Exemplary research questions resolve around:
- To what extent do digital transformation initiatives contribute to or hinder ecological sustainability, and what are the main trade-offs that need to be considered?
- How can organizations leverage digital transformation to mitigate the environmental impact of their operations, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste?
- What role do digital platforms and ecosystems play in fostering sustainable business models, and how can they be designed to encourage ecological transformation?
-What ethical and social considerations need to be taken into account when using digital technologies to drive ecological transformation, and how can organizations balance competing priorities?
- How can digital technologies be used to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility among employees, customers, and stakeholders?

Course:
This course consists of the following 10 parts: (1) discussing relevant theories in the field of organization theory and digital transformation, (2) identifying a gap or puzzle and formulating a research question, (3) understanding different qualitative research designs, (5) designing a qualitative study (data access and data collection), (6) analyzing and interpreting qualitative data using a grounded-theory approach (7) coding qualitative data with MaxQDA, (8) presenting and writing-up qualitative findings, (9) building theory from qualitative findings (10) ethics in qualitative research.

Aim of the course is to give students an advanced understanding of digital transformation from an organization theory perspective. Students will gain knowledge in extracting research questions and in transferring those research questions into an empirical study. Students will extend their overall research skills in specified areas of research. They will improve their social competencies by working in small groups to conduct a research project and learn how to coordinate, organise, and negotiate in teams to complete the research project on time.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html