Module: Digital Business Eco-system

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Digital Business Eco-system
Module Code	SB105 (ITS) / BAA1042 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Cliona Mcparland
Module Teachers	Fabrizio Amarilli
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module introduces students to the metaphor and logic of Digital Business Ecosystems. Learners are provided with a grounding and understanding of the ecosystem concept, commencing with an appreciation of the historical evolution of technology culminating in the 4th Industrial Revolution. Ecosystems are then unpacked to explore key theoretical underpinnings, key actors and actions, and how value can be created. Through this journey, learners will discover the significance of eco-systems concepts such as modularity, multilateralism co-ordination, and platforms in providing opportunities and challenges for digital business creation and evolution. Key concepts are applied via an assessment which explores the operationalization of eco-systems in a specific context (entrepreneurship, healthcare, manufacturing, education) both to explore evolution and also to map out future scenarios. The module ends with an appreciation of prospective unintended consequences and value destruction in eco-systems, including lock in effects and path dependency.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand the meaning and role of business eco-systems
2. Identify and explore the key eco-system actors
3. explore value creation in digital business eco-systems
4. gain an awareness and understanding of the creation, evolution and destruction of eco-systems

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Workshop	24	No Description
Online activity	25	No Description
Directed learning	80	No Description
Assignment Completion	97	No Description
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Why we are where we are
Understanding the evolution of technological progress through the agricultural, industrial, computing and the 4th industrial revolution.

Theory and meaning of eco-systems
What is an ecosystem? Networks effects, Metcalfe's law, complex Systems, value chains, platforms and co-creation. Eco-systems in differing context (e.g. healthcare, entrepreneurship, manufacturing).

Eco-systems actors and actions
Identifying key actors. The economics of bits and the economics of atoms. Exploring how companies can organise internally to manage ecosystems.

Value creation in eco-systems
Understanding collaboration. From alliances to eco-systems. Modularity, Multilateralism and Co-ordination. Mapping business ecosystems and digital chains. New Organizational Forms.

What got us here, won’t get us there
Drivers of eco-system change and dynamics. Evolution and destruction in eco-systems. Lock in effects and path dependency. Panda’s Thumb of technology.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Sharing of insights, relevant material and contribution to forum on loop	15%	n/a
Poster presentation	Visual depiction of chosen digital business eco-system	15%	n/a
Research Paper	Part a) Individual identification of eco-system and mapping	35%	n/a
Group project	Part b) Group assessment - application of business eco-system logic to enhance understanding of evolution and future scenarios	35%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Frey, C. B.: 2019, The Technology Trap: Capital, Labour and Power in the Age of Automation, Princeton University Press.,
Corallo, A., Passiante, G., & Prencipe, A.: 2007, The Digital Business Ecosystem, Edward Elgar.,

Other Resources

44017, Website, Dietz, M., Khan, H., & Rab, I., 2020, How do companies create value from digital eco-systems? McKinsey Insights August. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/how-do-companies-create-value-from-digital-ecosystems, https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/how-do-companies-create-value-from-digital-ecosystems, 44018, Website, BCG, 2020, Do You Need a Business Ecosystem?, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2019/do-you-need-business-ecosystem,