Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Digital Business Environments
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: INF11114
Module leader: Colin Smith
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Applied Informatics
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of how organisations exploit the digital environment to create value, engage with customers and stakeholders, and develop digital capabilities. You will explore key concepts, theories and analytical frameworks relating to digital business, including business models, digital marketplaces, customer channel structures, value configurations, digital ecosystems, competitive environments and wider contextual factors.You will develop skills in critically appraising information, data and digital analytics, and applying these to the analysis of a real organisation. A key feature of the module is the opportunity to exercise independent judgement in selecting and justifying appropriate analytical approaches for a specific organisation.You will synthesise evidence from academic, organisational, sectoral and digital sources to critically evaluate an organisation’s digital capabilities and strategic position, before developing and justifying actionable recommendations. The module therefore combines academic knowledge, digital analytics and professional practice, developing your ability to apply postgraduate-level critical thinking and independent judgement to contemporary digital business challenges.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically evaluate concepts, theories and frameworks relating to digital business environments and their application to contemporary organisational contexts.

LO2: Critically appraise and select appropriate sources of information, data and digital analytics to investigate complex digital business issues, recognising their relevance, quality and limitations.

LO3: Exercise autonomy in selecting, justifying and applying appropriate analytical approaches to evaluate how organisations exploit digital capabilities, create value and develop relationships within digital environments.

LO4: Synthesise and critically evaluate evidence from multiple sources and perspectives to develop independent, well-supported judgements about an organisation’s digital capabilities, performance and strategic position.

LO5: Develop and justify actionable recommendations in response to complex digital business opportunities and challenges, critically evaluating the strengths, limitations and implications of the analytical approach adopted.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 3, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Colin Smith
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 20 TR3-Here, the core material for the module is covered sequentially through the trimester.
Face To Face Tutorial 10 TR3-These provide the opportunity to apply concepts and theories covered in lectures onto real-world situations, with work done in groups and individually. Formative feedback is core to the experience.
Independent Learning Practical classes and workshops 12 TR3-These focus on the collection and analysis of analytics data mapping onto the concepts and theories addressed in the tutorials.
Online Guided independent study 158 TR3-Guided independent study
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Report 30 1~2~5 Week 6 , WORDS= 2000 words TR3-This is a 'planning piece' for work to be produced for Report 2. It captures significant preparatory work: decisions taken regarding focus and approach, with a clear rationale required for those decisions.
Report 70 1~2~3~4~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 3000 words TR3-This is a full analysis of a digital business delivered using the tools and concepts delivered in the module, reflecting the conceptual understanding of those tools and concepts developed in the tutorials, and drawing on relevant data collected in the practicals.
Component 1 subtotal: 30
Component 2 subtotal: 70
Module subtotal: 100
2026/7, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Colin Smith
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Tutorial 10 Tutorials develop the ability to critically evaluate and apply analytical approaches to real-world digital business contexts. Through discussion and guided activities, you will consider the strengths, limitations and relevance of different approaches and develop the ability to select and justify appropriate methods for particular organisational contexts.
Independent Learning Practical classes and workshops 12 Practical sessions develop skills in critically evaluating and interpreting digital analytics and other relevant data. You will use digital tools to investigate websites, apps and digital ecosystems, assess the relevance and limitations of available data, and apply evidence to support independent analysis and judgement.
Face To Face Lecture 20 Lectures develop critical understanding of key concepts, theories and frameworks relating to digital business environments. They examine how digital technologies influence business models, value creation, markets, customer and stakeholder relationships, competitive environments and wider contextual factors, while encouraging critical consideration of their application and limitations.
Online Guided independent study 158 This enables you to undertake independent research and critically extend learning from lectures, tutorials and practicals. You will investigate your chosen organisation and its wider context, critically appraise academic and other sources, explore and evaluate alternative analytical approaches, and make informed decisions about the evidence and methods most appropriate to your analysis. Independent study supports the development of an original, evidence-based analysis and enables you to critically reflect on the conclusions, recommendations and limitations of your work.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Report 30 1~2~3 Week 7 , WORDS= 1500 words You will produce a short planning report for a selected digital organisation. You will justify your choice of organisation, critically evaluate the availability and usefulness of relevant information and data sources, and assess alternative analytical approaches for investigating the organisation. The report establishes and justifies the direction for your subsequent independent analysis in Report 2.
Report 70 1~2~3~4~5 Exam Period , WORDS= 3000 words You will undertake an independent, critical analysis of how a selected organisation is exploiting the digital environment. You will identify and analyse relevant contextual factors, evaluate the organisation’s digital capabilities using appropriate analytical approaches, and synthesise evidence from academic, organisational and digital sources. You will conclude with justified, actionable recommendations and a critical assessment of the strengths and limitations of the approach you have taken.
Component 1 subtotal: 30
Component 2 subtotal: 70
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
INF11114 Digital Business Environments
 

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