Explore how the MSc in Digital Transformation prepares future digital leaders.
Digital transformation is no longer optional for organisations that want to stay competitive. Businesses need leaders who can understand both the potential and the limitations of technology and the strategic, human, and organisational factors that determine its success.
In this Q&A, Programme Director Dr Dionysios Demetis introduces the University of Hull’s MSc in Digital Transformation. He shares his background, explains how the programme is designed to prepare students for senior leadership roles, and shows how it blends academic theory with applied case studies to develop practical, career-ready expertise.
Can you just tell us a bit about your background and your role here at the University?
Dionysios: As Programme Director for the MSc in Digital Transformation, I manage the programme’s portfolio of modules and oversee its business-focused elements from Hull Business School’s perspective.
My work focuses on the managerial and strategic dimensions of digital transformation that extend beyond specific technologies.
This includes areas such as transaction monitoring systems, decision support systems, AI tools, communication platforms – practically any information system that businesses might use to position themselves for success in a complex and competitive digital transformation landscape.
Can you tell us about the MSc Digital Transformation?
Dionysios: We’ve designed our MSc with the intention of developing managers, ideally senior managers. Many of our students are looking to move into positions like Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Digital Officer (CDO), or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
The programme reflects the idea that meaningful digital transformation must consider the strategic aspects of business, and the problems associated with it.
So, in this respect, we’re technology agnostic. Success or failure does not depend on the technology itself. We observe that all the time: the exact same technology can lead to a meaningful organizational change if implemented well, and a complete disaster if the social, company-specific, cultural, and other dynamics are ignored.
So from the perspective of the MSc, success or failure is not contingent on the technology itself and this allows us to explore how strategic alignment between technology and business strategy occurs, as well as how human-related problems, and managerial-related problems should be considered. These include resistance to change from employees, skill gaps, decision-making challenges, and digital strategy design, for example.
Whether that's ERP systems, AI, or e-commerce platforms, managers should balance how the promises of technology are aligned with organisational conditions, data governance, and the strategic horizon of the business.
There’s no coding required in our programme. We welcome people from all backgrounds. Even though we do have a few students with technical experience, many of our students have no tech experience and are looking to move into the technology space, or get into management-related roles that involve technology.
In that sense, we develop transdisciplinary individuals who are looking to gain more managerial responsibilities in their businesses.
How does the course balance theory and real-world application?
Dionysios: There's a good balance between theory and applied cases. In the module on digital strategy for example, around 80% of the content is built around in-depth case studies of digital transformation from Harvard Business Review. Each week, we focus on a different company, combining theoretical concepts with a detailed analysis of its transformation journey.
For example, we examine Amazon’s digital transformation, or Domino’s Pizza, which might not seem like an obvious case but has evolved into a highly technology-driven business. We also look at companies like Ripple when exploring cryptocurrencies and blockchain.
These cases are based on Harvard Business Review materials, providing rich detail and a solid foundation for class discussions. Students often contribute their own professional experiences with digital transformation projects, which adds valuable real-world insight.
The programme offers many opportunities to engage with applied, case-based studies both in this module and across others.
Discover the MSc in Digital Transformation at the University of Hull
As Dr Dionysios Demetis has outlined, this programme offers a comprehensive introduction to the strategic, managerial and organisational aspects of digital transformation. It combines academic theory with real-world case studies, giving you the insight to understand how technology shapes business success across industries.
If you would like to explore the course in more detail, visit our MSc Digital Transformation page:
