Procurement and digitalization, 7.5 credits

Contents

Digitalization has come to play a pivotal role for the ability of public organizations to fulfil their missions and manage challenges that follow changing societal conditions, resources, and the role of public organizations. Drawing on Information Systems research, the course introduces fundamental perspectives, concepts, and theories related to organizational level digitalization in order to describe and explain how digitalization affects procurement requirements and shape procurement processes in public sector organizations. Through these concepts, the course affords analyses of how digitalization impacts for example what is procured, which requirements are identified and considered, how the relationship between the supplier and the procuring organization is shaped, and how the procurement process is designed and managed. As a whole, the course aims at providing useful analyses of public organizations in relation to procurement and digitalization.

Expected learning outcomes

Regarding knowledge and understanding the student is expected to be able to:
1. Account fo relevant concepts from the Information Systems (IS) research field related to digitalization, digital innovation, and information infrastructure.
2. Identify and account for different types of digital tools for procurement process support.

Regarding skill and ability, the student is expected to be able to:
3. Analyze how digital tools affect the conditions for procurement process design and practice.
4. Analyze how digitalization impacts and shapes requirement identification and evaluation in procurement processes.
5. Develop guidelines for how digitalization on different levels should be considered in procurement processes.

Regarding critical thinking, the student is expected to be able to:
6. Critically evaluate the impact of digitalization on procurement in public sector organizations, including but not limited to design and management of procurement processes.

Form of instruction

The course is delivered entirely online via a digital learning platform, with an asynchronous study pace that allows students to access materials and adapt their study schedule to their individual circumstances within the course duration. Instruction is primarily provided through recorded lectures and guidance in conjunction with self-study. Instruction is normally conducted in Swedish. If necessary, the required computer applications that students are expected to use independently will be introduced and provided. Some guidance may be provided regarding the use of these applications. Strong skills in written communication and English are essential for successfully completing the course.

Examination modes

The forms of assessment used are individual written exams and individual assignments. The course is graded as “Pass with Distinction,” “Pass,” or “Fail.” For students who do not pass the regular exam, an additional exam is normally scheduled shortly thereafter. Students who have not passed after two exam sessions are normally given the opportunity to participate in special make-up sessions held thereafter. Students who have taken the regular exam and a retake for a course or part of a course without passing are entitled to have a different examiner or grader appointed for the next retake, unless there are special reasons to the contrary. Requests for a change of examiner or grading instructor are handled by the Director of Studies at the Department of Informatics.If there are special reasons, the examiner has the right to decide on a different form of examination.