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2026/2027  BA-BSEMO2583U  Managing Coding in Service Management

English Title
Managing Coding in Service Management

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Third Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Service and Markets
Programme Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Service Management
Course coordinator
  • Ole Torp Lassen - Department of Digitalisation (DIGI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Innovation
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 25-06-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
After completing this course, students should be able to:
  • Explain the role of computers, software, and coding in the creation and operation of digital services.
  • Describe the technological foundations of digital systems, including data, databases, systems, software development, and security.
  • Discuss the opportunities and limitations of contemporary software development practices, including AI-assisted programming.
  • Discuss the opportunities and limitations of contemporary software development practices, including AI-assisted programming.
  • Reflect on governance, compliance, societal implications, and managerial challenges associated with digital technologies.
Examination
Managing Coding in Service Management:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Active participation

The completion of this course is based on active student participation in class. The course will be considered as passed if the students participation - based on an overall assessment - in the class activities fulfill the learning objectives of the course. The individual student’s participation is assessed by the teacher.
The student must participate in A combination of assignment and presentation
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Grading scale Pass / Fail
Examiner(s) Assessed solely by the teacher
Exam period Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam Home assignment - written product
Size of written product: Max. 10 pages
Assignment type: Written assignment
Duration: Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Description of activities
A combination of assignment and presentation: The students will prepare and present an assignment in class. The presentation will form the basis of a class discussion and students will receive critique and feedback from the teacher.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Digital services increasingly depend on software systems, data infrastructures, platforms, and technological ecosystems. While service managers are rarely expected to develop software themselves, they are increasingly required to understand the technological landscape within which digital services are designed, developed, maintained, and governed.

 

This course provides a high-level introduction to coding and the technological foundations of digital services. The aim is not to develop programming proficiency or industry-level technical competencies, but to familiarize students with the concepts, terminology, opportunities, and challenges associated with software-based services and digital systems.

 

Through a series of thematic seminars, students are introduced to central topics such as coding, software development, data and databases, systems and system development, security, platforms, governance, and emerging technologies. The course combines introductory lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and student activities to provide students with a broad overview of the field and its relevance for service management.

 

Selected practical elements may be included to illustrate key concepts and provide students with first-hand exposure to technologies that underpin digital services.

 

These activities are intended to support understanding rather than technical skill development.

 

The course places particular emphasis on helping students:

  • develop a broad understanding of the technological foundations underlying digital services
  • become familiar with central concepts, terminology, and technologies relevant to software-based services
  • recognize common opportunities, limitations, risks, and governance challenges associated with digital systems
  • understand how technological choices influence the design, operation, and management of digital services
  • communicate effectively with technical specialists and other stakeholders by developing a shared conceptual vocabulary

 

The course is intended as an orientation to a broad field. It aims to stimulate curiosity and provide students with a foundation for understanding how technological systems shape contemporary service organizations and digital services.
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The course includes lectures, case discussions, presentations and exercises.
• Lectures, physical or pre-recorded will cover coding fundamentals, historical context, and theoretical models.
• Exercises will focus on discussions, case studies, and applications of coding in digital service management.
• Students will work in groups to analyze coding-related case studies and receive feedback.
• Group activities will encourage participation and real-world problem-solving.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback During the Teaching Period:
Students will receive feedback in multiple ways:
• During lectures, through interaction with the teacher.
• During exercises, including Q&A sessions about the lecture.
• From case presentation feedback during exercises.
Student workload
Regular class sessions 38 hours
Readings (approx. 550 pages of literature) 127 hours
Other preparation before class 20 hours
Preparation for and participation in the exam: 30 hours
Expected literature

Wirtz, J., Kunz, W. H., & Paluch, S. (2021). "The far-reaching impact of transformative technologies on service management: The role of AI and robotics." Journal of Service Research, 24(4), 514–532.

 

Holmlund, M., Van Vaerenbergh, Y., Ciuchita, R., & Yrjölä, M. (2020). "Digital platforms as service ecosystems: A relational view." Journal of Business Research, 115, 278–288.

 

Rha, J. S., & Lee, J. (2022). "Digital transformation trends in service industries." Service Business, 16(4), 1105–1137.

 

Sjödin, D., Parida, V., Kohtamäki, M., & Wincent, J. (2020). "An agile co-creation process for digital servitization: A micro-service innovation approach." Journal of Business Research, 112, 478–491.

 

Boudreau, K. J., & Lakhani, K. R. (2016). Innovation experiments: Researching technical advance, knowledge production, and the design of supporting institutions. Management Science, 62(6), 1505–1518.

 

Mithas, S., Tafti, A., & Mitchell, W. (2015). How a firm’s competitive environment and digital strategic posture influence digital business strategy. MIS Quarterly, 39(2), 511–536.

 

Lee, G., & Xia, W. (2016). Toward agile: An integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative field data on software development agility. MIS Quarterly, 40(1), 87–114.

 

Gemino, A., Reich, B. H., & Sauer, C. (2015). A temporal model of information technology project performance. Journal of Management Information Systems, 32(3), 174–207.

 

Wamba, S. F., Akter, S., Edwards, A., Chopin, G., & Gnanzou, D. (2015). How ‘big data’ can make big impact: Findings from a systematic review and a longitudinal case study. International Journal of Production Economics, 165, 234–246.

 

Wirtz, B. W., Weyerer, J. C., & Sturm, B. J. (2020). The impact of digital transformation on service management: Insights from the public sector. Journal of Service Management, 31(4), 637–657.

 

Piccarozzi, M., Aquilani, B., & Gatti, C. (2018). Industry 4.0 in management studies: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 10(10), 3821.

 

Mittelstadt, B. D., Allo, P., Taddeo, M., Wachter, S., & Floridi, L. (2016). The ethics of algorithms: Mapping the debate. Big Data & Society, 3(2), 1–21.
Last updated on 25-06-2026