Overview
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed traditional business models and given rise to platform-based ecosystems that redefine competition, value creation, and customer engagement. This unit explores the foundations of digital business models, platform economies, and disruptive innovation, equipping you with the knowledge to critically assess emerging business trends. You will examine case studies of successful digital businesses while also exploring challenges related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory concerns. The unit will provide hands-on experience in designing and evaluating digital business strategies, leveraging platform dynamics, network effects, and digital monetisation approaches to drive sustainable business growth.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Analyse and critically evaluate key digital business models and platform-based ecosystems in diverse industry contexts
- Apply digital platform strategies, including network effects, data-driven decision-making, and monetisation models, to develop competitive business strategies
- Select and use digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence-driven analytics, cloud computing, and blockchain to enhance platform-based business models.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | |||
| 2 - Presentation - 60% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.e.baker@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit
Chapter
See the unit Moodle site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Differences between traditional and digital business models.
What are business ecosystems?
Chapter
Learning Module 1 - Understanding and analysing digital business models and platform-based ecosystems.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Frameworks for analysing digital business models.
Chapter
Learning Module 1 - Understanding and analysing digital business models and platform-based ecosystems.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Analysing business models and ecosystems structures in Amazon, Spotify, and Uber.
Chapter
Learning Module 1 - Understanding and analysing digital business models and platform-based ecosystems.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
What are network effects and why are they important for digital platforms?
Applying digital platform strategies for growth and competitive advantage.
Chapter
Learning Module 2 - Applying platform strategies and decision-making tools.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
How is data used to drive decision making?
Ensuring data privacy, regulation, and cybersecurity.
Chapter
Learning Module 2 - Applying platform strategies and decision-making tools.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There are no topics covered in this week.
Chapter
There is no Learning Module studied this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Choosing the right digital business model.
Comparing monetisation models used by digital platforms.
Developing competitive strategies for digital platforms.
Chapter
Learning Module 2 - Applying platform strategies and decision-making tools.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Case study
Analysing digital businesses and platforms Due: Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Using AI-driven analytics to improve platform performance and decision-making.
Data dashboards and visualisation with Tableau.
How ChatGPT can be used to support idea generation and communication.
Chapter
Learning Module 3 - Selecting and using digital technologies to enhance platforms.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
What is cloud computing and how does it support the flexibility and scalability of digital platforms?
How blockchain enhances trust, security, and transparency in digital businesses.
Embedding digital technologies in platform-based businesses.
Chapter
Learning Module 3 - Selecting and using digital technologies to enhance platforms.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
How embedding digital technologies enhances value creation.
Using collaborative design tools and feedback loops to improve and refine platform-based business models.
Chapter
Learning Module 3 - Selecting and using digital technologies to enhance platforms.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
How to develop and conduct group presentations.
Chapter
Learning Module 4 - Presentations
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - Presentation
Designing digital platform-based business strategy Due: Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
This is a ten-week teaching unit so there is no content this week.
Chapter
This is a ten-week teaching unit so there is no content this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There is no exam in this unit.
Chapter
There is no exam in this unit.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There is no exam in this unit.
Chapter
There is no exam in this unit.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome to the 10-Week Term
This unit is delivered in a 10-week term structure, designed to support effective and engaging learning. The number of assessments is reduced from three to two, and while the volume of learning will remain the same as the 12-week model, there will be a stronger emphasis on problem-based learning and streamlined assessment.
The 10-week teaching and assessment period begins at the start of Week Two of the academic calendar and concludes at the end of Week 11. Last day to add, census date and term breaks will remain as per the academic calendar. Please be mindful that you are studying a different model to the academic calendar on our website and your MyCQU calendar. Referring to specific dates rather than weeks of term will help you keep track of things like classes and assessment deadlines.
Your teaching team, services like the Academic Learning Centre, Library and Student Advising Team are available to help you achieve your study goals. Visit MyCQU to explore the range of student services.
To contact your teaching team, please insert contact details (Dr Qasim Nisar, email: q.nisar@cqu.edu.au, phone: 03 9616 0481) for unit.
1 Case Study
In this assessment, you will analyse a real-world digital business or platform operating in a chosen industry. You will critically evaluate its business model and platform ecosystem, examining how value is created, delivered, and captured. Drawing on concepts such as network effects, and data-driven decision-making you will apply digital platform strategies to assess the organisation’s competitive position and propose informed strategic recommendations. This assessment develops your ability to connect theory to practice and to evaluate how digital platforms drive competitive advantage in diverse industry contexts.
NOTE: This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS) Level 1. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. AIAS Level 1 states: The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Submit the Case study analysis as a word document. The file name should contain Unit name_Student name_Student number.
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2026)
The marked assessment will be returned via the submission portal on the unit's Moodle site.
You will be assessed on your:
1. Understanding of how digital platforms drive value creation, delivery, and capture in businesses. (10 marks)
2. Ability to critically analyse a real-world digital business model and its platform ecosystem. (10 marks)
3. Effectiveness of strategic evaluation and the quality of proposed platform-based recommendations. (10 marks)
4. Use of relevant theory and evidence to support the analysis and recommendations. (7 marks)
5. Use of clear academic communication and referencing. (3 marks)
- Analyse and critically evaluate key digital business models and platform-based ecosystems in diverse industry contexts
- Apply digital platform strategies, including network effects, data-driven decision-making, and monetisation models, to develop competitive business strategies
2 Presentation
In this presentation assessment, you will design and present a digital platform–based business strategy for a real or hypothetical organisation. You will apply digital platform strategies such as network effects, data-driven decision-making, and monetisation models to demonstrate how the business can achieve competitive advantage. You will also select and justify the use of relevant digital technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence–driven analytics, cloud computing, or blockchain, to enhance the platform’s value proposition and performance. This assessment develops your ability to communicate strategic ideas clearly and to demonstrate how digital technologies can be applied in practical business contexts.
NOTE: This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS) Level 1. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. AIAS Level 1 states: The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Submit the Presentation developed with a suitable program. The file name should contain Unit name_Student name_Student number.
Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)
The marked assessment will be returned via the submission portal on the unit's Moodle site.
You will be assessed on your:
1. Understanding of digital platform strategies and how they can be used to achieve competitive advantage. (17 marks)
2. Ability to design and justify a coherent digital platform–based business strategy. (17 marks)
3. Appropriate selection and application of digital technologies to enhance the platform’s value proposition. (17 marks)
4. Clarity, structure, and professionalism in communicating strategic ideas through the presentation. (5 marks)
5. Use of clear academic communication and referencing. (4 marks)
- Apply digital platform strategies, including network effects, data-driven decision-making, and monetisation models, to develop competitive business strategies
- Select and use digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence-driven analytics, cloud computing, and blockchain to enhance platform-based business models.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
