English   Danish

2019/2020  MA-MMFUV1023U  Organizing for Digitalization

English Title
Organizing for Digitalization

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 3 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Part Time Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 10
Max. participants 30
Study board
Study Board for Master i forretningsudvikling
Course coordinator
  • Mari-Klara Stein - Department of Digitalisation
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Organisation
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 20-06-2019

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Describe the different elements of the digital workplace, as discussed during the course
  • Identify and describe a digital business transformation need (or an ongoing transformation) that could be enabled by a digital workplace
  • Convincingly argue for the best combination of elements (technology, space, workforce, new ways of working, leadership) to develop a specific instance of a digital workplace that enables the identified business transformation
  • Reflect on the different opportunities and threats that the proposed digital workplace may create
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved: 1
Examination
Organizing for Digitalization:
Exam ECTS 3
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Essay
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The student is expected to draw on the material assigned for the course as well as their own experience to present a digital business transformation need (or an ongoing transformation) that they believe can be enabled by a digital workplace. The student is then expected to craft an initial plan for developing a digital workplace (considering the complementarities between the elements of technology, space, workforce, new ways of working, and leadership) that fits this business transformation need. The student is also expected to be able to critically evaluate and reflect on their proposed plan.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

In this course, we explore four inter-related elements of the digital workplace: (1) Technologies of the digital workplace; (2) The digital workforce; (3) New ways of working and leadership in the digital workplace; and (4) Workplace transformation as an enabler of digital business. The technological environment that enables information sharing, collaboration, and communication is at the heart of the digital workplace. We will talk about the necessary digital capabilities that organizations must have. Crucially, however, a digital workplace is unlikely to be fully virtual – we thus also consider how hybrid digital-physical spaces will be key in the future. The workforce is the second critical element of a digital workplace. We will look at what makes the digitally savvy workforce tick and how the workforce of the future is changing with automation and algorithms. The third element of the digital workplace is the various novel work practices. We will look at new ways of working and leadership that boost work-life flexibility, worker agility, and engagement. We will also critically reflect on new trends such as People Analytics and their role in workforce management. The fourth, and final, element we touch upon in this course relates to the digital workplace as an enabler of broader, strategic digital transformations (e.g., in business models). Without internal agility, and an engaged workforce, externally-oriented digital transformations will be difficult to achieve.
Description of the teaching methods
This course includes presentations on core topics by the instructor as well as group work and workshops during which you evaluate the types of relevant insights that could be useful for future strategic decisions for your and others’ companies. Assigned reading material will prepare the participants for taking active part in class interactions.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback during class will be possible.
Student workload
Preparation 70 hours
Teaching hours 20 hours
Exam 0,5 hours
Expected literature

Various academic and practitioner articles on the topic of digital work and organization. For example:

 

Hoeven, C. L., & Zoonen, W. (2015). Flexible work designs and employee well‐being: examining the effects of resources and demands. New Technology, Work and Employment, 30(3), 237-255.

 

Dery, K., Sebastian, I. M., & van der Meulen, N. (2017). The Digital Workplace is Key to Digital Innovation. MIS Quarterly Executive, 16(2).

 

Donovan, J., & Benko, C. (2016). AT&T’s Talent Overhaul. Harvard Business Review, October 2016 Issue. 

 

Cross, R., Rebele, R., & Grant, A. (2016). Collaborative overload. Harvard Business Review, January-Febuary 2016 Issue.

 

 

Please note that the specific articles are subject to change. 
Last updated on 20-06-2019