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2021/2022  KAN-CBUSV1706U  Digital Transformation of Work (B)

English Title
Digital Transformation of Work (B)

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 100
Study board
BUS Study Board for BSc/MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Mari-Klara Stein - Department of Digitalisation
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Management
  • Organisation
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 03-02-2021

Relevant links

Learning objectives
In order to achieve the grade 12, the participants must with none or few immaterial shortcomings meet the following objectives:
  • Describe and explain in detail the different elements of digital transformation of work, as discussed during the course
  • Based on a given case, identify, critically evaluate, and convincingly argue for the best combination of elements (technology, workforce, new ways of working, leadership) to design and develop a specific type of digital work arrangement
  • Reflect on the opportunities and threats that the proposed type of digital work arrangement may create and consider corresponding policy implications
  • Reflect and evaluate whether (and how) the proposed digital work arrangement enables broader digital business transformation (e.g., innovation, competitiveness)
Examination
Digital Transformation of Work:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Case based assignment
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Students will receive a new case and will have to deliver a new written analysis based on the case.
Description of the exam procedure

The students will receive a given case that sets the scope for the exam assignment. The students are expected to draw on the material assigned for the course as well as their own experience/interests to craft an initial plan for developing and designing a digital work arrangement that is appropriate for the given case (suitable for this particular job type, industry, etc.). The exam assignment should consider the complementarities between the elements of technology, workforce, new ways of working, and leadership. The student is expected to be able to critically evaluate and reflect on their proposed plan.

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course is meant for students interested in understanding and managing digital transformation of work – with new forms of collaboration, engagement, and innovation to satisfy a digitally savvy workforce, thereby accelerating productivity and agility, as well as facilitating the broader digital transformation of business. The course will largely focus on information workers (‘white-collar’, creative and service jobs), but in the context of broader shifts in labour. Within the emphasis on information workers, we explore four inter-related elements of digital transformation of work: (1) Technologies; (2) Workforce; (3) New ways of working and (4) Leadership. The technological environment that enables information sharing, collaboration, and communication is at the heart of digital transformation of work. The workforce is the second critical element of this transformation. 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 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. Finally, the course reflects on how digital work can enable 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.

Throughout the course, we will also critically reflect on the observed trends in digital transformation of work and consider policy implications to mitigate potential negative consequences. For example, we will reflect on how digital work can be designed to best serve the basic human needs for autonomy, competence and belonging that ensure decent work as defined by the United Nations. We will also reflect on different options to protect new types of digital workers, such as crowdworkers.

The course is structured around the above-described topics. Two sessions are dedicated to each key topic – one lecture and one workshop – delivered in a blended learning environment.

Description of the teaching methods
The lectures include presentations of core topics by the instructor(s) and will be in an online format. The workshops are focused on group work during which students evaluate relevant insights that could be useful for decisions about digital transformation of work in organizations. The workshops will be conducted face-to-face. The workshops will consist of different exercises where students will learn to identify and assess the necessary technical capabilities of organizations and individuals in digital transformation of work; identify and assess the different types of workforce; identify and assess best-fitting new ways of working and leadership styles, given a certain technological and physical environment and workforce characteristics; as well as identify and assess opportunities for broader digital business transformations enabled by digital work. These exercises will help prepare the students for the exam.
Feedback during the teaching period
Students will receive peer and instructor feedback during every workshop when core topics are discussed and students complete in-class exercises. This will provide formative feedback during the course.

Students will have the opportunity to present their in-progress exam assignment and receive feedback from the instructor. This will provide formative feedback on the exam assignment.
Student workload
Lectures 20 hours
Workshops 18 hours
Preparation for lectures 60 hours
Preparation for workshops 18 hours
Exam 60 hours
Preparation for the exam 30 hours
Total 206 hours
Expected literature

The full list of readings will be posted at Canvas. Please do not buy any of the readings before the list at Canvas is posted.

 

Some examples of readings:

 

Baptista, J., Stein, M. K., Klein, S., Watson-Manheim, M. B., & Lee, J. (2020). Digital Work and Organisational Transformation: Emergent Digital/Human Work Configurations in Modern Organisations. Journal of Strategic Information Systems29(2).

 

Sørensen, C. (2017). Beyond Mobile IT. Ubiquitous digitality and work. In Galliers, R.D. & Stein, M.-K. (Eds.). The Routledge Companion to Management Information Systems. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 466-480.

 

Spreitzer, G. M., Cameron, L., & Garrett, L. (2017). Alternative work arrangements: Two images of the new world of work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior4, 473-499.

 

Autor, D. H. (2015). Why are there still so many jobs? The history and future of workplace automation. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 29(3), 3-30.

 
Last updated on 03-02-2021