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2021/2022  MA-MMBDV2101U  Designing Digital Workplaces of the Future

English Title
Designing Digital Workplaces of the Future

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 3 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Part Time Master
Duration Summer
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
  • Tina Blegind Jensen - Department of Digitalisation
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Organisation
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 20-12-2021

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, workforce, new ways of working, leadership) to develop a specific instance of a digital workplace that enables the identified business transformation need
  • Reflect on the different opportunities and threats that the proposed digital workplace may create
Course prerequisites
N/A
Examination
Designing Digital Workplaces of the Future:
Exam ECTS 3
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Written 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 Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The participant 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 purpose is then to craft an initial plan for developing a digital workplace (considering the complementarities between the elements of technology, workforce, new ways of working, and leadership) that fits this business transformation need. The participant is also expected to be able to critically evaluate and reflect on the 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
  4. Leadership
     

The technological environment that enables information sharing, collaboration, and communication is at the heart of the digital workplace. Technologies of the digital workplace is thus the first element of the course, where we will discuss 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 into the workforce trends of the future and raise some of the dilemmas related to such trends. We will also discuss what makes the digitally savvy workforce tick and how the workforce of the future is changing with respect to competencies and skills enhanced by digital technology.

The third element is the various novel work practices that constitute the digital workplace. We will look at new ways of working at an individual, team, and organizational level -and discuss what boosts work-life flexibility, worker agility, and engagement. We will critically reflect on new work trends and their role in workforce management.

Finally, the fourth element of the course is the role of leadership. In a digital workplace, it is crucial to consider how different leadership styles together can provide effective sensemaking around a new digital workplace arrangement and foster new ways of working such as employees managing their own work and agile teams.

It is important to consider the synergies between the four elements when designing a digital workplace. Furthermore, a successful digital transformation is not a technology-driven endeavor; rather, it is a cultural and organizational transformation. We will conclude this course by discussing digital workplace design and transformation as key enablers of organizing for digitalization.
 
Description of the teaching methods
This course builds on a blended learning format with time for self-study and face-to-face activities that include presentations on core topics by the instructors, plenary discussions, as well as group work. During workshops, participants evaluate the types of insights that could be relevant for future strategic decisions when designing their own and others’ digital workplace scenarios. Assigned reading material will prepare the participants to take active part in class interactions.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is designed into the course through quizzes, exercises, and comments on the slide of the day as part of the self-study time. Feedback is also part of the teaching facilitation through group work, plenary discussions, and feedback from instructors on the presentations on the last day.
Student workload
Preparation and exam 70 hours
Lectures 20 hours
Last updated on 20-12-2021