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2025/2026  KAN-CDIBV2404U  Digital Transformation of Work

English Title
Digital Transformation of Work

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 90
Study board
Study Board of Technology & Digitalisation
Course coordinator
  • Mohina Gandhi - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Management
  • Organisation
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 01-04-2025

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
  • Based on a given case, identify, critically evaluate, and argue for the design of a specific type of digital work arrangement
  • Reflect on the proposed type of digital work arrangement and consider corresponding policy and ethical implications
  • Evaluate how the proposed digital work arrangement impacts broader digital transformation at organizational, environmental, and/or societal levels
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
Group presentation for feedback and approval of the project topic. Students will work in groups of 4 students on a self-selected project topic during the semester. They will receive formative feedback during the workshop and during the semester.

If a student cannot participate due to documented illness, or if a student does not get the activity approved in spite of making a real attempt, then the student will be given one extra attempt before the ordinary exam. The extra attempt will require handing in a recorded presentation of his project along with a short written report of 2 pages on the selected topic which has to be approved by the course instructor.
Examination
Digital Transformation of Work:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Case based assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn
Aids Open book: all written and electronic aids, including internet access
Read more here about which exam aids the students are allowed to bring and will be given access to : Exam aids and IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Students will be re-examined using the same form as the ordinary exam, with comparably difficult cases and questions.
Description of the exam procedure

The students will be provided with one or more cases and asked to answer a selection of long-form essay-style questions. The students are expected to draw on the material assigned for the course as well as their own experience/interests to analyze the digital work arrangement and make suggestions for what is appropriate for the given cases. The student is expected to be able to evaluate and reflect on their proposed plan critically in line with the learning objectives. 
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.
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
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Methodology
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Development of research questions
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
  • Activities that contribute to new or existing research projects
  • Students conduct independent research-like activities under supervision
Description of the teaching methods
The lectures include presentations of core topics by the instructor(s) and will be in a classroom 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 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

Some of the course references include:

 

Altman, E.J., Kiron, D., Schwartz, J. & Jones, R. (2021). The Future of Work Is Through Workforce Ecosystems. MIT Sloan Management Review.

 

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 Systems, 29(2).

 

Berente, N., Gu, B., Recker, J., & Santhanam, R. (2021). SPECIAL ISSUE: MANAGING AI MANAGING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 1. MIS Quarterly, 45(3).
 

Kane, G.C., Nanda, R., Phillips, A., & Copulsky, J. (2021). Redesigning the Post-Pandemic Workplace.  MIT Sloan Management Review.

 

 

Raisch, S., & Krakowski, S. (2021). Artificial intelligence and management: The automation–augmentation paradox. Academy of management review, 46(1), 192-210.
Last updated on 01-04-2025