INMR94-Digital Leadership

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: v.a.michell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module develops critical digital knowledge and skills in digital concepts, leadership, teambuilding, capability and change planning and control to support the development of a digital technology solutions in businesses. It integrates leadership and e-leadership principles with a knowledge of digital technology and the practice of leading digital solution approaches and teams in a variety of leadership types at strategic level required by a business or consulting client. It provides appropriate capability and analysis tools and techniques to enable students to identify, manage and resolve digital leadership and supporting digital technology issues and enables the development of appropriate digital leadership approaches necessary to support digital business technology and related consulting situations.

Aims:

The aim of Digital Leadership is to provide students with the leadership knowledge and principles of digital technology sufficient to understand and lead the organisation, development and implementation of a digital business using digital technology to meet strategic business needs. This will be achieved through an understanding of digital principles, leadership principles and the key elements of envisioning and leading digital business solutions and digital architecture teams via specific digital tools and techniques in a highly competitive and technology-rich environment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the completion of this module, students will gain knowledge and skills necessary for leading successful interdisciplinary digital technology teams based on a sound knowledge of leadership, digital and technology principles and techniques for making and leading digital change and digital teams.  

Specifically: 

• Understand and apply the key principles of leadership 


• Understand and apply the key principles of digital technology 


• Understand and apply the principles of teamwork and teambuilding 


• Understand the digital environment and principles of e-leadership 


• Understand the impact of digital technologies on the value chain and leadership of digital competitive advantage 


• Understand digital skills, competences and capabilities and how these can be used to lead and manage digital change 


• Understand   the principles of digital innovation and apply them to identify and lead strategic digital business solutions through the application of existing and new technologies  


• Understand and apply integrated techniques of digital leadership to different business situations to improve strategic business effectiveness and competitive ability 

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The capability of leading others in planning, designing and implementing digital technology to resolve business issues and requirements is a key development area for digital business technology consultants and digital leaders. The module is in three parts, initially focusing on leadership and team work theories and practical leadership and change management skills. This enables the student to gain expertise in leading and organising teams in terms of leadership traits, vision, team growth and performance. 

The course then builds on the principles of digital technology and digital systems. It identifies the skills and competences required for digital leadership and digital teams and discusses the digital environment and business benefits. It then discusses how digital technology can be applied to support strategic business aims through digital innovation in the value chain and alignment of the solutions to business needs to support strategic vision and change. The third section focuses on the principles of digital leadership. How to develop digital leaders, and types of digital leadership and governance. It also addresses the challenges of how digital technology skills can be developed and how digital teams can be empowered, organised and led to revolutionise the business work process through digital innovation techniques, service and process models, with use of examples and case studies. 

The module focuses on the leadership competencies, which covers the following areas: 

• Leadership theories practices and techniques 


• Principles and methods of teams and teambuilding with emphasis on team dynamics and change management for different digital business purposes 


• Digital and e-leadership principles necessary to understand and obtain the benefits of the digital landscape and digital leadership requirements and practice. Digital leadership theories, practices and techniques for identifying skills, teams and digital capabilities. Key elements of innovating, envisioning and leading digital business solutions using a variety of different technologies. Digital leadership styles and approaches in different business situations and circumstances in support of strategic business objectives. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A range of teaching and learning methods will be employed including exercises, tutorials, videos and case studies, but will focus largely on lectures, in-class practical, group work and independent supported learning. During the course, students are encouraged to build their personal leadership profile via team building assignments and networking with other students. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The assessed course work (100%) involves an individual 5,000 word coursework report. 

Submission is in the Summer term, week 3 (full time) and Summer term, week 6 (part time). 

Formative assessment methods:

Case study and discussion with consultants/experienced industry experts.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students will be required to obtain a mark of 50% to pass the assessment. Pass criteria - To pass this module, the students must demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the principles of digital leadership and demonstrate a satisfactory ability to apply them. 

Distinction criteria - To achieve distinction the students must exhibit their original thoughts and critical-analysis ability and an excellent understanding and ability to apply the methods in the module to the set problem. 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by re-submission of coursework adjusted if necessary as required by the module convenor. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019