MQM1LDO-Leading in the Digital Organisation

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
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: 2020/1

Email: n.morawetz@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

As digital technology moves from being disruptive to becoming pervasive, the breadth and depth of digital change transforms entire systems of production, management, and governance.

This poses a dual challenge to leaders who must not only be able to understand how digital technologies continuously reshape their competitive environment and devise strategies to keep their organisation ahead; but also need to be able to continuously rethink organizational processes and their own role within them: What is the role of leadership in an emerging work environment where advances in automation and machine-learning mean that core functions such as organising information flows, delegating and prioritizing work and even high-level decision-making can now be assumed by systems? How does the ubiquity of connected data affect organizational power structures, leadership legitimacy, ethics and governance? How can leaders build a company culture that embraces continuous individual and organizational development?

Drawing on leading-edge case studies, theory and industry guest speakers, this module critically explores the role and opportunities for leadership in the context of the emerging Digital Organization paradigm.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to explore the role of leadership and frontiers in leadership practice in a pervasive digital environment. The module builds awareness of key digital technologies and discusses their impact on managerial practices, processes and strategies.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the completion of this module, students will gain a sound knowledge of digital leadership and building and enabling digital organisations. Specifically, students will be able to:

• Understand and critically discuss the changing role of leadership in a pervasive digital environment


• Deliver workplace transformations through planning and implementing technology based business change programmes


• Analyze or ganizational and managerial processes with regards to their potential for automation, and critically appraise the impact on the nature of work, leadership, company culture and society.


• Understand and discuss digital techniques used by entrepreneurs to rapidly iterate business models and test new processes and products.


• Understand and discuss practices of leading change with respect to embedding digital mindset/culture throughout an organization and implications fo r talent development and employee engagement.


• Understand and critically appraise own behavior with regards to managing digital productivity, managerial work practice and continuing professional development


• Evaluate the significance of human factors to leadership in the effective implementation and management of technology enabled business processes;


• Establish high levels of performance in digital and technology solutions activities    ;   


• Evaluate how you can inspire and motivate others to deliver excellent technical solutions and outcomes


• Develop and support others in developing an appropriate balance of leadership and technical skills    


• Negotiate and agree digital and technology specialism delivery budgets with those with decision-making responsibility;


• Develop negotiating and closing techniques in a range of interactions a nd engagements, both with senior internal and external stakeholders;


• Develop technology leadership and change management skills for managing technology driven change and continuous improvement;

Additional outcomes:

• Develop own leadership style and professional values that contributes to building high performing teams;


• Promote a high level of cooperation between own work group and other groups to establish a technology change led culture

Outline content:

1. The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Automation, machine learning and digital everywhere


2. Leading the digital organization: communication, configuration, control and governance


3. Leadership as practice in algorithm design: designing automated processes


4. Digital leadership and ethics: key issues and challenges


5. Leading digitally – the changing role and identity of the leader in the digital organization


6. L eadership lessons from digital startups: rapid business model innovation and experimentation


7. The principles of business transformation and how organisations integrate different management functions in the context of technological change;


8. The role of learning and talent management in successful business operations.


9. The role of leadership in contemporary technology based organisations;


10. The personal leadership qualities that are requir ed to establish and maintain an organisations technical reputation.


11. The role of leaders as change agents and identify contributors to successful implementation;


12. Building the digital organization: Facilitating digital competences and culture;


13. Managing yourself: Optimizing own digital productivity

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is interactive. Sessions are comprised of a combination of formal lectures, case studies, guest speakers and student-led learning sessions.

A laptop is required for some of the sessions.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Essay + Personal Digital Productivity Plan (70%)

Team presentation (30%)

Formative assessment methods:

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:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment by coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 27 August 2020