Work and Technology (B-KUL-YF0027)
Aims
Continually evolving information and communication technologies (ICTs) touch nearly every aspect of contemporary work life. Development of these modern technologies is closely intertwined with human practices and social innovations in organizations. This course focuses on how recent technologies affect the world of work and organizations.
The aim of the course to help prepare students for both the societal and scientific challenges that appear at the juncture between people management, organizations, and technology. Seasoned management scholars or applied managers from a wide variety of subdisciplines share their views on the future of leadership and work in organizations by focusing on what they see as the major scientific challenges and opportunities and how technology in a work context can help address UN’s sustainable development goals. Topics will include how people management is changed by information technology, how technologies transform work, HR and strategic processed, and how team and organizational functioning is affected by the interaction between individual, technical and organizational factors.
The focus will lay on working contexts where the impact of modern technologies on human work is particularly important. Modern society has come to depend on the safe and efficient functioning of a multitude of technological systems as diverse as industrial production, transportation, communication, supply of energy, information and materials, health and finance. The course will focus on how managers and organizations should reflect and question the implementation of new technologies.
Learning outcomes:
The students…
10.3 examines the ethical aspects of technological innovations and determine whether they uphold ethical standards and align with the values and principles of the organization.
10.4 reflects critically on the influence of recent technological evolutions and innovations on the strategy, organization of work, and leadership, and evaluates whether technological innovations are suited for the specific business context.
10.5 keeps his/her knowledge on work, leadership, and technology related topics up to date, and this based on practical, policy-oriented, legal, and scientific information.
10.6 Integrates policy-oriented, legal, scientific, and practice-oriented information on work, leadership, or technology related topics, and takes an informed position on the relevance of the specific topic for the organisation.
11.1 Is aware of the rapidly evolving knowledge society that they will enter and therefore understands the need for maintenance and improvement of acquired knowledge, skills and competences, and acquisition of new knowledge, skills and competences.
Previous knowledge
Students need to have basic knowledge of human resources management and leadership.
Students need to have communication skills in English.
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Business Administration (Antwerp) 60 ects.
- Master of Business Administration (Antwerp) (Track: Leadership and Organisations) 60 ects.
- Master in de handelswetenschappen (Antwerpen) 60 ects.
- Master in de handelswetenschappen (Antwerpen) (Specialisatie: Werk, organisatie en maatschappij) 60 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Economics and Business (Antwerp)
Activities
6 ects. Work and Technology (B-KUL-YF3027)
Content
The following topics will be discussed:
- Technology and Leadership
- Technology and Employment
- Technology at work: Advantages & disadvantages
- Technology at work: Consequences for leadership, organisations, and the organization of work
Course material
Compulsory course material as well as recommended literature will be announced via Toledo.
Format: more information
Discussion - Guest lecture - Presentation
The course is made of (guest) lectures, group work, and in-class participation. Students need to be present.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Work and Technology (B-KUL-YF7027)
Explanation
Features of the evaluation and determination of final grades
The evaluation consists of three parts:
(1) Participation during contact hours (20%): Students have to be present and active co-contributors. Students are expected to actively discuss and critically reflect on the topics discussed in the class.
(2) Group presentations (40%): Students will be expected to lead discussion sessions and group discussion throughout the semester. This is a group assignment, but individual scores of students can be adapted based on the peer evaluation and students' attendance during the semester.
(3) Individual final report (40%): Students will individually write a final report reflecting on the content of the course.
Information on the participation during contact hours, group presentations and individual final report is given during the first course and via Toledo.
Late submissions will be penalized by a deduction of 1 point for each day late. All assessment activities need to be taken to receive a score. No submission is equal to 'not taken' (NA).
The grade is calculated and expressed as an integer number on 20.
Information about retaking exams
The evaluation consists of three parts:
(1) Individual reflection paper (20%)
(2) Presentation (40%): a grade of 10/20 or more in the first exam period is transferred to the third exam period.
(3) Individual final report (40%): a grade of 10/20 or more in the first exam period is transferred to the third exam period.
Students receive additional information about the retake of the different parts by contacting the course lecturers.
Late submissions will be penalized by a deduction of 1 point for each day late. All assessment activities need to be taken to receive a score. No submission is equal to 'not taken' (NA).
The grade is calculated and expressed as an integer number on 20.