Module BUSI40I30: Leading Through Technology

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI40I30: Leading Through Technology

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide students with an opportunity to critically evaluate the role and suitability of technology within their organisation now and in the future.
• To provide students with the opportunity to look at technology (both current and emergent) in an holistic manner across their organisation and lead the organisation in a strategic way to implement changes needed to remain competitive and add value.

Content

• The content of this module is set within an organisational perspective and covers the following areas:
• Definitions of technology
• Relating ICT strategy to organisational strategy
• Using ICT as a driver for organisational change
• Multifaceted technology audits
• ICT as an ecological system within organisations
• Making a business case for, and funding, ICT investment
• Technological change and employee development
• Technology as an aid to organisational management
• Technology as an enabler for organisational communication strategies
• The impact of technology on organisational stakeholders
• Environmental scanning for emergent technologies

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module, students should have:
• a critical appreciation of the links and independence of innovation and technology
• a critical appreciation of the impact of Technology on employee skills and development needs

• By the end of the module, students should be able to:
• critically review definitions of ICT and their fit within organisational structures
• critically evaluate the impact of ICT on cost structures and funding streams
• consider innovative adaptations to the way work is carried out
• use technology as a driver for, and response to, organisational change
• critically review the link between organisational strategy and the strategy for ICT
• innovatively adapt appropriate technology within a specialised organisational environment.

• Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures and tutorials, supported by guided reading, will be used to introduce and explore the key concepts and theories.
• Group exercises and group discussions will help students develop their own synthesised models which the assignments and mentor support will help them adapt and apply to the specific needs of their own organisation.
• The workplace visits allow students to compare results of the ICT audits and consider what is feasible in their own organisations.
• The two summative assignments will require the student to (1) undertake a technology audit inside their own organisation and (2) produce a proposal for the development of a technology strategy with a consideration of implementation issues within their organisational context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Case studies and exercises throughout the workshops will develop the skills needed to produce a critical reflection of their organisation in their summative assignment.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University