The Changing Nature of Work: Towards a Digital Future

Knowledge work continues to develop and evolve as we have witnessed recently through the emergence of remote or hybrid workplaces, the advent of the gig economy, as well as the surge in digital nomads. The pandemic has further accelerated the transition to digital work practices due to a compelling need to continue organisations’ businesses operations and sustain employees’ livelihood. By harnessing the capabilities of digital technologies, digital work practices allow for more dynamic and fluid work arrangements regarding where and when work is done. This is especially relevant for high-skilled knowledge workers in different fields of activity including creative, financial, and service industries.

This course is targeted at students interested in learning about the opportunities and callenges associated with the changing nature of work empowered by digital technologies. The course focuses on how digital technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, algorithmic management, digital platforms, and social media) are leveraged to support collaboration and innovation within cultural and institutional contexts as well as the consequences, intended or otherwise, stemming from their usage. Additionally, we will deliberate on the role of leadership and its associated strategies for managing the changing nature of work alongside the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being implemented by organizations. To comprehend the changing nature of work, we will draw on several management theories (e.g., paradox, self-determinantion and social dilemma theories) to uncover the strategic considerations underlying organizations’ transition to novel, digital forms of working and innovating.

The course will offer a fundamental coverage of the following topics:

- Opportunities and challenges associated with new work practices involving novel, digital forms of organizing
- Implication of new work practices on knowledge and innovation
- Dynamics of managing digital work practices for collaboration, competitiveness and innovation
- Role of digital technologies in facilitating knowledge work
- Influence of leadership and cultural conditions on digital work practices
- Influence of changing nature of work on identities and work lives in the age of digitalization

Students will participate in group work that is aimed at synthesizing knowledge to produce solutions for addressing contemporary issues with digital work practices in actual case companies.

Course leader

Liana Razmerita - Department of Management, Society and Communication

Target group

This is a graduate level course. CBS Summer University courses at Copenhagen Business School is open to all and welcomes domestic and international students as well as professionals.

Course aim

Define and formulate a research problem around the changing nature of work

Identify and discuss opportunities and challenges that are brought about by digital work practices in the selected case(s)

Apply key concepts and theoretical frameworks from the course to analyze the case(s) of new digital work

Reflect critically on your experience and learning process during the course

Credits info

7.5 EC
This is an intensive 3-week course. 3-week courses cannot be combined with any other courses.

Fee info

DKK 6000: Tuition fee for Open University students (EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship)
DKK 15000: Tuition fee for non-European students.