LD7125 - Leading Innovation in the Digital Organisation

The module is delivered through a combination of tutor-directed learning, group learning and independent learning. In the taught sessions, an interactive approach will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and participants’ own experiences. Throughout, the emphasis will be on levels of participation, both individually and within small groups or teams.

Participants can therefore expect a reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all sessions through undertaking activities, which facilitate them to apply theory to ‘real-life’ situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for the organisation/individual. The module aims to provide impact to your day-to-day professional role and sessions will be structured to ensure that you can take the learning from the module and apply it directly in your workplace.

Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform.

An initial workshop will introduce you to the module, assessment and core topics. Subsequent to this you will be guided through a range of subject specific topics delivered over the period of the module. Key messages from these sessions will be available by video/podcast to support your learning outside of the classroom. During the taught sessions a range of learning and teaching approaches will be adopted including tutor-led discussions providing context to the theoretical concepts and practical tools and techniques, illustrative international case studies that form the basis for group problem solving and digital strategy exercises. This will be followed by a critical analysis and discussions of the topical issues, challenges and problems identified

Independent learning will centre upon the students identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to the subject and by providing deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities that will include extended reading, reflection, research etc.

Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy along with the explicit development of competence. You are particularly encouraged to bring examples from the workplace into the classroom to share with each other and with the tutors. The module will also incorporate sessions delivered by external practice experts as well as from academic experts in the field drawn from the Business School.

You will participate in a learning set with your peers to facilitate a deeper discussion of the personal impact of the module contents on your individual professional practice and the application of learning into your own work organisation.

For those of you studying as a Degree Apprenticeship student the workplace will form a significant element of your learning. This will include weekly directed activities outlined in the module learning plan. These activities will enable reflection on learning from taught sessions and subsequent application through research into practice. Engagement with your learning coach and workplace manager/mentor will use these activities as a key element of discussion during coaching and review meetings.

The module is delivered by an experienced teaching team who will be able to provide ongoing advice and guidance related to the module content and the case study and digital strategy exercises. The module’s e-learning site will provide you with access to session materials. Additionally, publications from consultancy companies, international organisations and research institutes addressing various issues of the digital economy will be disseminated through this site.

A range of approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.

During the first week of this module, you will receive information about the module and Teaching & Learning Plan. The teaching and learning plan (TLP) sets out
• Learning outcomes and overall module and programme aims
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategy
• Teaching schedule
• Directed reading references (text and journals) and core texts for the module

Further supporting this learner journey, the first taught of this module will discuss the rational and learning objectives of this module and how it contributes to your overall programme goals. The formative and summative assessment strategy will be outlined as will a refresher on key academic skills and resources critical to your success as a learner on this module. This session will also be available as a video/podcast for further reinforcement.

During this module your module tutor, a subject specialist, will provide academic support including:
• Delivering workshops
• Providing guidance in relation to assignments
• Development of key resources, made available through the VLE
• Specialist subject advice, particularly in linking your work to academic research, concepts and emerging knowledge in the field
• Assessing assignments and assess or review any other agreed summative or formative outputs as appropriate

For those of you studying on a Degree Apprenticeship you will also be supported by an Executive Coach who provides your consistent support throughout your Degree Apprenticeship. This Executive Coach will support with:
• Helping you to understand the requirements of this module and how it relates to your workplace context
• Helping you to understand how you can apply and evidence the knowledge, skills and behaviours covered in the module to your own practice in the workplace
• Visiting you at work and engaging with your manager and/or mentor to ensure alignment between your learning and opportunities for applying and demonstrating a positive impact in your work organisation.

E-Reading Lists
The module will also have an e-reading list which directs learners to specific reading for each session. You will be provided with an advanced reading list structured to support each of the issues addressed in taught sessions. The reading list will contain academic articles as well as books, book chapters, case studies, video links and current newspaper articles. You will also be provided with access to a significant set academic research sources via the Northumbria University library portal.

You will also have opportunities to receive formative feedback from your tutor in response to opinions you express and issues you raise during workshop sessions and face-to-face or online tutorials. These formative feedback sessions are formally scheduled at key points throughout the module, including any support that may be accessed outside formal scheduled teaching.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
On completion of the module you will be able to:
ML01: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role, relevance and importance of the digital economy and the challenges arising from rapid technological change for organisations in both the public and private sector;
ML02: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the dynamic and disruptive nature of the digital ecosystem along with identifying future opportunities for society, organizations and citizens;
MLO3: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the complex social, ethical and legal issues associated with disruptive technologies.
ML04: Understand the complex and dynamic interplay between technology, regulatory environments and organisations

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
On completion of the module you will be able to:
MLO5: Conduct critical analyses to formulate and present transformational digital strategy developments and change initiatives.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Formative feedback: Throughout the taught sessions formative feedback will be given by the module team related to the case study analyses and other activities.

Summative Assessment
The assessment for the module consists of two components.

Component 1: A 2000 word group report on a key dimension of the digital economy. This is weighted at 40% and assesses module-learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Component 2: A 3000 word individual case based report. This is weighted at 60% and assesses module-learning outcomes 1 - 5.

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This module will provide you with theoretical and applied perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of managing in the digital economy. Through using a range of current topical and case based examples this module will illustrate the far-reaching impact that rapid technological change, new digital strategies and disruptive innovation, is having on companies, governments, individuals and society. The module will show these impacts are interrelated, and dynamic and unpredictable in character. The assessment explores this dynamic interaction, providing you with the opportunity to explore in detail the impact of digital transformational change. Throughout the module you will be supported by a range of learning material drawn from academic, professional and non-academic sources, enabling you to clearly understand the socio-economic impact and contribute to developing new strategies to reap potential value from the global digital economy.