Much of the discussion on the Future of Work (FoW) pivots around the distribution of work between humans and machines and the extent of digital technologies replacing humans. However, one of the underlying feats of these discussions is the premise that organizations fully adopt all the potentially emerging possibilities created by technological advances, while in real life, the actual process of technology adoption is all but smooth. The reason is that in its traditional configuration structure, large incumbent multinational enterprises (MNEs) face unprecedented turmoil caused by technological and political forces that challenge the organizational model of the past 200 years. Some experts even argue that globalization is reversing itself. Radical, particularly digital, technological advances threaten the very key advantages long enjoyed by large MNEs, raising many critical issues concerning the validity of core principles of organizational theories—particularly “Internalization Theory.”

Teaching methods include short lectures, case studies, workshops, guest speakers, and discussions of practitioner and scientific articles.

This course provides an understanding of (I) the interaction between global FOW developments and organizational MNE structures, (II) changes to and the mobility of activities across national and internationally dispersed subunits, and (III) ultimately transformation of human versus and human and  machine work practices. We take a predominant (albeit not exclusively) organizational-level view on the topic rather than focusing on the micro/individual dimensions of work. After the course you will:

·       understand the effects of Megatrends on work, workplace, and workforce systems.

·       understand the effects of the 4th Industrial Revolution on the FoW

·       understand the FoW in the Post-Covid-29 Enterprise

·       understand the implications of the FoW on MNE structures.

At least 80% attendance is required, full attendance higly recommended.

Detailed Schedule

Day 1

08:00 AM to 10:45 AM         Introductions and Opening Session: Megatrends 202 and Beyond

10:45 AM to 12:00 PM     Guest Speaker: Juliana Wolfsberger, Deloitte Consulting | Change Enabler | Future of Work 

12:00 PM to 01:00 PM          Lunch Break

01:00 PM to 02:30 PM          The Current State of Work: Work, Workplace, Workforce

02:30 PM to 05:00 PM     Workshop: Initial Project Team Formation and Project Brainstorming and “Future World” Selection.

Day 2

08:00 AM to 10:00 AM         The Old Social Contract and the New World of Work

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM         Guest Speaker: RBI Thomas Joham, AI Pioneer Program

11:30 PM to 12:30 PM          Lunch Break, incl. case prep.

12:30 PM to 02:00 PM     Case Discussion (Vodafone: Managing Advanced Technologies and Artificial Intelligence) (will be distributed separately)

02:00 PM to 03:00 PM          Emerging Organizational Models: Internalization and Beyond?

03:30 PM to 05:30 PM          Project Workshop (group work)

Day 3

08:00 AM to 09:00 AM         Emerging Organizational Models: Internalization and Beyond?

09:00 AM to 10:30 AM    Case Discussion (Unilever’s response to the Future of Work)

10:30 AM to 11:45 AM         Final Project Pitches (Groups 1 & 2)

11:45 AM to 12:15 PM          Quick Lunch Break

12:15 PM to 01:30 PM          Final Project Pitches (Groups 3 & 4)

01:30 PM to 03:00 PM          Tying it all together. Learning Summary.

1.     Participation                                                                                     40%

2.     A group project/presentation on the final day of the seminar                                    35%

3.     Individual term paper                                                                       25%

Classroom participation and attendance is required.

Classroom Contribution (40%)

I expect you to be fully engaged in the learning process, and you should be prepared to participate voluntarily and when called upon in each session. This means devoting time and energy to preparation before, listening to others during and engaging in discussions. Collective reasoning and discovery are critical to successfully applying the case method.  Asking questions can make high-quality contributions to learning when they advance general understanding by stimulating an in-depth analysis or explanation of a point.

Final Group Project and Pitch (35%)

During the course we will have a number of active workshop sessions which will lead to a final 10 minute pitch presentation on Day 3 of the course. In groups of 5 (depending on class size) you will prepare a presentation that will build on the PwC “four Future Worlds” scenarios described in the reading (see reading list). The presentation will be built on a project report of up to five pages plus up to 5 exhibits (single space Times New Roman 12, due on January 20, 2025). 

Individual Deliverable (25%)

During the course, you will develop an informed view of the FoW and its meaning for MNEs. For this assignment, you will write a short perspectives piece (max. 900 words), drawing on the course discussions and reading materials. Your perspective can be leaping, and it should not be a repetition of the group presentation or a repeating/summarizing of the readings. Instead, it can be provocative, and it should be your personal (informed) opinion. A good paper is counterintuitive yet still supported by evidence. The assignment is due on December 20, 2025.

No formal requirements, though a basic understanding of business and human resource management and good English language skills are recommended.

Readings (not all readings are mandatory)

The list will be available in the detailed syllabus (can be downloaded after September 5)

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