Module: Digital Disruption & Sustainable Innovation

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Digital Disruption & Sustainable Innovation
Module Code	MT341
School	DCUBS
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Peter Robbins Semester 2: Regina Connolly Autumn: Peter Robbins
Module Teachers	Regina Connolly Peter Robbins
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

This course focuses on how to leverage new technologies to build a future-proofed social, economic and environmental sustainability roadmap for your organization. In today’s (VUCA) volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous business environments, organizations need to understand how they can harness the capabilities of new technologies, using the lens of the SDG’s to address ongoing wicked problems. This module provides students with the necessary insights for strategically managing new technologies in a way that is environmentally compelling, competitive and distinctive.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to differentiate between simple, complex and wicked problems
2. Students will be able to use a design thinking approach to solve problems related to sustainability
3. Students will develop a critical understanding of key concepts around environmental and social sustainability, and the UN SDGs
4. Students will develop a critical understanding of how technology can enhance sustainability and its associated challenges, applying this to an organisational context.
5. Students will develop technology roadmaps to improve sustainability in an organisational context.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	125	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is and what if?
Innovation: Types and sources of innovation; types of Business Model Approaches to Innovation - Design thinking Design Thinking - the Mindset - rules and tools Principal models of design thinking Wicked Problems and Design Thinking Key concepts in sustainability, including: Triple Bottom Line; Doughnut Economics: planetary and social boundaries, Economics of innovation and new technology; Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions

What technologies and how?
Digital with Purpose - Delivering a SMARTer2030 Identifying technologies with traction and power for sustainability (Smart tech, AI, Cognitive, Machine Learning, cloud computing, Blockchain, Quantum) Green IT readiness: Sustainable IS and Green Metrics Enterprise Green IT strategy Green data strategy: Storage, networks and communications Digital solutions for the Circular Economy: From planetary boundaries to information flows Associated challenges of using digital technologies for sustainability: AI for sustainable social and environmental value creation Ethical algorithms and decision making accountability Harnessing semantic web technologies for social and environmental sustainability.

What works and why?
Leading organizations undergoing digital disruption towards sustainable solutions Mastering Disruptive Business Models - (The Disruptive Business Model Roadmap/The Disruptive Response Planner) Sustainable Business Model Canvas

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Students receive a list of public sector, private sector, and social enterprises. (These include Teagasc, Coilte, Bord na Mona, Dept of Agriculture, E&Y, Accenture, Bord Bia, HSE, IBM, ESB, Microsoft, amongst others. (a) Working in groups, students conduct a strategic sustainability audit for harnessing digital innovation for one of these organisations. Based on their strategic audit, students create a roadmap report that outlines how to respond to the organisation’s challenge.	50%	n/a
Performance evaluation	Roadmap is presented in the form of a Tedtalk/ VR lab	30%	n/a
Loop Quiz	MCQ examination of module content	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Rodgers, D.: 2016, The Digital Transformation Playbook: Rethink your business for the digital age., Columbia Business School,
Russell, S.: 2020, Human Compatible AI and the Problem of Control, Penguin Press,
Kearns, M. and Roth, A.: 0, The Ethical Algorithm: The Science of Socially Aware AI Design, Oxford University Press,
Criado Perez, D.: 2020, Invisible women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men’, Vintage Press,
Eubanks, V.: 2019, Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police and Punish the Poor’. Picador press., Picador Press,
O' Neill, C.: 2017, Weapons of Math Destruction, Penguin Press,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BS	Bachelor of Business Studies
BSE	Bachelor of Business Studies (Exchange)
BSI	Business Studies ( with INTRA )
EBC	BA in Global Business (Canada)
EBF	BA in Global Business (France)
EBG	BA in Global Business (Germany)
EBS	BA in Global Business (Spain)
EBT	BA in Global Business (USA)
MINT	BSc Marketing, Innovation & Technology
MINTI	BSc Marketing, Innovation & Technology

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