BSN452 Productivity and Leadership in Technology-Augemented Work


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:BSN452
Credit points:12
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In contemporary and emerging business environments, success depends on the ability to design and lead work that is productive, adaptive, and ethically grounded. This unit equips students from all disciplines with the principles, practices, and tools to thrive in dynamic, technology-augmented contexts. You will examine how artificial intelligence, automation, and augmented decision-making are reshaping roles, teams, and organisational agility; how to manage collaboration between human and AI agents; and how to build inclusive, sustainable approaches to productivity and leadership. Through practical application and critical reflection, you will develop the capabilities to navigate the opportunities and risks of the future of work, delivering value across diverse industries and functions. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary and emerging practices that enhance productivity and adaptability in dynamic business contexts. [KS 1.1]
  2. Analyse the implications of technological change, including artificial intelligence, automation and human–agent collaboration, for work design and performance. [KS 1.2, HO 2.1, 2.2]
  3. Apply leadership and teamwork strategies to design roles and build inclusive, productive and ethical teams in hybrid human–AI environments. [HO 2.2, SE 5.1]
  4. Communicate and justify evidence‑based recommendations for improving productivity and adaptability, demonstrating awareness of ethical, social and sustainability considerations. [PC 3.1, SE 5.1, 5.2]

Content

This unit examines the drivers of organisational productivity and adaptability in environments characterised by rapid technological and social change. You will investigate how emerging trends in technology, demographics, and society are reshaping industries and professions, with particular attention to the impacts of automation, AI, and human–agent collaboration. The unit explores approaches to designing work systems that balance efficiency, innovation, and wellbeing, as well as models for effective leadership and teamwork in dynamic and distributed contexts. You will be introduced to futures and strategic thinking approaches, such as systems thinking and scenario planning, to support decision-making under uncertainty. Throughout, the emphasis is on translating evidence-based insights into actionable strategies, developing the adaptive and lifelong learning capabilities needed to lead and contribute effectively in technology-augmented work.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply advanced, integrated discipline and professional practice knowledge, including relevant research principles and methods, to address complex and evolving business challenges.
1.2 Leverage digital technologies, data-driven tools, technical and research skills to organise, interpret and extend discipline and professional practice knowledge to investigate digitally enhanced business environments.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate complex, real-world business problems by analysing, evaluating, and synthesising discipline and professional practice knowledge.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make evidence-based decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic responses to address real world business challenges.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information and digital literacy skills to communicate effectively and professionally in written forms, using appropriate technologies and media for diverse purposes, audiences, and business contexts.
3.2 Use information and digital literacy skills to communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, using appropriate technologies and media for diverse purposes, audiences, and business contexts. 

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self- reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills to support continuous learning, adaptability and effective professional growth.
4.2 Apply collaborative capabilities to work effectively in diverse teams and across complex, interdisciplinary business environments.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate ethical reasoning and apply legal and governance principles to critically evaluate and respond to complex business decisions and practices.
5.2 Apply socially responsible and sustainability-focused thinking to analyse business issues and reflect on the broader impact of organisations in national and global contexts.

Learning Approaches

Learning activities in this unit will be interactive and applied, combining weekly seminars, workshops and experiential exercises.You will engage with case studies, simulations, AI-enabled tools, industry guest speakers and current research to connect theory with practice. Collaborative exercises and discussions during class will encourage peer learning and expose students to diverse perspectives, while individual reflective activities will support personal capability development. The teaching approach is designed to foster critical thinking, ethical judgement and effective communication across disciplinary boundaries.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
• Indirect: to whole class

Assessment

Overview

Assessment is designed to support and reflect students' progress against the learning outcomes for this unit, providing both:

  • feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes (formative assessment); and
  • capacity to demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Future of Work Analytical Brief

You will prepare an analytical brief evaluating the impact of emerging technologies on work practices in a selected industry or organisational context. The brief must propose evidence-based strategies to enhance productivity and adaptability, drawing on relevant frameworks, contemporary research, and real-world cases. You are expected to integrate AI tools in the analysis where appropriate and evaluate how these tools support work practices ensuring that human judgement and original contribution are clear.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative and Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2), HO (2.1, 2.2)

Weight: 40
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

You will design a comprehensive strategy for a technology-augmented workplace, addressing hybrid human–AI collaboration, role and workflow design, performance metrics, inclusion, ethics, and sustainability. The outputs include a strategy document plus an executive summary for organisational stakeholders. You must demonstrate practical application of leadership and teamwork concepts, and clearly articulate the rationale for your recommendations. AI tools may be used for research and ideation, but you must document your usage and ensure recommendations are grounded in critical human analysis.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative and Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)

Weight: 60
Length: 2500 word strategy document plus an executive summary for organisational stakeholders
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

Key readings will include scholarly articles and industry reports on the future of work, artificial intelligence, human–machine collaboration, and organisational design. Examples include:

  • Wooldridge, A. (2021). The Hybrid Workplace: The Future of Work After COVID‑19.
  • Sturm, R. E., Cragun, O. R., & Thomas, D. C. (2024). Advancing research on the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. Journal of Management Studies, 61(5), 1203–1226. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.13195
  • Wu, D., & Liang, S. (Eds.). (2025). Human-AI interaction and collaboration. Cambridge University Press.

These materials will be supplemented with current articles and multimedia resources accessible via the unit’s Canvas site.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with learning and teaching activities in this unit. 

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate) 2027

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Future of Work Analytical Brief

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS12 Master of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply advanced, integrated discipline and professional practice knowledge, including relevant research principles and methods, to address complex and evolving business challenges.
    Relates to: ULO1, Future of Work Analytical Brief
  2. Leverage digital technologies, data-driven tools, technical and research skills to organise, interpret and extend discipline and professional practice knowledge in digitally enhanced business environments.
    Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  3. Critically investigate complex, real-world business problems by analysing, evaluating, and synthesising discipline and professional practice knowledge.
    Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief
  4. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make evidence-based decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic responses to address real world business challenges.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  5. Use information and digital literacy skills to communicate effectively and professionally in written forms, using appropriate technologies and media for diverse purposes, audiences, and business contexts
    Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  6. Demonstrate ethical reasoning and apply legal and governance principles to critically evaluate and respond to complex business decisions and practices.
    Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  7. Apply socially responsible and sustainability-focused thinking to analyse business issues and reflect on the broader impact of organisations in national and global contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

BS36 Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation

  1. Apply advanced interdisciplinary knowledge, including relevant research principles and methods to understand and respond to professional challenges.
    Relates to: ULO1, Future of Work Analytical Brief
  2. Apply technical, digital, and research skills to organise, interpret, and evaluate discipline knowledge and practice to investigate business issues in digitally enhanced environments.
    Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  3. Critically investigate real-world business issues and challenges using analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief
  4. Exercise innovative thinking and intellectual independence to make informed decisions and judgements in planning evidence-based responses to complex and evolving business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  5. Use information literacy skills to communicate effectively in written forms and through appropriate digital media, tailored to diverse professional and organisational audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in responding to complex business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy

BS68 Graduate Diploma in Business

  1. Apply advanced interdisciplinary knowledge, including relevant research principles and methods to understand and respond to professional challenges.
    Relates to: ULO1, Future of Work Analytical Brief
  2. Apply technical, digital, and research skills to organise, interpret, and evaluate discipline knowledge and practice to investigate business issues in digitally enhanced environments.
    Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  3. Critically investigate real-world business issues and challenges using analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, Future of Work Analytical Brief
  4. Exercise innovative thinking and intellectual independence to make informed decisions and judgements in planning evidence-based responses to complex and evolving business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Future of Work Analytical Brief, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  5. Use information literacy skills to communicate effectively in written forms and through appropriate digital media, tailored to diverse professional and organisational audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in responding to complex business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy
  7. Apply socially responsible and sustainability-focused thinking to analyse business issues and reflect on the broader impact of organisations in national and global contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Technology Augmented Workplace Strategy