Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to both the key issues concerning the 4th Industrial revolution in general and people analytics in particular as forces transforming business and work. Students are introduced to the critical concepts necessary for understanding both. The course begins with an overview of what industrial revolutions entail. In understanding the nature of current changes particular attention is devoted to the different operational, funding and business models of companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon and Wikipedia. In making sense of the automation of the people management function in contemporary organisations mainstream human resource management and critical management perspectives are used as contrasting ways of understanding how digital technologies are transforming recruitment, performance management and wage setting today.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Business Information Systems
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	BUSS5220 and BUSS5221
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Angus McBean, angus.mcbean@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Angus McBean, angus.mcbean@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Critical assessment of a key concept Understanding technological revolutions - contrasting approaches	20%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Sep 2024	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research project An evaluation of people analytics at Agoda: strategy, tactics, practice.	50%	Week 09 Due date: 29 Sep 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 Sep 2024	5000words assignment, 20min presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Interactive Oral Assessment Oral exam	30%	Week 13 Due date: 31 Oct 2024 at 17:00 Closing date: 05 Nov 2024	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Critical assessment of a key concept	This assignment will require you to integrate key concepts from the first four (4) weeks lectures with your own scholarly research into a concise written argument on the 4th Industrial Revolution analysing different perspectives, providing relevant examples, and discussing the broader implications of these concepts on the field of study.
Research Project
5,000-word assignment	Students will work in groups to research a specific topic related to the course. They will identify current practices, propose new strategies, and develop comprehensive plans for implementation. The assignment should demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic and consider ethical and practical implications.
20-minute presentation	Each group is to deliver a 10-minute presentation (using a maximum of 5 presentation slides) summarising their findings from the written report. The presentation is not to replicate the content from the assignment but rather focus on the key findings and actionable recommendations. Following the presentation, there will be 10-minutes of question and answer with the Unit Coordinator.
Interactive Oral Assessment	An Interactive Oral is a two-way unscripted conversation between you and an assessor in a professional workplace scenario. The Interactive Oral is an opportunity for you to expand on your understanding of the subject in a deep, creative and self-directed way to show what you know. It also provides you with practice for the type of scenarios and professional relationships that you will encounter in the world of work.

Assessment details can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: The world today + possibilities Overview of course Concepts *What is an industrial revolution? (Part i) - Reflections on Case study: Skolts	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Concepts (continued) - What is an industrial revolution? (Part II) Understanding the Barley/Faunce Model	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Concepts (continued) - Contemporary data infrastructure + implications for management practice	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Concepts (continued) - Competing narratives: Automation optimists	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Concepts (continued) - Competing narratives: Surveillance Capitalism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Concepts (continued) - Competing narratives - Choke Point Capitalism, Digital Republicanism and Post capitalism/Post scarcity	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Tools - How data, maths, stats and machine learning combine to help manage labour: managerialist analytics v labour process in the digital age	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Tools (continued) - How data, maths, stats and machine learning combine to help manage labour: recruitment	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Tools (continued) - How data, maths, stats and machine learning combine to help manage labour: Performance management	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Tools (Continued) - How data, maths, stats and machine learning combine to help manage labour: wages and work related earnings	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	What's the Chinese story? Technological revolutions in general - and Industry 4.0/Made in China 2025 specifically	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Report back: Group Essays - what the groups recommend	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Summary and reflections	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at workshops is an integral, very important part of this course. Work associated with the Group Assignment is actively conducted in these sessions from week 4 onwards. Guidance concerning assignment 1 is provided in weeks 1 - 3.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Produce a critical assessment of concepts concerning the role of data and AI in reshaping business and work today.
LO2. Describe the choices concerning the development and deployment of AI and data in reshaping business and work.
LO3. Critically evaluate concerning the adoption or modification of a leading application or quantitative method associated with deploying data in labour management.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

QBUS5017: People Analytics in 4th Industrial Revolution

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect