Digital transformation leaders wanted: How to prepare students for the ever-changing demands of the labor market

Abstract

"This article deals with the problem of emerging professions from two perspectives. At first, we focused on the problem of missing leaders of digital transformation; thus, we created, delivered, and assessed a novel course focusing on agile and strategic thinking. We incorporated two new features into the course that brought agility and strategic thinking into play - 1) shuffling of the project tasks within groups, and 2) changes in the size and composition of groups during the project. Within the second perspective, we broadened our view and developed the theoretical framework comprising the necessary steps to prepare courses and study programs that respect labor market requirements. This framework is based on action research and design thinking. Our results show that the Curriculum Development and Redesign Framework (CDRF) proved to be useful tool. Students' perception of task shuffling was overall positive. Only 5.3 % of students answered, ""Handing over projects bothered me."" Changes in the size and composition of groups also brought positive results. 43.2 % of students answered, ""I am happy, I met new people,"" 54 % answered, ""It went pretty well,"" and just 2.8 % answered, ""I did not like it."""