Steinbeis experts help to strengthen digital skills in businesses
Digitalization is transforming every area of our professional and private lives. Today, many everyday activities are directly impacted by this trend, be it through the use of modern smartphones and devices with built-in artificial intelligence (AI) or through the widespread acceptance of online services that process sensitive personal data. Many users fail to recognize the importance of privacy policies and cookie notices. By blithely accepting their terms and conditions, they are waiving important data privacy rights – and exposing themselves and the companies they work for to new forms of cybercrime. The experts at the Steinbeis School of Management and Technology are using innovative training and professional development methods to address these skills gaps.
With technology playing an ever greater role in our lives, the need for digital skills and competencies continues to grow. Nikou et al. (2022) conclude that digital literacy is a critical strategic organizational resource that employees must acquire in order to function effectively in their workplace. Chan et al. (2021) underline the importance of information and digital literacy in the workplace, while Kispeter (2018) finds that these skills are increasingly in demand across a wide range of occupations, and that they improve earning potential and professional adaptability in a fast-changing labor market. Leahy & Wilson (2014) add that digital skills are acquired over time through educational and social use of technology, through formal instruction, informal self-learning and learning from peers. This results in individual differences in digital literacy throughout a person’s career.
The need for targeted support
There is significant variation in end users’ knowledge of new technologies, not least due to disparities in peer-to-peer learning and hands-on experience. This has led to growing demand for the systematic evaluation of digital literacy and targeted training measures such as seminars, workshops or interdisciplinary professional development programs that combine the technology and business sides. A longitudinal study assessing technology literacy in higher education and businesses in Chicago uncovered major deficiencies in digital literacy and technology skills gaps among both skilled workers and university graduates across all disciplines.
The ongoing follow-on longitudinal study at universities and businesses in Chicago aims to investigate digital literacy levels among students and professionals and how they develop over time. It focuses on the following areas:
- cybersecurity awareness,
- competence in the performance of Internet-based tasks, and
- efficient use of productivity software.
These areas are relevant to business productivity and efficiency and to society in general, and are thus an essential component of modern training and development programs.
Knowledge transfer and international networks
International organizations like UNICEF, the Global Digital Literacy Council, the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the EU’s DIGITAL SME Alliance highlight universities’ responsibility to prepare students as well as possible for the digital requirements of the workplace. As well as being professionally competent, graduates entering the labor market should also be confident in using technology, especially in view of the growing diversity, inclusion and justice requirements in the digital age.
The Steinbeis School of Management and Technology actively works to address digital skills gaps. It is collaborating with universities in Chicago to develop a practical knowledge coaching offer based on knowledge transfer. As part of the Project Competence Study (in German: PKS®) program, the Steinbeis School of Management and Technology continuously analyzes digital literacy requirements and flexibly adapts training and seminar content to the relevant needs.
A current pilot project at the Steinbeis School of Management and Technology (SMT) aims to scale this project internationally by identifying and refining best practices from beyond the German-speaking world for incorporating digital literacy into teaching and coaching. The aim is to develop innovative methods that prepare workers as well as possible for the demands of modern enterprises.
SMT integrates knowledge about digital literacy in its seminars, such as…
- Cybersecurity literacy
- Digital transformation tools and strategies for startups
- Productivity software basics, with an additional section on AI
- Digital literacy for supply chain management
- AI agents and Internet applications, Internet of Things and the deep web for businesses
The seminars actively help to address digital literacy gaps and strengthen employee confidence in working with digital technology.
Contact
Dr. rer. nat. Efrat Pan (author)
Researcher, coach and business development manager
Steinbeis School of Management and Technology GmbH (Filderstadt)
Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Barrera (author)
Jarvis School of Computing and Digital Media
SPARK Research Center DePaul University (Chicago, USA)