Fourth Industrial Revolution

Fourth industrial evolution encompasses newer technologies that improve productivity. 

•This is a fast changing field

•Many of the tasks that humans perform today will be replaced by computers, robots and artificial intelligence. This will drastically improve productivity and reduce cost of goods to the consumer

•It is influenced by innovative technology companies that disrupt everyday life with new technologies that are:

•either successful or fail.

•Successful technologies often get disrupted by even newer technologies.


Fourth industrial evolution encompasses newer technologies that will improve productivity.  This is a fast changing field and by the time this module is published it will already be outdated.  Many of the tasks that humans perform today will be replaced by computers, robots and artificial intelligence. This will drastically improve productivity and reduce cost of goods to the consumer.

The Fourth Industrial revolution is influenced by innovative technology companies that disrupt everyday life with new technologies that are either successful or fail. Successful technologies often get disrupted by even newer technologies.

The aim of this module is to sensitize students to the impact newer technologies will have on management and the workplace in general.

Enabling Technologies

Growth Strategy for the Pulp & Paper Industry

Global Risks, Local Challenges for Employment

Technologies and productivity spillovers

Intelligent government operating systems

The futures of learning

Education and Technological Unemployment 

On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of Fourth Industrial Revolution at the master's level that provides a basis for developing and/or applying new ideas, often within a research context.
  • apply knowledge, critical understanding, and problem-solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study (Fourth Industrial Revolution)
  • assimilate knowledge and formulate opinions with incomplete or limited information, but that include a reflection on social and ethical responsibilities.
  • communicate their assumptions, and knowledge regarding Fourth Industrial Revolution and the rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
  • use the acquired skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed and autonomous.
  • integrate knowledge from other courses of the master program and practical business and formulate critical judgments with incomplete data.

The course is offered as self-study in e-learning. The learning material is provided in the form of lectures, literature, and lecture notes. Independent learning is required. In the case of paper submissions, further research is expected in compliance with the given scientific standard. LIVE course sessions are offered to support the students with questions regarding the content. Students are supported in their scientific work by corresponding online seminars.

All lectures and learning materials are made available in the online campus GHU Campus. All lectures are recorded and are available for download 24/7. The lecture notes, as well as additional material provided by the lecturer, can also be accessed in the GHU Campus.

Documents for exam preparation consisting of lectures and lecture notes. Additional material provided by the lecturer serves as independent files and can be used to work on the exams. The examination comprises theory questions, reflection, and case study and is intended to confirm all learning objectives.

The assessment consists of a 5000-word Fourth Industrial Revolution homework and assesses all learning outcomes. As a master-level assignment, the homework requires a command of a complex and specialized area of knowledge and skills. This implies that, in addition to demonstrating a sound grasp of the ideas and concepts relevant to the topic of thehomework, students will show that they can evaluate aspects such as conventions of approaches, their internal consistency, relevance, and applicability, as well as strengths and weaknesses.

To reach an assessment, students will consider competing approaches and draw on critiques put forward in scholarly literature. The position adopted in the assignment and any claims made must be based on a careful, coherent, and logical arguments, need to be appropriately supported with evidence from relevant scholarly sources, and should be presented in a coherent piece of writing. Sources must be referenced appropriately in-text and in a quote/reference list as set out in the GHU Referencing Guidelines.

Jan Walters Kruger

- Univ.-Prof. -