Specialisation course

This module explores ways to integrate EDI at the core of business, including reviewing the workplace culture and approaches to embracing EDI for business success.

Learning objectives

• Understand the value of EDI in business strategy, daily operations and culture.
• Understand how to integrate EDI objectives across business functions in the organization.
• Identify the challenges and opportunities of integrating EDI across all business functions.

This module empowers trainees in the realm of management education, concentrating on critical competencies such as Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Participants will explore the concrete practices employed by exemplary leaders to cultivate belongingness and authenticity within organizations, challenging outdated norms that exclude underrepresented groups. They will delve into real-world case studies, acquiring the skills needed to navigate a complex societal landscape.

Learning objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of inclusive leadership: gain an understanding of the key competencies that define inclusive leadership, including empathy, adaptability, and cultural awareness.
• Explore the influence of inclusive leadership on organizational culture: examine how inclusive leadership practices contribute to creating a positive and diverse organizational culture, focusing on aspects like employee engagement, team collaboration, and innovation.
• Analyse inclusive leadership and managerial strategies: learn to categorize various inclusive leadership and managerial strategies based on their impact on teams and organizational outcomes.
• Evaluate Inclusive Leadership Models: develop the ability to compare and evaluate different models of inclusive leadership and managerial practices, understanding their effectiveness in diverse organizational contexts.

The module enables participants to recognize different types of diversity in teams and organizations and their benefits. A focus will be on how the diversity that already exists in teams can be cherished, balanced and fostered, laying the groundwork for an EDI-friendly workplace. The module approaches the topic from a practical perspective by developing practical skills that help to embrace diversity, using either company examples or students’ own experiences.

Learning objectives

• Recognize different types of diversity that are relevant in teams and organizations.
• Understand how diversity can be cherished in teams and what benefits this results in.
• To show competencies in awareness and sensitivity when developing practical skills to embrace diversity.

This module gives learners the possibility to develop intercultural competence tools to compare cultural differences by hand of a practical application of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions theory. The six dimensions are power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism-collectivism, masculinity-femininity, and short vs long-term orientation.

Learners will analyse case studies relating to EDI topics and provide explanations and solutions to cultural conflicts in a business setting.

Learning objectives

• To understand six cultural dimensions along which we may have different expectations, needs and practices across cultural boundaries.
• To have a better understanding of one’s own cultural preferences in relation to other cultures.
• To be able to reflect on cultural issues in a managerial setting and to provide possible solutions.

This module assumes learners are current EDI advocates or planning to be. It provides learners with essential skills such as mitigation, inclusive language, active listening, communication and mediation for resolving EDI workplace conflicts, building inclusive cultures.

Learning objectives

• To equip learners with skills on how to address biases, prejudices and stereotypes in the workplace.
• To equip learners with knowledge on how to address workplace EDI conflicts.
• To allow learners to apply their knowledge using ‘real world’ scenarios based on case studies.

This module addresses the challenges and opportunities of implementing workplace EDI policies for positive organisational change. It covers the collaborative approach needed to design and develop an EDI policy in its implementation, the EDI policy objectives, the challenges faced when launching an EDI policy (such as performative action and attitudinal change) and how to overcome them.

Learning objectives

• Provide learners with the knowledge to recognise challenges regarding the implementation and launching of workplace EDI policies.
• Align organisational objectives with EDI objectives.

This module offers participants practical skills for fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) through effective communication. Topics include inclusive business language practices, active listening techniques, and promoting an inclusive workplace culture. Real-world scenarios and interactive exercises will enhance participants’ ability to engage diverse audiences, resolve conflicts sensitively, and create an inclusive environment. Students will have access to valuable tools and insights to promote EDI in their workplace, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative organizational culture.

Learning objectives

• To define inclusive communication and its significance in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within organizations, apply inclusive language principles to written and verbal communication within professional contexts.
• To apply active listening and empathy in various workplace scenarios to enhance collaboration and inclusivity.

This module introduces different metrics and data analysis tools to evaluate equality, diversity, and inclusion within organizations. This module gives an overall picture of EDI metrics and furthermore introduces one specific tool for measuring gender equality.

The module will familiarize the learner with European Union’s Gender Equality Index, which is a tool for monitoring progress in gender equality across the EU over time. The learner recognizes different measures of gender equality and applies them in the context of working life.

Learning objectives

• Increase learner’s ability to identify different metrics for evaluating EDI in organizations.
• Increase learner’s understanding of how gender equality is currently measured at the EU level.
• Improve learner’s ability to apply EU-level metrics at the organizational level.

The module will enable participants to follow the different approaches on social policy design and implementation, introducing the differences between Equality and Equity as starting points.

A focus will be on the one hand to disentangle the two notions and their repercussions in designing and implementing practical interventions that promote EDI values.

Learning objectives

• An introduction to the basic principles of Social Policy design.
• To be able to recognize the difference between Equity and Equality.
• To relate this difference with EDI policy design and implementation.

This course is geared for participants with a strong interest in obtaining competencies pertaining to intercultural communication. Participants acquire skills and knowledge that help deal with cultural differences, gain an understanding of the mechanics of culture and its influence on business, develop effective personal techniques and action plans to overcome cross-cultural problems and challenges, develop a global mindset and cultural sensitivity and are able to transfer these skills to real professional situations.

Learning objectives

• To enhance the intercultural communication skills of learners.
• To equip learners with abilities to apply active cultural awareness in leadership and management roles.
• To become aware of unconscious bias likely to impact intercultural communication.

This module will enhance the learner’s awareness of emotions and develop their abilities to regulate their emotions in EDI related situations in the workplace.

Emotions are considered subjective experiences that can evoke individual and social responses. The unit focuses first on the social nature of emotions and how the social context influences emotional experiences. Emotions can be managed through regulation, which can be a conscious process that can influence our thoughts, behaviours and interactions in the workplace. This unit draws mainly from cognitive appraisal theory and social constructionist theory to reflect emotion regulation strategies for EDI related situations in the workplace.

Learning objectives

• Increase their awareness of their own and others’ emotions.
• Recognize emotions their own and other’s emotions that they may come across in EDI situations.
• Improve to regulate their emotions.

This module aims to provide learners with basic skills in critical self-reflection and objectivity, enabling them to identify common cognitive biases influencing decision-making and recognize the impact of unconscious bias in workplace scenarios. Additionally, the module encourages the evaluation of personal growth in self-reflection and objectivity, reflect on changes in perspectives and practices related to EDI in the workplace, empowering participants to drive positive cultural shifts within organizations.

Learning objectives

• Define and recall the significance of the concepts of critical self-reflection and objectivity in fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Identify common cognitive biases that can influence decision-making.
• Recognize the impact of unconscious bias in workplace scenarios.
• Develop strategies for maintaining objectivity in decision-making processes.
• Apply inclusive language, communication strategies, and data-driven decision-making techniques in a workplace context.
• Evaluate personal growth in self-reflection and objectivity, reflecting on changes in perspectives and practices related to EDI in the workplace.

This module aims to equip learners with comprehensive competencies in active listening and empathy vital for workplace dynamics, employee interactions, and effective leadership. Participants will learn to develop and apply these skills in various business contexts to promote a more inclusive environment, reduce bias, and enhance communication. Through case studies, role-playing, and real-world examples, students will gain practical insights and strategies for implementing these essential business management and leadership skills, thereby advancing workplace equity and diversity.

Learning objectives

• To develop proficiency of students in active listening techniques, including paraphrasing, summarizing, and asking clarifying questions to enhance comprehension during workplace interactions.
• To cultivate the ability of students to understanding and appreciating diverse perspectives, experiences, and challenges.
• To equip students with abilities to apply active listening and empathy in leadership and management roles, fostering employee engagement, motivation, and a positive corporate culture.
• To recognize and mitigate unconscious biases and stereotypes by employing active listening and empathy in real-world business administration scenarios when dealing with colleagues from different backgrounds.
• To create an inclusive and respectful work environment by applying active listening and empathy, where this module was implemented, thus fostering diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

This module equips learners with the essential skills of self-compassion and self-awareness to drive positive change. It will explore the foundations of self-awareness, teaching participants how to identify biases, strengths, and weaknesses. It also provides tools for improving interpersonal interactions, communication, and conflict resolution by understanding one’s own perspectives. Additionally, the module empowers leaders to make inclusive decisions based on self-compassion and foster a culture of EDI within their teams, prioritizing the well-being and growth of all employees. Finally, the module emphasizes the use of self-awareness and self-compassion to develop initiatives that align with organizational goals, values, and workforce needs.

Learning objectives

• To enhance self-awareness through understanding one’s own biases, beliefs, and emotions, and recognize how they impact interactions and decision-making within the workplace.
• To improve communication skills by applying self-awareness and self-compassion to reduce misunderstandings and enhance interpersonal interactions.
• To identify unconscious biases and learn strategies for mitigating their impact on decision-making and workplace relationships.
• To create strategies and plans that integrate self-compassion and self-awareness, aligning them with organizational EDI goals and values.

This module focuses on enhancing interpersonal communication skills essential for fostering positive relationships and effective interactions in personal and professional contexts. Participants will delve into the foundations of communication, exploring verbal and nonverbal cues, active listening, and empathy. They will learn to navigate difficult conversations, resolve conflicts, and build trust through clear and respectful communication. Real-world scenarios and interactive exercises will empower learners to apply these skills in diverse situations, from workplace dynamics to personal relationships. This module equips individuals with the tools needed to communicate authentically, foster understanding, and create a more inclusive and harmonious social environment.

Learning objectives

• To enhance participants’ interpersonal communication skills by developing their abilities to engage in active listening, empathetic understanding, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication in various personal and professional contexts.
• To cultivate participants’ proficiency in conflict resolution and negotiation through the application of constructive communication strategies, fostering harmony and productive interactions in their relationships and workplaces.
• To promote cultural competence and sensitivity in participants’ interpersonal communication by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering respectful and inclusive interactions.

In this module, participants will explore the vital role of self-communication in enhancing management education and EDI competencies. This module focuses on developing self-awareness, self-reflection, and critical thinking skills, crucial for understanding and managing one’s biases, emotions, and values. Through interactive exercises and reflective practices, managers and business students will learn to navigate their internal dialogues better, leading to more effective interpersonal communication and decision-making. This self-exploration is key to fostering empathy and inclusivity in diverse business environments, directly contributing to societal transformation and enhancing EDI in the workplace.

Learning objectives

• Develop self-awareness and reflection skills: equip participants with the ability to engage in introspective practices, enhancing their self-awareness. This includes understanding personal values, beliefs, and biases, and how they influence decision-making and interactions in diverse business environments.
• Enhance critical thinking and decision-making abilities: teach participants to apply critical thinking in their internal dialogue, leading to more informed and unbiased decision-making. This includes evaluating personal assumptions, challenging stereotypes, and considering diverse perspectives.
• Build effective self-communication strategies: guide learners in developing strategies for constructive self-talk and internal communication, which support positive mental health, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being and performance in the workplace.

This module introduces different ways to increase EDI by using digital content. By leveraging digital content, such as videos, infographics, podcasts, and online training modules, organizations can effectively educate their workforce about the importance of EDI principles and create awareness about various perspectives. Digital content allows companies to reach a wide range of individuals regardless of their location or time constraints. It enables them to disseminate information seamlessly across multiple channels such as websites, social media platforms, intranet portals, or even mobile applications.

In addition, this module delves into the impact of using digital content generated by artificial intelligence (AI), especially on gender equality. While AI systems can offer new opportunities for gender equality, their use also poses new challenges and risks, as such systems can create or reinforce patterns of gender inequality.

Learning objectives

• To increase the learner’s knowledge about how digital content can be used to increase EDI in organizations.
• To increase the learner’s knowledge about the impact of using digital content generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
• To critically analyse digital content for equality and inclusivity.

This module explores the critical role of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the design of digital services, essential for effective business management in today’s technology driven world. Participants will learn how to integrate EDI principles into digital service design, ensuring that products and services cater to diverse user needs. The module covers inclusive design methodologies, accessibility standards, cultural sensitivity in digital content, and the impact of EDI on user experience and business outcomes. Through case studies, interactive sessions, and hands-on activities, learners will develop skills to create inclusive digital services that enhance customer engagement and drive business growth.

Learning objectives

• Understand the importance of EDI in digital service design: grasp why integrating EDI principles is essential for creating effective and inclusive digital services.
• Learn inclusive design methodologies: acquire knowledge about inclusive design principles and methodologies that ensure digital services are accessible and usable by a diverse audience.
• Apply accessibility standards: understand and apply relevant accessibility standards and best practices in the design of digital services.
• Analyse the impact of cultural sensitivity in digital content: explore how cultural sensitivity influences user experience and satisfaction in digital services.
• Incorporate user feedback in the design process: Learn techniques for gathering and incorporating diverse user feedback into the digital service design process.

The module will enable participants to relate to digital wellbeing as the mindful and intentional use of digital devices and platforms, setting boundaries, and prioritizing activities that contribute to their overall wellness. Self-regulation, in this context, refers to the ability to manage and control one’s own digital behaviour, resisting the pitfalls of excessive screen time, information overload, and digital distractions. Both concepts will be addressed through the application of EDI values, serving as guiding principles to achieve optimal equilibrium between individuals’ digital engagements and other facets of their lives. This approach contributes to fostering a more sustainable lifestyle in the digital era.

Learning objectives

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of digital wellbeing, encompassing physical and mental health considerations in the context of technology use.
• Identify and articulate various challenges associated with digital interactions, including issues related to privacy, security, and information accuracy.
• Apply effective strategies for digital self-regulation, incorporating techniques to manage screen time, establish healthy digital habits, and balance online and offline activities.
• Apply EDI principles in the digital space, fostering an inclusive and respectful online environment through conscious and ethical digital interactions.

This module focuses on enhancing digital literacy and tool proficiency, essential for contemporary business management. Participants will develop a deep understanding of the main tools and platforms, gaining skills crucial for navigating today’s technology-driven business landscape. The module delves into the impact of digitalization on business models, emphasizing how digital transformation reshapes customer engagement and operational efficiency. Learners will explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in digital transformation, equipping themselves for effective management and leadership in a digital environment. The module integrates theory with practice, using case studies to provide real-world context and hands-on learning experiences. This approach ensures that participants not only understand the theoretical aspects of digital transformation but also how to apply this knowledge strategically in business management.

Learning objectives

• Enhance Digital Literacy and Tool Proficiency: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the main digital tools and platforms relevant to business management, enhancing overall digital literacy.
• Understand the Impact of Digitalization on Business Models: Analyse how digital transformation reshapes business models, affects customer engagement, and improves operational efficiency.
• Navigate the Challenges of Digital Transformation: Explore the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation in business, preparing for effective management and leadership in a digital environment.
• Synthesize Theory and Practice through Case Studies: Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application by analysing and learning from relevant case studies in digital business management.