Fostering an Ethical and HR Management Mindset for Tomorrow's Technologists

In the light of increasing digitization, organizations, trade unions, human resource practitioners and other stakeholders need to evaluate the changes brought by technology diffusion on employment. This is because technological transformation is often linked to employment controversies and challenges. Varying from worker-monitoring and loss of privacy, to fewer employment opportunities and replacement of humans by machines, technology is behind some of the tensions appearing today in labor relations and human resource management. Within this framework, the purpose of the paper is to examine how technology students perceive technology-led change, its possible impact on human resources, and whether curriculum should include ethical dimensions to better prepare them for their future career. In other words, does Digital Transformation necessitate a change in education so that students (and future technology graduates) get equipped with the necessary ethical mindset and human resource management skills? Following this line of thought, the current study is conducted at the intersection of digitization, human resource management, and business ethics. The analysis draws on the findings of a survey, conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate technology students in December 2022. A number of important practical implications stem by the findings, which can be linked to existing learning strategies and pedagogy.