The Role of Collaboration and Networking in the Digital Age: Students’ Perspectives

Abstract

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age, the dynamics of collaboration and networking have undergone a transformative paradigm shift. This paper delves into the critical role of digital literacy in fostering effective collaboration and networking skills among individuals in various domains. This study is underpinned by online collaborative learning theoretical framework. It provides a model of learning in which students are encouraged and supported to work together to create knowledge. Two notable models provided by this theory are the Community of Inquiry (CoI) and the Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) Model. It examines the interaction among technology, learners, and educational content. To gather relevant publications for this study, the researchers utilized search engines such as Google Scholar, IBSS, and Scopus. Publications that met strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were carefully selected, ensuring their pertinence to the subject matter. Out of the 35 articles found, 30 publications were related to the research topic, with 8 being particularly effective in addressing the objective. It was found that the lack of digital resources and the digital divide contribute to poor collaboration and networking. It was recommended that the university management and the Department of Higher Education should prioritize budget allocations for the acquisition of digital resources, ensuring that sufficient funds are dedicated to updating and expanding technology infrastructure. This study contributes to studies of work innovations by increasing the understanding and significance of learning through co-configuration for sustainable innovation in work-life networks. Keywords: Collaboration, Networking, Transformation, Digital Age, Landscape