MOØ229 Organizing and innovation capacity

Contents and structure

The disciplinary basis of this course is organization theory/organization studies. Students should be familiar with central themes, perspectives, theories and methods in the discipline (10 study points or more). We address a number of selected themes, issues and challenges prevalent in contemporary organizations. Especially, the course addresses:

• Various forms of organization, both at the level of the total organization as well in different units of work organization. This includes project organization, matrix structures and team organization
• Strategy and business models
• Issues in technology management and digitalization and the relation between technology and organization
• Non-standard work arrangements and the gig economy
• Knowledge management, knowledge processes, learning and innovation in organizations

The course is research-based, building on sound theory and empirical method, while also being related to relevant managerial issues and various forms of purposeful actions in organizations.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

After finishing the course, the candidate

• Has a thorough knowledge in state-of-the art research on a number of selected themes in organization theory/organization studies, strategy as well as the impact of new technology on organizations.
• Has insight into how a large variety of organizational designs and management options, the situations/contingencies in which they may be used, as well as challenges of leaderships related to the various options
• Has insights into core perspectives and theoretical mechanisms in the field
• Has insights into how theories/perspectives may be employed to inform empirical organizational research

Skills

After finishing the course, the candidate

• Is able to compare and discuss theoretical insights that concern several themes or based on several theoretical perspective
• Is able to draw on conceptual schemes and theories in order to analyze challenges, problems and relevant managerial actions in concrete organizations
• Is able to formulate research questions and hypotheses based on the course material
• Has improved his or hers presentations skills

General Competence

After finishing the course, the candidate

• Has a good understanding of core managerial challenges in contemporary organizations
• Is able to reflect on and be critical to formal, "official" descriptions of organizations as well as self-presentations of organizations in media
• Has developed analytical skills that is useful for working on a master thesis, in consultancy work as well as in managerial and HRM positions at various level in a firm
• Has developed an understanding ethical aspects of organizational issues and managerial decision making, and is able to apply such an awareness in real life

Entry requirements

Admission requirements for the study program.

Teaching methods

The most important success factor for the students in this course is active participation in class and thorough preparation for each class. Classes will be a mixture of lectures, seminars and student presentations.

Compulsory learning activities

One  presentation in the group.

Mandatory assignments are valid in the examination semester and 3 following semesters.

Assessment

• Essay, 6-10 pages.

Deadline etc. will be announced at the start of the course.

2 students may write an essay together.

• Written examination, 4 hours. The examination may be digital.

Time and place for the examination will be announced at Studentweb.

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

Weight: Essay 40 %, written examination 60 %.

Examination support material

No permitted items.

More about examination support material

Course reductions

• MOØ238 - Organisering og innovasjonskapasitet - Reduction: 7.5 studypoints