6317.22 - Organisational Analysis


Course number
6317.22
Title
Organisational Analysis
ECTS
10
Prerequisites
Grammar-school education is a prerequisite. The course is developed in accordance to the Bachelor of Economics and Management but the course is also suitable for social science students.
Purpose
The objective of the course is to provide the students with independent ability to read organization studies literature where the students should be able use central concepts, methods, and reasoning when analyzing organizations and organizational challenges/opportunities.
Content
The course focus is on how organizations (workplaces) function. Students will be introduced to different organizational theories and concepts that enable the students to analyze and discuss what an organization is, how the organization functions, and what challenges/opportunities an organization has. Hereby, the course gives an introduction to and an understanding of how processes, structures, power, routines etc., function in organizational settings, which are intertwined with societal settings. The course´s foundation rests on three core topics: 1. How have the organizational theories developed, and why are organizations a part of our everyday life and society (going behind the concept of organization)? 2. Which resources are important input to organizations? 3. Which instruments are used/utilized in organizational relationships? Combined with the organizational theories the course gives the students insights on different methods when working on analyzing organizations.
Learning and teaching approaches
The theories and concepts from curriculum will be presented in lectures and concretely mobilized in the exercise sessions. In the exercise sessions the students will discuss and work with cases.
Learning outcomes
When the course is finished the student will be able to analyze how leaders, employees, and the environment experience, interpret, and interact in one or several organizations. The student must independently be able to: • Present and discuss theoretical perspectives on what an organization is and why organizations exist. • Analyze and discuss pros and cons regarding the resources and instruments use by organizations and organizational members. • Analyze how organizations are affected by the environment and how organization adapt in according to these surroundings. • Use relevant material from the curriculum to understand and explain internal and external challenges for organizations – also in relation to organizing. Hereby, the student will be able to provide advice on, and direction for, how these challenges should be controlled. • Conduct critical assessment of how and why theories and concepts are relevant in concrete situations (critical reflection).
Assessment method
Oral examination based on written home assignment (15 pages), which is delineated on time and topics.
Examination
External
Marking scale
7-
Bibliography
Will be available at the Department (TBA)
Contact
Árni Jóhan Petersen