Managerial Perspectives on Strategy and People D 15 credits

About the course

The course highlights key issues for understanding and dealing with the challenges facing contemporary organizations in a globalized world. It integrates profound theoretical insights with practical applications in a learning environment characterized by active student participation, both individually and in groups.
 
The course is given and examined in English

Common expected learning outcome:

• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing

The core course consists of two modules, which will be further described below:
Module 1. Perspectives on Strategy, 7.5 credits. 
Module 2. People - the Human Side of Organizing, 7.5 credits. 
 
Module 1. Perspectives on Strategy, 7.5 credits
This module highlights key challenges facing contemporary organizations in a globalized world. The students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the business context and the intertwined nature of its events and processes. Alternative theoretical perspectives on strategy will be presented to provide a comprehensive platform for strategic decision making in the forthcoming core modules. Students will practice strategic thinking from both an internal and external perspective. The module  integrates theoretical insights with practical applications in a learning environment characterized by active participation, both individually and in groups.  Students will also practice making strategic analyses, identifying options, and recommending appropriate solutions that are both rooted in theory and actionable. During the module, students will also be introduced to methods of working in international teams and the code of academic conduct, e.g. referencing, or how to avoid plagiarism and cheating.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• describe and analyze the foundations of strategy and strategic perspectives,
• propose solutions to cope with internal and external strategic challenges and complexities,
• propose appropriate strategies to meet key dilemmas concerning for example innovation, products, process, organization, marketing and business models,
• critically reflect upon the consequences of strategic choices and assess the need for developing the organizational capabilities and  knowledge base,
• understand and be able to apply an academic approach to avoid plagiarism in academic work.

Focus of instruction
In addition to lectures and guest lectures, the learning is supported by cases and seminars. The module requires significant amount of independent study. This means reading the assigned compulsory book chapters and articles. The module also requires a significant amount of group work. Case studies are carried out in groups with a written case report and an oral presentation. The group work is introduced with activities supporting the students in effectively working in groups characterized by equality, diversity and multiculturalism.
Students are also introduced to academic conduct, for example how cheating and plagiarism can be avoided and referencing techniques. 
 
Module examination modes
The examination consists of written group assignments, a written individual hall exam, and an individual computer based examination  on plagiarism and referencing. Attendance at seminars is mandatory and is thus a requirement to pass the module. A passing grade for each examined part of the module is required to pass. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.
 
Module 2. People - the Human Side of Organizing, 7,5 credits
In the second module, focus is turned to the human side of organizations, with the objective to show the importance of considering individual perceptions and identity construction, as well as group interaction, in order to effectively manage and lead an organization. Additionally, the module will address a variety of themes on human side complexities that may also contribute to shape organizational processes.

Expected learning outcomes

• explain how organizational processes emerge in human interaction through from a social identity perspective,
• critically reflect upon issues of commitment, collaboration, group dynamics, leadership, etc. from the social identity point of view,
• utilize the social identity framework to analyze and solve human problems in organizational contexts,
• critically scrutinize alternative themes relating to current concerns regarding human side complexities in organizational processes and apply one of these themes on a real-life organizational practice,
• integrate social identity theory and assigned theme on human side complexities to critically examine organizational processes and develop solutions to related problems.

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by lectures, seminars, individual- and group assignments. 

Module examination modes
The examination consists of active participation in seminars and successful completion of written group assignments and written individual assignments, and a written individual hall exam. A passing grade is required for each part of the module. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.