Managerial Perspectives on Strategy, People, Projects and Processes D, 30 Credits

Contents

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.

Module 1.  Perspectives on strategy, 7.5 ECTS.
Module 2. People – the human side of organizing , 7.5 ECTS.
Module 3. Project management, 7.5 ECTS.
Module 4. Strategizing - planning and processes, 7.5 ECTS.

The core course consists of four modules, which will be further described below:

Module 1. Perspectives on strategy, 7.5 ECTS
The first module sets the stage for forthcoming course modules in management. The module highlights key issues for understanding and dealing with the challenges facing contemporary organizations in a globalized world. The students will gain interdisciplinary understanding of the business context and the intertwined nature of its events and processes. Alternative theoretical perspectives on strategy will be presented in order to provide a comprehensive platform for the forthcoming core courses. A distinction will here be made between the rational, decision-making oriented view in traditional management literature and the process based, strategy-as-practice view in front-line research. Students will be trained to think strategically from both an internal and external perspective.

The students will develop capabilities and skills to deal with the knowledge-based challenges of firms and their value creation in a new product or service and also organizational development covering the following topics: How organizations develop dynamic strategies, including choices and actions. How innovation emerges and develops into business ideas. How suitable marketing strategies are implemented in relation to customers, markets, competitors, and products.

Module 1 integrates theoretical insights with practical applications in a learning environment characterized by active student participation, both individually and in groups. Throughout the module the students are encouraged to develop their own strategic approaches.

In addition, students are introduced to what good scientific practice means, how students and instructors can create and maintain a constructive learning environment while preventing misconduct and fraudulent behavior such as plagiarism. Students are, therefore, required to carefully study the guide of ethical and professional behavior, which is aligned with the rules and regulations of Umeå University. Since knowledge of these rules and regulations are fundamental for coming courses and thesis writing this module includes a web-based test to ensure that students understand how to follow these guidelines in practice.

Expected learning outcomes:

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

• Compare theoretical perspectives on management, entrepreneurship, and marketing strategies.
• Evaluate organizations’ strategies with regard to current and future trends in the environment.
• Propose solutions to cope with internal and external strategic challenges and complexities.
• Propose appropriate strategies to meet key dilemmas of innovation, relating to product, process, organization, marketing and business models.
• Critically reflect upon consequences of strategic choices and assess the need for further knowledge and skills.
• Describe and apply ethical/professional learning and research conduct.

Focus of instruction:
The researchers and teachers of USBE and UmU are committed to and encouraged to emphasize their own special knowledge, research results, and know-how in their teaching. Beyond the interactive lectures and guest lectures, the tutoring incorporates reading seminars, case group work(s) and case seminars. The module requires significant amount of independent studies, meaning reading the assigned compulsory book chapters, articles, handouts, and writing self-governing case analyses. It is the responsibility of the students to come prepared for class and to actively participate in discussions. Case related group work will be carried out in teams of 3-5 students and reflection papers and oral presentations will be required.

Examination modes
The assessment of this module consists of seminars and papers, prepared and presented both individually and in groups, and an individual written exam. Due to the nature of the topic, the students must attend the obligatory seminars and case presentations in order to pass the module. Furthermore, all students have to pass the web-based test on ethical behaviour and professional conduct. A passing grade is required for each part of the module.

Module 2.   People – the human side of organizing (7,5 ECTS)
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. Furthermore, the module addresses the complexities created by issues of diversity, gender, ethics and emotions in organisational processes. Students will perform a group assignment in order to scrutinize and evaluate one of these dimensions.

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

1. appreciate leadership as a matter of mutual interaction through a social identity theory perspective, including the following sub goals:

• understand how human interaction in organizational contexts emerge from social identification processes,
• 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,

      2. scrutinize and evaluate dimensions of diversity, ethics, emotions and gender in organizational processes, including:

• critically reflect upon and apply one of these perspectives on a real-life organizational practice

Examination modes
The examination consists of active participation in seminars and successful completion of group and individual assignments. A passing grade is required for each part of the module.

Module 3. Project management (7,5 ECTS)
The third module attends to the present trend towards “projectification” in both business and public organizations, which calls for in-depth knowledge on the nature of projects and how to manage particular projects as well as a portfolio of projects in an organization. Students will deal with established planning and organizing techniques, examine the relationship between projects and between the project and the surrounding organisation, and critically reflect upon the role of projects in wider society.

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

1. understand the nature of projects in an organizational and industrial context,

• explain theories, models and concepts for management of projects, programs, and portfolios of projects in organisational contexts
• understand the need for governance of multi-project settings

       2. collaborate in and manage project work,

• show, in writing and practically, a deeper understanding in a subject area related to project management.
• assume responsibility for own and group learning
• work hands-on with project management tools , both in groups and individually
• plan for, analyse and control project progress and changes.
• reflect upon one’s own learning on the course’s subjects

Examination modes
The examination consists of active participation in seminars and successful completion of group and individual assignments. There will also be a written comprehensive individual exam. A passing grade is required for each part of the module.

Module 4. Strategizing- planning and processes (7,5 ECTS)
Managers must be able to gather information and design the future strategy for their business or business area. We acknowledge that the environment, the opportunities and the plans are likely to change over time, but consider strategic plans and programs an important tool in aiding the strategic manager to makes sense of environmental and organisational dynamics. Plans and programs depict intended development, describe choices and actions to be undertaken, provide objectives and anticipated resources needed to achieve these goals.

In the final core module students therefore participate in a real-life strategic process which requires them to act based on the knowledge assembled during the semester as well as in their previous studies. Students studying business strategy will take part in developing a strategic program, for example by developing a program for a company, or by developing a business plan for a new venture within an existing organisation.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:•Demonstrate analytical and integrative skills in solving advanced tasks within strategic change

• Apply acquired knowledge and understanding from this module as wells as from previous courses and modules to design a strategic program within given timeframes.
• Work effectively independently, in teams, and with external organisations.
• Orally and in writing for stakeholders, present analyses, ideas and conclusions developed and/or drawn by the team or individually.
• Evaluate his/her competence and need for competence development in order to work with business strategy.

Focus of instruction
In this module, the main pedagogical technique is work with a real-life case for which a program is to be developed. This may entail students working in teams with existing companies, organisations, or start-ups to develop a strategic program. The groups will work relatively independently but in dialogue with representatives of the real-life case and teachers. Students will receive regular supervision from faculty in workshops, seminars and lectures.

Note: depending on the type of real-life case selected, some smaller introductory/preparatory activities may be required during one or several of the earlier modules during the course. In that case, time will be set aside within these modules for these activities.

Examination
The examination consists of four parts. First, a written strategic programme and, second an oral presentation of this program to a practitioner audience. Third, a written individual paper and an individual seminar focusing on experience exchange and the applicability of relevant concepts. Fourth, the student must actively participate in and contribute to compulsory seminars and meetings related to the work with their business program.

A passing grade is required for each part of the module.

Expected learning outcomes

Generic learning outcome
The course has a number of generic skills. After completing the course, the student should also be able to:

• work effectively in multicultural teams and as team leaders
• appreciate diversity and multiculturality
• integrate managerial expertise from different knowledge areas in order to identify, analyze and solve organizational problems
• plan, conduct, and present managerial investigations, both orally and in writing, for an academic as well as a business practitioners audience.

Required Knowledge

University: Courses in Business Administration (75 ECTS) At Basic level (A-level) and Intermediate level (B-level) a minimum of 60 ECTS in Management, Marketing, Accounting and Finance courses. At the C-level (Bachelor), a minimum 15 ECTS. Language: Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section).

Form of instruction

Modules 1-3 are based on lectures that outline general theories related to the course topics. Seminars will be utilized to examine the details of the theories and the practice of the topics under study. In some cases more advanced simulation processes will be used. For module 4, the practice of strategizing will be pursued through an advanced project assignment. Workshops will be utilized in addition to lectures in order to deepen understanding of theories. Students are expected to be well prepared and to participate actively in discussions during the workshops and different project activities. Moreover, group or individual assignments with both oral and written presentations will be used throughout the entire course.

Examination modes

See also above under respectively module.
The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).

To receive the grade Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd) on the course, the student must have achieved that grade at three of the four modules.

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the module.

Students who do not pass the written examination will be offered a re-examination opportunity within a month. Beyond that, additional opportunities to complete the written examination normally arise every academic year one-week prior to the start of the autumn term.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. (see instructions in the Thesis manual. Thesis writing in Business Administration.) Urkund records may be used for control.

Students who fail to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written examination cannot have their results registered.

Lectures are normally not obligatory. However attendance is expected because the lectures are designed to facilitate students towards achieving course specific learning objectives. In addition lectures often provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course literature and other relevant course materials.

A student who has passed an examination cannot retake the examination to get a higher grading.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.

Academic credit transfer
Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.

Other regulations

This is a course at the D-level in an MSc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration and Economics at Umeå School of Business and Economics.