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2010/2011  BA-1OT  Organization Theory

English Title
Organization Theory

Course Information

Language English
Point 15 ECTS (450 SAT)
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration Two Quarters
Course Period Autumn . Spring
2nd and 3rd quarters
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study Board
Study Board for BA in Information Management
Course Coordinator
Kjeld Schmidt
Main Category of the Course
  • Organization

Taught under Open University-Taught under open university.
Last updated on 29 maj 2012
Learning Objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with analytical tools and capabilities that will allow them to comprehensively examine the task of establishing wellfunctioning organizations. Incomplete knowledge of alternatives and consequences is assumed to be a prevailing condition. The course subscribes to the view that theorizing is an important organizational practice – for the members of business organizations as well as for the participants at our OT course. In both cases participants are typically working with assumptions or theories regarding organizations and their functioning. Successfully turning
theory into a practical resource or tool for further theorizing requires an ability to appreciate differences among the various theories. This includes furthering the ability to discuss and critically reflect upon the theories and their different – sometimes competing – assumptions, while paying due attention to their possible practical relevance and implications.
Examination
Oral Exam based on paper
Exam Period May/June
Examination
The examination is oral individual and based on a 3rd quarter paper of max 10 pages (22.750 taps), written in groups of 3-4 students.
Time of examination (grading included): 20 minutes

The regular exam is in March, and the re-examination is in May/June
Prerequisites for Attending the Exam
Submission of the 3rd quarter paper automatically activates registration for the oral examination.
As the basis for the Quarter Paper, students (in groups) develop a case study of an actual organization (in the 2nd module). The Quarter Paper must analyze the case using the required course readings from the two OT-modules.
Course Content

Class work contains three interrelated tracks:

1) The first track consists of thematic lectures that develop the core analytical themes of organization theory.

2) The second track consists in case-oriented work. In Module 1, students will be doing observation exercises in actual organizations as a way to develop an understanding of both the fundamental concepts of organizational theory and of their application in particular circumstances. Each group prepares and makes a presentation of the findings from the observation exercise. — In Module 2, students will develop an actual case (possibly based on work in Module 1) to be analyzed in the Quarter Paper.

3) The third track, i.e., the OT Method session aims to give a final edge to your analytical tools and capabilities before you embark on the task of solving the upcoming Quarter Paper assignment in Organization Theory.

Teaching Methods
Thematic lectures and student presentations
Literature

Gareth Morgan: Images of Organization, SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif, etc., 2006. (Updated edition, 1st ed. 1986).