| Learning objectives |
- Identify and discuss different approaches to what constitutes
‘good’ research in organization and business studies with specific
reference to entrepreneurship.
- Apply and evaluate the theoretical concepts associated with
entrepreneurship theory introduced in class.
- Explore and resolve the tensions involved in applying academic
theories to practical experience.
- Apply and experiment with qualitative methods to inquire after
an entrepreneurial form.
- Reflect on working with one another through empirical study and
the use of theoretical concepts.
- Discuss and analyze empirical findings with concepts in ways
that address the problems and passions of those engaged in creating
new organizational forms.
|
| Examination |
|
Making Social
Science Matter:
|
| Exam
ECTS |
7,5 |
| Examination form |
Oral exam based on written product
In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product
must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The
grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and
the individual oral performance. |
| Individual or group exam |
Oral group exam based on written group
product |
| Number of people in the group |
2-5 |
| Size of written product |
Max. 25 pages |
|
In groups with 2 students max. 15 pages, 3
students max. 20 pages, 4-5 students max. 25 pages |
| Assignment type |
Project |
| Duration |
Written product to be submitted on specified date and
time.
15 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade,
and informing plus explaining the grade |
| Grading scale |
7-step scale |
| Examiner(s) |
Internal examiner and external examiner |
| Exam period |
Summer |
| Make-up exam/re-exam |
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If a student is ill during the
regular oral exam, he/she will be able to re-use the project at the
make-up exam. If a student is ill during the writing of the project
and did not contribute to the project, the make-up exam can be
written individually or in groups (provided that other students are
taking the make-up/re-exam). If the student did not pass the
regular exam, he/she must make a new revised project (confer advice
from the examiner) and hand it in on a new deadline specified by
the secretariat
|
Description of the exam
procedure
Duration of oral exam:
2 persons group: 30 min
3 persons group: 45 min
4-5 persons group: 60
min
|
|
| Course content and structure |
|
Course content and structure
|
|
This course is grounded on a sustained reading of the books
Making Social Science Matter by Bent Flyvbjerg and Disclosing New
Worlds by Charles Spinosa, Hubert Dreyfus and Fernando Flores.
Fyvbjerg argues that rather than simply generate knowledge,
social science should consider what constitutes a good society and
discover how knowledge might better contribute to this.
Consideration will also be given throughout to the nature of
method in social science research, with an emphasis on business and
management research. Emerging from the work of ethnographers such
as Bruno Latour, there are questions about the nature and role of
‘method’ in the creation of social scientific results. In addition
consideration will be given to theories of entrepreneurial and
innovative activity that enocurage researchers to get in amid the
phenomena they are researching, notably the book Disclosing New
Worlds. Here Flores and his co-authors talk about entrepreneurship
as being the discosure of new spaces.
All of the authors discussed suggest that scientific work is
embedded in wider discursive and material backgrounds which
legitimise particular realities, rather being than a process of
‘discovering’ what is ‘out there’. The same goes for
entrepreneurial work. Shifting from the focus on the discovery
towards the accomplishment and dislcosure of what is ‘out there’
raises questions about the nature of truth and the role of
creativity in this process.
Part of the course will involve students working on their own
primary research of entrepreneurial ventures. Students will be
asked to identify, inquire into, and produce knowledge about a
space in which entrepreneurial activity has led to the disclosure
of a new way of doing things. To assist in this work they will be
introduced to the methods of case study (from Flyvbjerg) and the
spatial analysis advocated by Henri Lefebvre. In this way they will
gain first hand appreciation of how social science workd in an
entrepreneurial context, and in working can be made to
matter.
|
|
| Description of the teaching methods |
The teaching and learning strategy of the module
is based around providing students with the basic knowledge and
skills necessary to conduct research in business and management
settings, with specific emphasis on entrepreneurship and
innovation. Sessions will involve discussions, studio work and
lectures pertaining to key aspects of business and management as a
social science and its broader relationship to the humanities. The
combined use of theoretical and practical sessions will contribute
to preparing students to conduct research in business and
management settings.
Emphasis will be given to researching entrepreneurial phenomena, so
learning hands on how research can engage productively with the
field. Case method research methods will feature
prominently. |
| Feedback during the teaching period |
Presentations of assignments during the course.
Feedback from both teachers and other student groups. This fosters
a sense of collaborative endeavour in inquiry and delivering
knowledge. It also allows students to develop critical skills in
considering, summarising and presenting what they consider key or
critical in the knowledge they have produced.
Written feedback via email. Both teachers provide feedback in the
form of responses to specific questions reagrding the assignments.
Meetings arranged with groups as they produce their reports. This
takes the form of meetings in the field over two days where
appointments can be booked with both teachers and the meeting
occurs real tome as the student is conducting research.
Meetings can also be booked back at CBS to discuss specific points
arising in the writing up of the report.
|
| Student workload |
| Course activities (including preparation) |
156 hours |
| Exam (including exam preparation) |
50 hours |
|
| Expected literature |
|
Flyvbjerg, B (2001) Making Social Science Matter. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press
Flyvbjerg, B., Landman, T., Schram, S (eds) (2012) Real Social
Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Schatzki, T (2002) 'Social science in society' Inquiry,
45, 119-138 (critique of Flyvberg)
Charles Spinosa, Fernando Flores, Hubert Dreyfus (1997)
'Disclosing New Worlds', MIT Press
Henri Lefebvre "The Production of Space "(1991)
Oxford: Blackwell.
|
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