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2020/2021  BA-BPROO1021U  Decision-making, Risk and Uncertainty

English Title
Decision-making, Risk and Uncertainty

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Spring, First Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Administration and Project Management
Course coordinator
  • Joana Geraldi - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Management
  • Organisation
  • Project and change management
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 03-12-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
[Note that the learning objectives entail both the decision, risk and uncertainty (BRU) and research methodology classes, because both courses will be examined together.]
  • analyse the challenges of making decisions in an ambiguous, uncertain and complex world
  • explain, contrast and appraise decision-making models from cognitive and behavioural studies and from organization studies
  • apply different decision-making models to improve our understanding of project decisions
  • appraise the rationality in project decisions
  • formulate a research problem that is relevant to project management
  • apply and reflect on data collection methods
  • apply and integrate theories from several subjects to support the analysis of empirical work
  • explain and discuss the applied theories and compare them with alternative theories
  • apply, explain and reflect on project management tools used in their own project
Course prerequisites
The exam in this subject is together with the subject 'Metode, projektstyringsværktøjer’ and ‘tværfagligt 1. årsprojektools’, so that enrolment in the subject requires that you have also enrolled in the subject 'Method’, ‘project management tools’ and ‘interdisciplinary 1st year project'.
Examination
The course shares exams with
BA-BPROO2000U
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course focuses on the decisions that must be made when designing and implementing projects. We will also explore the actual conditions under which these decisions are made. There is particular interest in the uncertain, complex and ambiguous conditions that make it difficult to make rational decisions. The students will be presented with a number of theories for how such decisions are taken. These theories will be applied to the analysis of concrete project practices.

 

The purpose is to give the student an understanding of decision making, not as a right but as a task, and sometimes even a burden, and discuss its challenges, and strategies that can be used to address them.

 

The form of teaching is dialogue lectures. Emphasis is placed on the student's preparation, in the form of both independent reading of recommended scientific literature, listening to videos related to the readings and preparation of group presentations.
Description of the teaching methods
Dialogue lectures, blended learning (short videos on the articles and theoretical perspectives that will be used to introduce students to different texts and guide their reading), group discussions, student presentations, case studies.

The teaching language is English.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is given primarily in connection with guidance on the 1st year project, where the subject is included and tested.
Student workload
Lecture preparation 98 hours
Classes 36 hours
Exam 72 hours
Expected literature

The curriculum will be dominated by scientific articles that cover both theories of limited rationality, cognitive processes and irrational and intuitive choices.

 

Reading can be found in:

  • Basic book: Kahnenmann (2013) Thinking fast and slow. Penguin.
  • A compendium with relevant literature that is not available in Libsearch
  • List of articles available in Libsearch 

 

Complete reading list is available in Canvas.

 
Last updated on 03-12-2020