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2021/2022  BA-BDMAO2023U  Digital Organization

English Title
Digital Organization

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
BSc in Digital Management
Course coordinator
  • Michel Avital - Department of Digitalisation
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Organisation
  • Organisational behaviour
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 10-05-2021

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Ability to describe the organizational theories in the required course readings as well as class presentations and to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of those theories.
  • Ability to illustrate ideas from organizational theories in a digital context by examples from the exam case.
  • Ability to carry out critical assessment of the scope of alternative organizational theories and to compare their relevance to the exam case.
  • Ability to gain new insights through a selective application of multiple theories in a critical assessment of the exam case.
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
Two written assignments. The students will have to pass one out of two to take the final exam. There will not be any extra attempts provided to the students before the ordinary exam.
Examination
Digital Organization:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 15 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Same as normal exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course is designed to provide students with analytical tools and capabilities that will allow them to critically examine how organizations function and to develop insights on their idiosyncrasies. The course promotes the view that theorizing is an important organizational practice, and that knowledge of alternatives and their consequences is the key to understanding organization and organized action. 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. This is a hands-on course that requires students' engagement. Attendance and active participation in class discussions are not only expected but also required for one's successful realization of the course learning objectives.

 

The course covers theories related to organizational structure, technology, culture, decision-making and management, among others. Digitalization and its impact on organizing will be considered as a running theme throughout the course. 
Description of the teaching methods
Learning will be based on thematic lectures, field research, exercises, and student presentations. Moreover, the course is designed as a blended flipped classroom—each lecture session comprises a recorded lecture, quiz, group exercise, and in-class plenary discussion. The recorded lecture and quiz for each session will be available on Canvas. Group work will be managed by self-selected teams of 4-5 students. Group work is self-directed and will be done on campus. Plenary sessions will start with reports from the group work and provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss relevant issues. There will be no lecture in the plenary sessions, which will be held on campus. Consistent with the flipped classroom model, the time in the classroom will be used to explore topics of interest in greater depth and to create additional learning opportunities building on the assumption that the students are familiar with the core material that has been provided in advance. Clinic sessions will be conducted on campus and include practical exercises and discussions designed to aid students in applying what they have learned during the lectures and prepare for the exam.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is integrated into every part of the course. Two mandatory written assignments (pass/fail) allow students to get feedback on their ability to meet the learning objectives of the course and how to remedy deficiencies prior to the final exam.

Clinic sessions provide feedback on the ability of students to apply the theory to case organizations. The workshops are interactive and provide an environment where students can freely discuss any challenges that they encounter with the course material.

The lectures are discussion-based and provide students with a continuous opportunity to critically assess theories of organization and to get immediate feedback in response.

The instructors will provide further feedback as needed via email and during office hours.
Student workload
Preparations for class 120 hours
Class lectures and exercises 26 hours
Workshops 12 hours
Exam preparations 48 hours
Total 206 hours
Expected literature

Required textbooks: 


Pugh, D. and Hickson, D.J. (2007). Writers on Organizations (6th edition), Sage Publications. 

 

Hatch, M.J. & Cunliffe, A.L. (2018).  Organization Theory Modern, symbolic and postmodern perspectives (4th edition), Oxford University Press. (Note: earlier editions may work too)
 

+ selected journal articles
Last updated on 10-05-2021