• Identify a business problem related to strategy, organization, or leadership by leveraging relevant theories and concepts from SOL.
• Craft a research plan to examine this problem by operationalizing the chosen theories and concepts into empirical research questions and outlining appropriate methods for data collection.
• Collect and analyze data using suitable analytical techniques to generate insights related to the identified problem.
• Articulate practical recommendations to address this problem based on the research findings and academic literature.
• Write a report presenting the problem, the relevant literature, the research plan, the findings, and the recommendations in a coherent manner.

CBS's overarching goal is to transform society through business, and this course contributes to that mission by diagnosing and addressing real business issues through research. Specifically, in the course, students advance their ability to leverage academic research to generate insights for business practice. Under the guidance of a supervisor and drawing on various resources such as video lectures, students identify a concrete problem related to strategy, organization, or leadership and ground it in relevant SOL theories and concepts. They then craft a research plan that operationalizes these theoretical elements, collect and analyze empirical data using appropriate data-analysis techniques, and derive evidence-based recommendations to address the problem. Finally, they produce a coherent written report that outlines the problem and related question, reviews the relevant literature, outlines the research plan, presents the findings, and articulates actionable recommendations for organizational practice based on research and scholarship.

The course provides students with experience in conducting empirical research that can support their Master's thesis efforts in the second year. More broadly, the course reflects the pedagogical goals and quality criteria for research-based education at CBS by ensuring systematic contact between students and relevant research environments. Specifically, it develops students' skills to produce research-based insights, thereby strengthening their capacity for independent inquiry and analytical reflection. It also aligns with the Nordic Nine framework by fostering students' ability to address complex problems (N3, N5) through collaborative work (N6, N8) and by connecting academic theories with empirical data, characteristic of the SOL programme's holistic approach (N1, N2).

The skills developed in the course are highly transferable to practice, as diagnosing and addressing problems constitutes a core capability for contemporary knowledge workers. Moreover, the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives and data and assess them through reflective inquiry is one of the key markers of expertise in an era of increasing automation and AI.

• Classic and basic theory
• New theory
• Teacher’s own research
• Methodology

• Development of research questions
• Data collection
• Analysis
• Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
• Peer review including Peer-to-peer
• Students conduct independent research-like activities under supervision

The course will engage with a curated selection of methodological papers and book chapters addressing the core components of research design and execution, alongside literature highlighting the value of qualitative insights for business and organizational practice. Key readings will include the following selection:

• Allen, RT, & McDonald, RM (2025). Methodological Pluralism and Innovation in Data-Driven Organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly , 70 (2), 403-443.
• Grigoropoulou, N., & Small, ML (2022). The data revolution in social science needs qualitative research. Nature Human Behaviour , 6 (7), 904-906.
• Huising, R. (2019). Can you know too much about your organization? Harvard Business Review, Digital Edition .
• Maxwell, JA (2008). Designing a qualitative study. The SAGE handbook of applied social research methods , 2 (7).
• Von Nordenflycht, A. (2023). Clean up your theory! Invest in theoretical clarity and consistency for higher-impact research. Organization Science 34(5), 1981-1996.
• Zilber, TB, & Meyer, RE (2022). Positioning and fit in designing and executing qualitative research.  The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science , 58 (3), 377-392.