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2026/2027  MA-MMBAV2603U  Power and Inlfuence

English Title
Power and Inlfuence

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Part Time Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Master of Business Administration
Programme Master of Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Kristina Dahlin - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Leadership
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 01-06-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
The students should demonstrate:
  • An ability to identiy and explain central concepts of power, social exchange, expertise and resource control
  • An ability to demonstrate how concepts and theories from the course can be applied in an empiticial context, using power mapping and network analysis in combination with different action alternatives
  • An ability to reflect over and evaluate the relevance and applicability of course concepts and theories to different situations, from global politics to local decisions
  • Understand the role of power on the individual, both the positive and negative aspects of power
Examination
Power and Influence:
Exam ECTS 5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Project
Release of assignment Subject chosen by students themselves, see guidelines if any
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Home assignment - written product - 10 pages
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course explores how to use power and influence effectively to understand your environment and achieve your goals. It focuses on getting things done in the real world where politics and personalities can hinder progress, and is designed for those who want to make things happen despite obstacles. It also emphasizes using power responsibly - avoiding its pitfalls and applying it to create positive impact.

 

Today's business community faces polarization, rapid technological change, stakeholder activism, and eroding trust in institutions. Leaders must navigate competing interests, scarce resources, and political complexity. By understanding power and influence - how decisions are shaped, coalitions built, and narratives framed - they can align stakeholders, drive change ethically, and create resiliient, purpose-driven organizations.

 

The course relies on a mix of traditional case studies, exercises, films, articles, frameworks, and self-assessment tools. The exposure to the development and use of power in many different social sectors and in various points in history allows a comprehensive analysis of power in action.

 

The course will help you to:

1. Develop a conceptual framework for understanding power and influence. You should be able to define poser and influence and begin to appreciate how essential they are for your own career and to produce constructive outcomes for your organization.

2. Practice diagnostic skills that will enable you to map out the political landscape, understand others' perspectives and power bases, and learn to predict and influence their actions.

3. Assess your own power bases and influence style and consider strategies for expanding them.

4. Begin to build a repertoire of influence tactics so you wlll be effective in a variey of situations.

5. Develop your own strategy for building and exercising power and influnce responsibly-

 
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Methodology
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
  • Peer review including Peer-to-peer
Description of the teaching methods
The course relies on a mix of traditional case studies, exercises, films, articles, frameworks, and self-assessment tools

The students will be exposed to conceptual models, tactical approaches, and self-assessment tools to help them develop their own influence style and understand the political dynamics around them. By focusing on systematic analyses the students learn to consider the action options they have in different situations. In addition, the students will need to define for themselves how they want to ethically exercise power and influence their lives.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback:
Feedback is given to the students together with the grade when exams have been evaluated.

Evaluation:
We ask you to evaluate the overall course. We evaluate every course and faculty in order to secure and strengthen the professional level of the offered courses.
Student workload
Lectures 30 hours
Preparation 77,5 hours
Exam 30 hours
Last updated on 01-06-2026