Course Description: Organization Theory course gives an overall picture of the field with current issues. It covers subjects as: organizations as social and economic actors, how individuals/people act within organizations and on behalf of organizations, and how to conceptualize organizations. Epistemological, methodological and ontological questions are dealt during the course in relation to organization theory. It is also aimed to develop a critical understanding of different theories, to help participants to use/apply these theories in formulating their own research projects, and to promote understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of organization theory. Fields like administrative decision making, structuralism, organizational culture, gender and diversity approach, agency theory, institutional theory, critical theory, post-modernism & modernism, post-structuralism and post-colonialism, and psychodynamic approach are covered during the course.
Learning outcomes: The aim of the course is to give the participants an overall picture of Organization Theory and its current issues, and study how to use it in one’s own doctoral work. Subjects covered are: organizations as social and economic actors, how individuals/people act within organizations and on behalf of organizations, and how to conceptualize organizations. Epistemological, methodological and ontological questions are dealt during the course in relation to organization theory. It is also aimed to develop a critical understanding of different theories, to help participants to use/apply these theories in formulating their own research projects, and to promote understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of organization theory. Fields like administrative decision making, structuralism, organizational culture, gender approach, agency theory, institutional theory, critical theory, post-modernism & modernism, post-structuralism and post-colonialism, and psychodynamic approach are covered during the course.
Course requirements: See required readings – the link is attached to the participants after acceptance.
Target group: Phd students
Time: 25.-27.8.2014
Place: University of Turku, Turku
Course Language: English
ECTS: 6 Credits
Number of students: Max. 30 students will be admitted to the course
Course work and evaluation: A report (about 20 pages) on a topic agreed during the course is written and handed in one month after the course ends. It is recommendable that the report relates to the questions of the doctoral thesis and current writing of the students (like articles). The final grade is a three-level verbal grade: Excellent, Good, and Satisfactory. The instructor of the course makes the evaluation based on the study report.
Required readings: Students are required to read beforehand an extensive reading package (ca. 10-12 articles) and actively participate during the four teaching days. The reading material has to be commented during a special session in the seminar.
Instructors:
Iiris Aaltio, professor, University of Jyväskylä
Tuomo Peltonen, University of Turku
Mihaela Kelemen, Keele University
Course Coordinator and contact person: Lauri-Matti Palmunen, Turun yliopisto, lauri-matti.palmunen@utu.fi
Application deadline: “The application deadline is June 30. You can apply by sending an email including the name of your faculty and supervisor to the coordinator.”