EPN-V2

MSLV4200 Collaboration and collaborative management Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Samarbeid og samarbeidsledelse
Study programme
Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Biomedicine
Master´s Programme in Pharmacy
Master Programme in Management of Library and Information Institutions
Master's Programme in Public Administration and Management
Executive Master in Public Management
Elective modules, Master Programme in Public Management
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

The course provides insight into the literature on collaboration and collaborative management within the public sector and between the public and other sectors of society. Collaborative management will be placed in a theoretical and contextual perspective. Students are presented literature discussing collaboration and collaborative management in different contexts. The course deals with collaboration regarding the formulation and implementation of public policy, innovations in public sectors and service production. Furthermore, the course discusses challenges concerning collaboration across different tiers and sectors of government, and among public, private and third sector actors. Emphasis will be placed on theories on leadership and governance in the context of collaboration, where the differences between hierarchical and more equal relations between actors is elucidated.

Language of instruction is Norwegian.

Required preliminary courses

None

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

  • in-depth knowledge about collaboration and collaborative management in the public sector
  • in-depth knowledge of the preconditions for implementing public policy through collaboration
  • in-depth knowledge on how collaboration can promote innovation in the public sector
  • thorough insight into how organisational and social factors affect roles and freedom of action to exercise administration and management at different administrative levels

Skills

The student is capable of

  • assessing how barriers to collaboration among different actors and organizations can be approached through collaborative management
  • assessing in what situations collaborative innovations are appropriate, and the demands such innovation processes put on collaborative management
  • assessing different forms of governance and coordination mechanisms

General competence

The student is capable of

  • analysing and taking a critical approach to different sources of information and using them to structure and formulate arguments in the field

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching is session-based in the form of lectures, student presentations, discussions, group work and seminars. Students will write assignments between the sessions. A high degree of independent activity is expected. Teaching will be based on examples and cases from the students' practical experiences.

Course requirements

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

  • Coursework 1: The students are required to submit a 1-2 page memo outlining the topic and research question for the semester assignment (cf. Assessment).

The aim of the coursework is to develop skills in applying knowledge to analyze challenges in the public sector and in communicating academic issues effectively.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by a given deadline.

Assessment

The exam in the course is a semester assignment. The scope of the assignment must have a scope of 3.500 words (+/- 10%). The front page, table of contents and reference list come in addition to this. Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing 1.5.

The assignment can be written individually or in pairs on agreement with the person responsible for the course.

Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the assignment for assessment

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F

Examiners

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Course contact person

Sissel Hovik