PS9100 Fundamental Concepts and Discourses in Business Administration, Innovation and Governance Course description

The course is mandatory for all doctoral candidates at Oslo Business School. It is recommended that candidates complete this course early in the programme.

The course takes a conceptual and history of ideas approach to business administration, innovation and governance as fields of research and teaching. The course aims to introduce the foundations of the theories of social science and economics underpinning current research on business administration, innovation and governance, with emphasis on providing students with insight and overview of the diversity as well as the common ground. The course consists of three main thematic components:

• Important methodological challenges to the study of business, innovation and governance.
• Key theoretical approaches spanning several fields of research.
• Exemplary classical and cutting-edge contributions to each field.

After completing the course, the candidates are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Candidates

• have in-depth knowledge of and insight into methodological challenges to the study of business administration, innovation, and governance and have an overview of the main lines of argument in the methodological debate
• have in-depth knowledge and understanding of key theoretical approaches in business administration, innovation, and governance
• are familiar with cutting edge knowledge in central academic traditions within business administration, innovation, and governance

Skills

Candidates

• can compare and analyse concepts and ideas in their field of research
• understand the distinctive character of their own sub-field in the encounter with other fields within business administration, innovation, and governance
• can reflect on and communicate the research in the field and its development in a broader conceptual context
• can contribute to developing ideas and concepts in business administration, innovation, and governance

General competence

Candidates are capable of

• contributing to the debate on fundamental conceptual issues within business administration, innovation, and governance;
• identifying foundational theoretical issues of relevance to business administration, innovation, and governance
• identifying topical managerial and policy issues of relevance to business administration, innovation, and governance
• disseminating theoretical and empirical research both nationally and internationally
• communicating theoretical and practical implications of empirical results

Teaching is organised as a combination of lectures, discussions and presentations by the candidates in which selected classic texts (books and/or articles), literature reviews and meta-analyses are discussed, and topical research presented.

The candidates shall submit analyses of syllabus and other texts. Participation is mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching. Only a minor absence from teaching may be accepted under certain circumstances and upon application. In the event of absences that are not approved, candidates will lose their right to have their papers assessed.

A paper of between 6 and 8 pages ( 2500-3500 words) will be delivered within 2 months of the completion of the course. The teachers responsible for the course will assess the paper. A pass is a precondition for being awarded the ECTS credits. If the paper is awarded a fail grade, the candidate can submit a revised essay once, by a specified deadline.

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.

Pass-Fail

The essay will be graded by the course lecturers.

Professor Asbjørn Røiseland, SAM, Handelshøyskolen