Management and Organizational Theory, Bachelor Course

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Bachelor's Programme in Business and Economics (S1EKA)

Admission to the course requires at least 105 credits, at least 45 of which must be from FEK101 Business Administration, Organization and Leadership, 7.5 credits, FEK102 Business Administration, Marketing, 7.5 credits, FEK103 Business Administration, Financial Accounting, 7.5 credits, FEK104 Business Administration, Management Accounting, 7.5 credits, FEK201 Business Administration, Strategic Marketing Management, 7.5 credits, FEK202 Business Administration, Strategy, 7.5 credits, FEK203 Business Administration, Economic and Financial Management, 7.5 credits, FEK204 Business Administration and Operations Management, 7.5 credits, or from FEG100 Business Administration 1, 30 credits and FEG200 Business Administration 2, 30 credits or equivalent.

The aim of the course is to prepare the students for a career where they will work in and lead organisations and businesses. The course enables the students to practice their ability to understand and critically analyse the conditions for organisation and leadership in today’s society. The organisation and leadership of a business are addressed and analysed in relation to the institutional and cultural conditions it is subject to. Current research and development of ideas in the form of original texts in the field together with research summaries are utilised. Issues in the area of management are subjected to critical and theory-based analysis, with themes such as power, responsibility and conditions that leaders face regarding own and others’ development. The concept of ‘leadership’ is analysed and problematised.

The course consists of two parts. One part focuses on theoretical discussions and individual performance. The students are expected to read literature on their own and reflect over the content before the respective theme is addressed at compulsory seminars. This is examined via a written test, in accordance with learning outcomes 1 and 2. In the second part, the students problematise and discuss practical and methodological issues concerning organisation and leadership based on these theoretical discussions in small groups, in seminar form and in text form. This part of the course is examined via work in groups, in accordance with learning outcome 3.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

1. describe and explain theories concerning organisation and leadership in relation to the development of society,
2. problematise, compare and critically discuss the theories referred to under learning outcome 1,
3. identify and problematise an aspect of organisation/leadership, as well as based on previous studies and theory referred to under learning outcomes 1 and 2 design a study that contributes to increased knowledge about the identified problem.

Lectures and seminars.

Language of instruction: Swedish
Teaching in English may occur.

Learning outcome 1 is examined via a written exam.
Learning outcome 2 is examined via a written exam.
Learning outcome 3 is examined via a group project.

Compulsory attendance
Attendance at literature seminars is mandatory. A student who cannot attend one or two out of the seven literature seminars may be granted a make-up assignment, which must be completed within the specified time frame. A student who has been absent from more than two literature seminars is directed to attend remaining literature seminars during a subsequent course instance.

Due to resource constraints, the group project and seminars can only be performed and assessed within the course dates.

• If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).
• If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.
• If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.
• If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

For a passing grade of the course, a passing grade must be assigned for all intended learning outcomes. This means a passing grade (A-E) on the written exam and Pass (G) on the group project. Compulsory elements must also be fulfilled. The course grade (A-F) is based on the written exam.

Grade (Definition) Characteristic:
A (Excellent) A distinguished result that is excellent with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

B (Very good) A very good result with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

C (Good) The result is of a good standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought and lives up to expectations.

D (Satisfactory) The result is of a satisfactory standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

E (Sufficient) The result satisfies the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought, but not more.

F (Fail) The result does not meet the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

Some occasional examination elements of the course may have the grading scale UG (Fail/Pass).

A course evaluation is conducted anonymously either digitally via the course website or via a written questionnaire handed out at the last scheduled meeting of the course or in connection with the exam. The results of the evaluation are to be communicated to students via the course committee and course website.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The School of Business, Economics and Law has an AI policy regarding the use of generative AI or similar tools. General rules and guidelines for the use of such tools are published and updated on the course's learning platform together with specific provisions applicable to this course.