Current Trends and a Minor in Management, 30 Credits

Contents

The course gives the opportunity to further develop within the major subject in a module on the latest development and in a module on research methodology. The course also gives a Minor subject in Management. The course is given and examined in English.

Generic learning outcome.
In addition to the specific learning outcomes for each module (see below), the course has a number of goals for the development of generic competencies. After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• reflect on equality, diversity and multiculturalism multiculturality and work effectively in multicultural teams
• integrate expertise from different knowledge areas in order to identify, analyse and solve organizational problems,
• plan, conduct, and present investigations, both orally and in writing, for an academic audience as well as an audience of business practitioners. 

Common expected learning outcome:

• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing

Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 credits
Module 2. People - The Human Side of Organizing, 7.5 credits
Module 3. Project Management, 7.5 credits
Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration, 7,5 credits

Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 credits
The overarching aim of this course is to develop advanced knowledge of perspectives, strategies and design in research. This will increase the student's ability to carry out and assess business research and investigations. Important building blocks are the problem formulation, frames of reference, scientific approaches, including the ontological and epistemological points of departure, and methods for data collection and analysis.
 
Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module the student should be able to:

• identify and discuss how fundamental assumptions, scientific ideals, perspectives and frames of reference influence a process of scientific knowledge creation
• formulate and argue for relevant research questions, including the theoretical relevance and positioning
• discuss characteristics of research strategies and discuss and evaluate the suitability of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods respectively, to solve different research questions
• apply acquired knowledge in the planning, design, implementation and reporting of scientific studies
• demonstrate an ability to assess and discuss social, environmental and ethical aspects of the business research process

Focus of instruction
Lectures, seminars, practical assignment(s), individually or in groups, and the reading material complement each other to help students to develop deep knowledge of what scientific research in business and management fields is all about.
 
Examination modes
The assessment is based on an individual written hall exam and reporting of individual written assignment(s). Participation at all seminars and presentations is compulsory to pass the module. The final grade is awarded when the student has passed all assignments and compulsory module elements. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 2. People - the Human Side of Organizing, 7,5 credits
In the second module, focus is turned to the human side of organizations, with the objective to show the importance of considering individual perceptions and identity construction, as well as group interaction, in order to effectively manage and lead an organization. Additionally, the module will address a variety of themes on human side complexities that may also contribute to shape organizational processes. 

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:
1) appreciate organizational processes as a matter of mutual interaction through a social identity theory perspective, including the following sub goals:

• understand how human interaction in organizational contexts emerge from social identification processes,
• critically reflect upon issues of commitment, collaboration, group dynamics, leadership etc from the social identity point of view,
• utilize the social identity framework to identify, analyse and solve human problems in organizational contexts,

2) scrutinize and evaluate alternative themes relating to current concerns regarding human side complexities in organizational processes, including:

• critically reflect upon and apply one of these themes on a real-life organizational practice.

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by lectures, seminars, individual- and group assignments. 

Module examination modes
The examination consists of active participation in seminars including successful completion of written group and individual assignments. A passing grade is required for each examination part of the module. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.

Module 3. Project Management, 7,5 credits
The third module is associated with the current trend "projectification" of business and public organizations who increasingly rely on projects in their operations. The overall aim of the module is to provide an understanding of the challenges of working in and with projects. To fulfil the aim, the module takes its point of departure in methods and processes traditionally associated with project management, but the focus of instruction is behavioural consequences of temporality (e.g. leadership, team dynamics, organizational routines). The first part of the module aims to create a common basis for understanding what a project is, and the practice in terms of a selection of common methods for planning and control of the single project. Some attention is given to the project within the surrounding organization. In the second part of the module we use the insights from the first part to thoroughly explore the consequences of working in and with projects. The aim is to prepare the student for working with projects by addressing common challenges related to human behaviour in temporary settings.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• explain and discuss the nature of projects within the context of organisations
• explain and apply a selection of commonly used tools and methods for project management
• analyse and discuss challenges and opportunities associated with working in a temporary setting, from an individual and organizational point of view

Focus of instructions
Learning in the first part of the module is supported by lectures. This part of the module is partly assessed in the final exam, and a group assignment. Learning in the second part, that relates to behavioural consequences of working in temporary settings, is provided by lectures, literature seminar(s) and workshop(s). This part of the module is assessed by individually written short reflective memos on the literature, active participation in literature seminars and workshops and the final exam. The group assignment consists of applying traditional project management methodologies to the planning of a project of the student´s choice. The project will address a current challenge in society and should have the potential to make a significant impact.

Module examination modes
The examination consists of seminars, workshops and group and individual assignments and a written individual hall exam. A passing grade is required for each assignment. The course is given and examined in English.

Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration 7,5 credits
The ambition of this module is to identify and uncover current trends.  These trends have a strong long-term impact on society at large and thus form future premises and give rise to challenges for businesses. The aim of the module is to explore how business and society interact to tackle such present and future challenges. The expectation is that students participating in this module are well equipped with knowledge and skills related to their own major, one of the five sub-disciplines accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing in Business Administration.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module the student should be able to:

• analyse fundamental societal issues and what impact businesses have on these issues 
• identify and evaluate emerging trends in society
• critically discuss business decisions relating to current trends
• evaluate information, knowledge and policy in relation to current trends in terms of validity and reliability
• relate current trends to research in business administration within the field of the student's major
• be able to share multidisciplinary knowledge

Focus of instruction
Learning is supported by lectures, guest lectures and guided exercises. Students are provided with relevant sources of information and scientific literature for supporting individual and group works related to the themes of lectures and exercises.
 
Examination modes
The main mode of examination is an individual written essay with a subsequent oral examination. The essay requires convincing discussion of the importance and urgency of solving a specific problem related to any of the current trends from the disciplinary perspective of the student's major. Further, the examination consists of individual and group reflection papers related to the various course activities.
Attendance at all work in progress and final presentation seminars, group work and guest lectures related presentation events are mandatory and thus a requirement to pass the course. A passing grade for each graded part of the course is required to pass. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Expected learning outcomes

See each separate module.

Required Knowledge

90 credits whereof 30 credits at advanced level in Business Administration. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

See each separate module.

Examination modes

See each separate module and below.
 
The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more), and
Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).
 
Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. The course is given and examined in English.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 30 credits course consisting of four modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) in at least three out of four modules. In shorter courses for example 7,5 credit courses, 15 credit courses or 22,5 credits courses Pass with distinction (VG) is given when the student has achieved at least 75% of the total weighted points.

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity for re-examination within 2 months. An additional examination opportunity is normally offered every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, another form of examination can be used.

A student that has failed an examination on two occasions has a right to have another examiner or grading teacher appointed, unless there are special reasons against it. A written request addressed to the Director of Studies should be made no later than 14 days before the next examination opportunity.

Adaptations
Examiners may decide on deviations from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Academic integrity and cheating
As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the academic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who use unauthorized help aids or in some other way try to mislead in examination. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing is applicable to written assignments. Submitted material is subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply.

Transfer of credits
Student who considers themselves to possess knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional or vocational experience that can be comparable to a course or part of a course, can apply for transfer of credits. Approved transfer of credits means that the student does not need to take the or those parts of the course that the decision covers. Information about transfer of credits can be found on Umeå University's web site.

Other regulations

This course can not be included in the degree together with 2FE193, 2FE194, 2FE197, 2FE196, 2FE195, 2FE047, 2FE122, 2FE221, 2FE201, 2FE426, 2BA412, 2BA416, 2BA415, 2BA414.