We are embedded in organizations from our time in the cradle until our time in the grave. Most of us are born in a hospital, run around in a kindergarten, receive education at a school and thereafter (or simultaneously) work in an organization, before we end up in a nursing home or a hospital for our final days. In other words, a lot of the things we do in life, we do in organizations. A basic understanding for organizations and how they function is therefore a prerequisite for maximizing the return from our efforts in life.
Especially in work life, an understanding of organizational theory is essential in many contexts. For instance, it is difficult to manage a company without a very good understanding of how organizations function. And a good understanding for organization theory becomes even more important in an era where globalization, digitalization, and different aspects relating to sustainability increasingly influence organizations and our work lives.
Organization theory is a comprehensive subject with an extensive history. In this course you will become familiar with a selection of essential terms, concepts and theories in organizational theory. We will focus on some well-established theories, but also on some more modern theories and perspectives. Much of our focus in this course, particularly in regards to the semester hand-in and the two case-solving gatherings, will be on understanding, explaining and creating organizational change. The purpose is, precisely, that you will acquire an understanding of organizational theory, which can aid you later on, both at NHH and in work life, but also more generally with the activities in life that happens in organizations. One day it may be you leading an organisation.