Course Catalog

This course aims at developing fundamental knowledge about important contemporary organization theories. The learning goals of this course consist of aspects we cover for each theory. By passing this course students are able for each organization theory:To reproduce correctly definitions of its main concepts;
To reproduce and explain its assumptions;
To reproduce, explain and apply its baseline conceptual models and advanced models on relevant topics;
To correctly formulate the main hypotheses, and the arguments grounding these hypotheses;
To read and understand academic papers that test the theory in distinct empirical domains.

Together these learning goals constitute the ability to judge the extent into which organization research is based on sound and complete theories.

Recommended Prerequisites
Introduction to Organization Studies

Content
This course cover the following organization theories: goal setting theory, social interdependence theory, dynamic capability theory (micro, intra-organizational theories); resource dependence theory, transaction cost theory (meso-, boundary spanning, environment-to-organization theories), neo-institutional theory (macro-theories).Throughout the lectures theories are presented systematically and in a similar way. First, the basics of every theory are explained by the Whetten scheme, including the main thrust of the theory. Next, the main assumptions and basic concepts are presented, these are subsequently modeled into the format of a conceptual model, and explained with a series of distinct arguments grounding the hypotheses derived from the model. At least one empirical paper testing the theory is presented. In the tutorials, we discuss several aspects of each block of theories, explain main constructs, measurement and modeling issues by means of OT exam questions. The tutorials, therefore, are a way to prepare for the written exam.