Course content

Central to the course is the theoretical foundation and development of business administration. The starting point of the course is the core of business economics with assumptions about economic agents' behavior and economic choices. The course deals with development in the (business) economics discipline from the neo-classical standard model, through business administration behavior theory and modern organizational theoretical perspectives. This includes the development in assumptions about the human being as an actor, from "economic man" to "administrative man" and "contractual man". The course connects discussions about the assumptions and applications of different theories to central discussions in the philosophy of science and philosophy. The theoretical discussions in philosophy of science form a basis for methodological and methodological discussions related to different research approaches in the field of (business) economics. The philosophical discussions form a basis for critical reflections on corporate social responsibility, ethics, morality and the public debate related to, for example, sustainability.

The course deals with central economic theories such as standard microeconomics, basic organizational theory, business economic behavior theory and behavioral economics, agent theoretical perspectives, transaction cost theory and institutional theories. This foundation is used in discussions of the application of various theories in disciplines such as financial management, finance, marketing, strategy, organization and management.

The course deals with digitalization, the emergence of platform organizations and the consequences of new technologies for the coordination of markets and organizations. Here the focus is on the basic theories' understanding of key developments in organizations and society.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of:

• The nature and content of business administration as a field of study
• Has knowledge of classical economic theories and the development to more modern behavioural theories
• Has knowledge of central discussions related to philosophy of science and philosophy of science and implications of theoretical assumptions for the application of different perspectives

Skills

The student is able to:

• Apply business economics theories to understand challenges in organizations and society and discuss solutions to different problems
• Carry out theoretical assessments of different theoretical approaches and research methods and critically reflect on research findings
• Carry out critical analyses and reflections on economic models and their assumptions

General competence

The student can:

• Identify and discuss fundamental scientific problems of importance for economic practice in organizations, markets and society.
• See economic knowledge in a larger philosophical context and contribute to discussing economic actors' social responsibility in a larger value perspective

Learning methods and activities

The course's teaching activities consist of lectures with discussion in groups and plenary, case seminars and compulsory work requirements.

Compulsory assignments

• Oblig.øving

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor's course in Social Science Methods, and basic knowledge in ethics equivalent to a minimum of 5 ECTS.

Course materials

Bibliography: Books: Douma, S. Schreuder, H. (2017) Economic Approaches to Organizations. 6th ed. Prentice-Hall/Pearson Education Ltd. Ledger.

Selected articles, which will be announced at the start of the course.

Credit reductions