Course content

By studying board practices, the course aims to provide specific and academically justified recommendations for improving the board functions within an organization. The course is structured around a project assignment, which is designed to foster systematic reflection on the interaction between theory and practice. Through critical reflection and problem-solving, students will be equipped to apply methods and tools in specific board contexts. This includes adopting a holistic perspective on the development of an organization through its board.

Students will have the opportunity to use the theories and models they have learned to develop solutions to specific challenges within a board. In doing so, students will also contribute new and relevant knowledge to the improvement and development of the organization's board function and its board work.

Through their participation, students can play a crucial role in the transfer of knowledge between the organization and academia. The organization will gain access to a valuable resource through specific suggestions for improvements and may directly or indirectly recruit competent individuals with newly applicable, research-based knowledge for the organization's board.

Students are responsible for finding an organization to work with for their project assignment. This may be an organization in which they are employed, hold a position, or apply to work with for the assignment. The organization can be from the private, public, or voluntary sector. The organization must be real and will require approval from the course instructor.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• The student understands the role and responsibilities of a board, providing a foundation for actively contributing to effective board work, board development, and board leadership.
• They can offer qualified advice for the change and development of the board function in the organization they work with, based on the issue at hand.
• The student will be able to adopt a holistic perspective on an organization and understand the connections between various key areas such as organization, management, finance, operations, and marketing.
• They will understand the division of roles between the board's leadership function and day-to-day (operational) management.
• The student will understand the formal requirements placed on a board by corporate laws.
• They will comprehend how the board manages development and strategic leadership while also exercising responsible and comprehensive control over the organization.

Skills:

• The student can develop a solution based on a problem statement or task description in consultation with the client and supervisor.
• They can produce a completed written work that addresses the issue from perspectives that are academically relevant to a specific aspect of the board function.
• The student can gather, use, and communicate relevant information, theories, and models.
• They will demonstrate the ability to solve problems in real-world situations.

Competence:

• The student recognizes the value of structured argumentation and the organization of academic content and expertise.
• They will demonstrate the ability to act independently and responsibly.
• The student will show the ability to reflect on their own development as a (potential) board member.

Learning methods and activities

The course is based on a 2-day intensive physical session totaling 16 hours, with mandatory attendance. Prior to the physical session, there will be a 2.5-hour digital session that provides information about the course, clarifies expectations, and outlines the requirements for the project assignment. After the physical session, there will be five additional digital sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours. Following the physical session, videos with in-depth exploration of key topics from the session will also be made available. The total expected workload is approximately 200 hours over one semester, including work on the project assignment.

Course Content - Topics:

The following topics will be covered during the physical and digital sessions:

• What is a board and what is the board function?
• What regulates a board?
• Division of labor within the company
• The board and the CEO/executive management
• The strategic role of the board - the board and strategy
• The board and digitalization/ICT
• Sustainability in a board context
• Innovation - business modeling/enterprise design - organizational structuring
• What is the board's control function, and how is it exercised?
• Corporate Governance - ownership and corporate management
• The board and financial management
• Crises and crisis management
• Projects and project management

Recommended previous knowledge

Nothing in particular

Course materials

• Solberg, F. (2021). Styrearbeid - Styreutvikling - Styreledelse. Fagbokforlaget.
• Berg, T. (2019). Økonomiforståelse for ledere og styremedlemmer. Fagbokforlaget.