EXC 2705 Scandinavian Management in an International and Comparative perspective - RE-SIT EXAMINATION

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013

EXC 2705 Scandinavian Management in an International and Comparative perspective - RE-SIT EXAMINATION

Responsible for the course
Tor Grenness

Department
Department of Communication - Culture and Languages

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
6

Language of instruction
English

Introduction
The dominating theory within the area of organization and leadership since the times of the classical theories of organization, i.e. the so called ”one best way” theory, has during the last thirty years been challenged by an alternative theory, i.e. the theory of ”context dependence”. What this means is that what is regarded as good leadership varies with the context. One such context is culture, or to be more precise: national or regional culture. Today most books dealing with international business-related topics take the view that good leadership has to be ”context specific”. At the same time, some argue that the forces of globalization will slowly reduce national cultural differences and pave the way for a global leadership style, while others argue that cultural differences will maintain or even grow as a reaction to the globalization process. These are also among the issues that will be discussed during the course.
Geographically and culturally the Scandinavian countries form a distinct cluster. During this course, leadership, management and organization within this cluster will be in focus. The Scandinavian way of leading people and managing organizations will be explained and discussed, and will also be compared to other management styles. Also the challenges imposed by Globalization constitute an important issue. Among other relevant issues, business ethics in particular will be in focus.

Objective
The main objective of the course is to provide the students with insights and an understanding of what is perceived as particularly Scandinavian with reference to leading people and managing work organizations. Emphasize will also be on the issue of work conditions and work environment.
In order to fully understand Scandinavian Management, the so-called ”Scandinavian Model” will be discussed. Initially, theories of culture and cross-cultural management will be presented as they provide the best starting point for discussing a regional management model like the Scandinavian one.

    Prerequisites
    No particular prerequisites are required.

    Compulsory reading
    Books:
    Bjerke, Björn. 1999. Business leadership and culture : national management styles in the global economy. Elgar

    Other:
    Grenness, Tor and Brinkmann, Johannes. 2007. Collection of Articles - Scamdinavian Management in an International and Comparative perspective. Oslo: Handelshøyskolen BI


    Recommended reading
    Books:
    Schramm-Nielsen, Jette, Peter Lawrence, Karl Henrik Sivesind. 2004. Management in Scandinavia : culture, context and change. Cheltenham : Edward Elgar

    Course outline
    The course is divided into four main topics:
    • About culture and cross-cultural management studies
    • The Scandinavian Model and Scandinavian Management and work life
    • Focus on values and Business Ethics
    • Theories and research in comparative management studies

    Computer-based tools
    Course documents and announcements will be submitted on It's learning.

    Course structure
    The course consists of 36 teaching hours including group work. It is expected that the students take an active part.


    Examination
    On completion of the course students are required to hand in a Term Paper individually or by groups of up to three students. The maximum number of pages for the Term Paper is 20. The Term Paper is handed out in the beginning of the semester..

    Examination code(s)
    EXC 27052 - Term paper accounts for 100% of the final grade in EXC 2705 Scandinavian Management in an International and Comparative Perspective, 6 credits.

    Examination support materials
    All support materials are allowed.
    Examination support materials at written examinations are specified under exam information in our web-based Student handbook. Please note the use of calculator and dictionary, http://www.bi.edu/studenthandbook/examaids

    Re-sit examination
    Due to changes in our Bachelor Programmes from the autumn semester of 2009, there also will be changes in every single course. This course was taught for the last time in the spring semester of 2011. A re-sit exam will be offered every term including the spring semester of 2013.

    Additional information

    Semester

    Oversettelser