Learning outcomes

This course provides a broad perspective on the context in which organisations operate as well as to train students to analyse, reflect and critically examine organisation's role and responsibility in the global society.

After the course the student will be able to orally as well as in writing independently discuss the topic by covering the following matters:

- identify and evaluate the importance of different actors in the global context of organisations.

- critically examine different societal trends such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Audit Society and Quests for Transparency and evaluate their impact on the organisation.

- explain and critically reflect on the nature of the relationships and interdependencies in the field and what this means for the organisation.

- act as moderators for seminar discussions.

- perform and present a deepened analysis of some contemporary themes in the global society.

Content

Students that in the future will act on leading positions in organisations need to have a broad perspective on the context – the global society – in which organisations operate. Contemporary organisations do not only have to handle relationships to customers, suppliers, employees and competitors. They must also be able to deal with a variety of different societal actors and trends on a local, national and global level. Such as, for example, local moulders of public opinion, governmental regulators, INGOs, NGOs, media and more general international trends. Organisations act in an institutional environment which means that prevailing norms and ideals of what it means to be an organisation in a global society affects their possibilities of acting. Organisations also take an active role in society. They participate in such activities as rulemaking, standard setting and the creation and diffusion of different management and organisation models. Through theoretical literature and practical examples, students will be able to understand and evaluate the complexity of the global society.

Instruction

Through a series of lectures and seminars, individual work as well as teamwork, different themes of organisation's role in the global society are discussed and analysed. Students are also encouraged to search for material on their own to work with current issues on organisations and society.

Assessment

Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system and, for international students, the ECTS grading system. The following grades will be used: VG (passed with distinction), which corresponds to A or B in the ECTS grading system, G (passed), which corresponds to C, D or E, and U (failed) which corresponds to the ECTS grade F.

The students will get one single grade, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits. Examination includes active participation in seminars, leading discussions and writing and defending papers, both individually and in group. To obtain G as a final grade, at least G must have been achieved on all parts of the course. To obtain VG as a final grade, VG must have been achieved on all parts of the course.

In addition, any remaining assignments or supplements must be completed and handed in at least within two weeks after the end of the course otherwise the course (all assignments included) has to be redone the following semester, provided there is space in the course.

Attention Swedish students: Only completed courses can be recognised in your degree.

Transitional provisions

Kursen överlappar/ ersätter Företag och organisationer i det globala samhället 2FE962 samt 2FE817 (Samläser med Masterkursen Organisations in a Global Society 2FE817).