21909 Theorising Organisations and Management

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject provides the critical skills, methodological judgment, and theoretical sophistication for students to be able to design a competent research project. It provides a forum each semester for students to present an update on their research efforts and review the work of others.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Learn and explore different theoretical approaches to organisation and management theory.
2. Critically evaluate contemporary issues in theorising organisation and management.
3. Introduce them to processes of theory constructions.
4. Become familiar with the types of arguments and evidence used to justify and elaborate different types of theorising, research, and writing practices.

Contribution to graduate profile

Theorising Organisations and Management is designed to prepare students to engage critically with research papers drawn from leading journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Studies, Organization Science, Organization, and various Academy of Management Journals – these and similar journals are widely recognised to be the apex of publishing in management and organisations areas. By taking this subject students will be equipped to engage in the appreciation of different styles of theorising necessary for the successful completion of their theses.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered through a variety of face-to-face teaching strategies. Lectures involve face-to-face content delivery, employing highly interactive approaches to enhance the theoretical delivery of the subject tailored to specific student needs and interest. The subject is delivered though a seminar program utilising intensive modes of teaching, based on case studies of exemplary research that link the theory and practice of doing research. Throughout the subject students are required to present papers and be involved in peer learning activities.

Content

• Meta-theoretical approaches to management and organisation theory – positivist, interpretive, critical and post-modern approaches
• Anthology
• Epistemology
• Historical perspectives
• De-constructing rationalities
• Practice and language in management and organisation theory
• Strategies, structures and stories
• Consulting approaches to organisation change.

Recommended text(s)

Westwood, R. and Clegg, S. R. (2003) Debating Organizations, Oxford: Blackwell.

Indicative references

Clegg, S. R. (2002) 'Central Currents in Organization Studies I: Frameworks and Applications, Volumes One to Four, London: Sage

Clegg, S. R. (2002) Central Currents in Organization Studies II: Contemporary Trends, Volumes Five to Eight, London: Sage;

Clegg, S. R., Hardy, C., and Nord W. R (1996) Handbook of Organization Studies, London: Sage.

Tsoukas, H. and Knudsen, C. (2004) The Oxford Handbook of Organization Theory, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Grant, D., Hardy, C., Oswick, C., and Putnam, L. (2004) The Sage Handbook of Organizational Discourse, London: Sage.