Computational Approaches to the Study of Organizations, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• 180 ECTS credits passed including 90 ECTS credits within one of the following areas humanities, social-, cultural-, behavioural-, natural-, computer-, or engineering-sciences
• 15 ECTS credits passed in one or several of the following subjects:
  Statistics
  Mathematics
  Computer science
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should at an advanced level be able to:

• describe, combine and apply models in organization theory to analyse research questions
• integrate knowledge of quantitative and computational methods into the study of organizations
• describe and evaluate applications of quantitative and computational methods in organizational scholarship
• evaluate the current state of quantitative empirical research on organizations
• formulate research questions of relevance to the contemporary study of organizations

Course content

This course engages with research on organizations, with a specific focus on quantitative methods and computational models. Theories and empirical research in the study of organizations are discussed and compared, including organizational demography, internal labour markets, organizational decision making, and organizational ecology. Research papers on organizations are read and assessed, theoretical models of organizations are formulated, and empirical predictions from theoretical models are derived. Special attention will be paid to the use of complex statistical and computational methods in organization research.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures, readings, and seminars. Homework and independent studies are a necessary complement to the course.

Language of instruction: English.

Examination

The course is examined through

• written group assignments, grading scale: EC
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: EC
• written individual final take home exam , grading scale: EC

The group assignments and individual take home exam provide course points.

To receive a passing final grade, P for active participation in seminars and at least 50% of the course credits are required. Higher final grades are determined by achieved course points as below:

To pass (E) as the final grade on the course, at least 50% of the course credits are required
For D as the final grade on the course, at least 61% of the course credits are required
For C as a final grade on the course, at least 71% of the course credits are required
For B as a final grade on the course, at least 81% of the course credits are required
For A as a final grade on the course, at least 91% of the course credits are required

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course's study guide.
 

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department