Organization Theory

Organization theory is a dynamic field of research in management studies that has been evolving in the last decades due to the evolution of the organizational phenomena and the accumulation and development of different theoretical frameworks over the past 20 years.
The objective of this course is to introduce students to fundamental research questions and theoretical approaches in the study of organizations.

The course is designed:
- to enable students to develop a comprehensive knowledge about the key contributions of the organization theory and its development
- to allow students to position a research in the current scientific debate of OT
- to develop students’ skills in discussing and critiquing both theoretical framing and research design of a contribution in the organization theory field
- to enable students to draw on the organizational literature for their own research purpose, even if it is not in the organization field.
- the analysis of organization theories aims also at allowing students to reflect on what a theory is, to develop the capacity to formulate a research question and to identify the key features for building a theoretical contribution, in order to apply this competencies on their own research project

Students are required to come prepared the first day , having read the mandatory summer readings

The course starting from a reflection on what theory is, will provide a framework of analysis to understand the plurality of intellectual trajectories, theoretical contributions and methodological approaches within the realm of organization studies. The readings are organized more thematically than historically to capture the intellectual trajectories of the organization theory and its inherent breadth and diversity in term of epistemological and empirical approaches. The course will develop a robust in-depth analysis and will stimulate critical discussion on the selected organization theories. It will also provide a framework to understand the various emphases on different level of analysis (micro and macro) and phenomena under investigation (organizational practices and structures, single organizations in their environments and organizational populations and fields, ecc.).
Each lesson’s readings will typically include one or two “classics” defining the particular perspective, some more recent theoretical and/or empirical developments of the perspectives, and either implicit or explicit critiques of the basic perspective. Students are expected to complete all the readings prior to class. The course does not presume specialized background in organization theory.

The course material will consist of journal articles and book chapters. They will be available through Ca’ Foscari moodle. To study each section, a selection of further readings useful for deepening a perspective analysis is available.

Each participant is required to come prepared to class. Preparation will always involve reading the materials, prepare article presentation and discussion and final project presentation.

Article presentations
40% - PhD students are tasked to discuss an article among the required readings. Students will be asked to lead the discussion by preparing a critical presentation.
Paper
60% - Each student will be required to write an original paper based on the literature covered in the course. The paper should present a conceptual/theoretical framework concerning a selected topic in organization theory. The paper must present an underlying theoretical rationale and contain the key elements of a theory as discussed in class. Work-in-progress of the paper will be presented the last day of the course .

The course will have an interactive nature, mainly based on students' presentations and discussions

written and oral