ORG602 Knowledge Organisations, Management and Knowledge Development

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

Participants should be PhD students accepted for a PhD programme in social sciences

Recommended prerequisites

EX-602 Philosophy of Science or EX-604 Philosophies of Social Sciences. It is recommended that the student has prior knowledge of innovation and social change issues.

Course contents

Knowledge is increasingly a key resource for businesses. How to develop and manage knowledge development processes is therefore important for business development. Judgement has been increasingly highlighted as an important factor in business development. The question is how to organise in order for businesses to make good judgement.

This course addresses this from different theoretical perspectives including discussion of the concept of knowledge, and how knowledge is developed in society and in the organisation. The background for the discussion is the development of knowledge society and knowledge economy, and also concepts like knowledge organisations and knowledge management. The course tries to go beyond these concepts and discuss what knowledge is at how it is developed in a social and organisational context. The course is a development of EX-604, and is building on the theory of science discussions in EX-602.

Key approaches that will be addressed are:

• Knowledge management

• Organisational judgement

• Organisational epistemology

• Social epistemology

• Expert knowledge

The course will discuss professional organisations and the role of expert knowledge from the perspective of epistemological systems and link this discussion to the discussion of sustainable work systems.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course the candidate should be able to:

• Master the field's philosophy of science and be able to contribute to new knowledge development and interpretations of knowledge.

• Handle complex academic issues and challenge established concepts about knowledge

• Formulate research strategies that can identify different epistemological positions in organisations and how they influence organizational change and business development

• Communicate research through international channels and participate in international debates about knowledge organisations and knowledge development

Examination requirements

The candidate has to attend at least 80% of mandatory lectures and group work. The candidate has to hand in reflection papers on time, and take an active part in discussions in the course.

Teaching methods

Preparation/reading 40 hours
Reflection papers 10 hours
Attending teaching 30 hours
Group work 10 hours
Discussion 10 hours
Writing exam paper 35 hours

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam paper, 10 pages. Pass/Fail - where Pass must be equivalent to the letter grade B or better.