Organizational Theories

Current information:

The lecture Organization Theories deals with central theoretical approaches of organization research and their implications for management practice. The lecture is divided into the modules "(1) Theoretical content", "(2) Empirical studies", "(3) Exam preparation".

The lecture contents will be provided to you in the form of lecture slides and literature in StudIP for download.

(1) Theoretical content will be taught in class on a weekly basis on Mondays from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm beginning October 25, 2021. There will be six sessions on theoretical content.

(2) Empirical studies on individual organizational theories will be read and prepared in self-study. A total of six empirical studies will be read.

(3) An exam preparation will reinforce each organization theory and teach students how to deal with exam-like assignments. There will be six retreat preparation sessions on selected content of the lecture. The individual sessions will be offered on a weekly basis to accompany the lecture on Wednesdays beginning October 27, 2021 from 4:15 pm to 5:45 pm attendance.

The course will be offered as a compact course during the first half of the winter semester. The lecture will be completed on Dec 01, 2021. The written exam is scheduled in presence (currently scheduled exam date: 12/17/2021). Depending on the developments of the Corona pandemic, we reserve the right to conduct the lecture, exam preparation and exam digitally instead of face-to-face.

Here you can find the event in eCampus

In this lecture, you will learn about theories that help us understand and explain practical phenomena, predict the effect of strategies, structures, and actions, and derive appropriate recommendations for practical action. These practical phenomena address different aspects in and between organizations such as the efficient design of organizations, the values and norms of organizational members, the selection of incentive systems, and the design of contracts.

Based on their practical applications, the lecture provides an overview of a variety of organizational theories, such as contingency theory, organizational culture research, neo-institutionalism, or transaction cost theory. For each theory, concrete empirical studies from the management context will be discussed in addition to the respective epistemological interests, basic assumptions, central elements and main statements. This will give you an insight into the current landscape of organizational research in general as well as the research activities of the professorship in particular. The lecture thus places great emphasis on research-oriented teaching and is aimed in particular at students interested in research, without, however, neglecting the practical relevance of these theories. Because 'nothing is more practical than a good theory'.