The course will provide an in depth introduction to the study of knowledge and learning in organizations. Since Peter Drucker famous dictum that “knowledge has become the key economic resource and the dominant…source of economic advantage” (1995, p.272) knowledge and learning have become central concerns both for managers and scholars. Articles on both topics regularly feature in all international academic journals and specialised publications and a vibrant international academic community gathers around these topics. At the same time, a plethora of research practitioners and consultancies generate substantial revenues by advising companies on how to deal with these topics. In spite of all this activity, the two issues remain highly contentious, and the field is characterised by the co-existence of different, and often alternative, approaches and perspectives.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:

a) Understand the different ways to conceptualise knowledge and learning in organisation(s).
b) Recognise the most relevant authors in the field
c) Nnavigate and critically appraise the vast literature on these topics
d) Recognise new opportunities for research
 

The aim of the course will be to furnish participants with the necessary theoretical basis to orientate themselves in the rich but quite complex intellectual landscape of Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management. During the sessions we will examine the different paradigmatic options available, discuss together some of the “classics” in the field, examine some of the most critical voices in the debate,and try to identify new areas for future research.
 

The complete syllabus will be made availabe to the participants closer to the beginning of the course
 

The course will be taught in two separate yet strictly interrelated parts, one focussing on organisational knowledge and its management and the other on organisational learning. As this is an elective PhD course, it is our intention to run the course in a highly collaborative and interactive way. We will limit frontal teaching at a minimum and use instead the sessions to discuss and critically appraise the existing literature. This means that you will be responsible for providing the input during the class, for example, by introducing, summarizing and critically reviewing some of the readings and providing other types of inputs to be agreed prior to the start of the classes. The two modules will be taught several weeks apart so you will have plenty of time to complete your task.
 

Assessment 1: Participation and contribution during the class (25%)

Assessment 2: Oral report of a book or set of articles (25%)

During the course you will be asked to present and discuss a substantial pieces of literature (a book or a set of articles.

Assessment 3: Final course research essay (50%)

At the end of the course, you will write a short essay of a maximum of 2000 words in which you will outline a proposal for a study on a particular aspect of knowledge and learning that you may be interested to develop in the future.
 

The list of readings will be circualted to the participants prior to the beginning of the course
 

Tuesday 20/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Wednesday 21/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Thursday 22/04/10
From 09:00 h. to 12:00 h.
Thursday 22/04/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Wednesday 02/06/10
From 09:00 h. to 12:00 h.
Thursday 03/06/10
From 09:00 h. to 12:00 h.
Friday 04/06/10
From 09:00 h. to 12:00 h.
Friday 04/06/10
From 15:00 h. to 18:00 h.