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Critical Perspectives on Management
Rolf Strom-Olsen
Rolf Strom-Olsen
This course is designed for students of all backgrounds who have an interest in how firms are governed, the forces that have helped define modern management practice, and the outcomes of that practice not only for the firm itself, but also for the societies in which they operate. For students who are thinking of a career in management, it may also prove useful as a basic introduction to some of the conceptual vocabulary and ideas behind modern theories of management.
Read more
This course is designed for students of all backgrounds who have an interest in how firms are governed, the forces that have helped define modern management practice, and the outcomes of that practice not only for the firm itself, but also for the societies in which they operate. For students who are thinking of a career in management, it may also prove useful as a basic introduction to some of the conceptual vocabulary and ideas behind modern theories of management.
Read more
This course is designed for students of all backgrounds who have an interest in how firms are governed, the forces that have helped define modern management practice, and the outcomes of that practice not only for the firm itself, but also for the societies in which they operate. For students who are thinking of a career in management, it may also prove useful as a basic introduction to some of the conceptual vocabulary and ideas behind modern theories of management.
Using a wide disciplinary approach - from economics and history to social theory and even a smattering of biblical criticism - the course will invite students to consider several core management strategies and priorities from often unexpected perspectives in order to judge their success or failure. The key objective of the course is to bring into critical focus how we think about the function and culture of management, how managers understand their role within a firm, how they take decisions, set priorities and benchmark success and failure.
Topics include: the function of the firm; the role of incentive; the ways in which narrative forces shape decision making, and how market relationships define the managerial culture in ways that can lead to sub-optimal outcomes.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/4xn7r6/critical
What's inside
Syllabus
The Lessons from Rome Part I
In Ancient Rome, merchant organisations very similar to modern firms were critical to capitalising key markets and to solving serious logistical problems to enable a vibrant trading network across the Mediterranean, including, critically, supplying the city of Rome itself with the food its citizens needed to survive. We will examine the Roman grain market and the organisations that operated within that market to ask: what, exactly, is a firm? What led to the firm's evolution? And what is the issue of agency that a firm inevitably entails?
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Syllabus
The Lessons from Rome Part I
In Ancient Rome, merchant organisations very similar to modern firms were critical to capitalising key markets and to solving serious logistical problems to enable a vibrant trading network across the Mediterranean, including, critically, supplying the city of Rome itself with the food its citizens needed to survive. We will examine the Roman grain market and the organisations that operated within that market to ask: what, exactly, is a firm? What led to the firm's evolution? And what is the issue of agency that a firm inevitably entails?
Read more
The Lessons from Rome Part II
This lecture expands upon the first discussion, drawing from the insights gained about firm organisation in the Ancient world to ask about the effectiveness of the Forced Distribution Ranking Scheme (also known as "stack and rank", "up and out", etc...) to evaluate and promote or terminate employees, widely used by many of today's leading corporations.
What is Innovation?
We live in the innovation economy. Firms have chief innovation officers. Innovation is, so we are told, the key to securing the future. And there are quite literally millions of books on the subject of innovation. So, what does it mean? And is it a useful idea for management? We'll consider both questions.
The Power of Narrative
What do Hollywood movies, the Synoptic gospels, housing bubbles, Alan Greenspan's monetary policy, and the world's worst merger have in common? This week's lecture will develop a reading of narrative in order to explore a common pitfall that affects many managerial decisions.
Is Shareholder Value a Good Idea?
Perhaps the most important lecture of the course. Almost all publicly traded firms are beholden, either explicitly or implicitly, to the principle of creating shareholder value. This week, we look at the history of this idea, how it has become widespread as a principle of corporate governance and how it has changed fundamentally the nature of the firm over the last 40 years. We will look at who the shareholders are, where their interests lie and what they have gained from this development. We will consider the wider and long-term consequences both for the firm and society. And we will ask - is this the kind of capitalism we really want?
Case Studies
We look at the examples of two companies whose experiences encapsulate many of the core ideas of the course. The first is Apple, which, in the context of reporting their quarterly earnings in the Spring of 2013, committed an unprecedented amount of its capital reserves to a share repurchase scheme and dividend increase. We will look at the motivation and logic for this move. The second is Nokia (which has subsequently sold off its mobile phone business to Microsoft). We will look at how the company rose - and then dramatically fell - from its position as market leader in mobile communications.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Taught by Rolf Strom-Olsen, who are recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches
Develops management skills and knowledge, which are core skills for business leaders
Examines the function and culture of management, which is highly relevant to business and organizational settings
Teaches strategies and priorities from unexpected perspectives, which may challenge learners' assumptions
Requires students to come in with some background knowledge in management or related fields
Uses a wide disciplinary approach, which may appeal to learners with diverse interests
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Save Critical Perspectives on Management to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Reviews summary
Critical thinking in management
According to students, Critical Perspectives on Management is an outstanding course that stands true to its name. Learners say it's well structured, thoughtful, and even entertaining. The professor's passion for the subject matter is evident, and they have a gift for making complex topics accessible. The course blends history, economics, finance, and social sciences to provide a unique perspective on management. Students say that it's a must-take course, even if the subject matter isn't of interest because there's so much to be gained from it.
Provides a different and fresh perspective on management.
"A different kind of MOOC, one of the best around."
"Fresh, intellectually challenging and very insightful."
"It is interesting management course taught by a historian."
Uses history and case studies to illustrate management concepts.
"Excellent course material."
"This course is one of its kind."
"The use of business cases or simply sotric facts (from ancient Greece to the present day) as starting points from which to derive important business lessons makes the hours of these lectures extremely stimulating."
Challenges commonplace management practices.
"Stands true to its name."
"A different point of view about management, as emphasizing on questioning about the "golden rules" taught in MBA, and on thinking about how unreasonable some of them are."
"This course should be taken at least once in a lifetime by anyone (whatever their field of interest) ... It is a course that, as the name suggests, tries to show the results of a "critical" approach to problems and to provide a guide to develop this approach."
The course challenges students to think critically about management.
"It has influenced my thinking and helped me to ask questions in a new and beneficial way."
"This course is one of a kind."
"It is a course that, as the name suggests, tries to show the results of a "critical" approach to problems and to provide a guide to develop this approach."
The professor is knowledgeable and engaging.
"A brilliant course. Stands true to its name."
"Wonderful course with exceptional instructor."
"Kudos to Rolf. Extremely interesting subject taught by a master teacher."
Activities
Coming soon
We're preparing activities for
Critical Perspectives on Management.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete Critical Perspectives on Management will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Management Consultant
Management Consultant
Management consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing advice and guidance. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand business problems, develop solutions, and implement those solutions. This knowledge and skills are essential for any management consultant who wants to be successful.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and completing projects. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to plan projects, manage resources, and track progress. This knowledge and skills are essential for any project manager who wants to be successful.
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Operations managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to manage operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. This knowledge and skills are essential for any operations manager who wants to be successful.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Business analysts identify and solve business problems by analyzing data and developing solutions. This course would provide you with the skills to analyze data, understand business processes, and develop innovative solutions. These skills are essential for any business analyst who wants to be successful.
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Sales managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand sales principles, develop sales strategies, and manage sales teams. This knowledge and skills are essential for any sales manager who wants to be successful.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts provide financial advice to individuals and organizations. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand financial markets, analyze financial data, and make investment recommendations. This knowledge and skills are essential for any financial analyst who wants to be successful.
Product Manager
Product Manager
Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand customer needs, develop product specifications, and launch new products. This knowledge and skills are essential for any product manager who wants to be successful.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand marketing principles, develop marketing strategies, and track marketing results. This knowledge and skills are essential for any marketing manager who wants to be successful.
Investment Banker
Investment Banker
Investment bankers help companies raise capital and make mergers and acquisitions. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand financial markets, analyze investment opportunities, and structure financial transactions. This knowledge and skills are essential for any investment banker who wants to be successful.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand business principles, develop business plans, and launch new businesses. This knowledge and skills are essential for any entrepreneur who wants to be successful.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand nonprofit principles, develop nonprofit strategies, and manage nonprofit organizations. This knowledge and skills are essential for any nonprofit manager who wants to be successful.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
CEOs provide high-level guidance and make the final decisions that shape a company's goals and objectives. Taking this course would give you the knowledge of how to manage a company, how to make decisions, and how to navigate the complexities of the business world. This knowledge is essential for any CEO who wants to be successful.
Government Manager
Government Manager
Government managers lead and manage government agencies. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand government principles, develop government policies, and manage government agencies. This knowledge and skills are essential for any government manager who wants to be successful.
Educator
Educator
Educators teach and train students. This course would give you the knowledge and skills to understand educational principles, develop lesson plans, and teach students. This knowledge and skills are essential for any educator who wants to be successful.
Lawyer
Lawyer
Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to clients. This course may be useful for lawyers who want to understand the legal aspects of business and management.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/4xn7r6/critical
Reading list
We've selected 45 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Critical Perspectives on Management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of firms, from their origins in ancient Rome to their modern incarnations as global corporations. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the role of firms in the economy.
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Provides a comprehensive history of the firm, from its origins in the ancient world to its modern incarnation as a global economic powerhouse. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the role of firms in society.
Provides a historical perspective on the evolution of the firm and its role in the economy. It useful reference for understanding the origins and development of modern management practices.
Explores the challenges that large, established firms face when it comes to innovating. It provides valuable insights into the process of innovation and how firms can avoid the innovator's dilemma.
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Provides a framework for evaluating the quality of a strategy. It practical guide that can help managers to develop and implement more effective strategies.
Provides a step-by-step guide to building a successful startup. It is based on the principles of lean manufacturing and is highly relevant to the course's focus on entrepreneurship.
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Examines the role of narratives in shaping economic behavior. It provides a new perspective on how firms can use narratives to their advantage.
Explores the challenges that established firms face when they try to innovate. It provides a framework for understanding why firms often fail to innovate, and it offers advice on how to overcome these challenges.
Provides a long-term perspective on the history of economic growth in the United States. It thought-provoking work that challenges conventional wisdom about the future of economic growth.
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Critiques the shareholder value maximization model of corporate governance. It argues that this model has led to a number of problems, including short-termism, excessive risk-taking, and inequality.
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Examines the role of narratives in shaping economic behavior. It provides insights into how managers can use narratives to influence decision-making and create value.
Provides a comprehensive analysis of the distribution of wealth in the United States and other developed countries. It groundbreaking work that has sparked a renewed debate about inequality.
Explores the role of narrative in shaping our understanding of the world. It provides a framework for understanding how narratives work, and it offers advice on how to use narratives to communicate more effectively.
Provides a practical guide to the challenges of building a successful business. It offers valuable insights into how firms can overcome these challenges and achieve their goals.
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Provides a fascinating look at the science of habit formation. It practical guide that can help managers to understand and change their own habits and the habits of their teams.
Highlights the importance of serving the needs of low-income consumers. It provides insights into how businesses can create profitable and sustainable growth by focusing on this market segment.
Save
Provides a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist's insights into the two systems of thinking that drive human behavior. It thought-provoking work that can help managers to make better decisions.
Provides a comprehensive bibliography of management literature. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the field of management.
Provides a fascinating look at how ideas and trends spread through society. It thought-provoking work that can help managers to understand and harness the power of social media.
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Provides a practical guide to the lean enterprise methodology. It offers valuable insights into how firms can use this methodology to improve their efficiency and productivity.
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Challenges the idea that shareholder value is the only goal of a firm. It argues that firms have other stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and suppliers, who also have legitimate interests.
Provides a framework for understanding and developing innovative capabilities. It valuable resource for managers who want to create a culture of innovation in their organizations.
Save
Argues that the traditional model of management is dead. It offers a new model of self-management that is based on the principles of autonomy, purpose, and mastery.
Provides a case study of the rise and fall of Nokia, one of the world's leading mobile phone companies. It offers insights into the challenges that firms face in a rapidly changing global economy.
Provides a practical guide to Lean Six Sigma, a process improvement methodology that can help managers to improve the quality and efficiency of their operations.
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Critiques the management profession. It argues that management is more about luck and charisma than it is about skill and knowledge.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the new economy. It offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that firms face in the digital age.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the global economy. It offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that firms face in the global marketplace.
This short manifesto outlines the principles of agile software development, which can help managers to develop and deliver software products more quickly and efficiently.
Provides a critical introduction to management. It challenges traditional assumptions about management and offers a new perspective on the role of managers in society.
Provides an inside look at the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. It practical guide that can help managers to develop their consulting skills.
Provides insights into the challenges of building and running a successful company. It valuable read for entrepreneurs and managers who want to learn how to overcome the obstacles that they will inevitably face.
Provides a framework for developing and implementing a balanced scorecard, a performance measurement system that can help managers to align their organization's strategy with its operations.
Explores the concept of creating new markets and monopolies. It valuable read for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build businesses that are truly innovative and disruptive.
Save
Provides a practical guide to getting your startup off the ground. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to attract users, build a following, and generate revenue.
Provides a framework for developing and implementing an HR scorecard, a performance measurement system that can help managers to measure the impact of their HR initiatives.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the economics of strategy. It covers a wide range of topics, including game theory, industrial organization, and corporate finance.
Provides a framework for developing and implementing a performance prism, a performance measurement system that can help managers to measure the impact of their organization's strategy on its stakeholders.
Save
Provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of starting a business with limited resources. It valuable read for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to overcome financial constraints and build a successful enterprise.
Provides a historical overview of management thought. It traces the development of management ideas from the ancient world to the present day.
Explores the future of management. It offers a vision of how management will need to change in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of management. It covers a wide range of topics, including management theory, research methods, and case studies.
This encyclopedia article provides a comprehensive overview of management philosophy. It covers a wide range of topics, including the nature of management, the role of managers, and the ethics of management.
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This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of management. It covers a wide range of topics, including management theory, research methods, and case studies.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of management. It covers a wide range of topics, including organizational behavior, strategic management, and operations management.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/4xn7r6/critical
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Effort
6 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
IE Business School
Instructor
Rolf Strom-Olsen
Language
English
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Good to know
Taught by Rolf Strom-Olsen, who are recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches
Develops management skills and knowledge, which are core skills for business leaders
Examines the function and culture of management, which is highly relevant to business and organizational settings
Teaches strategies and priorities from unexpected perspectives, which may challenge learners' assumptions
Requires students to come in with some background knowledge in management or related fields
Uses a wide disciplinary approach, which may appeal to learners with diverse interests
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