Critical Perspectives on Management from Coursera

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.

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?

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

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

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

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Critical Perspectives on Management with these activities:

Review 'Understanding Corporate Management'

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Review key concepts in corporate management to provide a foundation for the course.

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Read Chapters 1-3
Summarize the main points of each chapter
Identify key concepts and definitions

Review fundamental business concepts

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Ensure a strong foundation in business principles before starting the course.

Browse courses on Business Concepts

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Review notes or materials from previous business courses
Read articles or books on key business concepts
Take practice quizzes to test your knowledge

Participate in online discussion forums

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Engage with peers and instructors to clarify concepts and share insights.

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Join the course discussion forums
Read and respond to other students' posts
Ask questions and seek clarification

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Watch videos on management theories

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Gain a better understanding of different management theories and their practical applications.

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Search for videos on management theories
Watch at least 3 videos
Take notes on key concepts and examples

Solve practice problems on management decision-making

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Develop problem-solving skills and enhance understanding of decision-making processes.

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks
Solve the problems using course concepts
Check your answers and identify areas for improvement

Create a mind map of management functions

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Reinforce understanding of the core functions of management and their interrelationships.

Browse courses on Management Functions

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Identify the main management functions
Create a visual representation of the functions
Explain the connections between the functions

Connect with professionals in the management field

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Establish connections with experienced professionals for guidance and insights.

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Identify potential mentors through LinkedIn or industry events
Reach out to potential mentors and introduce yourself
Request informational interviews or mentorship opportunities

Develop a case study analysis

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Apply course concepts to real-world business scenarios and develop critical thinking skills.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Select a relevant case study
Analyze the case using course frameworks
Write a report outlining your analysis and recommendations

Career center

Learners who complete Critical Perspectives on Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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