Course code Soci4007

Credit points 6

Approaches of Organizational Research

Total Hours in Course162

Number of hours for lectures32

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours98

Date of course confirmation22.11.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Course developer

author Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Ginta Kronberga

Dr. sc. soc.

Prior knowledge

Soci1005, Basics of Research

Soci3001, Sociology of Organizations and Groups

Course abstract

Students acquire master knowledge on organizations as a specific object of research and analysis. Students gain an understanding of the specifics of organizational research and the variety of research and analysis approaches and their use in situation assessment and decision-making processes. During the course, students acquire skills to choose and argue an appropriate research approach to organizations as well as to develop an appropriate research design to obtain the necessary data, and the ability to anticipate potential difficulties in researching specific organizational problems. At the end of the course students are able to independently, with understanding apply knowledge and skills in the research and analysis of the organization, its elements, processes and environmental factors.
The aim of the study course is to provide knowledge in the research and analysis of organizations, thus creating an understanding of the diversity of research and analysis tools and their applicability in identifying the problems of organizations and evaluating possible solutions.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: knowledge of the organization as a specific object of research and analysis. Knowledge and understanding of organization as systems diagnostics and analysis algorithms. Knowledge and understanding of the most important theoretical perspectives, analysis approaches and methods in the study of organizations (Test, individual task 1 and 2, 1st and second presentation).
Skills: Ability to choose and argue an organizational research approach appropriate to a particular situation. Ability to develop an appropriate research design and choose research methods to obtain the necessary data for the analysis of organizations. Ability to anticipate potential difficulties in researching the problems of specific organizations and find appropriate solutions. Ability to responsibly plan time and perform assigned tasks. Ability to discuss and communicate freely about tasks and their results. Argumentation and critical thinking skills (3rd individual task, 3rd presentation, discussion, test).
Competence: Ability to independently apply knowledge and skills in research and analysis of the organization, its elements, processes and environmental factors. Ability to creatively and critically navigate problem situations related to the research of organizations, to develop solutions and proposals for the improvement of the organization's operations (individual tasks and presentations, test).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Development of theoretical and empirical approaches to organizational research. - 2 hours
2. Organizations as an object of research and analysis. - 2 hours
3. Diagnostics and analysis of organizations as systems.- 3 hours
4. Methodological approaches in organizational research. - 2 hours
5. Specifics of research of internal and external environment analysis of organization. - 3 hours
6. Stakeholder approach. - 3 hours
7. General methodological approaches and basic principles in organizational research. - 3 hours
8. Research approaches to organizational competitiveness. - 3 hours
9. Benchmarking and good practice research approaches. - 2 hours
10. Customer perspective research approaches. - 3 hours
11. Common Assessment Framework. (CAF). -2 hours
12. Organizational image and reputation research approaches. - 2 hours
13. Measuring the effectiveness of organizations and its problems. - 2 hours

Content of practical works (32 hours)
1. Development of research approaches of organizations, its preconditions and research directions - discussion. - hours
2. Organizational diversity in society. What is common and different in their research - practical work, discussion. -2 hours
3. Organization as a system, its structural elements, research advantages and obstacles - discussion. - 2 hours
4. Methodological approaches in social sciences in the study of organizations - practical work, discussion. - 2 hours)
5. Analysis of the internal and external environment of organizations – 1st independent work, 1st presentation. - 6 hours
6. Situation analysis using a stakeholder approach - practical, discussion. - 2 hours
7. Use of action research methodology in organizational research / problem solving - practical work, discussion. - 2 hours
8. Research of organization competitiveness – 2nd independent work, 2nd presentation. -5 hours
9. Benchmarking and good practice research - practical work, discussion. - 2 hours
10. Secret client method. Development and practical application of tools – 3rd independent work, 3rd presentation. Test. - 5 hours
11. Organization image and reputation - practical work. - 2 hours

Requirements for awarding credit points

Formal test with a grade

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

3 individual tasks and presentations, test, practical work, discussions.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Credit rating consists of cumulative assessment of learning outcomes 100%:
Test (20%);
Practical work, discussions (20%);
1st individual task, presentation (20%);
2nd individual task, presentation (20%);
3rd individual task, presentation (20%).

Compulsory reading

1. Robson C., McCartan. Real World Research. 4th ed. London: John Wiley&Sons, 2016, p. 533.
2. Wolf C., Joye D., Smith T.W., Fu Yang-Chih. The Sage Handbook of Survey Methodology. Croydon: Sage Publications, 2016. 716 p.
3. Neuman W.L. Social Research Methods. Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches: Eight Edition. Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited, 2018. 640 p.
4. Joseph J., Baumann O., Burton R.M., Srikanth K. Organization Design.MLA 8th Edition (Modern Language Assoc.), 2019. 339 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datu bāzē: https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzE4ODcxMzRfX0FO0?sid=625eac34-a90d-45ec-b1ce-bed3d808be01@redis&vid=4&format=EB&rid=4
5. Seville E. Resilient Organizations: How to Survive, Thrive and Create Opportunities through Crisis and Change. Kogan Page, 2016. 185 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datu bāzē: https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzE0MDYwNjlfX0FO0?sid=625eac34-a90d-45ec-b1ce-bed3d808be01@redis&vid=8&format=EB&rid=11
6. Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. (red.). Rīga: RSU, 2021. 607. Lpp
7. King B., Felin T., Whetten D.A. Studying Differences between Organizations: Comparative Approaches to Organizational Research. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. 2009. 270 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datu bāzē: https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzI4NzcwN19fQU41?sid=625eac34-a90d-45ec-b1ce-bed3d808be01@redis&vid=11&format=EB&rid=1

Further reading

1. Dagnino G.B. Research Methods for Strategic Management: a Research Methods Handbook. New York: Routledge, 2016. 377 p.
2. Krause H.U., Arora D. Key Performance Indicators for Sustainable Management: A Compendium Based on the “Balanced Scorecard Approach”. Berlin/ Boston: De Guyter, 2020. 372 p. ISBN: 978-3-11-058908-7
3. Dāvidsone G. Organizāciju efektivitātes modelis. Rīga: Organization Development Academy, 2008. 328 lpp.
4. Adams J., Raeside, R. Khan, H. T. A. Research Methods for Business and Social Science Students. Second edition. eBook. New Delhi: Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd., 2014. 304 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datu bāzē: http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=
e000xww&AN=784882&site=ehost-live&scope=site
5. Angouri Jo. Culture, Discourse, and the Workplace. New York: Routledge, 2018. 229 p.
6. Luhman N. Organization and Decision. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018. 410 p.
7. Adler P.S. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies. Classical Foundations. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2009. 660p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Organizational Research Methods. Sage žurnāls [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: http://orm.sagepub.com Published by Sage Publications. ISSN (printed): 1094-4281. ISSN (electronic): 1552-7425.
2. Organization Studies. Sage žurnāls [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: http://oss.sagepub.com Published by Sage Publications. ISSN (printed): 0170-8406. ISSN (electronic): 1741-3044.
3. Journal of International Organizations Studies [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: http:www.journal-iostudies.org

Notes

Compulsory course for academic bachelor’s study programme „Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”