This course discusses new sustainability research in the sociology of organizations and organizational theory. The focus of the papers is on institutional theory and qualitative research to better understand institutional and organizational change triggered by sustainability considerations. We will discuss for example institutional entrepreneurship, institutional logics or institutional decoupling; we will also discuss the issue of social and ecological sustainability of organizations and/or institutional change. The topics covered rely mainly upon journal articles. The aim is to develop own criteria to understand, evaluate, synthesize and critique recent research.
At the beginning of term, we will read, excerpt and discuss several academic papers, with the aim to develop own criteria to understand, evaluate, synthesize and critique recent research. In the second part of the term, you will deepen your knowledge by conducting small research projects. You can work jointly with your peers in a small group of (up to three) students. We will spend the time on Zoom to discuss and/or work on these projects, but you are also asked to meet (virtually) outside class. In the final weeks of the course, the student groups will present their results.
We will meet on a weekly basis on Zoom.
Requirements: To meet the requirements for earning a certificate (Leistungsschein) participants are asked to prepare excerpts (1-2 pages per article), to participate actively in the group work and the workshop (output of the group work) and to take an oral examination (mündliche Prüfung) or to write a term paper (Hausarbeit). Course language is English. |
