PhD Courses in Denmark

Course Coordinator: Francesco Di Lorenzo, Department of Strategy and Innovation, CBSFaculty

Prerequisites
No prerequisite

Format
Hybrid (yet, it is strongly recommended to be at CBS in person for at least 50% of the seminar)

Aim

The aim of this course is to offer an introduction to the theoretical foundation in the field of Strategy, as well as an overview of the primary topics in Strategy-related research. In addition, quantitative methods typical in Strategy research will be discussed.

Course content and structure
The course provides an overview on the most relevant theoretical traditions and topics and as well as more recent empirical developments used in the research field of Strategic Management. The aim is to offer students: i) comprehensive understanding about the foundations, assumptions and implications of economic and organizational theoretical perspectives, ii) overview of the areas of research iii) introduction about empirical methodologies. Ideally, at the end of the course students are able to engage in theory-building activities, selecting and employing theoretical approaches more appropriately linked to the economic and organizational foundations of the field of Strategy. In addition, students are able to identify suitable empirical methods and approaches in line with those more familiarly used in Strategy, and specific to the primary topic of interest. The course aims to be a balanced combination of Organizational Theory and Topics in Strategy.

More specifically, these are 3 main areas developed during the course:

1.     Economic and Organizational Theories in Strategic Management
2.     Topics in Strategy Research
3.     Methodologies

The structure of the course is based on 2 main activities and related objectives:

1. Lecture. In session, papers-based discussion supported/guided by lecturing.
2. Reading. Preparation of the mandatory readings for each session to come.

The course includes 8 lecture-based sessions of 3 hours each. The sessions will be highly interactive, involving students in leading discussions on the assigned readings.

The course is based on a high level of student involvement. Students are expected to be thoroughly prepared and actively participate in the material's presentation and discussion. Given the high content-to-time ratio, teaching is based on lectures, illustrations, and discussions, and its success is also based on interactive student involvement.

Assessment
To obtain the course certificates the participants are expected to show a high level of preparation and class participation. Minimum 80% attendance is required.

The delivery can be either of these options:

1.     A research proposal on a specific topic in Strategy covered during the course, highlighting the research gap/opportunity, arguing what would be an ideal theoretical foundation for such study and why, and describing the possible methodology and explaining the reasons of the choice.

2.     A reflection on current ongoing research (chapter of the thesis, working paper, thesis proposal section, etc…) revisited from either a theoretical perspective or from a methodological perspective. It is not relevant, in this case, that the topic of discussion falls into the primary topics discussed during the course.

Format: max 5 pages (all included), 1-inch margin all around, Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 interline space.

Schedule
This course is offered in a hybrid format. Students can participate in all sessions either in person on campus or online. Please indicate in your registration whether you attend on campus, online or a mix of both. 

Lunches and coffee breaks will be included during the duration of the seminar, as well as welcome dinner.