Course and Examination Fact Sheet: Autumn Semester 2016
10,632: Organizing: Process Theory in Organization Studies
ECTS credits: 4
Overview examination/s
(binding regulations see below)
Decentral ‑ examination paper written at home (individual) (50%)
Decentral ‑ Presentation (in groups ‑ all given the same grades) (20%)
Decentral ‑ Presentation (in groups ‑ all given the same grades) (30%)
Attached courses
Timetable ‑‑ Language ‑‑ Lecturer
10,632,1.00 Organizing: Process Theory in Organization Studies ‑‑ Englisch ‑‑ Steyaert Chris Course information
Course prerequisites
None.
Course content
“Organization theory has developed considerable complexity, so much complexity that doctoral
students sometimes complain that it makes no sense to them. The students say they do not
understand how the fragments of organization theory relate to each other, how they differ, what
each has to offer” (W.H. Starbuck, 2003: 176)[1]
“The library is a great labyrinth, sign of the labyrinth of the world. You go in and you don’t know if you’ll
come out again” (Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose)
This course prepares students for two core steps in their doctoral project, namely developing/organizing a concise literature
review and creating an adequate conceptual framework that can guide the empirical and analytical part of the study. These
preparatory steps are taken as we explore the interdisciplinary field of Organization Studies and its range of conceptual
approaches that apply so‑called process theories that have instigated one of the major transition in Organization Studies,
namely to conceptualize organization as “organizing”. The course mainly adopts a theoretical perspective on the doctoral
projects, yet develops a sensitivity to focus a study’s literature and conceptual framework to other dimensions of the research
process as well. The following learning steps guide the set‑up of the contents:
1) To get familiar with the recent history of Organization Studies, the field’s “organization” along paradigms and the recent
emergence of the processual ‘school’ that emphasizes organization through the verb ‘organizing’. The course invites students to
map and structure the expanding “library” of their interest/topic/theme and thus to “locate” the potential contribution of their
study.
2) To prepare and develop a part of the literature study and theoretical review for one’s research project, relating to questions
such as: which are the main controversies my study is constructed by and wants to contribute to? How does the literature
review inform the formulation of my research questions?
3) To develop an in‑depth understanding of (one of) the conceptual frameworks that the course explores in a range of so‑called
‘turns’ – varying between the interpretive, linguistic, practice, and material turn.
4) To become sensitive to the qualities of the writing process and the requirements of article writing. Given that academic writing
Fact sheet version: 1.0 as of 08/08/2016, valid for Autumn Semester 2016
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has become predominantly journal writing, the course requires both the critical reading of articles from leading journals in
Organization Studies and to engage with the writing of a scholarly paper.
[1] Starbuck, W.H. 2003 The origins of organization theory. In: H. Tsoukas & Christian Knudsen (eds). The Oxford Handbook of
Organization Theory: Meta‑theoretical Perspectives. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Course structure
The course is structured in two parts that take place each time in a two‑day block:
1) Position of process‑studies in Organization Studies: History of Organization Studies, its paradigmatic structure and
introduction to the range of theoretical perspectives on “organizing”. This part should make students alert with regard to the
formulation of the research questions within the main controversies of their literature domain and with a sensitivity towards
the study of processes of organizing. Participants trace the main historic and current textual resources which frame the way
their topic is (re)presented, can be problematized and/or differently/newly addressed.
2) The exploration of various conceptual approaches to organizing stemming from the interpretive, linguistic, practice, and
material turn. These approaches are explored in part two through small group presentations. Afterwards, students apply one of
these frameworks to their own study in an individual paper that is in alignment with the goals of a process‑study that identifies
the main conceptual resources needed for an empirical/textual analysis, for critical reflection and for making a theoretical
contribution through one’s research project. Students thus align critical parts of their research project with the exploration of a
specific conceptual framework (see for an overview of process‑theory: Steyaert, 2007).
Course literature
There is a course‑reader with a selection of articles and chapters (available on Study‑net) that introduce to the various parts of
the course contents. Participants are also welcomed to bring in literature from their “own library” that allows them to align
their research project with a processual perspective.
Indicative literature:
On paradigms in Organization Studies
Deetz, S. 1996 Describing differences in approaches to Organization Science: Rethinking Burrell and Morgan and their legacy.
Organization Science, 7, 2, 191‑207.
Hassard, J. and Cox, J.W. 2013 Can Sociological Paradigms inform organizational analysis? A paradigm model for post‑paradigm
times. Organization Studies, 34(11), 1701‑1728.
On processual Organization Studies
Langley, A. and Tsoukas, H. 2011 Introduction “Perspectives on Process Organization Studies”, in: T. Hernes & S. Maitlis (eds.),
Process, sensemaking and organizing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nayak, A. and Chia, R. 2011 Thinking Becoming and Emergence: Process Philosophy and Organization Studies. Research in the
Sociology of Organizations, 32, 281‑309.
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Steyaert, C. 2007 ‘Entrepreneuring’ as a conceptual attractor? A review of process theories in 20 years of entrepreneurship
studies, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 19(6), 453‑477.
On the process of theorizing
Alvesson, M. & Sandberg, J. 2011 Generating research questions through problematization. Academy of Management Review, 36(2),
247‑271.
Steyaert, C. 2012 Making the Multiple: Theorizing processes of entrepreneurship and organization. In: D. Hjorth (Ed.). Handbook of
Organizational Entrepreneurship. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 151‑168.
On the philosophy of Organization Studies
Helin, J., Hernes, T., Hjorth, D., and Holt, R. 2014 The Oxford Handbook of Process Philosophy and Organization Studies. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Mir, R., Willmott, H., and Greenwood, M. 2016 The Routledge Companion to Philosophy in Organization Studies. London: Routledge.
On process theory, illustrations:
Illustrations are here related to conceptual approaches with regard to sense‑making, narration, discourse, praxis, actor‑network
theory and radical process theory (the emphasis on perspectives might be re‑oriented based on the interests and projects of
participants).
Maitlis, S. 2005 The social processes of organizational sensemaking. Academy of Management Journal, 48, 1, 21‑49.
Holt, R. and Sandberg, J. 2011 Phenomenology and organization theory. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 32, 215‑249
Rhodes, C. and Brown, A. 2005 Narrative, organizations and research, International Journal of Management Reviews, 7(3): 167‑188.
Alvesson, M. and Kärreman, D. 2000 Varieties of discourse: On the study of organizations through discourse analysis. Human
Relations, 53, 9, 1125‑1149.
Everett, J. 2002 Organizational research and the praxeology of Pierre Bourdieu, Organizational Research Methods, 5: 56‑80.
Alcadipani, R. & Hassard, J. 2010 Actor‑network theory, organizations and critique: Towards a politics of organizing. Organization
17/4: 419‑435.
Tsoukas, H. & Chia, R. 2002 On organizational becoming: Rethinking organization change. Organization Science, 13(5), 567‑582.
Additional course information
Note there will be an (virtual) intake‑interview with each student to prepare for both teaching blocks. Note also that there will
be an evening dinner after the first day in part One of the course.
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Examination information
Examination sub part/s
1. Examination sub part (1/3)
Examination time and form
Decentral ‑ examination paper written at home (individual) (50%)
Remark
An individual paper on the conceptual framework.
Examination­aid rule
Term papers
Term papers must be written without anyone elseʹs help and in accordance with the known quotation standards, and
they must contain a declaration of authorship.
The documentation of sources (quotations, bibliography) has to be done throughout and consistently in accordance with
the APA or MLA standards. The indications of the sources of information taken over verbatim or in paraphrase
(quotations) must be integrated into the text in accordance with the precepts of the applicable quotation standard, while
informative and bibliographical notes must be added as footnotes (recommendations and standards can be found, for
example, in METZGER, C. (2015), Lern‑ und Arbeitsstrategien (11th ed., 4th printing). Aarau: Sauerländer).
For any work written at the HSG, the indication of the page numbers both according to the MLA and the APA standard is
never optional.
Where there are no page numbers in sources, precise references must be provided in a different way: titles of chapters or
sections, section numbers, acts, scenes, verses, etc.
For papers in law, the legal standard is recommended (by way of example, cf. FORSTMOSER, P., OGOREK R. et
SCHINDLER B. (2014, Juristisches Arbeiten: Eine Anleitung für Studierende (5. Auflage), Zürich: Schulthess, or the
recommendations of the Law School).
Supplementary aids
‑‑
Examination languages
Question language: English
Answer language: English, German
2. Examination sub part (2/3)
Examination time and form
Decentral ‑ Presentation (in groups ‑ all given the same grades) (20%)
Remark
Critical comment on core literature.
Examination­aid rule
Practical examination
No examination‑aid rule is necessary for such examination types. The rules and regulations of the University of St. Gallen apply
in a subsidiary fashion.
Supplementary aids
‑‑
Examination languages
Question language: English
Answer language: English
Fact sheet version: 1.0 as of 08/08/2016, valid for Autumn Semester 2016
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3. Examination sub part (3/3)
Examination time and form
Decentral ‑ Presentation (in groups ‑ all given the same grades) (30%)
Remark
Presentation of a conceptual framework.
Examination­aid rule
Practical examination
No examination‑aid rule is necessary for such examination types. The rules and regulations of the University of St. Gallen apply
in a subsidiary fashion.
Supplementary aids
‑‑
Examination languages
Question language: English
Answer language: English
Examination content
The examination for this course consists of completing three assignments, namely the critical commenting on some of the core
course literature articles, a presentation of a conceptual framework, and the writing of a conceptual research paper and
Taking part in one team presentation of a critical text analysis of a literature article on Organizing (20%)
One team presentation on a conceptual framework (30%)
An individual paper (2500‑3500) which sets out the processual perspective of the research project (in terms of literature
controversy, research questions and conceptual framework). (50%)
Examination relevant literature
On paradigms in Organization Studies
Deetz, S. 1996 Describing differences in approaches to Organization Science: Rethinking Burrell and Morgan and their legacy.
Organization Science, 7, 2, 191‑207.
Hassard, J. and Cox, J.W. 2013 Can Sociological Paradigms inform organizational analysis? A paradigm model for post‑paradigm
times. Organization Studies, 34(11), 1701‑1728.
On processual Organization Studies
Langley, A. and Tsoukas, H. 2011 Introduction “Perspectives on Process Organization Studies”, in: T. Hernes & S. Maitlis (eds.),
Process, sensemaking and organizing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nayak, A. and Chia, R. 2011 Thinking Becoming and Emergence: Process Philosophy and Organization Studies. Research in the
Sociology of Organizations, 32, 281‑309.
Steyaert, C. 2007 ‘Entrepreneuring’ as a conceptual attractor? A review of process theories in 20 years of entrepreneurship
studies, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 19(6), 453‑477.
On the process of theorizing
Fact sheet version: 1.0 as of 08/08/2016, valid for Autumn Semester 2016
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Alvesson, M. & Sandberg, J. 2011 Generating research questions through problematization. Academy of Management Review, 36(2),
247‑271.
Steyaert, C. 2012 Making the Multiple: Theorizing processes of entrepreneurship and organization. In: D. Hjorth (Ed.). Handbook of
Organizational Entrepreneurship. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 151‑168.
On the philosophy of Organization Studies
Helin, J., Hernes, T., Hjorth, D., and Holt, R. 2014 The Oxford Handbook of Process Philosophy and Organization Studies. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Mir, R., Willmott, H., and Greenwood, M. 2016 The Routledge Companion to Philosophy in Organization Studies. London: Routledge.
On process theory, illustrations:
Illustrations are here related to conceptual approaches with regard to sense‑making, narration, discourse, praxis, actor‑network
theory and radical process theory (the emphasis on perspectives might be re‑oriented based on the interests and projects of
participants).
Maitlis, S. 2005 The social processes of organizational sensemaking. Academy of Management Journal, 48, 1, 21‑49.
Holt, R. and Sandberg, J. 2011 Phenomenology and organization theory. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 32, 215‑249
Rhodes, C. and Brown, A. 2005 Narrative, organizations and research, International Journal of Management Reviews, 7(3): 167‑188.
Alvesson, M. and Kärreman, D. 2000 Varieties of discourse: On the study of organizations through discourse analysis. Human
Relations, 53, 9, 1125‑1149.
Everett, J. 2002 Organizational research and the praxeology of Pierre Bourdieu, Organizational Research Methods, 5: 56‑80.
Alcadipani, R. & Hassard, J. 2010 Actor‑network theory, organizations and critique: Towards a politics of organizing. Organization
17/4: 419‑435.
Tsoukas, H. & Chia, R. 2002 On organizational becoming: Rethinking organization change. Organization Science, 13(5), 567‑582.
Please note
We would like to point out to you that this fact sheet has absolute priority over other information such as StudyNet,
faculty members’ personal databases, information provided in lectures, etc.
When will the fact sheets become binding?
Information about courses and examination time (central/decentral and grading form): from the start of the bidding
process on 25 August 2016
Information about decentral examinations (examination‑aid rule, examination content, examination relevant
literature): after the 4th semester week on 17 October 2016
Information about central examinations (examination‑aid rule, examination content, examination relevant
literature): from the start of the enrolment period for the examinations on 07 November 2016
Please look at the fact sheet once more after these deadlines have expired.
Fact sheet version: 1.0 as of 08/08/2016, valid for Autumn Semester 2016
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