Strategy, Organisation and Leadership – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Prerequisite courses

Four prerequisite courses cover fields of study which provide you with the basic skills required to study subsequent courses:

• Organisational Theory shows how various theories and models within the fields of organisational sociology and personality psychology may individually and in combination provide an expedient approach to creating an understanding of organisations as both structure and behaviour.
• Industrial Economics is concerned with the theoretical and empirical understanding of the intensity of competition across industries and its effect on prices, quantities, quality choice, efficiency and market structure. It also studies the need of public intervention by describing the economics of competition policy.
• Competition in Global Industries aims at providing a basic understanding of the forces that shape and define the path of industries. Focusing on the second and third revolution, i. e. the time period defined by the American Civil War on the one hand and the War on Terrorism on the other, the course attempts to trace the interplay of these forces.
• Applied Business Research Methods focuses on the production of qualified and justified knowledge which lives up to scientific quality criteria. This is a sine qua non issue for any candidate in business economics, who wishes to make decisions on an informed background. The course introduces a variety of research designs applicable when carrying out research in the area of organisation and management and related areas. Focus will initially be on formulation of research questions as a first step in the creation of valid knowledge. Then focus will shift to techniques for data collection and analysis. These techniques include qualitative as well as quantitative approaches including practical aspects.

Specialisation courses in the second semester

Management of Change

The course aims to give you an insight into managerial challenges related to initiation and implementation of changes in a modern company, and intends to contribute to your understanding and application of specific and relevant concepts related to change. Central elements in the course are:

• Theoretical insight into management of change
• Analysing and diagnosing the need for changes in specific case organisations
• Choosing between types of interventions and strategies for implementation
• Human aspects of implementation (e.g. management, communication, motivation, training)

Strategy and Business Development seeks to train your ability to apply central strategic tools for diagnostic purposes and subsequent business development in connection with the resolution of managerial aspects of development issues at a strategic level.

Entrepreneurship enables you to understand the factors affecting the formation and growth of new enterprises. You must be able to analyse alternative organizational options and managerial challenges.

Human Resource Management and Development will give you a fundamental theoretical and practical insight into and understanding of the Human Resource Management (HRM) field – the dynamic interplay of person, job, and organization. The course aims to train your ability to identify and understand different HRM issues and dilemmas within the field, and also in different forms of organizations. The course will also deal with International HRM.

In the third semester you can choose elective courses within your areas of interest. The courses can either be taken at the Aarhus School of Business during the semester, at the ASB Summer University or at one of our more than 200 partner universities abroad. You can also participate in internship programmes either in Denmark or abroad.

The fourth semester is devoted to the final thesis. You may choose the topic of the thesis freely and so get a chance to concentrate on and specialise in a specific field of interest. The thesis may be written in collaboration with another student or it may be the result of your individual effort. When the thesis has been submitted, it is defended before the academic advisor as well as an external examiner.

Accreditation

After the Student life Section there should be a section called Accreditations , that should include the following information:

The former Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University (ASB), is one of Europe's largest and best business schools, as is illustrated by the accreditations which ASB has earned in the past seven years. ASB has been EQUIS-accredited since 2001, and in January 2008 we were approved to initiate the AACSB accreditation process.

Proof of high quality and international focus

EQUIS and AACSB are the leading international quality systems for assessing, improving and accrediting institutions of higher education within the field of management and business administration. In order to live up to these accreditations, ASB must not only demonstrate that we are capable of high-quality performance, but also that our activities are internationally oriented. The accreditations are also proof that we have achieved a good balance between high academic quality and professional relevance through close collaboration with the national and international business communities.

These accreditations are vital for the institution to maintain and strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive sector. They are decisive for ASB's brand and for our ability to attract the right students, researchers and collaborative partners. The accreditations are renewed every three to five years, which ensures that we work on an ongoing basis to develop ourselves and to improve the quality of everything we do.

Facts about EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA accreditations

EQUIS stands for European Quality Improvement System, and accreditation is awarded by the EFMD (European Foundation of Management Development), whose members comprise leading business schools all over the world.

AACSB stands for Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and AASCSB International awards accreditation.
The accreditations are awarded to the entire institution – not just to individual programs or parts of the organization. Both accreditation systems maintain a significant focus on strategy.
AMBA stands for Association of MBAs , which is an independent international organization for MBA students, masters and employers. The AMBA accreditation is awarded to the entire institution but relates specifically to MBA programs. The purpose of AMBA is to secure high standards for MBA programs worldwide.

ACE Denmark

In August 2007, it was enacted that higher education study programs offered by the Danish University Act must be accredited by the Accreditation Institution - ACE Denmark. Accreditation is a professional assessment carried out using centrally set criteria for quality of existing and new courses. The purpose is to ensure and document quality and relevance of the higher education study programs.
According to the Danish University Act, the accreditation council is the specific unit, which makes the decisions regarding accreditation of all higher education study programs. Decisions are made on the basis of accreditation reports prepared by accreditation operators.