Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course has two major purposes. One is to provide an overview of the fundamental themes in research on strategy, venturing, and organizations, and introduce contemporary topics within these areas. The other purpose is to expose the participants to the various methodological and research practice approaches (conducting research, synthesizing, and setting up manuscripts) in this domain. Overall, after the course the students should have a broad understanding of the research areas in strategy, venturing and organizations and what is required for publishing research in top tier journals in these areas. More specifically, after the course, the participant should (1) know the most important articles and in the area of strategy, venturing, and organizations (2) understand how the different streams o research have evolved over time and how they are connected to each other, and (3) be able to project the future development of the research from the perspective of one's own doctoral work. The course will further provide a setting for developing a variety of skills in research on strategy, venturing and organizations such as synthesizing research, research designs, and what constitutes a theoretical contribution in the various domains of strategy, venturing, and organizations.

Credits: 8

Schedule: 02.03.2021 - 04.05.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Markku Maula

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Pasi Nevalainen

Contact information for the course (valid 14.01.2021-21.12.2112):

The responsible teacher for the course is Pasi Nevalainen (pasi.nevalainen@aalto.fi).

Each of the seminar day is facilitated by a faculty
member of the module theme area.

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The course covers some of the fundamental themes of research on strategy, venturing, and organizations, and introduces a selected set of contemporary topics in these areas in a seminar format during period IV-V. The themes are covered by reviewing articles that provide the key milestones of each theme.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The course is designed for doctoral students in strategy and venturing and students planning to pursue strategy and venture research.


    The course will consist of independent reading of selected articles and ten (10) seminar sessions (3 hour each).


    In the course we share responsibility for discussing
    the readings and raising issues. For each session, the student is required to
    read the all articles in advance and prepare a preliminary assignment (memo or
    synthesis table). Students are also given pre-assignment to present an article
    to the class. All students are expected to be prepared to discuss. We will
    conclude sessions by synthesizing the connections among the readings.


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Attendance in seminar sessions, seminar presentations, readings, and assignments.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Passing the course requires:


    • Reading of the assigned articles and active participation in the seminar sessions
    • Presenting assigned articles in the seminar 
    • Preparing synthesis memos (1-2 pages) or synthesis tables that covers the topic readings for each session in advance, in total 10 memos and tables (for example 4 tables and 6 memos)


    The course will be graded based on class participation, including engagements (quality thereof, in particular) (10 %), presentations (10 %), synthesis tables and memos (80 %). Grades will be calculated as follows:


    Pass minimum – 50 % of max points 

    Grade 1 – 50-59 %

    Grade 2 – 60-69 %

    Grade 3 – 70-79 %

    Grade 4 – 80-89 %

    Grade 5 – 90-100 %

Workload
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Enrollment to the course is a commitment to active
    participation and attendance in all sessions. During each seminar day we will
    discuss 5-6 articles. You will receive a list of the articles for each session
    to be read and which articles to prepare for each session. The articles to be
    discussed during the seminar day will be available for download on the course
    webpage in MyCourses.

    All participants are expected to read the full set of
    articles before the seminar day.
    For every seminar day (or every second
    depending on the size of the class) participant will be assigned one articles
    to prepare to present to the group as a basis for discussion. Presentations
    will be 10 minutes per article followed by discussion of 15-20 min. Please,
    submit your presentation to the shared Dropbox folder one day before the session. Further,
    each student is to prepare either a synthesis memo or a synthesis table before
    the class. Please turn in your synthesis tables or your synthesis memos at latest
    one day before the session no later than 8 pm.

    A synthesis table on readings: The synthesis table
    helps you to disentangle the focus and contributions of papers in a selected
    research stream and to capture potential gaps. We will in the intro session
    discuss how to outline such synthesis tables and give examples. 

    A synthesis memo: Develop your own point of view on
    the following questions that consider the readings collectively: What are the
    common themes within the articles, contradictions among the articles, and
    insights? (This entails your developing an understanding of the assigned
    articles, their relationship to one another, and their collective synthesis).
    What are the 2-3 most important conclusions from the readings viewed
    collectively? Suggest an appropriate follow-on research question(s) for a
    deductive study based on a research gap that is suggested by these articles
    collectively? What is the best of the assigned articles (and why)?

    Paper presentation: You will be asked to present one papers
    in the day’s readings in conference-style. That is, please present the key
    points of the paper in 10 minutes (firmly enforced), relying on the following
    flow of roughly 5-6 power point slides: literature background (note key points
    and citations), research question(s), major hypotheses (presentation should
    note underlying arguments) if a deductive study, key aspects of the research
    design (research design, sample, data collection, construct measures, analytic
    techniques), major statistical or other results (e.g., regression table),
    discussion points, and conclusions. In general, given the time limits, it is
    best to present the heart of the paper well, and not try to include every
    point. Keep in mind that your presentation should give the audience a few
    intriguing take-aways, impress the audience with the quality of your research,
    and stay on time. This presentation will be graded as part of class
    participation.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Articles

  • Applies in this implementation:

    See the full list of articles in a separate course brochure (ask from Pasi).

    The articles to be discussed during the seminar
    day will be available for download on the course webpage in MyCourses.



Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    TU-91.900 Postgraduate Course in Strategy L, TU-91.3007 Postgraduate Course in Strategy P, TU-L1000 Doctoral Seminar in Strategy, TU-L1001 Doctoral Seminar in Strategy and Venturing, and TU-L1002 Doctoral Seminar in Strategy and Venturing.

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    -

     

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    The seminar day is Tuesday and the teaching takes place via Zoom. If necessary/possible, L01 (Oodi) is used as the classroom.

    The session starts at 13:15 pm and ends at 16:00.

    • Seminar day 1 (2.3.) Introduction to the Seminar & Foundations of Strategy Research (Jukka Luoma)
    • Seminar day 2 (9.3.) The Resource Based View (Jens Schmidt)
    • Seminar day 3 (16.3.) Behaviour, Cognition, and Emotions in Strategy (Timo Vuori)
    • Seminar day 4 (23.3.) Identity, Upper Echelon, and Change Management (Natalia Vuori)
    • Seminar day 5 (30.3.) Knowledge, Learning, and Dynamic Capabilities (Marina Biniari)
    • Seminar day 6 (6.4.) Strategy Process and Sensemaking (Henri Schildt)
    • Seminar day 7 (13.4.) A Strategy Perspective on Legitimacy, Reputation, and Markets (Mikko Jääskeläinen)
    • Seminar day 8 (20.7.) Strategic Alliances, Networks and Corporate Venturing (Markku Maula)
    • Seminar day 9 (27.4.) Digital Marketing and Sales Strategies (Petri Parviainen)
    • Seminar day 10 (4.5.) Platform Economics & Platform Strategy (Timo Seppälä)