After completing this course students have:
- knowledge of the origins of dominant contemporary dynamics of organizing;
- knowledge of current and emerging alternative organisational practices;
- understanding of the transition from management philosophies aimed at rationalization to participatory organisational philosophies and its implications for organisational members;
- developed critical thinking and problem-solving capacities
- developed participatory skills for a reflective dialogue and academic debate.
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This course is meant for anyone interested in alternative forms of organising in a constantly changing world. We take a political perspective on the phenomenon of organising in order to make sense of both dominant bureaucratic organisations traditionally based on rationality, control and efficiency, and emerging alternative organisations that emphasize participation, democracy and autonomy.
Applying a critical management approach, we examine the contextual forces (e.g. globalisation) and societal challenges (e.g. climate change) facing organisations today; we explore the assumptions underlying current logics of organising, taking the case of the sharing economy and questioning to what extent it can be considered an alternative. Finally, we elaborate on the principles and practices associated with other forms of ‘alternative’ organisations and organising, from social enterprises to cooperatives and social movements.
At the end of the first part of the course, you will write an individual essay on one of the topics discussed in class. In the second part of the course, you will perform a small-scale field study with a subgroup, engaging with a so called ‘alternative’ organization/grassroots’ community/social movement to better explore their organizational functioning. This will deepen your understanding of the meaning of participatory organisational practices in a particular organisational setting.
This is a high intensity level 3 course. Active participation forms the backbone of this course.
Please note that for non-USG bachelor students the course Introduction public administration and organisational science (USG5520 in English / USG5020 in Dutch) or another introductory course covering the subject of public administration is recommended.
The teaching methods of this course might possibly change due to the legal restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemia.
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