Course syllabus for Policy Ventures: Innovation in Public Organizations
Policysatsningar: Innovation i offentliga organisationer
Essential data
Specific entry requirements
No less than 120 credits. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Describe and explain the key features of public organisations.
- Apply theories of organisation, forms of governance, entrepreneurship, and innovation to analyse empirical cases of public organisations.
- Diagnose challenges for public organisations seeking to deliver high-quality legitimate services in an efficient way to societal stakeholders.
- Evaluate initiatives and policies aimed at improving public organisations.
- Formulate strategic or tactical agendas for public organisations seeking to initiate change and improvement.
Content
Public organisations are central for a well-functioning society. They need to maintain stability in what they do, but also innovate and change to meet societal challenges and serve the people. This course provides knowledge in the dynamics of, and challenges entailed with, developing and innovating public organisations. The course features case studies where course participants work together with public organisations to contribute to citizen welfare. The course prepares students for working in, advising, and running innovation projects with public organisations.
By providing a research-based understanding of the characteristics of the public sector and its relations to business firms and non-profit organizations, this course is relevant to any student who will work within, or with public sector organizations. The course engages with research on public organizations, with a specific focus on change and innovation in such organizations. Central features of public organizations are discussed and compared with non-profit and for-profit organizations, including governance modes, regulations, common standards, and central stakeholders.
The course has three interconnected parts:
- Public sector characteristics
- Public sector relations and forms of organizing
- Innovation in public sector organizations
Case studies of local and national public organizations are discussed, with course participants acting as change consultants to address problems facing these organizations.
Teaching methods
The course provides interactive lectures, research based as well as practical literature (research articles and book chapters), and live cases as the bases for learning. Homework and independent studies are necessary complements to the course. The three elements in the course are introduced in the order as presented above. The students' knowledge of the literature content will be tested early in the course, for them to be able to analytically apply concepts and perspectives from the literature in subsequent cases and discussions, developing an elevated understanding of the course topics. Practitioners' presentations and live cases imply an important course prerequisite for theory driven analysis and further knowledge acquirement.
Examination
Students will be required to satisfactorily complete all of the course assignments in order to receive a passing grade. Grading is based on an individual in-class written examination (30% of grade, early in the course, pass necessary to be able to continue the course), two short individual term papers (15% each of grade) and a live case conducted in student groups, presented and discussed in class (40% of grade).
Compulsory participation
The examiner assesses if and how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course examiner's the student's course results will not be reported. Absence from a compulsory part may result in the student having to wait to compensate until the next time the course is given.
Transitional provisions
The examination will be provided during a period of two years after a close-down of the course. Examination may take place under a previous reading list, up to the next course occasion.
Other directives
The course language is English.
The course is offered within the framework of the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship. Responsible institution is Stockholm School of Economics.