Course ORG-602 (5 credits): Knowledge organisations, management and
knowledge development
Programme
PhD programme at the School of Business and Law
Prerequisites
Participants should be PhD students accepted for a PhD programme in social sciences
Recommended previous knowledge
EX-602 Philosophy of Science or EX-604 Philosophies of Social Sciences. It is recommended that
the student has prior knowledge of innovation and social change issues.
Learning outcome
On successful completion of this course the candidate should be able to:
Master the field’s philosophy of science and be able to contribute to new knowledge development
and interpretations of knowledge.
Handle complex academic issues and challenge established concepts about knowledge
Formulate research strategies that can identify different epistemological positions in organisations
and how they influence organizational change and business development
Communicate research through international channels and participate in international debates
about knowledge organisations and knowledge development
Content
Knowledge is increasingly a key resource for businesses. How to develop and manage
knowledge development processes is therefore important for business development.
Judgement has been increasingly highlighted as an important factor in business
development. The question is how to organise in order for businesses to make good
judgement.
This course addresses this from different theoretical perspectives including discussion of the
concept of knowledge, and how knowledge is developed in society and in the organisation.
The background for the discussion is the development of knowledge society and knowledge
economy, and also concepts like knowledge organisations and knowledge management. The
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course tries to go beyond these concepts and discuss what knowledge is at how it is
developed in a social and organisational context. The course is a development of EX-604, and
is building on the theory of science discussions in EX-602.
Key approaches that will be addressed, are:

Knowledge management

Organisational judgement
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Organisational epistemology

Social epistemology

Expert knowledge
The course will discuss professional organisations and the role of expert knowledge from the
perspective of epistemological systems and link this discussion to the discussion of
sustainable work systems.
Teaching methods
Lectures and group work
Examination requirement
The candidate has to attend at least 80% of mandatory lectures and group work. The
candidate has to hand in reflection papers on time, and take an active part in discussions in
the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
Exam paper, 10 pages. Pass/Fail - where Pass must be equivalent to the letter grade B or better.
Offered as a single course
Yes.
Responsible faculty
School of business and law, University of Agder.
Language of instruction
English.
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Contact person
Hans Christian Garmann Johnsen
Work form and work load
5 ECT is equivalent to 135 work hours. Recommended distribution of work load:
Preparation/reading
Reflection papers
Attending teaching
Group work
Discussion
Writing exam paper
Sum
40
10
30
10
10
35
135 hours
Literature
(Required reading appx. 600 pages)
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



Foss, N. J., & Klein, P. G. (2012). Organizing entrepreneurial judgment: A new approach to the firm.
Cambridge University Press.
Goldman, Alvin and Dennis Whitcomb (Editor). 2011: Social Epistemology: Essential Readings. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Fuller, Steve: 2002. Knowledge management foundations. Oxford: Butterwoth/Heinemenn.
Johnsen, Hans Chr Garmann: 2014: The new natural resource. Farnham: Gower.
Articles, including:
o chapters from Habermas: Knowledge and Human interests and The philosophical discourse of
modernity,
o chapters from Ruccio and Amariglio. 2003: Postmodern moments in modern economics.
o Chapters from Cetina, K. K. (2009). Epistemic cultures: How the sciences make knowledge.
Harvard University Press.
o Foss, N. J., Klein, P. G., Kor, Y. Y., & Mahoney, J. T. (2008). Entrepreneurship, subjectivism, and
the resource‐based view: toward a new synthesis. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 2(1),
73-94.
Assessment of candidates
Final paper: pass/non pass
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