Qualitative research methods in organization studies 5 credits
Associate professor Niina Koivunen
Department of Management
14.9.2012
Goals:
The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to qualitative research by
reading research methodology literature and dissertations that are applying qualitative
research methods.
Requirements:
The student is required to read two method books and two dissertations chosen from
the course reading list. It is advisable to choose dissertations that use a method
unfamiliar to you even though the subject area may not be close to your topic. Based on
this reading, you are to write an essay of 15-20 pages. It is not necessary to repeat or
sum up the content of these texts but to use the texts to explain what you have learned
about qualitative methods. First, reflect upon your learning, insights and realizations.
Write about what you still do not understand or find confusing. Second, ponder how
you could use these new ideas in your own research. What choices could you make,
what kinds of data to collect and how to analyze that data? You can structure your essay
as you choose. I will comment on each essay either in feedback discussion or in written
format.
Introductory lecture (in Finnish):
There is one introductory lecture in this course, it is held in Finnish. The lecture is on
Tuesday 9.10.2012 13:00-16:00 in Tervahovi D118. It is not compulsory to attend this
lecture.
Method books:
Eriksson, Päivi & Kovalainen, Anne (2008): Qualitative Methods in Business Research,
Sage.
Choose one the following books OR suggest a book of your interest:
Berger, Peter L. and Thomas Luckmann (1967): The social construction of reality : A
treatise in the sociology of knowledge, New York : Doubleday.
Burr, Vivien (1995): An Introduction to Social Construction, London: Routledge.
Czarniawska, Barbara (2004): Narratives in Social Science Research, London: Sage.
Dissertations:
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Bragd, Annica (2002): Knowing Management. An Ethnographic Study of Tinkering
with a New Car. Göteborg: BAS. (ask Niina for a copy)
Crevani, Lucia (2011): Clearing for Action: Leadership as a Relational Phenomenon,
The
Royal
Institute
of
Technology,
Stockholm,
http://www.kth.se/en/itm/inst/indek/avdelningar/industriellekonomi/personal/lucia-crevani-1.304876
Granqvist, Nina (2007): Nanotechnology and nanolabeling – Essays on the emergence
of new technological fields. A-317. Helsinki: Helsinki School of Economics.
Halme, Minna (1997): Environmental Management Paradigm Shifts in Business
Enterprises. Organisational Learning Relating to Recycling and Forest Management
Issues in Two Finnish Paper Companies. Tampere: TAJU. (available in Tritonia)
Henttonen, Elina (2010): An ethnographic study of women’s small ICT business in
Finland, Helsinki: Aalto University School of Economics. (available in Tritonia)
Koivunen, Niina (2003): Leadership in Symphony Orchestras. Discursive and Aesthetic
Practices. Tampere: Tampere University Press. http://acta.uta.fi/pdf/951-44-55622.pdf (available in Tritonia)
LaPointe, Kirsi (2011): Moral struggles, subtle shifts. Narrative practices of identity
work in career transition, Helsinki: Aalto University School of Economics. (available in
Tritonia)
Leponiemi, Jussi (2008): Ethnic Minority Member Perspective of Leader-Member
Exchange, Vaasa: University of Vaasa. ((available in Tritonia)
Mäkelä, Liisa (2009): Women’s Leader-Member Relationships during Pregnancy and
the Return to Work, Vaasa: University of Vaasa. (available in Tritonia)
Tallberg, Teemu (2009): The gendered social organization of defense: Two
ethnographic case studies in the Finnish Defense Forces. Helsinki: Hanken School of
Economics. (available in Tritonia)
Tienari, Janne (1999): Through the ranks, slowly: studies on organizational reforms and
gender in banking. Helsinki: Helsinki School of Economics and Business
Administration. (available in Tritonia))
Vaara, Eero (1999) Towards a rediscovery of organizational politics: Essays on
organizational integration following mergers and acquisitions. Helsinki: Helsinki
School of Economics and Business Administration.
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Vilén, Tanja (2010): Being in Between. An Ethnographic Study of Opera and
Dialogical Identity Construction. Helsinki: Hanken School of Economics. (available in
Tritonia)
Vironmäki, Emma (2007): Academic Marketing in Finland: Living Up to Conflicting
Expectations, Åbo Akademi School of Business. Helsinki: SEFE. (available in Tritonia)
Returning of the essay:
There are two deadlines to return the essay, either by December 10, 2012 or by April
12, 2013. Please return your text as attached document to niina.koivunen@uwasa.fi. If
you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me either by email or by phone
(06-324 8332)
Grading of the course:
The course will be graded by the 1-5 scale.
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