BUS622 Seminar in Organization Theory and Design
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Apr 04, 2026
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Department of Economics and Management
Emil Knezović
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This doctoral seminar examines foundational and contemporary perspectives in organization theory and design. The seminar emphasizes theory development, multi-level analysis, and the critical evaluation of organizational phenomena. Students engage deeply with core readings, develop theoretical arguments, and apply multiple perspectives to real organizational contexts.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Scott, W. R., & Davis, G. F. (2015). Organizations and organizing: Rational, natural, and open systems perspectives. Routledge.
Additional Literature
Additional readings will be provided during the semester. Some of them are listed below as indicative examples of the literature that will be discussed. Galbraith, J. R. (1974). Organization design: An information processing view. Interfaces, 4(3), 28–36. Meyer, J. W., & Rowan, B. (1977). Institutionalized organizations: Formal structure as myth and ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83(2), 340–363. Pfeffer, J. (1992). Understanding power in organizations. California Management Review, 34(2), 29–50. Smith, W. K., & Lewis, M. W. (2011). Toward a theory of paradox: A dynamic equilibrium model of organizing. The Academy of Management Review, 36(2), 381–403. Corley, K. G., & Gioia, D. A. (2011). Building theory about theory building: What constitutes a theoretical contribution? The Academy of Management Review, 36(1), 12–32. Kessler, S. R., Nixon, A. E., & Nord, W. R. (2016). Examining organic and mechanistic structures: Do we know as much as we thought? International Journal of Management Reviews, 19(4), 531-555. Burton, R. M., & Obel, B. (2018). The science of organizational design: Fit between structure and coordination. Journal of Organization Design, 7, Article 5. Eckstein, D. (2025). Thirty-five years of sensemaking in business and management research: A bibliometric analysis, review, and discussion. Management Review Quarterly.Teaching Methods
The methods include lectures (which may involve power point presentation
Video and audio aids)
Student presentations
Projects and class discussions.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to BUS622 | |
| 2 | Foundations of organization theory | Special readings |
| 3 | Structural contingency and information processing | Special readings |
| 4 | Article critique | |
| 5 | Institutional theory | Special readings |
| 6 | Power, resources, and dependence | Special readings |
| 7 | Organizational culture and sensemaking | Special readings |
| 8 | Paper proposal | |
| 9 | Paradox, ambidexterity and competing logics | Special readings |
| 10 | Digital and algorithmic forms of organizing | Special readings |
| 11 | Hybrid organizations, sustainability and grand challenges | Special readings |
| 12 | Theory development in organization studies | Special readings |
| 13 | Theory-driven company analysis | |
| 14 | Special topics in organization theory | Special readings |
| 15 | Special topics in organization design | Special readings |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUS622.1 | Course | Wednesday 17:00 - 19:50 | B F1.1 FBA Graduate Seminar Room | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 17:00 | B F1.28 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final paper
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Paper proposal
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Theory-driven company analysis
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Article critique
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Classwork
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home study
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Paper proposal
15 hours ⏳ (1 week × 15 h)
Theory-driven company analysis
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
Article critique
10 hours ⏳ (1 week × 10 h)
Final paper
30 hours ⏳ (1 week × 30 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [BUS622] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Apr 04, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| BUS622 | Seminar in Organization Theory and Design | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Emil Knezović | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Wednesday: 12:00-17:00 |
|||||||
| eknezovic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This doctoral seminar examines foundational and contemporary perspectives in organization theory and design. The seminar emphasizes theory development, multi-level analysis, and the critical evaluation of organizational phenomena. Students engage deeply with core readings, develop theoretical arguments, and apply multiple perspectives to real organizational contexts. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Scott, W. R., & Davis, G. F. (2015). Organizations and organizing: Rational, natural, and open systems perspectives. Routledge. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | The methods include lectures (which may involve power point presentation, video and audio aids), student presentations, projects and class discussions. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to BUS622 | |||||||||
| Week 2 | Foundations of organization theory | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Structural contingency and information processing | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Article critique | |||||||||
| Week 5 | Institutional theory | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Power, resources, and dependence | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Organizational culture and sensemaking | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Paper proposal | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Paradox, ambidexterity and competing logics | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Digital and algorithmic forms of organizing | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Hybrid organizations, sustainability and grand challenges | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Theory development in organization studies | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Theory-driven company analysis | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Special topics in organization theory | Special readings | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Special topics in organization design | Special readings | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final paper | 1 | 30 | 1-5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Paper proposal | 1 | 10 | 1-5 | Not Allowed | |
| Theory-driven company analysis | 1 | 25 | 1-5 | Not Allowed | |
| Article critique | 1 | 20 | 1-5 | Not Allowed | |
| Classwork | 1 | 15 | 1-5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home study | 2 | 15 | 30 | |||
| Paper proposal | 15 | 1 | 15 | Theory-driven company analysis | 10 | 2 | 20 | |||
| Article critique | 10 | 1 | 10 | Final paper | 30 | 1 | 30 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 28/04/2026 | |||||||||