Introduction to Business Administration, Group C
The course introduces the elements of business administration that constitute our school’s name: Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung – Otto Beisheim School of Management. The course content is organized around six themes:
1) Introducing the “Hochschule” in WHU: Evolution of business schools
- Evolution of the university
- Evolution of business administration
- Criticism of business, business administration, and business schools
2) Introducing the “Unternehmen” in WHU: Evolution and theory of the firm
- Chandler’s theory of scale and scope
- Williamson’s transaction cost theory
- Criticism of Chandler and Williamson
3) Introducing the “Wissenschaft” in WHU: Theory and evolution of knowledge
- Philosophy of science
- Scientific (r)evolution
- Social science vs. natural science
- Criticism of science
4) Introducing the “Führung” in WHU: Evolution of leadership thought
- The elements of systematic management
- Taylor’s scientific management
- Mayo’s humanistic management
- Leadership vs. management
- Criticism of management
5) Introducing Otto Beisheim’s work: Evolution and theory of marketing thought
- Tedlow’s four eras of marketing
- Evolution of distribution
- Economic theory and marketing theory
- Criticism of marketing
6) Introducing management: Key concepts in strategic management
- Key concepts in strategy
- Critical evaluation of notorious strategy tools
- Systematic strategy implementation
- Corporate governance and co-determination
Date | Time |
---|---|
Friday, 04.09.2020 | 09:00 - 12:15 |
Thursday, 10.09.2020 | 15:30 - 18:45 |
Tuesday, 15.09.2020 | 08:00 - 11:15 |
Wednesday, 16.09.2020 | 08:00 - 11:15 |
Saturday, 19.09.2020 | 10:00 - 11:00 |
Tuesday, 22.09.2020 | 08:00 - 11:15 |
Tuesday, 22.09.2020 | 19:00 - 20:30 |
Tuesday, 29.09.2020 | 08:00 - 11:15 |
Wednesday, 30.09.2020 | 19:00 - 20:30 |
The overall learning method mix across all class sessions of this course is:
- 95% interactive concept lectures, and
- 5% simulation game.
- 45 points (50%): Professor Schäffer’s part of the written exam,
- 40 points (ca. 45%): Professor Jensen’s part of the written exam,
- 5 points (ca. 5%): Performance in the simulation game “Managing customers and segments”.
For WHU students, the course score will enter into the module grade of the study module “Introduction to Business”, together with the course “Sourcing: Managing the Firm’s Supply Base”, co-taught by professors Lutz Kaufmann and Felix Reimann. Both courses are weighted equally.
International exchange students can choose either of the two courses or both and will obtain a separate grade for each course.