MSc in Business Administration – Strategy and Management in International Organizations

In the two-year master’s program in Business Administration - Strategy and Management in International Organizations (SMIO) we aim to educate future leaders with good judgment, who can analyze complex problems and make well-balanced decisions.

The learning pillars of the program are research-based knowledge grounded in rich empirical examples, a focus on critical and in-depth analysis, and communication of results. The program combines the depth of a research master with the rich practical examples and casework intensity of a more practical master. The program courses therefore each lay a solid research foundation in the form of articles and books by both classic and contemporary great thinkers. On top of that, each course provides insights into the workings of a number of international organizations (ranging from Starbucks and Apple to The Red Cross) and empirical phenomena (from CSR and outsourcing trends to business development in East Africa). Students then use their research-based foundation to draw connections, define problems, and analyze through for example casework and projects. Each course also practices the students’ communication skills in one or more areas, through the writing of argumentative essays, oral presentations, feedback sessions, debates, and café seminars.

The program seeks to simulate the future work environment of the students, and hence learning processes are centered in teamwork, leadership, and organization, and set in an environment where the study tempo and expectations are high and the diversity of people great. Over the past years, we have received students from more than 60 different countries, ranging from Argentina to Zambia. A typical SMIO class consists of some 20 different nationalities, which brings interesting perspectives to discussions as well as insights into the different markets of the world. The cultural mix enables us to use the class itself as a teaching tool, where the development of cross-cultural competencies becomes a positive side effect of for example team projects.

From day one, we actively work with team processes where taken-for-granted ideas are challenged and the students’ abilities are stretched, step-by-step. Our SMIO students are typically highly committed and hard-working, used to assuming responsibility, and working under pressure in a multicultural environment where a variety of perspectives have to be turned into workable solutions. Challenging assignments and tight deadlines hone the students’ bonds and SMIO students therefore generally get to know each other well, forming an international network for the future.

Building strong ties

The program has been designed to ease socialization and make students quickly form ties across cultural boundaries. Initially, courses work actively with socialization through team building as well as leadership and organization exercises. Furthermore, the SMIO Big Brothers and Sisters, a group of six to eight handpicked senior students, support our new students from the moment they are admitted and act as mentors and role models as well as organize activities ranging from BBQs to company visits.

We know who you are

We deliberately aim to keep the program small (about 40 students per intake). This means that as an SMIO student you are a familiar face to your teachers and most of them will know you by name. Student-teacher interaction is quite informal, and teachers are generally approachable and interested.

Syllabus

Introduction

The Business Administration - Strategy and Management in International Organizations program is a second cycle program that leads to a Master of Science (120 Credits) degree with a major in Business Administration. This two-year master’s program provides the students with good analytical skills based on solid academic knowledge and rich empirical examples. The program's overall aim is to contribute to the education of a new generation of researchers and practitioners, competent to understand science and business as social phenomena. The international environment of the program will also provide the students with good cross-cultural competencies and communication skills. The students are ready for management positions or consultancy work. Besides, the program is designed to provide post-graduate training in Business Administration at an advanced level and prepare for future Ph.D. studies.

Aim

National Qualifications according to the Swedish Higher Education Act

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in Business Administration, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field as insight into current research and development work
• demonstrate specialized methodological knowledge in Business Administration.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously, and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgment and Approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in Business Administration informed by relevant disciplinary, social, and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.