INTRODUCTION TO

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST
THOMAS BOHN, PH.D.
School of Business and Economics
TIME Research Area | Innovation, Strategy and Organisation Group (ISO)
Contact: Antje Htten | huetten@time.rwth-aachen.de

OCTOBER 2015

TIME Research Area

Innovation, Strategy and Organisation Group (ISO)

1 COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Name:
Degree Programmes:

Introduction to Business Administration (ID: 15ws-41952)

(Einfhrung in die Wirtschaftswissenschaften)
Master Wirtschaftswissenschaften

Lecturer:

Thomas Bohn, Ph.D.

Contact:

Antje Htten (huetten@time.rwth-aachen.de)

Room IV
Tuesdays, 16:00 to 17:30 pm, 14 sessions (20 Oct, 27 Oct, 03
Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 01 Dec, 08 Dec, 15 Dec, 12 Jan,
19 Jan, 26 Jan, 02 Feb, 09 Feb)
This course adopts a problem-based learning approach to
provide participants with an interactive project-based
introduction to business administration. Participants will work in
small interdisciplinary teams to solve a specific scientific or
practical challenge with an important (technology)
management dimension. As part of their problem analysis and
search for suitable solutions, participants will become familiar
with selected theoretical concepts, research methods and
practical tools from the field of business administration. These
problem solving activities will be facilitated by a tailored
coaching of each group.
This course seeks to enhance participants ability to:
1. Understand and apply selected theoretical concepts,
research methods and practical tools from the field of
business administration,
2. Analyse specific scientific or practical challenges,
3. Develop adequate, evidence-based solutions
4. Present their ideas and findings convincingly
5. Critically reflect upon the ethical dimension of their research
approach or proposed solution
6. Provide constructive feedback on the solutions presented
by fellow participants
See readings below
1. Colloquium (weight: 50%)
2. Written Exam (weight: 50%)
All components need to be passed to pass the course.
1. Solid command of English.
2. Willingness to engage in project work in a highly interactive
group context.
70 participants

Location and Time:

Content Description:

Qualification Objectives:

Literature:
Course Examination:
Participation Requirements:
Group Size:
Workload:

28 hours of lecturing
122 hours of individual or group preparation

Type of Teaching Event:

Interactive Lecture and Coaching

Language:

English

Credits:

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TIME Research Area

Innovation, Strategy and Organisation Group (ISO)

2 COURSE ORGANISATION
The course comprises fourteen two-hour sessions, of which six will follow an interactive lecture
format and six a case study-based format. The other two sessions cover primarily administrative
topics. The table below depicts the preliminary schedule.
Preliminary Schedule for Introduction to Business Administration

This course will be managed via the e-learning platform L2P. All lecture slides, student
presentation slides and readings will be deposited here. In addition, we will communicate all
important pieces of information (e.g. ppt-Template, group allocation, room changes, course
preparation) only via L2P. It is hence essential for you to sign up for our L2P course by
15/10/2015 (11:00 am) at the very latest.
All lectures, discussions, and assignments will be in English language.
The final grade is composed of two elements (Evaluation Option B):
(1) Case analyses:

max. 50 percent

(2) Exam:

max. 50 percent

Please note, that both elements need to be passed if the course is to be passed.

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TIME Research Area

Innovation, Strategy and Organisation Group (ISO)

3 READING LIST
The optional readings listed below include some background readings. Further readings will be
advised as part of each session/topic. In terms of the group assignments, Ellets The Case Study
Handbook is recommended, as it highlights the basic elements of how to read, discuss, and
write persuasively about cases.
Optional Readings
Ellet, W. (2007). The Case Study Handbook: How to Read, Discuss, and Write Persuasively About
Cases. Harvard Business Review Press.
Malhotra, D. (2011). I moved your cheese: For those who refuse to live as mice in someone else's
maze. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Micklethwait, J., & Wooldridge, A. (2005). The company: A short history of a revolutionary idea (Vol.
12). Random House LLC.
Mullins, J. W., & Komisar, R. (2009). Getting to plan B: Breaking through to a better business model.
Harvard Business Press.
Skeel, D. (2005). Icarus in the boardroom: The fundamental flaws in corporate America and where
they came from. Oxford University Press.
Tidd, J., Bessant, J. (2009). Managing innovation: Integrating technological, market and
organizational change. John Wiley & Sons.

4 COURSE EXAMINATION
The examination of this course includes two parts. The first part consists of six, written case
analyses. Five of these six case analyses count for a combined total of 50% of your overall grade
(the first case analysis will only be discussed in class). Students will work in small,
interdisciplinary teams (5-6 students) on each case. The case analysis will focus on a particular
question and needs to be submitted before the case study session. In addition to the written
submission, students must be prepared to present their analysis and other aspects of the case to
the rest of the class. The evaluation criteria for the case analyses are analytical depth and clarity
of the argument provided.
The second part contains an exam, counting for 50% of your overall grade. The exam will consist
of two parts, a general part covering theoretical concepts and models presented during the
fortnightly lectures, and a short case study analysis.

We hope you will enjoy the course and look forward to working with you!

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