Developing Creative High Performance Organizations

Catalog description

This course focuses on how to create high performing organizations based on models provided by business, science and the arts. We will examine the key assets that these disciplines bring and show how to apply them to business activities. For example, it has been shown that improvisational models from music are highly relevant to new product development. Course activities will include a discussion of the readings from relevant academic research in the business field. We will discuss the philosophy of aesthetics, analyze cases, and review original works. We will also listen to short lectures by practicing artists, musicians, actors, scientists, and writers. Together, these activities will help students to develop strategies to help their organizations attain higher levels of performance. This course is a graduate elective for MBA students and could also be taken by other students (such as Leadership students) if it meets their degree requirements. The way the course will run: This course will be run as a graduate seminar designed to maximize the learning of the members of the group including the instructor's. We will learn about each of the topics noted above through a variety of means. Our interaction will include general discussions, lectures, case discussions, exercises, small group meetings, and on-line chats. We will have invited speakers for the class representing the arts, music, science and business.