LFU:online

Course objective is the acquisition of substantive knowledge of theories, concepts, methods, and insights of Evidence-based Management (EBMgt). Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to define and explain the principles and instruments of evidence-based practice in the management of work organizations, practically apply them to relevant organizational topics and questions as well as to critically reflect and discuss the underlying methodology and obtained results.

EBMgt refers to a movement in applied psychological research on work and organizations and related social science disciplines. Role models can be found in parallel developments in other fields, most importantly, Evidence-based Medicine. The main objective of EBMgt is to improve the quality of managerial decision-making processes through systematic and judicious use of all available and relevant evidence, based on closer mutual alignment and integration of academic research, teaching, and organizational practices. Course contents comprise the whole spectrum of foundations, principles, concepts, methods, and instruments of EBMgt. Specifically, this includes defined sources and forms of evidence (scientific, organizational, experiential, stakeholder-oriented) as well as steps and processes to specify, obtain, evaluate and integrate scientific (and other forms of) evidence as well as to their implementation and monitoring of outcomes (Asking, Acquiring, Appraising, Aggregating, Applying, Assessing). An emphasis will be put on approaches to synthesize scientific evidence, ranging from "Critically Assessed Topics" to more sophisticated "Rapid Evidence Assessments", and comprehensive, protocol-based meta-analyses or "Systematic Reviews" of the literature. In a group project, participants will be given the task to conduct an evidence assessment on a self-chosen organizational topic or question according to the principles and processes of the EBMgt methodology, present their findings in class, and document them in a final written report.

Teaching methods include conventional and computer-based modes of teaching and learning, specifically: (1) introductory lectures by the course lecturer; (2) interactive reviews and discussions of reading assignments from the literature; (3) the completion of online learning materials, including reading assignments, exercises, and quizzes (provided though Carnegie Mellon University’s Open Learning Initiative platform; https://oli.cmu.edu); (4) individual written short reports on selected topics; (5) the development, presentation, and written documentation of study projects on evidence search and synthesis ("Critically Appraised Topics") by the course participants in small work groups, based on the EBMgt methodology as well as the specifications, guidance, and feedback by the course lecturer.

Course grades are based on continuous assessment of student contributions. Aside from attendance and active participation in class, this includes several elements: (1) the full completion of reading assignments, online materials, and exercises; (2) the presentation of study projects on critically appraised topics based on the EBMgt methodology by groups of students in class; (3) the quality of the final write-up of study projects (4) individual short writing assignments (1-pagers) to summarize and reflect on selected course topics or activities. Readings, online learning modules, and other provided course materials are in English. Course assignments may be completed in either German or English language; corresponding with the international orientation of EBMgt, the final report on study project should preferably be written in English.

Eine ausführliche Literaturliste mit Leseaufträgen wird zu Beginn der Veranstaltung bekanntgegeben. Es handelt sich durchgängig um wissenschaftliche Fachpublikationen in englischer Sprache; exemplarisch hierfür sind die folgenden Literaturhinweise:

Barends, E., Rousseau, D. M., & Briner, R. B. (2014). Evidence-based management: The basic principles. Amsterdam, Netherlands: CEBMa. Online verfügbar: https://www.cebma.org/wp-content/uploads/Evidence-Based-Practice-The-Basic-Principles.pdf

Briner, R., Denyer, D., & Rousseau, D. M. (2009). Evidence-based management: Concept cleanup time. Academy of Management Perspectives, 23, 19-32.

Burke, M. J. (2011). Is there a fly in the “systematic review” ointment?. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 4, 36-39.

Pfeffer, J., & Sutton, R. (2006). Hard facts, dangerous half-truths and total nonsense: Profiting from evidence-based management. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Rousseau, D. M. (ed.) (2012). The Oxford Handbook of Evidence-based Management. New York: Oxford University Press.

Rousseau, D. M., & Barends, E. G. (2011). Becoming an evidence‐based HR practitioner. Human Resource Management Journal, 21, 221-235.

Rousseau, D. M., & Gunia, B. (2016). Evidence-based practice: The psychology of EBP implementation. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 667-692.

Rousseau, D. M., Manning, J., & Denyer, D. (2008). Evidence in management and organizational science: Assembling the field’s full weight of scientific knowledge through syntheses. The Academy of Management Annals, 2, 475-515.

Rynes, S. L., & Bartunek, J. M. (2017). Evidence-based management: Foundations, development, controversies and future. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4, 235-261.

Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence‐informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management, 14, 207-222.