Mgmt 801: Introduction to Research in the Social Sciences

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the context and traditions of knowledge generation in the social sciences in general, and academic business research in a business school context in particular. This course will encourage students to transcend the technical details of their respective research paradigms so as to position themselves as business school researchers capable of contributing meaningful knowledge to broader academic, business, and societal audiences. Guided by what it means to have a mindset of intellectual curiosity in the social sciences and business school context, this course will tackle questions such as, what it means to be driven by a scientific curiosity; how do we define or construct knowledge in academic business research and how does one's individual research contribute; what are the norms and traditions of being a valuable contributor of knowledge in academic business research? The goal of this course is to enable students to situate their current and forthcoming acquisition of in-depth skills in their research discipline into the mindset of researchers driven by intellectual curiosity seeking to contribute meaningful knowledge in the context and traditions of academic business research.

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Mgmt 890/990: Econometric Methods

This course covers selected topics in the empirical methods of cross-section and panel data analysis. Various econometric techniques are discussed in workshop format to help students interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence. Emphasis is placed on practical aspects and application.

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Mgmt 821/921: Capital Markets, Theory and Empirics

This course covers the theory and empirics related to capital markets research and the pricing of assets. Possible topics include characteristics of financial asset returns, tests of market efficiency, asset pricing models, and market microstructure.

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Mgmt 988: Applied Statistics and Econometrics

This course is an introduction to the statistical tools needed to test economic relationships. It is designed so that students can understand empirical research and execute independent research projects of their own. The course starts with a review of statistical inference; next it discusses the general linear regression model, and finishes with some advanced topics. Statistical software packages will be introduced and used throughout the course.

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Mgmt 913: Introduction to Accounting Research - Markets

This course will provide an intensive introduction to principal themes in capital markets research in financial accounting.

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Mgmt 914: Introduction to Accounting Research - Experimental

Experimental This course will provide an intensive introduction to principal themes in experimental behavioral research in auditing and management accounting.

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Mgmt 915: Introduction to Accounting Research - Field

This course will provide an intensive introduction to the principal themes in qualitative methodological research in accounting especially in management accounting.

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Mgmt 910: Accounting I - Financial Accounting Research

Elaborating on the themes in Introduction to Accounting Research Markets this course will examine in detail cutting edge research in financial accounting.

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Mgmt 800: Statistics I

Topics in this course may include, but are not limited to, univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, multiple linear regression, and analysis of variance.

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Mgmt 804: Survey Research Method Design

This course will provide students with the foundations of survey (field) research method design. Topics covered in this course include, but are not limited to, sample design, execution, and estimation; alternative sample designs and modes of data collection; the effect of question structure, wording, and context on respondent behaviour; the equivalent of at least one session of the 6 will be dedicated to ethical considerations associated with the survey method.

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Mgmt 802: Qualitative Research Method Design

This course will provide students with the foundations of qualitative research techniques. Topics covered in this course include, but are not limited to, observational field research, narratives, case histories, interviewing, principles of action research and grounded theory. The equivalent of at least one session of the 6 will be dedicated to ethical considerations associated with the qualitative methods.

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Mgmt 882/982: Economics of Organizations

This course discusses elements of the economics of organizational design and decision processes. Using concepts and techniques from applied microeconomics, it provides an analysis of organizational form, structure, and boundaries. Examples are drawn from the literature to illustrate the theoretical concepts and to demonstrate how they can be used to predict organizational performance and aid in changing organizations effectively.

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Econ 810: Microeconomic Theory

This course provides an in depth review of theories of demand, production, general equilibrium, market failures and welfare economics. In addition, selected topics in decision theory and game theory will be covered.

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Mgmt 885/985: Managerial Economics and Policy Seminar

This course will develop an overall perspective of corporate financial decisions through an integrated coverage of the most important topics of corporate finance. Topics may include theory of the firm, capital structure, dividend policy, corporate governance, and corporate restructuring.

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Econ 815: Macroeconomic Theory

The first half of this course discusses the computation of aggregate variables and introduces students to dynamic models of long-run growth: the Solow model, the neoclassical growth model, overlapping generations models, and endogenous growth models. These are used to study long-run policy issues and the determinants of cross-country differences in per capita income and growth. The second half of the course introduces the student to real business cycle models and to the micro-foundations of models of nominal rigidities and non-market clearing. These are used to study the nature of short-run fluctuations and to evaluate macroeconomic policies related to stabilization, inflation, unemployment and the public debt.

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Mgmt 822/922: Corporate Finance, Theory and Empirics

This course will develop an overall perspective of corporate financial decisions through an integrated coverage of the most important topics of corporate finance. Topics may include theory of the firm, capital structure, dividend policy, corporate governance, and corporate restructuring.

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Econ 852: Quantitative Methods

A first course in econometrics at the graduate level. Students are expected to have had at least one econometrics course at the undergraduate level, and to be familiar with matrix algebra and elementary statistics. A broad range of econometric models will be covered.

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Mgmt 803: Experimental Research Method Design

This course will teach the fundamentals of experimental design for the study of human behaviour including, but not limited to, experimental design considerations; assessment of reliability and validity; the equivalent of at least one session of the 6 will be dedicated to ethical considerations associated with experimental design.

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Mgmt 870/970: Foundations of MIS I

This course begins to survey the major research areas in the field, including the design, implementation, use, and management of information systems within organizations. Its purpose is to expose students to the breadth of the field, by analyzing both the classic and current literature. For each area, we will examine the predominant theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, and analytical techniques.

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Mgmt 871/971: Foundations of MIS II

This course continues with the survey of major research areas begun in MGMT870. Again, for each area, we will examine the predominant theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, and analytical techniques. An emphasis will be placed on students developing their own research expertise and plans: students will learn how to design, conduct, evaluate, and present good research in the MIS area.

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Mgmt 972: Advanced Topics in the Design, Development and Implementation of Information Systems

This course examines the design, development and implementation of information systems from the organizational, team and individual perspectives. Both proprietary and inter-organizational domains of the design and development of business applications and IT architecture are covered. Topics include IS development practices (traditional vs. amethodical, emergent and improvised), IS project management, IS maintenance, IS sourcing, and open collaboration (e.g., open source). The course also examines how individual characteristics (e.g., personality, competencies, mental models) as well as team dynamics (e.g., communication, coordination and control) influence information systems design, development and implementation across both formal groups (e.g., teams, sourcing relationships) and informal relationships (e.g., social networks).

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Mgmt 973: Advanced Topics in Management Support Systems

This course examines research on management support systems. Management support systems is a major stream in information systems research covering such topics as decision support systems, group support systems, recommender systems for management, systems to support virtual teams, and knowledge management systems. The course explores the nature, role, and impacts of these systems on individuals and groups in the organization. Research in this area is diverse, covering a variety of theoretical bases, research methods, and reference discipline perspectives.

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MGMT-974* Advanced Topics in the Evaluation of Information Systems

This course examines current research on the impact of information technology on individual, group and organizational performance. It focuses on developing an understanding of how information technology (IT) changes both the processes and outcomes of work within an organization. At the individual level, topics include the impact of IT on employee work and productivity, the determinants of IT usage, and the influence of IT on decision-making. At the group level, topics include the influence of IT on group communication, social processes, and productivity in face-to-face and distributed settings. At the organizational level, topics involving the evaluation of IT investments and their impact on firm performance are examined. A variety of research perspectives drawing on methods from psychology, organization theory, strategy, economics, sociology and other disciplines are examined.

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Mgmt 975: Special Topics in MIS

Specialized topics in MIS research will be covered. The subject matter may vary from year to year depending on the interests of students and faculty.

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Mgmt 976: Emerging Topics in MIS

Emerging topics in MIS research will be covered. The subject matter may vary from year to year depending on the interests of students and faculty.

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Mgmt 860/960: Deterministic Operations Research Models

This course reviews and extends deterministic operations research model formulation, solution, and applications. Topics may include linear, non-linear, and integer programming, dynamic programming, spreadsheet modelling, network and transportation models, and project management models.

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Mgmt 962: Stochastic Processes and Applications

This course provides a review of probability models and introduction to applied stochastic processes that are important in business settings. Topics may include Poisson processes, Markov chains, birth and death processes, random walk problems, elementary renewal theory, general; Markov processes, Brownian motion, and queuing theory..

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Mgmt 861/961: Probabilistic Operations Research Models

This course reviews the formulation, solution, and application of a range of probabilistic modelling techniques. Topics may include inventory models, queueing, simulation, decision analysis, Markov models, forecasting, and stochastic dynamic programming.

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Mgmt 965: Analysis of Supply Chains

In this course, we will explore modern analytical approaches to optimization in production and supply chain systems. Topics may include production and inventory control, process control, location analysis, and analysis of supply chains, including game-theoretic approaches.

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Mgmt 840/940: Marketing Strategy & Management I

The Marketing Strategy and Management I and II seminars survey theories and frameworks associated with practice of marketing as seen through the eyes of academic researchers. Course readings focus on topics related to marketing strategy and marketing management. Marketing strategy consists of the knowledge, concepts and processes that allow firms to evolve and survive in a competitive environment including, the analysis of markets, the allocation of resources for the creation of superior customer value and the creation of a competitive advantage. Marketing management consists of those decision that translate strategic goals into market-based actions typically through implementing various elements of the marketing mix. In addition to the embodiment of a market/customer focus and the understanding and management of key relationships, the application of marketing strategy also ensures that an organization has the structure and processes that allow it to deliver superior benefits and respond in an appropriate and timely manner to change.

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Mgmt 842/942: Consumer Behaviour I

This course seeks to enhance students' appreciation of the interdisciplinary and varied methodological nature of the field by providing an overview of issues concerned with "consumption," in a broad sense, as well as individual level consumer behavior, information processing and consumer decision-making. Topics include sociological and cultural influences on consumers, influences on how consumers interpret and respond to marketing phenomena, and psychological and psycho-social influences on consumer choice and decision processes.

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Mgmt 844/944: Marketing Topics I

Each year, a series of Marketing Topics courses will be offered that allow students to apply the foundational concepts they have learned in the Marketing Strategy and Consumer Behaviour courses to particular areas of specialization. Here is a sample of some of the Marketing Topics courses:

Marketing and Society: This course will expose students to social, economic, environmental, political, and legal issues relevant to the study of markets and marketing activities, with particular emphasis placed on issues at the intersection of marketing, policy, and societal welfare. Course readings are drawn from marketing and related fields on topics broadly labeled as having to do with marketing and society issues, including public policy and marketing, transformative consumer research, social marketing, macromarketing, and sustainable consumption.

Quantitative Models for Marketing (QMM) I and II: The seminars, QMM‐I and QMM‐II, are particularly valuable for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in Marketing or related disciplines (e.g. Business Economics, Operations Management) who are interested in model building and business analytics. The courses are designed to serve as an introduction to quantitative models in marketing with strong emphasis on research that has implications for solving managerial problems. QMM‐I investigates market performance of firms using aggregate‐level models while QMM‐II focuses on consumer‐level analysis including choice models. The main objectives for QMM‐I and II are 1) to familiarize students with fundamentals of aggregate and individual‐level models in marketing, 2) to help them acquire modeling skills they can apply to their own research or use to appreciate the extant marketing science literature and 3) to encourage students to come up with research areas and ideas that they will be interested to work in. To facilitate students to get acquainted with many topics each session will concentrate on a major managerial problem such as resource allocation, advertising decisions, diffusion of innovations, pricing and promotion decisions. The class discussion will highlight both the managerial significance of various substantive areas and how different modeling techniques are employed to effectively address these problems.

Consumer Culture Theory: This course will examine consumers and their consumption behaviours and practices as social and cultural phenomena as opposed to economic or psychological phenomena. By examining the relationship between consumers, the market place and cultural meaning, this course will cover the macro, interpretive, and cultural approaches found in Consumer Culture Theory research.

Advances in Marketing: Other topics courses will be available.

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Mgmt 841/941: Marketing Topics II

Each year, a series of Marketing Topics courses will be offered that allow students to apply the foundational concepts they have learned in the Marketing Strategy and Consumer Behaviour courses to particular areas of specialization. Here is a sample of some of the Marketing Topics courses:

Mgmt 850/950: Foundations of Research in Organizational Behaviour

The purpose of the course is to introduce you to the process of theory building in the field of organizational behaviour. The course examines several prominent theories in the field and explores recent evidence that assesses central claims made by the theory. The course also provides opportunities to develop skills in theory building.

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Mgmt 952: Seminar in Meso-Organizational Behaviour

This course introduces students to meso organizational behavior, which is concerned with the study of organizational phenomena that occur across more than one level of analysis (e.g., individual, group, organizational, national). Students will learn about multilevel theory and methodologies, with an emphasis on the emergence and functioning of collective constructs. The course will also provide coverage of numerous organizational behaviour topics that span levels, which may include person-environment fit, group and organizational climates, group diversity, group processes and performance, socially shared cognition, emotional contagion, and leaders' influence in social collectives.

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Mgmt 851/951: Advanced Topics in Organization Theory

This course analyses the development of, and contemporary directions in, the field of organization theory, with particular focus upon the relevance of organization theory to issues of economy and society. Drawing upon traditional and contemporary social theory as a backdrop, topics covered include scientific management, the human relations school, the Carnegie school, contingency analysis, labour process theory, resource dependence theory, the economic analysis of organizations, institutional theory, organizational demographics, and others.

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Mgmt 805/905: Foundations of Strategy and Organizations

This course provides a foundation in strategy and organizations by focusing on classic readings and approaches to the field of strategic management. The principal objective is to acquaint students with dominant ideas and a historical context for understanding the evolution of the field. The aim of the course will be to examine a number of perspectives, consider the strengths and weaknesses of each, and to look at the comparative ability of these models to explain a variety of organizational phenomena (Fall Term course).

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Mgmt 806/906: Strategy Implementation

The objectives of this course include providing an understanding of the processes that impact the effective implementation. This course provides an overview of theory and research in strategy implementation. It includes developing an understanding of: structuring the organization, roles and responsibilities for strategic action, assessing and aligning control systems, as well as managing strategic change and renewal.

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Mgmt 807/907: Strategy Formulation

The objectives of this course include understanding theories and approaches to setting direction; assessing markets and rivalry. This course will develop students' skills in analyzing the environment in which the firm competes, as well as the capabilities of the firm itself. Beyond analysis, this course will also help students understand how to design a strategy.

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MSc in Organizational Behaviour

Queen’s MSc in Organizational Behaviour provides students with a solid foundation for understanding and conducting research in the area organizational behaviour.  The field draws on several disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and economics, and examines the behaviour of individuals, groups and organizations.

The program is designed to prepare students for doctoral (PhD) studies and an academic career.

Acceptable Undergraduate Degrees

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Education
  • Economics
  • Political Science
  • Business or Commerce

Program Structure and Content

This is a 12-month program beginning in September. Each student is required to complete the following courses and a research project of publishable quality. Coursework completion consists of the following:

Year 1

Fall

Introduction to Research in the Social Sciences.25
Experimental Research Method Design.25
Statistics I.5
Foundations of Research in Organizational Behaviour.5
Advanced Topics in Organization Theory.5

Winter

Survey Research Method Design.25
Qualitative Research Method Design.25
Seminar in Meso-Organizational Behaviour.5
Advanced Topics in Organization Theory .5

Summer

  • Major Research Project

Organizational Behaviour

Learn more about graduate studies in the field of Organizational Behaviour.
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Program Faculty


Dr.JulianBarling

Dr. Julian Barling, PhD

Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Queen's Research Chair
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Julian Barling's current research has two different themes, both of which focus on employee well-being. His first theme focuses on the nature and consequences of transformational leadership. Second, he addresses issues related to a safe workplace, from both a psychological and a physical perspective, involving research on workplace violence, occupational safety, and work stress. Julian previously served as the editor of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, was on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Psychology, and served as chair of the APA's task force on Workplace Violence. He was co-editor of the Handbook of Work Stress and the Handbook of Organizational Behavior. Julian was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2002, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology. In 2009 he was elected as a Fellow of the Association of Psychological Sciences. Julian holds a Queen’s University Research Chair and received Queen’s University’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision in 2009.

Dr.SusanBrodt

Dr. Susan Brodt, PhD

Associate Professor in Organizational Behaviour
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Susan Brodt's research interests are in interpersonal and small group processes in organizations. She is currently studying the social and cognitive dynamics of trust (trust building, violation, and repair) in manager-subordinate relationships, in negotiations, and in virtual or distributed work groups. Underlying Susan’s research is an emphasis on relationships and social aspects of organizational life, and how management practices, technology, and other organization factors can foster (or undermine) effective and satisfying work relationships.

Dr.WilliamCooper

Dr. William Cooper, PhD

Professor in Organizational Behaviour
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Bill Cooper's research interests are in political and interpersonal processes in organizations. His current projects deal with self-promotion at work, the use of strong inference in research, the impacts of social, economic and human capital, whether the strength of situations matter, and the status of idiosyncrasy credit theory of leadership.

Dr.TinaDacin

Dr. Tina Dacin, PhD

Professor & E. Marie Shantz Chair of Strategy and Organizational Behaviour and Director, QSB Centre for Responsible Leadership
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Tina Dacin's research intersects micro- and macro-organizational behaviour. She examines institutional change and the role of traditions, culture and identity in individual careers, organizations and society. Tina also writes on the topic of alliances and the social dimensions of collaboration. More recently, she is focusing her interests towards the study of social entrepreneurship and the cultural, institutional and social resources leveraged by social entrepreneurs. She currently serves as Departmental Editor at the Journal of International Business Studies and as a Senior Editor at Organization Science. She has served as Division Chair of OMT Division in the Academy of Management and various roles including program track chair for the Academy of International Business, College of Organization Science and the Corporate Strategy and Governance Interest Group for the Strategic Management Society.

Dr.ChristopherMiners

Dr. Christopher Miners, PhD

Assistant Professor in Organizational Behaviour
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Christopher Miners' research investigates abilities, personality traits, and intra- and interpersonal processes that facilitate job performance and promote well-being. The focus of his first line of research is on emotional intelligence. Christopher's current research examines the relations between emotional intelligence and negotiation performance, moral decision-making, and social influence. A second line of his research investigates the antecedents and the consequences of counternormative behavior in group contexts. He has published papers on these topics in a variety of journals including the Administrative Science Quarterly, Leadership Quarterly, and Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. His research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Dr.KelleyPackalen

Dr. Kelley Packalen, PhD

Assistant Professor in Strategy and Organization
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Kelley Packalen's broadly interested in how career histories of founders may influence firm level outcomes. First, she looks at how people's prior work experiences, affiliations and their status may interact to help or hinder them in subsequent career decisions. Second, she considers the regional differences in the types of individuals who become involved in an industry. Professor Packalen also evaluates the emergence of networks with a particular focus on the temporal relationship between different types (i.e. individual, organizational) of networks as well as the changing regional dynamics in the network structure of an industry over time.

Dr.JanaRaver

Dr. Jana Raver, PhD

Associate Professor and E. Marie Shantz Fellow in Organizational Behaviour
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Jana Raver's research focuses primarily upon interpersonal relations and group processes at work. Current topics of investigation include examining the nature and implications of employee behaviours that support each other (e.g., helping behaviours) versus undermine each other (e.g., workplace harassment, insults). A second area focuses upon the integration of diverse or dissimilar employees into work groups and organizations. She has also conducted cross-cultural studies on conflict and on cultural tightness-looseness. Her research spans multiple levels of analysis, including studies at the individual, dyadic, group, organizational, and national levels.