Overview
Key facts
- With their newly acquired knowledge on moral psychology and social identity theory, Moral Organization students from Vrije Universiteit Amsterda will be able to discuss moral issues in organizations in word and in writing. Students will be able to contribute to stimulate organizations to deal with moral issues in a constructive and, paradoxically, non-moralizing way.
- Scandals in public and private organizations are an everyday occurrence. Money laundering by banks, sexual abuse by employees of NGO's, the marketing of unsafe products, are just a few of reoccurring events that harm society. At the same time, many organizations are undertaking corporate social responsibility activities, with the clear intention to contribute positively to society. It is important for both scientists and the general public to better understand why organizations often want to act morally, yet fail to do so, and why others could be regarded as exemplary organizations.
- We will discuss insights from moral psychology, grounded in Social Identity Theory (SIT), to explain (im)moral behaviour in and by organizations. SIT argues that individuals derive their identity from (ideally positive) group memberships, and that their behaviour usually follows from their self-definition as group members. For most people, the organization they work for is a very important 'group', with which they can identify, and which contributes to their self-image.
- Our students will learn that many issues regarding (im)moral behaviour in and 'by' organizations stem from high levels of identification with the organization, leading to a disregard for societal outcomes, sometimes even leading to negative outcomes for their own organization. They will also learn to understand how organizations may change - or can be helped to change - to avoid such detrimental outcomes and become a moral organization.
- Our interactive course teaches students the latest insights in moral behaviour in and by organizations, through interactive lectures, movies, short cases, discussion sessions and in-class team assignments. Guest lectures by experts from organizations that have a special interest in moral behaviour or visits to one or two organizations will also be part of the program.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- understand and discuss the intricacies of moral behavior in organizations
- contribute to solutions to moral issues in organizations and present them verbally and in writing
- (begin to) support well-intentioned organizations in becoming exemplary organizations
Programme Structure
Course topics- Morality and social identity
- Moral leadership
- Motivating moral choices
- Diversity and inclusion
- whistleblowing
- The human factor in organizational change
- Relating to stakeholders
- Power of ethical climates
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 14 days
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
Psychology Organisational Behaviour Social Policy View 3 other Short Courses in Social Policy in NetherlandsAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
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Other requirements
General requirements
- Advanced 2nd and 3rd year bachelor's students, as well as master's students and PhD candidates are allowed to participate. The course will be most useful for students with a background in social sciences, psychology, business and economics.
Tuition Fee
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International
1100 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1100 EUR for the full programme during 14 days. -
National
1100 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1100 EUR for the full programme during 14 days.
- Students, PhD students and employees of VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC or an Aurora Network Partner: €735
- Students at Partner Universities of VU Amsterdam: €995
- Students and PhD candidates at non-partner universities of VU Amsterdam: €1100
- Professionals: €1310
Living costs for Amsterdam
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.