Operation and Information Management, Spring 2024, University of St.Gallen
Learning Objectives
- Ph.D. students can analyze the current status of their dissertation in operation and information management, for example, with a focus on emerging business models in digital health, digital biomarkers, digital diagnostics, care support, wellbeing and prevention, health behavior, health technology assessment, planetary health, and sustainability).
- Ph.D. students will critically reflect on their dissertation work, including strengths and weaknesses
- Ph.D. students can discuss and provide scientific feedback to their peers
Course content
Preparation
Before the seminar, students prepare a scientific presentation outlining the current state of their scientific work. The presentation starts with a short introduction to the topic and highlights the practical relevance and the research question. Then, the presenter provides details on a specific topic, such as the (planned) methods, data collection protocol, and data analysis. The presentation must meet the highest scientific standards in content and presentation.
The following questions will guide the preparation of the presentations:
- What is the important problem I want to solve? What is the important topic I want to understand better? What is the motivation for my research?
- What are my research questions? Are these research questions relevant? Do they help me to solve the important problem or understand better the subject matter?
- What is the appropriate method that fits my research question?
- Do I have access to relevant data to answer the research question? Can I set up a study to generate the data I need to answer my research question?
- Where lies the intellectual challenge (e.g., regarding the interpretation of the data, the method)?
- What are the novel results? What are the practical and theoretical contributions of my work?
- What are the relevant outlets I will have an impact with (e.g., in the scientific community, health care industry, policymakers, the general public)?
Peer Review
All Ph.D. students listen carefully to the presentations of their peers and provide written, structured feedback. The lecturers provide oral feedback.
Course structure
The seminar consists of preparing the presentations as described above, the actual seminar, and the written peer review. The seminar takes place at a location outside the university. In-person attendance is required. During the presentations, the use of computers of any form is prohibited. The focus is to be on the speaker and the peer review. Ph.D. students with different backgrounds (e.g., economics, management, information systems, computer science, or medicine) are welcome.
The seminar will take place in Switzerland. The participants themselves must bear any expenses for meals or accommodation. Eligible doctoral students from external universities enroll as guest students of the University of St.Gallen. As a rule, about 15 doctoral students take part in the seminar.
Course literature
Recommended reading: Rai, Arun. 2017. “Editor’s Comments: Avoiding Type III Errors: Formulating IS Research Problems that Matter,” MIS Quarterly, (41: 2) pp.iii-vii.
Summary
Operation and Information Management, Spring 2024, University of St.Gallen, 4 ECTS, 3-4 April 2024, Course & Examination Fact Sheet