This is a research training course on theory development for Higher Degree Research students in the Research School of Management. The topic will cover the role of theory in business management disciplines in a two pronged way—by covering both theory process and content. The course will begin with the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of theory and theoretical contribution (i.e., the process element of theory) in management/marketing research. Then the topic will move on to theory content by covering influential theories in business management. The course will aim to cover theories that deal with micro, meso and macro phenomena. The overall goal is to strengthen knowledge and skills of advanced research candidates on the role of theory in research, learn about—and from—influential theories and practice developing their own theoretical insights into the specific business management phenomena of interest to them.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the nature of theory and theoretical contribution in management and marketing research
2. Demonstrate familiarity with key theories in management and marketing
3. Critically evaluate the role of theoretical contribution in research
4. Synthesise theoretical perspectives and literature on the topic of your choice
5. Develop a theoretical model explaining some aspect of the (CLO4) topic of your choice
6. Present the model and its theoretical contribution in oral and written formats.

Research-Led Teaching

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of key theories across management disciplines, with a focus on theory development and application. Designed for HDR students, it cultivates critical thinking and equips them to effectively integrate theoretical frameworks into their research, providing a solid foundation for both academic and professional success.

Field Trips

There are no field trips in this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional class costs expected in this course.

Examination Material or equipment

The course includes six in-class assessments, with their formats determined and announced by the respective lecturers. Details of assessment activities will be provided 2 weeks in advance.

Required Resources

The course lecturers will supply a list of weekly readings on Canvas.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

The course will be taught in Face-to-Face (F2F) seminar mode.

Support of students: The University offers a number of support services for students. Information on these is available online from http://students.anu.edu.au/studentlife/.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Introduction: What is theory; Nature of Theoretical Contributions	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Professor Sarbari Bordia
2	Developing and Writing Theory	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Professor Sarbari Bordia
3	Strategy/IB Theories I	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Professor Lin Cui
4	Strategy/IB Theories II	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Professor Lin Cui
5	OB & Leadership Theories I	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Professor Giles Hirst
6	OB & Leadership Theories II	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Professor Giles Hirst
7	Marketing Theories I	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Dr Toni Eagar
8	Marketing Theories II	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Dr Toni Eagar
9	Systems Thinking I	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Associate Professor Ashkan Zarghami
10	Systems Thinking II	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Associate Professor Ashkan Zarghami
11	IS Theories I	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Dr Priya Muthukannan
12	IS Theories II	Detailed information about topics, assessment tasks, and requirements will be made available on Canvas.Lecturer: Dr Amir Riaz

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Further details about the structure and teaching activities for this course will be available on Canvas by start of Week 1.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Assessment Items 1-6 (Individual - 6 x 16.67% = 100% - HURDLE)	100 %	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is expected in all class learning activities and assessment tasks.

Examination(s)

There is no exam for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Assessment Items 1-6 (Individual - 6 x 16.67% = 100% - HURDLE)

This course includes six individual assessments, with no group work, designed to evaluate students’ understanding and application of key management theories. These assessments may take a variety of forms—such as short written reflections on assigned readings, brief oral presentations, quizzes, or other activities determined by the lecturer for each session. The specific format and expectations for each assessment will be communicated at least two weeks in advance.

Each assessment carries equal weight, with each task contributing one-sixth (16.67%) toward the total course mark.

All assessments will be marked as follows:

• Satisfactory: Course requirement satisfied, indicating that the student has demonstrated an acceptable level of engagement, understanding, and completion of the required task.
• Unsatisfactory: Course requirement not satisfied, indicating insufficient engagement, incomplete work, or failure to meet the minimum expected standard.

Hurdle: This is a hurdle assessment in line with the student assessment coursework policy (see https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_004603). 

To meet the hurdle requirement for this course and be eligible to receive a final course grade of CRS (Course Requirements Satisfied), students must:

1. Attempt all six assessments and
2. Receive a Satisfactory result for at least five out of six assessments.

In this course, students who receive an Unsatisfactory result for any of the six assessment submissions will receive feedback, and may be given the opportunity by the course convenor to:

1. Revise and resubmit the assessment task or
2. Complete an equivalent task within a specified timeframe. 

Assessment Due Date

The assessment requirements and format may vary depending on the lecturer delivering each session. Assessment may take the form of an in-class oral presentation or a written submission, as specified by the relevant lecturer. Where a written assessment is required, the submission deadline will be no later than two weeks after the delivery of the final session associated with a particular topic.

Feedback:

Feedback will be provided at regular intervals by the following dates:

1. 31st March 2026
2. 14th April 2026
3. 12th May 2026
4. 26th May 2026
5. 12th June 2026
6. 2nd July 2026

Marking Criteria

Marking criteria for each assessment will be provided by the respective lecturer responsible for that assessment. The criteria will be made available on Canvas at least two weeks before the assessment due date.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students may choose to use generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Deepseek) to support their learning and completion of their assignments, provided such use is consistent with ANU Academic Integrity principles for GenAI.

If you choose to use AI tools, you must:

1) Include a dedicated section (as an appendix, not counted toward word limit) titled "Use of Artificial Intelligence" that specifies:

• Which AI tools were used (name and version, e.g., "ChatGPT-4, accessed May 2026")
• What specific tasks AI was used for (e.g., "brainstorming initial research questions," "proofreading for grammar and clarity," "summarising literature findings," "generating alternative phrasing for technical explanations")
• How AI outputs were integrated into your work (e.g., "AI-generated summaries were verified against original sources and rewritten in our own words")
• What proportion of the work involved AI assistance versus independent human effort

2) Submit your report in MS Word with 'tracked changes' enabled that shows the progression of academic effort. This documentation must demonstrate:

• Multiple drafts showing iterative development of ideas
• Evidence of critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis beyond AI-generated content
• Group members' intellectual contributions through comments, revisions, and substantive additions
• How AI suggestions were critically evaluated, modified, or rejected

3) Follow APA 7th edition guidelines for citing AI-generated content. For example:

OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (May 15 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

Recommended Appropriate Use of AI

• Brainstorming: Generating initial ideas for research directions or report structure
• Editing: Identifying grammatical errors, improving sentence clarity, or suggesting alternative phrasing
• Summarisation: Creating initial summaries of lengthy sources (which must then be verified and integrated)
• Formatting: Assistance with citation formatting, table creation, or document structure
• Translation: Translating non-English sources (with acknowledgment)
• Concept explanation: Seeking clarification of complex concepts (followed by verification in course materials)

Inappropriate Use of AI

• Generating entire report sections without substantial human analysis and revision
• Using AI to fabricate references or data
• Submitting AI-generated content as original work without acknowledgment
• Relying on AI to answer questions that you should understand independently
• Using AI to generate group meeting minutes or contribution records that did not actually occur

Academic Integrity

Any suspected breaches of Academic Integrity will be handled through the formal Academic Integrity process. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

All requests for Assessment Adjustment (including Requests for Extension and for Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances) should be submitted via ANUHub .

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Please see relevant assessment task details section.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assignment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students