Fundamentals of Service (MHR202)

This course is about research into service design and how scientific research methods are employed in order to design service business products. 

In the course we will investigate the principles of service design processes, types of service designs, and forces/drivers - like e.g. attention to global warming and globalization and criteria for evaluation. 

Thereafter we will explore the use of scientific methods that can support service designs. 


Course description for study year 2023-2024

Facts

Course code

MHR202

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Content

The service design process. 

Approaches and principles in service design. 

Types of service products and designs. 

Drivers of a service design (technology, environmental/political/social/economic changes, culture, globalization, etc). 

Goals and evaluation criteria (e.g. usefulness, usability, efficiency, effectiveness and desirability, mirroring). 

Research methods supporting service designs. 

Design thinking. 

Learning outcome

A candidate who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge skills and general competence: 

Knowledge

After completing this course, the student has 

  • advanced knowledge of the past and present theory and research within service design.  
  • in-depth knowledge of the development of central theories and scientific methods used in service design. 
  • in-depth knowledge of alternative principles in service design processes and design thinking.  
  • knowledge in different approaches to new designs and value creation. 
  • thorough professional knowledge that can be used for new perspectives on service design in a contemporary international context. 

Skills:

After completing this course, the student can 

  • apply advanced theories and methods to evaluate service design processes. 
  • apply evidence-based knowledge to design research projects on service design challenges. 
  • plan and implement service design processes. 

General Competence

After completing this course, the student can 

  • analyze and formulate problem statements concerning service designs, including ethical issues. 
  • contribute to teamwork that may lead to new thinking and innovation processes. 
  • apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and service design projects. 

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Home exam and oral exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Home exam, individually or in groups 2/5 7 Days Letter grades All
Oral exam, individual 3/5 30 Minutes Letter grades - 1)

1) Own home exam

Coursework requirements

Compulsory assignments
Each student must complete and pass three course assignments.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Huseyin Arasli

Method of work

Weekly 3-hour classes throughout the semester. 

Active student learning by means of short seminars, case discussions, dialogues, and presentations.  

Open for

Master students in Service leadership in International business program, master students on incoming exchange and other master students from UiS when vacant places. 

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course coordinator, the student representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto