75905 - Organization Theory

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students are expected to: - master basic concepts and instruments for the analysis of organisational phenomena; - be able to analyse the concrete functioning of organisations within their respective contexts (economic and/or political/institutional).

Course contents

After a general and conceptual introduction to the organisational phenomenon, the course will focus on three main dimensions
a) Organisations and management in the industrial domain (from Taylorism to the Human Relations School)
b) The bureaucracy (Weber and his critics - Merton, Gouldner, Selznick, Crozier)
c) The organisation of political parties (party models and organisational dilemmas)

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory readings
Textbook:
Bonazzi G. (2008), Storia del pensiero organizzativo, Milano, Franco Angeli. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19.

Reader (available at Copisteria Broccaindosso)
Ferrante M. and Zan S. (1994), "Che cos'è un'organizzazione", first chapter of Il fenomeno organizzativo, Roma, Carocci.
March J.G. (1994), "Razionalità limitata", in Prendere decisioni, Bologna, Il Mulino, pp. 11-29.

Panebianco A. (1982), "I dilemmi organizzativi"; "Potere, incentivi, partecipazione"; "Coalizione dominante e stabilità organizzativa", in Modelli di partito, Bologna, Il Mulino.
Katz R. and Mair P. (2006), "Cambiamenti nei modelli organizzativi e democrazia di partito. La nascita del cartel party", in L. Bardi (ed.), Partiti e sistemi di partito, Bologna, Il Mulino.
Raniolo F. (2000), "Miti e realtà del cartel party. Le trasformazioni dei partiti alla fine del ventesimo secolo", in Rivista italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 3, pp. 553-581.
Ignazi P. (2004), "Il puzzle dei partiti: più forti e più aperti ma meno attraenti e meno legittimi", in Rivista italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 3, pp. 325-346.

Pizzimenti E. and Ignazi P. (2011), "Finanziamento pubblico e mutamenti organizzativi nei partiti italiani", in Rivista italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 2, pp. 199-235.

Optional readings:
Crozier M. (1969), Il fenomeno burocratico, Milano, Etas.
Panebianco A. (1982), Modelli di partito, Bologna, Il Mulino.
Lanzalaco L. (1995), Istituzioni, organizzazioni, potere, Roma, Carocci.

Teaching methods

Lessons of the teacher. Case studies and discussion. Class attendance is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

The final grade will be given by two written examinations to be planned during the course. Each exam will consist of three open-ended questions and will last max 1 hour.

Answers will be evaluated taking into account: a) the knowledge of course topics;  b) the ability to master an appropriate scientific language; c) clarity and critical reasoning.

No further examination is required for students who pass both written tests. Otherwise, they will have to take a full exam. The full exam is written, it consists of six open-ended questions and lasts max 2 hours. Evaluation criteria are the same as those followed for the two intermediate tests.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations; in class discussion of case studies.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Profeti