75248 - Organizational Behavior (B.A.)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students are able to understand how people and organisation interact. They know theories and previous research about the main organisational issues and decisions related to business, the relationship between the organisation and external contingencies, interorganisational relationships. Issues such as motivation, behavior, decision processes, comunication, small group behavior, cooperation and conflict are discussed in this course. Students will be encouraged to explore organisational identity as a main variable to explain organisational behavior.

Course contents

Module outline

The module introduces students to the key and central behavioural theoretical concepts and issues that affect people at work and organisation. These cover from individuals to groups, from teams to the structural function of an organisation. It also examines the political, socio-economic and technological changes that are affecting 21^st Century organisations in order to prepare students for the challenges this represent. Additionally, we will reflect about these theoretical ideas and practices exploring how this will impact the future of ‘work’.

Another added challenge is the impact of “climate change”. This is a bigger threat to our societies and certainly businesses. We must then pay attention on how organisational behaviour is impacted by this significant issue.

The lectures this year invite discussion and participation, seeking to engage critically, creatively and reflectively students to these theoretical ideas that affect the way we think and behave at work and in organisation.

Learning Outcome

• The module gives students the basic conceptual ideas on human behaviour in organisations and help them to reflect on their own behaviour and attitudes toward the meaning and importance of working with others.

The module is divided in the following way (Argentine time zone):

1^ST PART: FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL

1. Introduction to the Module April 1st 9am-noon (Argentinian time zone)
2. Diversity in organizations, April 1st 2pm-5pm.
3. Attitudes at work, April 8th 9am-noon.
4. Individual Perception, Judgement and Attribution, April 8th 2pm-5pm
5. Decision-making April 15 9am-noon.
6. Motivation & Performance April 15^th 2pm-5pm.
7. Group and Team performance, April 22nd 9am-noon

   2^ND PART: FOCUS ON ORGANISATION

8. Organisational Structure April 22nd 2pm-5pm.
9. Organisational Culture May 6th 9am-noon
10. Review for midterm and mock exam May 6th 2pm-5pm.
11. May 13 exam 9am-noon.
12. Organisational identity/design May 20th 9am-noon

    3^RD PART: INTEGRATING BEHAVIORAL TH. INTO EFFECTIVE MGMT AND LEADERSHIP

13. Power/Negotiation/Conflict May 20th 2pm-5pm
14. Leadership May 27th 9am-noon.
15. Organisational Change May 27th 2pm-5pm
16. Change II June 3rd 9am-noon
17. Performance influence of knowledge and technology June 3rd 2pm-5pm
18. Organisational Creativity and Entrepreneurship June 10th 9am-noon
19. Organisational-Social Innovation June 10th 2pm-5pm
20. Group Presentations June 17th 9am-noon
21. Group Presentations June 17th 2pm-5pm

June 24^th Final Exam first call 09-12 hrs

July 1^st Final Exam second call 9-12 hrs

Readings/Bibliography

Readings

Main Textbook:

Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2017). Organizational Behavior (Global Edition). Pearson Education Limited.

Additional material:

Dubrin, A. J. (2019). Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior (Sixth Edit). Academic Media Solutions.

Portales, L. (2019). Social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Fundamentals, Concepts, and Tools. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.

Teaching methods

Slides, academic papers, short video-clips (such as TED Talks) as well as some visits form part of the module to supplement the main textbook of students. Students are also encouraged to read on related subjects that impact work and organisation.

Assessment methods

Students have two assessments. An individual exam (70%) and a group presentation with a written report to support it (30%). Instructions will be provided during the classes.

Office hours

See the website of Marina Nieves Santucci