MG434      Half Unit
Organisational Behaviour

This information is for the 2018/19 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Uta Bindl NAB 4.01 and Dr Emma Soane NAB 4.02

Availability

This course is compulsory on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MiM) and Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange). This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

This course seeks to understand individual attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. It does this by reviewing psychological theories, demonstrating the contribution of a psychological perspective to understanding behaviour at work, and critically evaluating empirical evidence. The course will balance theory and practice by applying the theories to organisations.

 

Topics covered will include personality and individual differences; work motivation; rewards systems and the design of work; performance; health and well-being at work; creativity and innovation; groups and teams; leadership; power and politics at work; organisational culture; managing organisational decision processes and risk.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour and 30 minutes of seminars in the ST.

The teaching includes lectures and seminars. The teaching style is highly participative. Group work in seminars is an integral part of the course and students are expected to actively contribute to all group exercises. The course requires student commitment and willingness to engage fully with the readings and with class activities.



Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6 of LT, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the LT.

Indicative reading

All course readings are articles from leading journals such as the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behaviour. A full reading list is provided at the start of the course.



There is no set textbook for this course, however students may wish to consult one of the following:



Colquitt, J., LePine, J. A., & Wesson, M. J. (2012). Organizational Behaviour: Improving Performance and Commitment in the Workplace (3rd edition). McGraw-Hill;



Robbins, S. P., Judge, T., & Campbell, T. (2010). Organizational Behavior. Prentice Hall;



Barling, J., & Cooper, C. (Eds.). (2008). The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Behavior (Volume 1: Micro Approaches). Sage.

Assessment

Exam (75%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Presentation (25%) in the LT.

Students will work in groups to prepare and deliver a presentation that applies organisational behaviour concepts to a real organisation. Each group will select one specific organisation to focus on. Presentations must cover two topics from the course and must include clear application of a minimum of three OB-related theories. Presentations will be evaluated on the depth of subject knowledge; quality of theoretical application; structure and style of the presentation, including quality of the materials and delivery of the presentation.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2017/18: 83

Average class size 2017/18: 17

Controlled access 2017/18: Yes

Lecture capture used 2017/18: Yes (LT)

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills

Course survey results

(2014/15 - 2016/17 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 63%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

1.8

Materials (Q2.3)

1.6

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

1.6

Integration (Q2.6)

1.5

Contact (Q2.7)

1.5

Feedback (Q2.8)

1.6

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

73%

Maybe

22%

No

5%