MG4C2      Half Unit
Organisational Behaviour

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Hyun-Jung Lee NAB 4.15

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Human Resource Management/CIPD) and MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Organisational Behaviour). This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, MBA Exchange, MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MRes/PhD in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources), MRes/PhD in Management (Organisational Behaviour), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations and Human Resource Management), MSc in Marketing and Master of Public Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is available in the Michaelmas Term only.

Course content

This course seeks to understand individual attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. Specifically, we primarily take a psychological perspective to understanding human behaviour at work by reviewing psychological theories as they apply to organisations and critically evaluating the associated empirical evidence.

 

Key topics include: personality and individual differences, work motivation, decision-making, power, leadership, group processes and organisational culture.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of lectures and 1 hour and 30 minutes of seminars in the ST.

The teaching is highly participative and includes lectures and seminars. The course is demanding of students and its success depends partly upon student commitment and willingness to participate fully.

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

Formative coursework

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

Indicative reading

The course relies heavily on journal articles (from, for example, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior). An extensive reading list is provided at the start of the course. No suitable textbook exists but students may wish to consult one of the following:

Kolb, D. A., Osland, J. S., & Rubin, I. M. (2007). The Organizational Behavior Reader (8th ed.). Pearson

Porter, L. W., Bigley, G. A., & Steers, R. M. (2002). Motivation and work behavior (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Staw, B. M (2004). Psychological dimensions of organizational behavior (3rd ed.), Prentice-Hall.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2019/20: 143

Average class size 2019/20: 15

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Team working
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication