MG475 Half Unit
Organisational Theory and Practice
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Lourdes Sosa Gonzalez
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Organisational Behaviour). This course is available on the MRes in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources), MRes in Management (Organisational Behaviour) and MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations/CIPD). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
For full details on how to how apply for controlled access courses, the deadline for applications and who to contact with queries, please see the following webpages:
https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840
https://info.lse.ac.uk/current-students/services/course-choice/controlled-access-courses
This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).
Course content
Structure drives behaviour. That is the principle that this course is designed to introduce. When an employee responds to the proposal of a change to their job content as “you are setting me up for failure”, that is often what they mean – managers can alter the structure around employees and in doing so, alter an employee’s success at work. We therefore need to carefully design structure, and we will do so with the perspective of rational change in mind. The course advances in two large complementary portions: the first weeks introduce the problem space, that is, the mechanisms that link structure to employee behaviour; the last weeks focus on the solution space, that is, the design of interventions to optimise the structure-behaviour link in organisations.
Teaching
2 hours of lectures in the Spring Term.
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.
Formative assessment
Students will complete a formative assessment. Details will be provided in class.
Indicative reading
- Hannan, M.T., & Freeman, J. (1984). Structural Inertia and Organizational Change. American Sociological Review. 49(2): 149-164.
- Puranam, P., O. Alexy, & Reitzig, M. (2014). What’s “New” About New Forms of Organizing? Academy of Management Review. 39(2): 162-180.
Assessment
Exam (50%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Course participation (10%)
Essay (40%)
For detailed assessment information, including all deadlines and timings, please see the relevant course Moodle page. Assessment timings will be available at the start of each term.
Key facts
Department: Management
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 37
Average class size 2024/25: 12
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Communication