MG4C2      Half Unit
Organisational Behaviour

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Raj Choudhury

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Human Resource Management/CIPD), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations/CIPD) and MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Organisational Behaviour). This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, MBA Exchange, MRes in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources), MRes in Management (Organisational Behaviour) and MSc in Marketing. 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 is available in the Autumn Term only.

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

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 seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.

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.

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 be expected to participate in a practice exam in the AT.

Indicative reading

The course relies heavily on journal articles. An extensive reading list is provided in the syllabus at the start of the course. No suitable textbook exists but students may wish to consult one of the following:

  • Buchanan, D. A. and Huczynski, A. A. (2019). Organizational Behaviour (10th 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: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period

 


Key facts

Department: Management

Course Study Period: Autumn Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 150

Average class size 2024/25: 15

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course 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
  • Team working
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication