MS4035: LEARNING ORGANISATION (2014-2015)

Course Aims

The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the many individual or micro-level factors which influence organisational behaviour, through practical examples, case studies, video analysis, skill-building exercises, small group discussion and theoretical development.

Main Learning Outcomes

• For students to acquire a knowledge and in-depth understanding of individual behaviour, group behaviour and the micro-environment within organisations.
• To appreciate the nature and complexity of influences on  behaviour at work
• To critically evaluate the implications changing or managing the behaviour of people has for improved organisational performance and effectiveness
• Demonstrate an ability to analyse, evaluate and manage individual and group behaviour within organisations
• To develop transferable skills (see below)

Transferable Skills

Small group discussions, case studies, video analysis and skill building exercises within lectures, tutorials and seminars will be relied upon to develop good critical thinking skills to analyse, evaluate and manage individual and group behaviour within organisations. Tutorials and seminars will require information collection and analysis. Oral presentation skills will require the ability to work with colleagues and to evaluate one-self and others. Also to present and summarise information. The course provides advanced knowledge relevant to further study and careers in a broad range of areas including business (see question 25a).

Course Content

Organisational behaviour is one of the most complex and perhaps least understood academic elements of modern general management but since it concerns the behaviour of people within organisations it is also one of the most central. Its concern with individual and group behaviour makes it an essential element in dealing with the complex behavioural issues thrown up in the modern business world. This course designed to prepare students for what lies within organisations, thus avoiding the ?reality shock?.
This course is concerned with managing and understanding organisational behaviour. The focus will be at an individual level and group level and understanding how people behave and interact within organisations- and in that sense is inward looking. The emphasis will be on real-life rather than theoretical examples although wherever appropriate theory will be grounded in practical examples.

Available to 9 students in programme year 4 who have taken MS3545.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View MS4035 Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: 1 individual report (30%, 1500 words);
1 individual reflective presentation (10%, 10-15 minutes;
a collation of three consultancy reports (each 20%): up to 3 pages of A4 or equivalent (e.g. a five minutes audio film).

Resit: 1 two hour written examination (100%)

This will take place via tutorial discussions on Learning Organisations related topics and informally through verbal feedback on case study questions. Questions for students to discuss will also be placed on discussion boards.

Written feedback is given on the individual assignments. Verbal feedback is given on the answers to case study questions in tutorial classes. Class feedback will also be given on discussion board responses.

None.