02644 - Organisation Theory

Learning outcomes

The objective of the course is to introduce and discuss the major theoretical approaches of organization theory. At the end of the course the student - is acquainted with basic theoretical and analytical tools for  understanding organizational phenomena; - knows how to analyse organizations and the economic, political, and institutional contexts within which they operate.

Course contents

The first module  (15 two-hour lectures) presents the major problems and theoretical approaches of organization theory: scientific mangement, Human Relations, Theory of bureaucracy, decision making processes, strategic behavior and power, contigency theory and the notion of organizational environment:

Topics:

1. Introduction. What is an organization?
   
2. Mass production in industry: scientific management (Taylor)
3. The Japanese model and lean production (Toyotism)
4. Human Relations and organizational climate. Hawthorne experiments
   
5. The problem of cooperation and direction (Barnard)
6. Bureaucracy. Authority and norms. Model of bureaucracy (Weber)
7. The legal-rational model of bureaucracy (Weber)
8. The post-Weberians. The unexpected consequences of bureaucracy (Merton)
9. Post-Weberian models of bureaucracy: Gouldner e Selznick
10. The bureaucratic phenomenon (Crozier)
11. Power and uncertainty in organizations. Resource dependency theory.
12. Decision-making processes. Rational choice. Bounded rationality (Simon)
13.  Conformity to rules (March)
14. Multiple actors: conflicts and policies (March)
15. Organizational environments. Contingency theories (Lawrence e Lorsch; Thompson)

 

Secondo Modulo  (30 ore)

The second module is focused on the application of the main theoretical and conceptual tools learned in the first part of the course to the analysis of two specific organizational contexts: political parties and public bureaucracies.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Readings

 

First Module

 

Book to buy:

* Giuseppe Bonazzi, Storia del Pensiero Organizzativo , Franco Angeli, Milano, 2008.

 i capitoli n. 1 – 2 – 3 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 16 – 17.

 

More readings available at Copisteria Broccaindosso:

* Ferrante e Zan, Il fenomeno organizzativo, Carocci editore, Roma. Capitolo “Che cosa è un'organizzazione”.

 

* James March, Prendere decisioni, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1998. Capitoli II e IV

 

 

Secondo Modulo

 

·      “Cap. 19 – L'economia dei costi di transazione: mercato, gerarchia e clan nelle analisi di Oliver Williamson e William Ouchi”, in G. Bonazzi (2008) Storia del pensiero Organizzativo, Milano, Franco Angeli.

·      Katz R. e Mair P. (2006), "Cambiamenti nei modelli organizzativi e democrazia di partito. La nascita del cartel party", in L. Bardi (a cura di), Partiti e sistemi di partito, Bologna, Il Mulino

·      Raniolo F. (2000), "Miti e realtà del cartel party. Le trasformazioni dei partiti alla fine del ventesimo secolo", in Rivista italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 3, pp. 553-581.

·      Pizzimenti E. e Ignazi P. (2011), "Finanziamento pubblico e mutamenti organizzativi nei partiti italiani", in Rivista italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 2, pp. 199-235.

·      Rossi E. e Gori L. (2009), “Le primarie in Italia: dalla prassi alle regole”, in Quaderni costituzionali n. 3, pp. 619-650.

·      Bolgherini S. e Gelli F. (2011), “Elezioni primarie: controllo dei partiti o partecipazione popolare? Una introduzione”, in Partecipazione e Conflitto, n. 1, pp. 5-34.

·      Dente B. (2001), “Riforme (e controriforme) amministrative”, in Il Mulino, n. 6, pp. 1050-1059.

·      Bobbio L. (2000), “Produzione di politiche a mezzo di contratti nella pubblica amministrazione italiana”, in Stato e Mercato, n. 1, pp. 111-142.

·      Citroni G., Lippi A. e Profeti S. (2013), “Politica e politiche delle società partecipate. Le aziende dei comuni come unità di analisi della democrazia locale”, in Rivista Italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 1, pp. 29-56.

 

Except chapter 19 of Bonazzi's book the other due readings are collected in a folder that can bought at Copisteria Broccaindosso. It is better to order the folder as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures, case studies

Assessment methods

Two written tests - the first one at the end of the fist module, the second one at the end of the course . Consisting in five questions with open answer. Registration of the vote is automatic based on the average of the two votes of the tests that must be both sufficient. The failed tests can be repeated with written or oral test in the following exam sessions.

Teaching tools

teaching materials, powerpoint

Office hours

See the website of Giovan Francesco Lanzara

See the website of Stefania Profeti