00745 - Organizational Behaviour

Learning outcomes

The course is designed to introduce students to fundamental questions and approaches to the study of organizations. To this end, it is structured around three macro-areas: first of all, the concept of organization will be analyzed, highlighting the most important  theoretical approaches. Then, the course will focus on the most relevant theories for studying the organization. The final section of the course will be devoted to the interpretation of the most important trends characterizing organizational theory, with particular references to organizational change, to the introduction of new information and communication technologies, and to the development of innovative organizational configurations.

Course contents

What is an organization. Main approaches for studying an organization. Literature review.
Organizations in action. The problem of rationality: bounded and objective rationality.
Technology and the organization. The organizational action plans: institutional, technical, structural.
Domain and Task Environment. Power-dependency relationships. Interdependencies, coordination and departmentalization. The organizational design and the problem of the boundaries. How to evaluate an organization.
Individuals and organization: the decision to participate. Incentives and contributions. Power and authority. The regulation of the cooperative action.
Autonomy and Eteronomy. Discretion and decision-making processes.
The definition of the organizational goals.
The dominant coalition and the strategies for controlling the organization. The administrative paradox: effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility.
Typical organizational structures. The organization design. Human Resources Management. Organizational change. The organizational impact of the new information technologies. Cooperation among enterprises. Virtual enterprises. Fordism and Post-Fordism. Case studies.

Readings/Bibliography

J.D. Thompson, L'azione organizzativa, Isedi, Torino, 1990. The original text in English is available in paperback edition: Thompson J.D., Organizations in Action: Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory, Transaction Publishers, 2003.  
Lesson notes and other course material made available during the course.
Additional readings: F.M. Barbini, L'impresa virtuale, Isedi, Torino, 2007
G. Masino, Le imprese oltre il fordismo, Carocci, Roma, 2005
B. Maggi, G. Masino, Imprese in cambiamento, Bononia University Press, Bologna, 2004

Teaching methods

Lectures with active participation of the student. Discussion of theories and case studies.

Assessment methods

Written examination consisting of muliple-choice questions and open-answer questions. Specifically, the written test consists of 15 multiple-choice questions and three open-answer questions in which the student will be asked to discuss the topics covered in the course. The final mark is determined for 2/3 by the open-answer questions and for 1/3 by the multiple-choice questions.  It is not possible to bring books, personal notes or electronic devices in the exam. Registration for the exam is compulsory, and students have to register through AlmaEsami according to the general rules of the School of Economics, Management and Statistics. The mark is out of 30 points, the minimum required to pass the exam is 18/30.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Maria Barbini