02644 - Theory of Organisation

Learning outcomes

This course is intended as an introduction to principles of organization theory.

By the end of the course, the student is able to:

- identify the key characteristics and components of organizational design and behavior.

- account for the major perspectives in organization theory;

- analyze organizational situations and dynamics.

Course contents

The course is divided into three parts:

1) the first one deals with the classic theories of industrial organizations. Taylorism and Scientific Management. The Human Relations approach. Motivation and human resources management: from Barnard to the Japanese model.

2) The second part focuses on bureaucratic organizations. The Weberian model. Criticism and advancements in the idea of bureaucracy (Merton, Gouldner, Selznick, Crozier).

3) The third part deals with some of the major problems in managing complex organizations. Organizational structure. The relationship between organizations and their environment. Making decisions. Organizational culture.

Readings/Bibliography

Required reading list:

Bonazzi, G. (2008), Storia del pensiero organizzativo, Milano Franco Angeli. Selected chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17.

Ferrante, M e Zan, S. (1994), Che cos'e' un'organizzazione?, in Il fenomeno organizzativo, Roma, Carocci. Chapter 1.

Normann, R. (1992), Perche' uno sviluppo strategico delle risorse umane?, in La gestione strategica dei servizi, Milano, ETAS. Chapter 5.

Landau M. (1969), Ridondanza, razionalita' e il problema della duplicazione e della sovrapposizione, in "Rivista trimestrale di scienza dell'amministrazione", n. 1, 1982, pp. 3-27.

Hatch, M.J. (1999), La struttura sociale organizzativa, in Teoria dell'organizzazione, Bologna, Il Mulino. Chapter 6.

Mintzberg, H. (1996), Gli elementi di base della progettazione organizzativa, in La progettazione dell'organizzazione aziendale, Bologna, Il Mulino. Chapter 1.

Mintzberg, H. (1996), Le configurazioni organizzative, in La progettazione dell'organizzazione aziendale, Bologna, Il Mulino. Chapter 7.

Schein E.H. (1984), Verso una nuova consapevolezza della cultura organizzativa, in P. Gagliardi (ed.), Le imprese come culture, Torino, ISEDI, pp. 395-415.

Martin, J. e Siehl, C. (1983), Cultura e sottocultura nelle organizzazioni: una difficile simbiosi, in P. Gagliardi (ed.), Le imprese come culture, Torino, ISEDI, pp. 177-194.

March, J.G.(1994), Razionalita' limitata, in Prendere decisioni, Bologna, il Mulino, pp. 11-29

Weick, K. E. (1977), Processi di attivazione nelle organizzazioni, in S. Zan (a cura di), Logiche di azione organizzativa, Bologna, Il Mulino, pp. 267-301.

Optional readings:

Mintzberg, H. (1996), La progettazione dell'organizzazione aziendale, Bologna, Il Mulino. Chapters 8,9,10,11,12.

Crozier, M. (1969), Il fenomeno burocratico, Milano, ETAS. Chapters 3 and 4 .

Ohno, T. (2004), Lo spirito Toyota, Torino, Einaudi. Chapters 1 and 2.

Thompson, J. (1991), L'azione organizzativa, Torino, ISEDI. Chapters 1,2,3,4.

Teaching methods

Lessons of the teacher. Case studies and discussion. Class attendance is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

The final grade for those attending lessons will be given by two written examinations to be planned during the course. No oral examination is required for those students who pass both written tests.

The exam for students not attending lessons will be a written examination.

Teaching tools

Most of the topics will be presented through the analysis and discussion of case studies.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Toth