74843 - Business Organization

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student possesses skills related to theories of business organization. In particular, the student: -understands the fundamental mechanisms that govern decision-making processes; - is able to recognize and evaluate human behavior and action within the organization, both at the individual level and at the group level.

Course contents

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.

 

What is an organization. Main strategies for studying the organization. Overview of the most relevant theoretical perspectives.

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-dependence 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. Job design and roles.

Human Resources Management.

Organizational change. The organizational impact of the new information technologies.

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.

Teaching methods

Methodological foundations: Theory is not a tool to provide efficient solutions to organizational problems; instead, it offers a point of view to interpret specific phenomena. In the Social Sciences, it is not possible to identify one theory as better than others; different theories provide different explanations for the same phenomenon. Therefore, each theory allows understanding and explaining actual phenomena and identify intervention strategies consistent with the proposed interpretations.

Based on these methodological assumptions, the teaching method involves analyzing and discussing different points of view (theories) on various themes and phenomena related to the business organization. To facilitate understanding and the adoption of different theories to interpret phenomena, case studies will be analyzed.

Frontal teaching with active participation of the learners.

Assessment methods

The exam aims to assess the student's ability to use different theoretical approaches to understand and explain organizational phenomena and to outline methods of intervention in decision-making processes related to organizational choices and people management.

The exam is in Italian.

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 and Management.

During the examination, students are not allowed to communicate with each other verbally or in writing, or to relate to others, except with members of the Commission. Students may have pens and pencils with them. They must compulsorily present their university ID card or identification document.
It is forbidden to bring manuals, books, even partial reproductions of them, handwritten notes, blank sheets and teaching and/or reference materials, cell phones, PDAs, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, earphones, smart glasses, or other similar equipment in the classroom during the examination. Any student possessing the above items will be immediately excluded from the examination. Students must also observe any further directions the Commission may give.

The mark is out of 30 points, the minimum required to pass the exam is 18/30.

Grading scale:

- Sufficient preparation and analysis skills expressed in formally correct language → 18-22;

- Adequate preparation, sufficient analysis skills, although not particularly elaborated, expressed in correct language → 23-26;

- In-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course, good analytical and critical skills, mastery of specific terminology → 27-28;

- Very in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course, critical analysis and connection skills, mastery of specific terminology → 29-30;

- Very in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course, critical analysis and connection skills, excellent ability to rework concepts, mastery of specific terminology → 30 cum laude.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Maria Barbini