97114 - Organization

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge to understand the organization as cognitive synthesis, the evolutive path of the organizational theory in its different phases of methodological development together with the analysis of business management from the organizational point of view. At the end of the course students are able to: (a) understand the organizational issues of different business functions; (b) know how to evaluate the organizational structures and processes; (c) use specific softwares dedicated to analysis and solutions of organizational problems. The course is part of the integrated course in “Organization and management”. This module along with the Management Skills lab aims at providing students with a good understanding of the main organizational-related challenges firms are encountering and the ability to practically evaluate organizational structures and processes.

Course contents

This course is divided in two modules.

The content of module 1 will be the following:

1. Introduction to the Organization

2. History of Management and Theory of Paradoxes

3. Relationship with the environment: An analysis of environmental complexity and principal stakeholders.

4. Relationship with the environment: Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibilities.

5. Case study on Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibilities.

6. Organizational culture and norms.

The content of module 2 will be the following:

7. Organization structure: basic models and fundamental principles.

8. Organization structure: advanced models.

9. An analysis of agile organisations: basic features and new challenges.

10. A focus on the individual: personality, values and attitudes.

11. Team Factors and Processes.

12. Motivation at work

13. Traditional theories on leadership.

14. Change Management

15. Wrap up and team presentation

Readings/Bibliography

Jones, G. R. (2013). Organizational theory, design, and change: Global edition, 7/E. Pearson Higher Education.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods consist of face-to-face lecturing, role plays, case studies, video analysis and simulations

Assessment methods

The final examination o the Module II is a written exam consisting of 20 brief open questions (2-3 lines) to complete in 60 minutes. The readings to prepare for the written exam are Jones, G. R. (2013). Organizational theory, design, and change: Global edition, 7/E. Pearson Higher Education, available on .pdf from Virtuale (selected chapters - more informations on Virtuale). and Peter G. Northouse, 'Leadership. Theory and Practice', 8th Edition, Sage, available on .pdf from Virtuale (selected chapters - more informations on Virtuale), and all further slides and materials available on Virtuale.

Although not mandatory, attending lessons regularly is strongly recommended. Attending students have the possibility to increase their final evaluation by participating to in-class assignments, which give extra credits.

Final grading table:

•<18 insufficient
• 18-23 sufficient
• 24-27 good
• 28-30 excellent
• 30 cum laude honors

Teaching tools

All material used in this course will be published on the IOL platform and will consist of slides, articles to go deeper in the study of a subject and tests to favor self-awareness.

Office hours

See the website of Marcello Russo

See the website of Filippo Ferrari