01353 - Psychology of Work and Organisations

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the student will attain the following results:

• He/she will be familiar with the main concepts and theoretical approaches developed in the field of Work Psychology in order to explore the interdependent relationships between workers, work tasks, and organizational contexts;
• He/she will develop social skills specific for managing group interactions and conflicts;
• He/she will be able to analyze real organizational contexts and to select and employ tools and methodological approaches suitable for acting effectively according to the characteristics of each specific work environment.

Course contents

The course explores the main topics of work psychology through an integrated perspective that combines well-established theoretical models, scientific research findings, and practical applications.

Special attention is given to the factors that influence well-being, motivation, effectiveness, and the quality of work in organizational settings, with a consistent focus on tools and strategies for designing professional interventions.

The course also examines the processes that shape team functioning, leadership behavior, and organizational management, with a specific focus on educational and community-based services operating in contexts of social vulnerability.

Course topics:

• Shifting meanings and relationships in the world of work
• Changing worker profiles
• The evolving concept of career
• The psychological contract
• Content- and process-based motivation theories
• Emotions in the workplace
• Emotional dissonance and emotional labor
• Key models and interventions for managing emotional labor
• Work-related stress and psychosocial risk factors
• Burnout in socio-educational and healthcare professions
• Health promotion and prevention in work environments
• Work engagement and organizational commitment
• Assessing the quality of work experience
• Work-life balance
• Team development, socialization, and group functioning
• Team building and collaborative processes
• Conflict in teams and management strategies
• Leadership models and leadership skill development
• Organizational change and resistance to change
• Adapting to technological innovation
• Designing workplace well-being interventions
• Diversity management and social inclusion

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS:

Students who regularly attend classes are required to prepare the following for the final exam:

1) All lecture slides and materials presented in class.

2) Guglielmi, D., & Mazzetti, G. (2025). Elementi di psicologia del lavoro: Teorie e strumenti per le professioni socioeducative e sanitarie. Il Mulino.

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

Students who do not attend classes must prepare the following texts in full for the final exam:

1) Guglielmi, D., & Mazzetti, G. (2025). Elementi di psicologia del lavoro: Teorie e strumenti per le professioni socioeducative e sanitarie. Il Mulino.

2) Malaguti, D. (2018). Fare squadra. Psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro. Il Mulino.

3) One of the following (student’s choice):

• Guglielmi, D. (2015). Mobbing. Quando il lavoro ci fa soffrire. Il Mulino.
• Russo, M. (2024). In equilibrio. Un buon work‑life balance è possibile. Il Mulino.
  

 

Required Reading for Students Taking the Exam in English

Students who choose to prepare the course and take the final exam in English are required to study the following textbook:

Chmiel, N., Fraccaroli, F., & Sverke, M. (Eds.). (2017). An Introduction to Work and Organizational Psychology: An International Perspective (3rd ed.). Wiley.

They are expected to study Part II: Organization-Focused and Part III: People-Focused, from Chapter 9 to Chapter 24 (pp. 159–467).
This selection provides comprehensive coverage of key topics in organizational and individual work psychology and constitutes the full required content for the course.

Teaching methods

The course is based on an interactive and participatory approach using teaching tools such as group work, simulations, project work, case studies, and discussions with external professionals. Such methods are part of the more general innovative teaching approach that characterizes a highly professional and qualifying LM course. These methods are part of an innovative teaching approach that characterizes this highly qualifying LM course.

Guidelines for Effective Learning and Course Participation

Class attendance is strongly recommended and will be monitored. The final assessment requirements differ for attending and non-attending students. Active participation in class activities is designed to support deeper learning and reduce the amount of independent study required outside the classroom.

Students are strongly encouraged to actively participate in class and progressively work on their assigned tasks. They are responsible for keeping up to date with information provided in class and/or on the Virtuale platform: https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper and respectful manner at all times. This includes both avoiding unauthorized behavior that is subject to disciplinary action (e.g., copying texts from classmates or the Internet, falsifying data, etc.) and following basic social rules.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 70% of the total course hours (i.e., a minimum of 34 out of 48 hours) will be considered attending students. Only attending students will follow the alternative exam programme based on in-class participation and activities.

ATTENDING STUDENTS:

The following assignments are required and assessed:

1. Development and presentation of an in‑depth exploration of one of the topics covered in class – carried out in groups (maximum 6 points).

2. Final written examination on the course contents.

The presentation can add up to 6 additional points to the final mark, which is expressed on a thirty‑point scale. Evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

- Rigour and coherence of the contents presented

- Clarity of delivery and communicative appropriateness

- Ability to integrate and connect the chosen topic with the other contents of the course

Because 6 points correspond to roughly 20% of the overall grade, the presentation is intended to reward commitment and to promote active learning.

The end‑of‑course written test consists of 5 open‑ended questions to be completed in 60 minutes.
Each answer will be graded on a 6-point scale according to the following criteria:

• Terminological accuracy and clarity of expression. Appropriate use of disciplinary vocabulary and clear, coherent organisation of the content.
• Relevance. Precise adherence to the task, with a clear focus on the requested content.
• Conceptual completeness. Sufficiently developed discussion that includes the essential theoretical elements.
  

NON‑ATTENDING STUDENTS:

The end‑of‑course written test consists of 5 open‑ended questions to be completed in 60 minutes. Each answer will be graded on a 6-point scale using the folloqing criteria:

• Terminological accuracy and clarity of expression. Appropriate use of disciplinary vocabulary and clear, coherent organisation of the content.
• Relevance. Precise adherence to the task, with a clear focus on the requested content.
• Conceptual completeness. Sufficiently developed discussion that includes the essential theoretical elements.

To sit the exam, students must register through the AlmaEsami platform.

Students who experience technical issues and are unable to register by the deadline must inform both the teaching office and the instructors before the official closing date of the exam list.

Results will be published on AlmaEsami.

Students who wish to review and discuss their exam may attend office hours (Tuesdays, 10:00–12:00). Before requesting a review, students must have completed a self-evaluation of their exam by comparing their responses with the course textbook.

To schedule a review meeting, please send an email.

Please check the Professors' webpage (section "Notices") for any changes to office hour time.

Teaching tools

The course will be based on innovative teaching methods, in compliance with the objectives and

contents listed in the program. The main teaching tools will be:

• Group exercises
• PowerPoint
• Videos
• Printed documents
• Online collaboration tools (e.g., Wooclap, Mentimeter)

Where possible, downloadable materials will be available at https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en

Students with DSA or disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, considering the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Dina Guglielmi

See the website of Greta Mazzetti