B8854 - PROCESSI ORGANIZZATIVI E GESTIONE DELLE RISORSE UMANE

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of key topics related to organizational design and strategic human resource management. It aims to foster the development of analytical and operational skills that enable students to engage effectively in the design and management of organizational processes in a variety of application domains and in multicultural contexts. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze and interpret the main variables that influence organizational design and to contribute to decisions regarding the structural design and the configuration of organizational processes, taking into account ethical and sustainability implications. In addition, students will be able to apply organizational theories to understand and implement different methods, practices and tools for managing and developing human resources.

Course contents

To achieve these learning objectives, the course will be structured around four main thematic areas:
- Conceptualizations of Organization: organization as a process and as a system; theoretical perspectives on organizations; implications of different conceptualizations for organizational design and management.
- Decision-Making Processes and Organizational Behavior: bounded rationality in decision-making; discretion and empowerment; regulation and control processes; the decision to participate in organizations; motivation and employee engagement.
- Work, Organization, and Job Design: work organization; job design and role development; authority and power; relationships between work organization choices and overall organizational configurations; performance appraisal; compensation and reward systems.
- Human Resource Management Strategies, Policies, and Practices: key issues, challenges, and emerging trends in human resource management; the relationship between human resource management and organizational performance.

Readings/Bibliography

Lesson notes and other course material made available during the course.

Additional bibliography:
Armstrong M., Taylor S., 2014, Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice: building sustainable organizational improvement, Kogan Page.
Costa G., Gianecchini M., 2009, Risorse umane - Persone, relazioni e valore, McGraw-Hill.
Kreitner R., Kinicki A., 2013, Comportamento organizzativo, Apogeo Education - Maggioli.
Masino G., Maggi B. (Eds.), 2013, Storie di imprese, www.taoprograms.org, TAO Digital Library.
Simon H.A., 1947/1958, Il comportamento amministrativo, Il Mulino.

Teaching methods

Methodological foundations: A theory is not a means for identifying solutions to organizational problems; it offers a point of view, a way for interpreting actual phenomena. In Social Sciences, there is not a one best theory: different theories offers different explanations of the same phenomenon. Hence, each theory allows to understand and explain actual phenomena and to identify intervention strategies consistent with the explanation proposed.

Teaching methods: Discussion of different case studies to allow students to approach the real world of business and to teach students how to use different theories to interpret organizational choices. Each case is discussed in two consecutive classes: - in the first class, students expose and discuss the case, they express their points of view; - in the second class, students are involved in possible, alternative interpretations by adopting different theories. Evidently, students are asked to study cases and theories before the class, not after; cases and theories will be communicated in advance to allow preliminary study.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of a written examination based on open-ended questions.

Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to understand, interpret, and critically discuss the main theories, strategies, and managerial choices related to Organization and HRM, drawing on the concepts and frameworks presented throughout the course.

In addition, students should be able to identify and apply appropriate approaches to job design and people management in a range of organizational contexts.

The examination covers both the theoretical topics addressed during the course and the cases discussed in class.

The use of textbooks, personal notes, or electronic devices during the examination is not permitted.

Registration for the examination through AlmaEsami is mandatory.

Grade scale:
- Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a formally correct language → 18-22;
- Adequate preparation, sufficient analytical skills, even if not particularly articulated, expressed with 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 re-elaborate concepts, mastery of specific terminology → 30 cum laude.

Students with learning disorders andor temporary or permanent disabilities:
please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. 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, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Maria Barbini