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 is divided into two modules that reflect the co-teaching of prof. Guglielmi and Mazzetti.

MODULE 1 (Prof. Dina Guglielmi)

This module will analyze the theoretical assumptions and the intervention perspectives useful to promote teamwork effectiveness, suitable leadership behaviors according to different contexts and tasks and strategies for conflict management.

The main didactic goals entail the acquisition of essential knowledge aimed at:

1. Analyzing work team activities and related complexities;
2. Identifying the tools and strategies suitable for conflict prevention/management, in addition to approaches able to foster adequate interpersonal dynamics in work contexts;
3. Identyfing the different implication of leadership styles and their impact on workers, teams and organizations.
   

Contents:

The contents entail the analysis of the work team characteristics, their processes and the promotion of group effectiveness.

In particular:

• Teamwork;
  
• Communication, structure and roles within teams;
• Group conflict: antecedents and outcomes for workers and organizations
• Management of conflicts within groups;
• Leadership.

 

MODULE 2 (Prof.ssa Greta Mazzetti)

The second part of the course explores the theoretical, research and practical-professional aspects of traditional Work Psychology topics, based on current international literature and with constant reflection on practical implications. 

The main didactic objectives concern the acquisition of essential knowledge in order to:

1. Understand the constructs useful for reading psychosocial phenomena underlying organizational dynamics;
2. Apply theoretical approaches to the analysis of psychosocial risk factors and work-related stress risk;
3. Analyze antecedents and indicators of organizational well-being;
4. Know and apply models to the management of emotions in the workplace. 

Contents: 

• Main theories and research areas in Work Psychology
• Psychosocial risk factors and health
• Models of job-related stress
• Organizational well-being and prevention in work contexts
• Work engagement and job burnout
• Work stress and coping strategies
• Organizational culture
• Organizational change
• Emotional management at work
• Emotional labour
• Emotional contagion
  
• Diversity management

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS:

For the purpose of the exam, attending students will study:

 

1) All the presentations and documents used during the lessons;

 

2) ASHLEIGH, M., MANSI, A., & DI STEFANO, G. (2019). Psicologia del lavoro e delle organizzazioni (II Edizione). Torino: Pearson.

• CHAPTER 1. Che cos’è la psicologia del lavoro e delle organizzazioni?
• CHAPTER 5. Stress e rischi psicosociali
• CHAPTER 7. Diversità a lavoro e diversity management
  
• CHAPTER 9. Lavorare in team
• CHAPTER 10. Leadership
• CHAPTER 11. Cambiamento e sviluppo organizzativo
• CHAPTER 12. Investimento lavorativo intenso: il work engagement e il workaholism

 

 3) And one of the following texts:

SPELTINI, G. (2002). Stare in gruppo. Bologna: Il Mulino 

GUGLIELMI, D. (2015). Mobbing. Quando il lavoro ci fa soffrire. Bologna: Il Mulino 

 

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

For the purpose of the exam, non-attending students will study:

 

1) ASHLEIGH, M., MANSI, A., & DI STEFANO, G. (2019). Psicologia del lavoro e delle organizzazioni (II Edizione). Torino: Pearson (the entire book excluding Chapter 2 and Chapter 6)

 

2) In addition, they have to study the following chapters taken from CHMIEL, N., FRACCAROLI, F. & SVERKE, M. (2019). Introduzione alla psicologia delle organizzazioni. Bologna: Il Mulino: 

• CHAPTER 2. «Job crafting» per dipendenti e organizzazioni sostenibili
  
• CHAPTER 15. Promuovere il benessere organizzativo

 

3) And one of the following texts:

SPELTINI, G. (2002). Stare in gruppo. Bologna: Il Mulino

GUGLIELMI, D. (2015). Mobbing. Quando il lavoro ci fa soffrire. Bologna: Il Mulino

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used during the course will be mainly based on the flipped classroom methodology, in order to promote an interactive and participatory training path. In particular, teaching tools such as simulations, project work, case study (also in teams), experiential groups and a constant collaboration with the territory will be employed.

These methods are part of an innovative teaching approach that characterizes this highly qualifying LM path.

Warnings and rules of good educational functioning

1. Class attendance is recommended and verified.
2. Non-attending students will study a different bibliography and take different tests.
3. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the teaching activity and they are required to keep updated about news concerning the course that are communicated during the lessons and/or on the platform - https://iol.unibo.it/ - (including changes in the planned activities).
4. Students are expected to behave properly and respectfully. They must avoid unlawful behaviors (i.e., cheating or submitting falsified data). 

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS:

The following products will be evaluated: 1) Case study; 2) Final written test.

Below are the ratings of these products:

• Case study (max 10 points)
  
• Written test (max 20 points)

Final mark: 30/30

Explicit instructions will be provided at the beginning of the course.

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

The final test consists of open-ended questions concerning the books and chapters reported for non-attending students in the BOX "Readings/Bibliography".

Teaching tools

• Group exercises
• PowerPoint presentations
• Videos
• Printed documents provided by the teachers
• Additional materials available on https://iol.unibo.it/

Links to further information

https://iol.unibo.it/

Office hours

See the website of Dina Guglielmi

See the website of Greta Mazzetti