01353 - Psychology of Work and Organisations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• Is familiar with and understands the main concepts and theoretical approaches developed in the field of Work Psychology to analyze the interdependent relationships between the individual, work task and organization.
• Is capable of analyzing work contexts and relationships and selecting methodological and instrumental approaches to analyze and to intervene according to the characteristics of each specific context.
• Is familiar with the main diagnostic tools and intervention techniques to promote health and well-being in the workplace.
• Is able to identify the main psycho-social factors that pose a threat to individual and organizational well-being.
• Is familiar with the main theoretical frameworks and intervention strategies to understand interpersonal dynamics in work teams and to apply effective conflict management strategies.

Course contents

The course aims to explore the theoretical, research and operational aspects of traditional topics in Work Psychology, according to the current international literature and with constant attention to intervention strategies.

It will also consider the theoretical assumptions and perspectives of intervention to promote effective teamwork, effective leadership behaviors according to different contexts / tasks and effective group and conflict management.

Content:

• Main theories and research areas in Work Psychology.
• Psychosocial risk factors and health.
• Principal models of work-related stress interpretation.
• Well-being promotion and levels of prevention in organizational contexts
• Work engagement and burnout
• Job demands and resources model (JD-R model)
• Motivation
• Job satisfaction
• Proactivity in the workplace: job crafting strategies
• Mobbing
• Changes in work contexts
• Management of emotions at work
• Working in teams
• Communication, structure and roles in teams
• Norms within groups
• Group effectiveness and efficiency
• Conflict in groups: antecedents and outcomes for workers and work contexts
• Management of conflict dynamics in groups

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.

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

 

3) Malaguti, D. (2007 or 2018). Fare squadra. Psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Students must study the following chapters:

• Gruppo e organizzazione
• Strutture di gruppo
• Norme, cultura di gruppo e socializzazione
• Conflitto
• Efficienza ed efficacia

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

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

 

1) Chmiel, N., Fraccaroli, F. & Sverke, M. (2019). Introduzione alla psicologia delle organizzazioni. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Students must study the following chapters:

• CAPITOLO 1. Analisi e progettazione del lavoro organizzato
• CAPITOLO 2. Job crafting per dipendenti e organizzazioni sostenibili
• CAPITOLO 3. Fissare obiettivi e valutare i collaboratori nelle organizzazioni
• CAPITOLO 4. Lo sviluppo delle tecnologie dell’informazione e della comunicazione e il loro impatto sul mondo del lavoro e sulle organizzazioni
• CAPITOLO 7. Fattori personali e situazionali nei comportamenti di sicurezza nelle organizzazioni
• CAPITOLO 8. Socializzazione organizzativa e contratto psicologico
• CAPITOLO 9. Il potere nelle organizzazioni
• CAPITOLO 10. Lo studio della leadership organizzativa
• CAPITOLO 13. Cambiamento organizzativo e sue conseguenze (e come mitigarle)
• CAPITOLO 14. Flessibilità organizzativa e lavori atipici
• CAPITOLO 15. Promuovere il benessere organizzativo

 

2) Malaguti, D. (2007 or 2018). Fare squadra. Psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro. Bologna: Il Mulino (all the chapters).

Teaching methods

The course will be 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.

 

Warnings and rules of good educational functioning

Class attendance is recommended and verified. The exam program and the final assessment are different for experimental students (attending classes) and non-attending students. Actually, interactive experiences proposed during lessons are intended to foster student learning and also reduce part of the program for autonomous home study.

Students are strongly encouraged to actively participate in the teaching activity and to work progressively on their assigned tasks. They are responsible of being updated on the information provided in class and/or on the platform https://virtuale.unibo.it

Students are expected to exhibit proper and respectful behavior all the time. This involves both avoiding illicit behavior that is subject to disciplinary action (e.g., copying texts from classmates or the internet, falsifying data, etc.) and observing basic social rules.

Assessment methods

Please note that the specified methods could vary due to the medical emergency caused by Coronavirus and the resulting deliberations of the Course Committee.

 

EXPERIMENTAL (ATTENDING) STUDENTS:

The following products will be evaluated:

• Development and presentation of a project based on the integration with the course on "ANTHROPOLOGY OF MIGRATORY PROCESSES" - Prof. Federica Tarabusi (max 15 points)
  
  
• Written exam on course contents (max 15 points)

Instructions regarding the project intervention will be provided at the beginning of the course.

The final written test consists of 3 open-ended questions to be answered in one hour.

Each answer will be scored from 0 to 5 points (max 15 points).

The evaluation is based on the following criteria: 1) answer exhaustiveness; 2) answer consistency; 3) ability of personal reflection.

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

For students not regularly attending classes, the final exam will be a written test based on the exam program for non-attending students listed in the “Texts/Bibliography” box.

In that case, the final exam will comprise 5 open-ended questions to answer in 1h30.

The final grade will be in 30s, therefore each answer will be scored from 0 to 6 points. The scoring will take into account the following criteria: 1) answer exhaustiveness; 2) answer consistency; 3) ability of personal reflection.

In order to take the exam, students must enrol through AlmaEsami application. Students who are unable to enrol by the expected deadline due to technical problems, are required to promptly notify the Teaching Secretariat and the Professor.

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 material provided in classrooms

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

Office hours

See the website of Greta Mazzetti