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 main parts that reflect the co-teaching of Prof. Guglielmi and Mazzetti.

FIRST PART (Prof.ssa Greta Mazzetti)

The first part explores the main topics of Work Psychology and aims to provide a deep understanding of the theoretical, research and practical-professional issues concerning Work Psychology. The "key goals" are:

1) To understand and apply the main concepts and paradigms that could drive the analysis and evaluation of working contexts and the potential stressors;

2) To comprehend and discuss analytically the proposed issues and theoretical frameworks.

Main contents:

• Leading theories and research areas in Work Psychology;
• Psychosocial risk factors and health outcomes;
• Work stress and coping: theoretical models, assessment tools, and research findings;
• Value and meaning of work;
• Motivation and emotions at work.

SECOND PART (Prof.ssa Dina Guglielmi)

The second part is mainly focused on applying the theoretical assumptions regarding how people relate to each other in work environments, the study of the development and functioning of work teams, and the identification of strategies aimed to prevent, manage and/or resolve conflicts.

The main goals are to acquire knowledge and skills aimed to:

1) Analyze and evaluate the dynamics of work teams and the potential problems that may arise;

2) Identify appropriate tools to prevent / or the management of conflicts, approaches besides making it possible to facilitate interpersonal dynamics correct in work contexts.

Main contents:

The contents are divided into two categories:

A) Work teams: Key features

• Main characteristics of work teams: culture, socialization and main roles;
• The effective functioning of the work teams: communication within groups, affective structure and best practices to share and complete tasks.

B) Work teams: how to promote their effectiveness

• Conflict within/between groups: identifying root causes and the consequences for the individual and the organization.
• Dealing with conflicting dynamics in work teams: prevention and resolution strategies, leadership models and the value of feedback.

Readings/Bibliography

For the oral examination all the materials presented during the course should be studied, in addition to specific chapters and sections (recommended during the course lessons) taken from the following texts:

1. FRACCAROLI F. & SARCHIELLI G. (2010) "Introduzione alla psicologia del lavoro". Il Mulino
2. MALAGUTI D. (2007) "Fare squadra. Psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro". Il Mulino

Moreover, the student should complete a Portfolio case studies using the following books:

1. BALDUCCI C. (2015) "Gestire lo stress nelle organizzazioni". Il Mulino
2. GUGLIELMI D. (2015) "Mobbing. Quando il lavoro ci fa soffrire". Il Mulino
3. GUGLIELMI D. & FRACCAROLI F: (2016) “Stress a scuola: 12 interventi per insegnanti e dirigenti”.

Students attending the course should choose to prepare one of the two books used to elaborate the Portfolio and case study. Hence, he/she should choose between Balducci (2015) and Guglielmi (2015).

Non-attending students will instead study the above-mentioned manuals by Fraccaroli and Sarchielli (2010), Malaguti (2007). In addition, they should choose one volume between Balducci (2015) and Guglielmi (2015).

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used for the course will be mainly based on the flipped classroom methodology, in order to promote an interactive and participatory training path that will mainly use teaching tools such as group work, simulations, project work, case discussion, experiential groups and a strong and continuous collaboration with the territory. These methods are inserted in the more general innovative approach to teaching that will characterize a highly professionalizing and qualifying LM path. Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration between universities and local authorities, the internship experience will be characterized by the close connection with the degree thesis, in order to favor the professionalization of students with a profile of users of specific interest.

Assessment methods

A) For students attending the course, the following products will be requested and evaluated: 1) Portfolio; 2) Case study; 3) Oral examination to check the knowledge of course's contents.

The following marks will be associated to each product:

• Portfolio (max 8 points)
• Case study (max 7 points)
• Oral examination (max 15 points)

Final mark: 30/30

Instructions relating to these products will be given at the beginning of the course.

B) For students who won’t attend the course lessons, final exam consists of an oral examination covering the contents of the First and Second part of the course and the above-mentioned manuals by Fraccaroli and Sarchielli (2010) and Malaguti (2007). In addition, they should choose one volume between Balducci (2015) and Guglielmi (2015).

Teaching tools

• Group exercises
• Simulations
• Experiential groups
• Case studies
• PowerPoint presentations
• Printed documents provided by the teachers
• Additional materials available on teachers’ webpage.

Office hours

See the website of Dina Guglielmi

See the website of Greta Mazzetti