
This course covers individual aspects of organizational behavior. Emphasis is on individual-organizational interface, organizational characteristics, organizational processes, and organization change and development. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of organizational structures, implement adaptations for diverse organizational cultures, recognize and eliminate internal and external constraints, overcome organizational conflicts and plan successful change efforts.
Understanding and anticipating human attitudes and behavior in the organizational context is a useful and powerful capability. Business leaders need to know why people behave the way they do when they are in organizations and how changing circumstances will impact peoples’ behavior in the workplace.
Today’s business leaders can anticipate continued innovation, technological advancements and change, downsizing, restructuring, intense competition, reengineering, entrepreneurial growth, and an expanding web of international linkages among business entities in the global economy.
Organizational behavior is a cornerstone of success for individuals in organizations. Even the most skilled business professional will be an ineffective leader without good organizational behavior skills, including a firm understanding of managing and motivating individuals and teams and the interpersonal and communication skills necessary for effective performance in different organizational situations.
On successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:
- Explain what is meant by organizational behavior and management and how it effects the world of business today;
- Identify the potential advantages of organizational behavior knowledge and how focusing on the human element can contribute to organizational and managerial effectiveness;
- Summarize the research methods of organizational behavior;
- Explain alternate organizational behavior perspectives and conceptual frameworks;
- Explain how personality and perception influence behavior in organizations;
- Apply theories and concepts of motivation and teamwork to developing strategies for improving performance;
- Apply theories and concepts of conflict management and negotiation to improve organizational communication and performance;
- Assess the influence of communication and organizational culture on management and employee behavior;
- Define key terms.
Organizational Behavior and Management, 10th Edition, by Ivancevich, Konopaske and Matteson.
Organizations, Behavior, Structure, Processs. 14th Edition, by Gibson, Ivancevich and Konopaske.
Lesson 1 The Field of Organizational Behavior
Topic 1 Managing Effective Organizations
Topic 2 National Culture
Topic 3 Organizational Culture
Topic 4 Managing Globally
Lesson 2 Understanding Individual Behavior
Topic 1 Human Nature
Topic 2 Individual Differences at Work
Topic 3 Perceptions and Attributions
Topic 4 Motivation: Background and Theories
Lesson 3 Managing Individual Behavior
Topic 1 Leadership: Fundamentals and Perspectives
Topic 2 Job Design and Performance
Topic 3 Evaluation and Rewards Influence on Behavior
Topic 4 Managing Misbehavior
Lesson 4 Group Behavior and Interpersonal Influence
Topic 1 Groups and Teams
Topic 2 Managing Conflict and Negotiations
Topic 3 Power and Politics
Topic 4 Managing Individual Stress
Lesson 5 Organizational Processes
Topic 1 Communication
Topic 2 Managing Communication
Topic 3 Decision Making
Topic 4 Managing Organizational Change and Learning
A course grade will be determined based on the number of points a student has earned over the semester as follows:
Icebreaker Assignment (30 points)
Exams (four, each worth 100 points, for a total of 400 points; All four exams are online; closed book and closed-notes). Only Exams 4 is a proctored exam.
Discussions (five, each worth 10 points for a total of 50 points)
“What I Learned” Essay (40 points)
Course Evaluation (30 points)
TOTAL 550 points