LV EN RU DE FR

Sociology of Organizations and Groups

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Soci1014, General Sociological Theory

VadZ3015, Management

Course abstract

Students gain knowledge about the nature and significance of organizations in society, their internal and external environment, get acquainted with the conditions for the formation and functioning of groups and teams, the division of roles into groups. An overview of the classical theories of organizations and approaches to analysis is given. The course focuses on the phenomenon of synergies and organizational effects, the nature and significance of the organizational life cycle approach. The processes and developments in organizations, the nature of organizational deviance and pathology, the means of treating pathologies and the possibilities of preventing deviance are analyzed. The types of change in organizations, the identification of the stages of change and their specifics in organizations are considered, the resistance to change, the possibilities of overcoming it, the essence of social responsibility of organizations are analyzed.
The aim of the study course is to acquaint students with the theoretical positions of organizations and groups as a specific social formation, developing the practical skills of the analysis of the internal environment and processes of organizations.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of the specifics of organizations as social formations and the conditions of their functioning; as well as knowledge about significant theoretical perspectives in the organizational studies; students have obtained knowledge of the concepts that describe the essence of organizations and processes within and between them;
basic skills of interpretation of the processes within organizations useing for adequate concepts and conceptions; skills to identify components of internal and external organizational environment and to analyse them applying theoretical knowledge and appropriate data; skills to recognize and assess causes and effects in the context of organizational functioning;
organizational competence.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Sociology of organizations as one of the branches of sociology, its connection with other sciences. (4hours)
2. The concept of organization in sociology. Typology of organizations. (4hours)
3. Public importance of organizations. Synergies. (4hours)
4. Overview of organizational theories: origin, development, directions and authors. (4hours)
5. Structural elements of organizations. Organizational design. (4hours)
6. Organizational and corporate culture. (4hours)
Test 1: Internal environment of the organization. (1hour)
7. The essence and significance of the external environment of the organization. Organizations and globalization. (4hours)
8. Processes and processes in the organization. Organizational development. Organization life cycle. (4hours)
9. Organizational deviance, pathology and disease. (4hours)
10. Power and authority. Leader and leader factor in groups and organizations. (4hours)
11. Bureaucracy, post-bureaucracy and debirocracy. (4hours)
12. Communication in the organization. (4hours)
13. Social responsibility of organizations. (4hours)
Test 2: Processes and processes in the organization. (1hour)
14. Groups and teams within and outside organizations. (4hours)
15. Directions of organizational change. Postmodern organizations. (4hours)
16. The future of organizations: various discourses and debates. (2 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Written exam at the end of the course. Must have successfully written two tests and written a reasoned essay.

Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent work: reasoned essay. The topic of the essays is determined during the introductory lesson.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Written exam at the end of the study course. The evaluation of the study course consists of the sum of the exam (40%), two tests (40%), a reasoned essay (10%) and activities in seminars (10%).

Compulsory reading

1. Handel J.M. (ed) The Sociology of Organizations: Classic, Contemporary and Critical Readings. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2003. 540 p.
2. Adler P.S. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies. Classical Foundations. Oxford University Press, 2009. 660p.
3. Buchanan D.A., Huczynski A.A. Organizational Behaviour. 9th ed. London, New York: Pearson, 2017. 813 p. Pieejams: https://pdfroom.com/books/organizational-behaviour-9th-edition/JZOgZj7agkb
4. Champoux J.E. Organizational Behaviour: Integrating Individuals, Groups, and Organizations. 4th ed. New York, London: Routledge, 2011. 525 p. Pieejams: http://197.156.112.159/bitstream/handle/123456789/1432/Organizational-Behavior-Joseph-E.-Champoux-2010%20%281%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
5. Dāvidsone G. Organizāciju efektivitātes modelis. - Rīga: Organization Development Academy, 2008. 328 lpp.

Further reading

1. Barrets R. Vērtīborientētas organizācijas izveide: visas sistēmas kultūras transformācijas koncepcija. Rīga: Biedrība "Domas spēks", 2008. 227 lpp.
2. Daft R. Organization Theory and Design. 10th ed. USA: Thomson South-Western, 2010. 670 p. Pieejams: http://www.mim.ac.mw/books/Organization%20Theory%20and%20Design.pdf
3. Demers C. Organizational Change Theories: A Synthesis. SAGE Publications, Inc, 2008. 296 p.
4. Ešenvalde I. Pārmaiņu vadība. Rīga: Jāņa Rozes Apgāds, 2007. 264 lpp.
5. Hatch M.J. Cunliffe A.L. Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic and Postmodern Perspectives. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. 370 p.
6. Kalve I. Apseglot pārmaiņu vējus. Stratēģiskā un pārmaiņu vadība. Rīga: Biznesa Augstskola Turība, 2005. 296 lpp.
7. Poole M.S., Hollingshead A.B.(ed.) Theories of Small Groups. Interdisciplinary Perspectives. London, New Delhi: Sage, 2005. 462 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Organizational Behavior. Online ISSN: 1099-1379. Pieejams: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991379
2. International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior. Online ISSN: 1093-4537. Pieejams: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/ijotb

Notes

Compulsory study course for academic bachelor study program “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”