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Organizational Behaviour

Course developer

Replaced course

Soci5045 [GSOC5045] Organizational Behaviour

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide master's students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of behavior in organizations, its regularities, the specifics of individual and group behavior. Organizational behaviour is an interdisciplinary field of science which analyses behavioural processes in institutions at individual, group and organizational level. In the study course, master students gain an in-depth understanding of various scientific concepts and behavioural patterns explaining behaviour in organizations, behavioural relationships and relationship-building processes within the organization, the specificity of teamwork and the possibilities to use it in practice, as well as methodological approaches to analysis of organizational behaviour.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding on specificity of organizational behaviour (test, written exam), of techniques and methods to be used in organizational behaviour research (written exam), of the behaviour of individuals and groups within organizations (test, written exam).
Professional skills: ability to apply different methods of study of group performance (group work, case analysis), ability to analyse processes across groups in organizations (individual task, case analysis).
Soft skills: ability to discuss the behaviour of individuals within an organization (individual task, group work), ability to make a decision during the group work (group work).
Competence - ability to study organizational behaviour problems and evaluate results (individual task, case analysis).

Course Content(Calendar)

Lecture topics (20 hours)
1. Organizational behaviour as an interdisciplinary field of study. (1 hour)
2. Characteristics of organizational behaviour. (2 hours)
3. Research and analysis of behaviour in organizations. (3 hours)
4. Personality behaviour and development in the organization. (2 hours)
5. Motivation and behaviour in organizations. (1 hour)
6. Group and team behaviour in organizations. (2 hours)
7. Communicative behaviour in organizations. (2 hours)
8. Leadership and behaviour in organizations. (1 hour)
9. Career and learning behaviour in organizations. (2 hours)
10. Conflict and stress behaviour in organizations. (2 hours)
11. Corporate culture and behaviour in organizations. (2 hours)

Seminars (12 hours)
1. Scientific theories in the study of organizational behaviour.
2. Studying the organizational behaviour in the virtual environment.
3. Group work. Ethical aspects in the study of the behaviour of individuals and groups in organizations.
4. Personality types and their behaviour in organizations.
5. Different generations in the organization.
6. Test. Peculiarities of individual and group behaviour in organizations.
7. Leader behaviour and personality characteristics.
8. Netiquette and behaviour in organizations.
9. Individual task. Communities of practice and learning communities in organizations.
10. Innovative changes in the organization.
11. Case analysis. Conflict resolution in the organization.
12. Diversity in organizations: analysis of the best practice examples.

Requirements for awarding credit points

There is an exam at the end of the study course. The final assessment consists of successful assessments of the following tasks: 1) ethical aspects in the study of the behaviour of individuals and groups in organizations (group work - 15%), 2) peculiarities of individual and group behaviour in organizations (test - 15%), 3) communities of practice and learning communities in organizations (individual task - 15%), 4) conflict resolution in the organization (case analysis - 15%), 5) written exam on all topics (40%).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Master students complete literature studies, prepare for all assignments, test and the final exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final grade in the course is made up of a positive assessment for:
1) group work “Ethical aspects in the study of the behaviour of individuals and groups in organizations” (15% of the total assessment);
2) test “Peculiarities of individual and group behaviour in organizations” (15% of the total assessment);
3) individual task “Communities of practice and learning communities in organizations” (15% of the total assessment);
4) case analysis “Conflict resolution in the organization” (15% of the total assessment);
5) written exam on all topics (40% of the total grade).
10% correspond to one point in the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Bauer T. An Introduction to Organizational Behaviour, 2012. Pieejams: https://2012books.lardbucket.org/pdfs/an-introduction-to-organizational-behavior-v1.1.pdf
2. Luthans F. Organizational Behavior: An Evidence-Based Approach, 13th ed. Charlotte, North Carolina: Information Age Publishing, 2015. 516 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=999823&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3. Gonzalez E. G. Sustainability as a Strategic Approach in Organizational Behavior. Oakville, ON: Society Publishing, 2019. 250 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=2014089&site=ehost-live&scope=site
4. Rao V. S. P., Sudeepta V. Managing Organisational Behaviour: Vol. Third edition. Laxmi Publications Pvt Ltd, 2018. 508 p. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=2228685&site=ehost-live&scope=site
5. Reņģe V. Mūsdienu organizāciju psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2011, 215 lpp.
6. Dāvidsone G. Organizāciju efektivitātes modelis. Rīga: Organization Development Academy, 2008. 328 lpp.
7. Handel M.J. (Ed.) The Sociology of Organizations: Classic, Contemporary, and Critical Readings. Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi: SAGE publications, 2003. 541 p.
8. Poole M., S., Hollongshead A.B. (Eds.) Theories of Small Groups: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi: SAGE publications, 2005. 462 p.

Further reading

1. Hellers R. Darba grupas vadība. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2000. 72 lpp.
2. Goncalves P.S., Nunes Flgueiredo P.C., Soares Tome E.L., Baptista J. Developing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies for Promoting Employee Sustainability and Well-Being. Hershey (USA): IGI Global, 2023. 330 p.
3. Ingham J. The Social Organization: Developing Employee Connections and Relationships for Improved Business Performance. Croydon: Kogan Page, 2017. 311 p.
4. Zīlīte L. Personāla vadība un socionika. Rīga: Biznesa augstskola “Turība”, 2013. 304 p.
5. Afzalur Rahim M. Managing Conflict in Organizations. 5th ed. New York and London: Routledge, 2023. 320 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Organization Behaviour, Online ISSN: 1099-1379. Pieejams https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991379
2. Journal of Organizational Behaviour Management. Online ISSN: 1540-8604. Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/worg20/current
3. Journal of Organizational Behaviour Research. ISSN:2528-9705. Pieejams: https://odad.org/en
4. Age and Generations. Pieejams:
https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/generations-age/

Notes

Compulsory course for the master students of the academic master’s study programme „Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”.