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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
1. Knowledge and understanding of the nature of organizations, their diversity and possibilities of typology.- Discussions in seminars, independent work.
2. Understanding of the internal environment of the organization, the conditions of its functioning.- Test 1.
3. Understanding of processes in organizations, organizational deviance and pathology.- Test 2.
4. Knowledge of groups and teams in organizations, their typology, functions, characteristics of an effective group.- Discussions in seminars.

Professional skills
1. Is able to explain the essence of synergy in an argumentative way and discuss the forms of its manifestation.- Discussions in seminars, independent work.
2. Is able to independently analyze the elements of the internal environment of the organization, using theoretical knowledge and relevant data.- Discussions and group work in seminars.
3. Able to identify different types of culture in certain organizations.- Discussions and group work in seminars.
4. Able to see the manifestations of organizational deviance and pathology and offer ways to prevent them.- Discussions in seminars, independent work.

Soft skills
1. Ability to responsibly plan assigned tasks.- Independent work.
2. Is able to independently obtain the necessary information for the development of an essay, is able to structure and design a reasoned essay.- Independent work.
3. Able to develop social interaction, cooperation and organizational skills.- Discussions and group work in seminars.
4. Able to present the results of research.- Group work during seminars.

Competence
1. Uses theoretical knowledge to identify and analyze organizational development problems.- Seminars.

2. Able to integrate the acquired theoretical knowledge to analyze the internal and external environment and processes of the organization.- Examination, tests.

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)

Part-time distance learning:

All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

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


The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during 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. Spear J. Organizations & Society. LOS Angeles; London: Sage Publications Inc., 2023. 330 p
2. Handel J.M. (ed) The Sociology of Organizations: Classic, Contemporary and Critical Readings. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2003. 540 p.
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. Morrison R. Organizational Planning and Analysis. Building the Capability to Secure Business Performance. UK: Kogan Page, 2022, 367 p.

Further reading

1. Adler P.S. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies. Classical Foundations. Oxford University Press, 2009. 660p.
2. Burton R.M., Obel B., Håkonsson D.D. Organizational Design: A Step-by Step Approach. 4th Revised edition. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2021. 266 p.
3. Poole M.S., Hollingshead A.B.(ed.) Theories of Small Groups. Interdisciplinary Perspectives. London, New Delhi: Sage, 2005. 462 p.

4. Sviķis A. Matric tīklojums. Oriģināls biznesa pārvaldības modelis. Rīga: Apgāds Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.142 lpp

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”