Student guide Faculty of Economics A.Y. 2008/09

Organisational Behaviour
Lesson timetable, Notice board, Additional material
Lecturers
ANDREA MARTONE
CHIARA MORELLI
Lectures on the theory are alternated with practical tutorial sessions, exercises and application of the models to real-world business situations.
To this end, the course includes discussion of cases studies and use of audio-visual aids.
Aim of the course
Organisational behaviour consists of the actions brought into play by an individual or a social group within an organisational setting. It therefore embraces both micro-level (group and individual dynamics) and macro-level (the organisation as a whole) aspects which together determine how an organisation behaves in practice.
Unlike organisational science, which aims to define the formal and rational aspects of organisational actions, or psychology, which focuses on the underlying motivations of individual and social choices, organisational behaviour instead analyses what actors actually do in a real-world setting.
Some central topic areas are therefore the notion of organisational culture as a key determinant of social behaviour, as well as leadership, and the social and negotiation strategies deployed by individuals.
The course lays the foundations for understanding and managing behavioural dynamics in organisations through a pragmatic approach aimed at providing concrete tools for corporate life.
 
Syllabus
  • Introduction to organisational behaviour.
  • The organisational culture.
  • Behaviour of individuals in organisations.
  • Groups and collective behaviour.
  • Leadership.
  • Empowerment.
  • Coaching and mentoring.
  • Learning and knowledge management.
  • Negotiation and conflict.
  • Links between organisational configurations and behaviour.
Examinations
Attending students
There will be two written tests (intermediate and final) reserved for students who attend class.
Students must earn a grade of 16 or higher on the first test in order to gain admission to the second test. The final result will be a weighted average of the grades obtained in the 2 tests. Students who do not pass the first test can continue to attend the course, and will be required to sit an oral exam.
For attending students, passing the course requires active participation in class, preparation of the case studies and tutorial exercises included in the programme, and study of the course textbook.
 
Non attending students
Distance students will have to sit an oral examination during one of the scheduled sessions, covering the material in the course textbook.
Reading list
Course textbook:
  • R. Kreitner e A. Kinicki, Comportamento organizzativo, Apogeo Milano
  • Further reading materials and case studies distributed in class