ORG 3402 Organizational Behavior and Leadership

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

ORG 3402 Organizational Behavior and Leadership


Responsible for the course
Øyvind Martinsen

Department
Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
The effectiveness, profitability, and value of organizations, broadly defined, are dependent upon human competence, interplay, effort, and leadership. This course will thus include important and evidence-based knowledge about human characteristics, processes, and leadership in complex work settings. In line with this, the course will, e.g., cover issues like learning, motivation, perception, how human traits can be organized and how such processes and traits can be associated with e.g., job satisfaction, effort, and productivity. Moreover, the course will provide knowledge on groups and teams, as well as decision-making, problem solving, and creativity. A special emphasis is put on theories of leadership, including leadership and change. Finally and beyond such perspectives, the course will include an introduction to organizational design and culture.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
The students shall acquire basic knowledge about psychological, organizational, and leadership theories relevant for work settings and for further studies in organizational theory and leadership.

Acquired skills
The students shall be able to explain central psychological, organizational, and leadership concepts, processes, and theories and how they relate to efficiency in work settings.

Reflection
The students shall develop an understanding of the importance of psychological characteristics and processes, and organizational conditions for optimal functioning in work settings.

Prerequisites
None.

Compulsory reading
Books:
Kaufmann, Geir og Astrid Kaufmann. 2009. Psykologi i organisasjon og ledelse. 4. utg. Fagbokforlaget. (Hele boken er pensum)
Martinsen, Øyvind L., red. 2009. Perspektiver på ledelse. 3. utg. Gyldendal akademisk. (Kap. 2-7, 9, 11-15 ca. 200 sider).


Recommended reading
Books:
Martinsen, Øyvind L., red. 2009. Perspektiver på ledelse. 3. utg. Gyldendal akademisk. De kapitler i læreboken "Perspektiver på ledelse" som ikke er obligatoriske

Course outline
Organisational psychology

  • Motivation
  • Emotion
  • Personality
  • Perception
  • Learning
  • Problem solving, decision making and creativity
  • Attitudes and job satisfaction
  • Communication
  • Groups

Organisational theory
  • Organisational culture
  • Organisational design

Leadership theory
  • Leadership and management
  • The leader’s roles
  • Power and influence
  • Leader traits and leader style
  • Contingency theories
  • Leadership and competence
  • Change leadership
  • Gender and leadership
  • Transformational leadership
  • Team leadership
  • Self leadership

Computer-based tools
The course requires that candidates use the communication platform It's Learning. The responsibility for an Internet connection and the skills to navigate on the communication platforms rest on the candidates.

Learning process and workload
  1. Learning process. The course consists of 42 hours of lectures. During the lectures the main emphasis is put on central concepts, but will also give room for discussions, the use of small cases as aids to understanding, assignments, activities and more. Subsequent to the teaching sessions students’ will work on assignments that will be briefly reviewed at the beginning of the next session.
  2. 2 exam relevant questionswill be given during the semester. The answers must be submitted electronically and both must be approved in order to sit for exam. The answers will form the basis for group discussions and will be discussed during the lectures. Individual feedback will not be given beyond this. More information will be given by the start of the semester. (Spring 2015 3 exam relevant questionswill be given during the semester. The answers must be submitted electronically and 2 out of 3 must be approved in order to sit for the examination.
Workload for students
Activity
Workload (hours)
Lectures (participation in class)
42
Reading the compulsory literature
84
Assignments
42
Reading recommended literature and colloquium work
27
Final exam
5
Total recommended use of time
200

E-learning
The e-learning platform It’s learning is used by the e-learning centre to administrate the mandatory exercises, and make students able to communicate with each other ant the Lecturer. Module sessions are carried out at the beginning of the semester and before exams. The e-learning students are also offered a study guide which is an educational guide to the syllabus.

Activity
Hours
Lectures during weekend sessions
8
Reading the compulsory literature
84
Assignments
42
Lesing av anbefalt tilleggslitteratur og kollokvier
27
Reading recommended literature, assignments and activities at It's Learning
34
Final exam
5
Total recommended use of time
200

    Coursework requirements
    Fall-semester 2014: 2 exam relevant questions will be given during the semester. The answers must be submitted electronically and both must be approved in order to take the examination.

    Spring-semester 2015: 3 exam relevant questions will be given during the semester. The answers must be submitted electronically and 2 out of 3 must be approved in order to take the examination (19.11.2014).


    Examination
    A five hour individual written exam concludes the course.

    Examination code(s)
    ORG 34021 - Written exam, which accounts for 100% of the grade in ORG 3402 Organizational Behavior and Leadership, 7,5 ECTS credits.

    Examination support materials
    No support materials are permitted.

    Re-sit examination
    A re-sit examination is offered every term.

    Students that have not approved the coursework requirements must re-take the exercises during the next scheduled course.

    Students that have not passed the written examination or who wish to improve their grade must re-take the examination in connection with the next scheduled examination.


    Additional information
    Spring-semester 2015: 3 exam relevant questions will be given during the semester. The answers must be submitted electronically and 2 out of 3 must be approved in order to take the examination (published 19.11.2014).