Course content
This course will provide students with a fundamental understanding of the characteristics and behavior of groups and organizations. Students will be acquainted with contemporary perspectives on how organizations act and how organizations impact the actions of organizational members and vice versa. Modern, symbolic, and postmodern perspectives on organizations are presented, and it is expected that by the end of the course, students will not only be familiar with the differences between these perspectives but also will be able to see the strengths and weaknesses of the various perspectives.
The course will examine group dynamics and processes, culture, leadership, power, and organizational structure, as well as how the organizational context and environment influences on the organization. Throughout the course students will explore relations between individuals (employees, managers, leaders), formal and informal groups, organizations, industries and the wider organizational context.
A range of teaching methods and course materials will help us introduce important approaches, concepts, and frameworks, and apply those to different types of organizations operating in diverse sectors and geographies.
The course will allow students (1) to develop an ability to analyze, comprehend, and explain important aspects and determinants of behavior in organizations, and 2) to apply theories and approaches from the course in a practical way to competently and strategically address problems, envision and achieve organizational change, and learn what it takes to be more effective and engaging leaders and managers.
Academic progression:
This course runs in the 3rd semester of the program, and complements with an organizational perspective the previous management courses from the 1st and 2nd semesters. Acknowledging that management is a process that takes place within and across organizations, this course on organizational behavior brings forward important aspects about behavioral dynamics of groups and of organizations, complementing the focus of management courses on decision-making processes and efficiency.
This course complements as well the other courses in the 3rd semester on control and accounting systems, on financial accounting, and on strategy in service perspective. An effective control, accounting and financial systems require organizations that are able to deliver, and for that it is fundamental to understand organizational behavior issues associated to the relations between the individuals and groups that form the organization, and its external context. Likewise, delivering the value creation and competitive market performance suggested in the strategy course of the 3rd semester requires also an organization that is able to function in that direction. The behavior of individuals and groups within the organization is fundamental to achieve the strategic goals set up for the firm.
See course description in course catalogue