20753 - MANAGING ORGANIZATIONS
Department of Management and Technology
ALESSANDRO IORIO
Mission & Content Summary
MISSION
CONTENT SUMMARY
The ability to understand the full complexity of organizations begins with the development of multiple frameworks on organizations. As a starting point, this course is organized around different frameworks on organizations: the structural design framework, the political framework, and the human resource and symbolic framework. Each of them offers a different angle on what is an organization, and each offers different tools for action. Yet, these frameworks provide only simplified versions of what an organization is. Therefore, to fully understand organizational complexity, we need to integrate these frameworks into a more holistic view. For these reasons, the course will start by examining each framework in detail. Within the structural design framework, it will focus on the most important organizational designs, their determinants, and on the traits to be a strong company. Within the political framework, it will focus on the role of individual preferences in determining political issues, on how to manage with power, on the role of social capital, and on the pathologies inherent in the use of power. Within the human resource and symbolic framework, it will focus on how to analyze the organizational culture and how to effectively manage people. Having established these pillars, the course will then explore how these lenses can be applied to interpret current organizational phenomena.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. Acquire the basic jargon and concepts necessary to discuss, in a precise and consistent manner, organizational issues and how to address them.
2. Identify and explain what determines the choice of formal organization (structure, control), why and how informal organizations emerge and change, what shapes organizational culture and power, and what determines a strong company.
3. Illustrate the nature and dynamics of key organizational phenomena.
4. Recognize the key organizational issues faced by organizations that operate globally, and what solutions have been developed in order to address them.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. Identify the relevant dimensions pertaining to each framework
2. Integrate the different frameworks to develop a better understanding of organizational dynamics
3. Use these basic tools to diagnose and frame organizational problems, address them, and devise ways to solve them
Teaching methods
- Lectures
- Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
- Practical Exercises
- Collaborative Works / Assignments
- Interaction/Gamification
DETAILS
Classes are structured to equip students with relevant concepts and theories while providing opportunities to explore and apply them through cases, simulations, and exercises. It is essential for students to not only attend class but also arrive prepared, having read the assigned materials and ready to actively participate in the discussion.
Assessment methods
Continuous assessment | Partial exams | General exam | |
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ATTENDING STUDENTS
Final exam (written) |
60% |
Group field project |
30% |
Class participation |
10% |
Final exam: The exam will consist of open questions plus a set of multiple-choice questions, which are aimed at testing students' knowledge of the main theories, terminology, and concepts associated with the study of organizations through the different frameworks.
Group field project: The group field project will consist in a detailed analysis of an organization of your choice, with the ultimate goal of assessing students' critical application of the concepts and frameworks learned throughout the course. Moreover, the group field project will allow assessing students' ability to present their results in an effective way in both written and oral form.
Class participation: It will be encouraged through case discussion, group activities, exercises, videos, and simulations. Class participation will be recognized based on your participation to in-class simulations and it is aimed at testing students’ ability to interact in a constructive way and present their points of view convincingly in face-to-face lectures.
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
Final exam (written) |
100% |
Final exam: The exam will consist of open questions plus a set of multiple-choice questions, which are aimed at testing students' knowledge of the main theories, terminology, and concepts associated with the study of organizations through the different frameworks.
Teaching materials
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Book: Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership, 7th Edition.
Slides: Lecture slides will be available at the end of each lecture.
Cases: Business cases and other relevant materials will be available on CourseReserve.
Simulations: Web-based simulations will be available through BlackBoard.
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
Book 1: Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership, 7th Edition.
Book 2: Puranam, P. (2018). The Microstructure of Organizations.
Slides: Lecture slides will be available at the end of each lecture.
Cases: Business cases and other relevant materials will be available on CourseReserve.
Simulations: Web-based simulations will be available through BlackBoard.