Ateneo - UPO

The course explores the fundamental principles of organisational operation, focusing on the relationships among structure, processes, and people. It covers both classical and contemporary organisational models, coordination mechanisms, change management, and the design of roles and responsibilities.Special attention is given to the evolution of work patterns, and the skills required to function effectively in hybrid and virtual environments.Below are the topics that will be covered: The Business Organization and the Business SystemStrategy within the Organizational SystemEssential Characteristics of Organizational StructureClassical Organizational Structure ModelsBusiness Process OrganizationManagement Control Systems and Leadership StyleHuman Resource Management

Candiotto R. (2021) Sensibilità Organizzativa. Dai processi alla struttura organizzativa.GiappichelliCourse materials uploaded to DIR and/or distributed in class.Additional suggested textbooks: Palumbo, R., & Decastri, M. (2024). Organizzazione aziendale: Chiavi di lettura per comprendere e progettare le organizzazioni. GueriniNEXT Rebora, G. F. (2017). Scienza dell’organizzazione. Carocci, Roma.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:Understand the key theories and concepts of organisational design, recognising how structure, processes, and people interact within organisations.Apply organisational models to interpret and solve practical challenges, including coordination, communication, and change management.Critically assess the impact of hybrid work on organisational performance and employee wellbeing.Collaborate effectively in team-based projects, also using digital tools to communicate and coordinate tasks in hybrid or virtual learning environments.Demonstrate professional and ethical awareness in managing organisational complexity, with particular attention to responsible management principles.1. Knowledge and Understanding: the course is designed to enable students to understand how managers can apply theoretical principles to design organizations that efficiently achieve organizational objectives. Specifically, students will develop the ability to: understand how managers use organizational theory to design effective organizations; appreciate the influence of contingency factors on organizational design; understand how key organizational design elements can be managed to create effective organizations; recognize the influence of organizational culture on employee behavior.2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding: the course aims to equip students with the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to analyze organizational structures, assess organizational culture, and manage human resources effectively.3. Making Judgements: students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired, both conceptually and operationally, to independently assess organizational complexity and identify the organizational structures most appropriate for different business contexts.4. Communication Skills: the course also aims to develop students' ability to use the technical terminology of organization and management, enabling them to communicate clearly and effectively on organizational issues and people management.5. Learning Skills: students will develop the ability to identify and use the main academic and professional sources of information and the key bibliographic references in the field of organization and management.

As the course is closely related to other business and management subjects, it can be effectively undertaken only after students have successfully passed the Business Administration examination.

The course adopts an in-person approach (8 CFU).Students will engage in practical exercises, collaborative projects, and class debates designed to develop analytical, communicative, and teamwork skills. Different teaching tools will be used: traditional lessons in class; case studeis, where the theories are presented in real businees situations and guest speakers. The course is interactive.In particular: 1. Knowledge and understanding: traditional face-to-face lessons and self-study based on teaching materials. 2. Applying knowledge and understanding: exercises carried-out by the teacher during the course. 3. Making judgments: students will be stimulated to judge the strengths and weaknesses of the organizational instruments. 4. Communication skills: the meaning of the terms used will be explained. 5. Learning skills: every topic will be discussed beginning from the illustration of the problem and then analyzing the various possible solution.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents- physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Written Test (60minutes; 4 open-questions).1 knowledge and understanding: by written open questions2. applying knowledge and understanding: through exercise3. making judgements: by written open questions4. communication skills: by written open questions5. learning skills: through exercisesThe exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:Not Successful: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited ability to analyse and synthesise, frequent generalisations and limited critical and judgemental skills, the topics are set out inconsistently and with inappropriate language;18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalisations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgement, topics are frequently exposed in an incoherent way and with inappropriate/technical language;21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; ability to analyse and synthesise correctly with sufficiently coherent logical argumentation and appropriate/technical language;24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; Good analytical and synthetic skills with arguments expressed in a rigorous manner but with language that is not always appropriate/technical;27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate/technical language;30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and thorough understanding of topics. Excellent analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner and with appropriate technical language.

Organization and organizational effectiveness Organizational theory Organization-environment relationship Organizational structures: Functional structure, Divisional structure, Matrix structure, Hybrid structure and Network structure The challenges of organizational design Organisational processes Human resource management Information systems Organisational positions and roles Team dynamics and leadership Hybrid, remote and virtual organisational contexts Organisational culture Organisational learning Organisational change

Knowledge and understandingStudents will acquire foundational knowledge of organisational theory and design, including classical and contemporary models, coordination mechanisms, and principles of structure and change. Applying knowledge and understandingStudents will be able to apply organizational concepts to real-world cases, analyzing how managerial decisions influence organizational performance, communication, and collaboration within teams and across functional areas. In particular, students will acquire the business terminology specific to the field of organization and management and will be able to conduct organizational analyses and understand organizational contexts.Making judgementsStudents will develop the ability to evaluate organisational decisions critically, identifying trade-offs between efficiency, innovation, and social responsibility. They will learn to reflect on ethical and inclusive dimensions of organisational design, considering both human and environmental factors.Communication skills. Building on the knowledge acquired, students will develop communication and interpersonal skills that will enable them to make informed judgments on organizational and human resource management issues across a range of business and consulting contexts.Learning skillsStudents will strengthen their autonomous learning capabilities by integrating theoretical insights with empirical observation and by using ools for organisational analysis and visualisation. This will support lifelong learning and professional adaptability in evolving organisational contexts.