Ateneo - UPO

Criteria and methods for organizational design: key variables in job design.
Analysis of individual behavior in organizations.

Rebora (2017), Scienza dell’Organizzazione. Il Design di strutture, processi e ruoli. Carocci EditoreRobbins, Judge e Bodega (2021), Comportamento Organizzativo. Conoscere e sviluppare competenze organizzative. Pearson EditoreFor attending and non-attending students, reference material (slides, case studies, articles) produced by the lecturers will be made available in the web page of the course at the URL: https://dir.uniupo.it/

The course aims to provide students, on the one hand, with the knowledge and tools needed to interpret, analyze, systematize, and design the structures, processes, and operating systems that characterize different types of organizations; on the other hand, it seeks to provide the theoretical and methodological foundations required to understand and manage the main behavioral dynamics that emerge within organizational contexts.

By the end of the course, students will be able to operate effectively and consciously within organized systems, design organizational structures that are aligned with specific objectives and contextual requirements, develop leadership skills, and effectively address situations characterized by organizational complexity, change, and uncertainty.

None

Different teaching tools will be used:
a) traditional lessons in class;
b) case studies, where the theories are presented in real business situations;
c) guest speakers.
The course is interactive and may involve carrying out simulations, guest speakers, real case studies discussions and group assignments.

Traditional lectures (both frontal and participatory) will be alternated with case study analyses (suitable for group work and guided discussions) and enriched by guest talks from business professionals. In particular: 1. Knowledge acquisition: through lectures and independent study by students, based on the course materials. During the course, selected industry professionals will be invited to share their practical experiences with the class. 2. Application of knowledge: through in-class exercises and practical activities carried out during the course. 3. Development of independent judgment: students will be encouraged to identify optimal organizational solutions and/or to represent them visually. 4. Acquisition of technical language: the meaning and use of key terminology commonly adopted in tourism enterprises will be explained during the course. 5. Development of learning skills: each topic will be introduced starting from a business problem, considering the internal organizational context and the external environment. Students will be guided in the critical analysis of alternative solutions. Moreover, the methodological rigor and theoretical knowledge acquired will support continuous self-directed learning and the critical use of tools for managing business processes and interpreting data and information flows.

Course attendance is facultative 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.

The exam consists of a written test comprising four open-ended questions to be completed within 60 minutes.
The questions are designed to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the course content, as well as their ability to critically analyze theoretical models and apply them to real-world situations and organizational contexts.
The 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.

OORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN
Organizational Architecture and Organizational Structures
Organizational Assessment
Methodological Approaches to Organizational Design
Job and Work Process Design

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Individual Behavior in Organizations: Personality, Values, and Culture
Teamwork
Leadership
Decision-Making
Conflict and Negotiation
Change Management

1. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the main models, tools, and approaches in organizational design and organizational behavior. They will be able to understand the key issues related to the design of organizational structures and processes, as well as the individual and collective dynamics that shape organizational functioning.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired during the course to the analysis of real-world business situations, appropriately using concepts, models, and tools from organization and management studies. They will also be able to analyze organizational structures, roles, processes, and dynamics and to formulate possible solutions to specific organizational problems.

3. Making Judgments
The course aims to develop students’ ability to critically analyze organizational issues and formulate independent and well-grounded judgments. Students will be able to interpret situations characterized by complexity and uncertainty and to develop informed assessments and recommendations concerning organizational design, organizational behavior, leadership, and human resource management.

4. Communication Skills
Students will be able to use the technical and specialist language of organization and management studies appropriately. They will also be able to present and discuss organizational analyses, support their assessments with clear arguments, and communicate proposals and solutions effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

5. Learning Skills
The course will contribute to the development of students’ ability to independently deepen their knowledge of organizational design and organizational behavior. Students will be able to integrate new knowledge with previously acquired concepts, interpret organizational phenomena from a systemic perspective, and relate them to the broader economic, competitive, and social context in which organizations operate.