Introduction to Organizational Behavior (Business 260)

Introduction to Organizational Behavior

(

Business 260

)

Faculty of Business Administration | University of Regina

Professor

Dr. Sandeep Mishra

Faculty of Business Administration

Overview

E-mail : mishrs@gmail.com

Office Hours : By appointment (ED 565.6)

This course is an introduction to the behavior of individuals and groups in organizations. Specific topics that will be covered include personality, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, decision-making, power, and stress/conflict. Throughout the course, a scientific, evidence-based, data-driven approach to understanding behavior in the workplace will be emphasized.

Resources

TEXTBOOK : Johns, G. & Saks, A. M. (2014). Organizational behaviour: Understanding and managing life at work (9 th edition). Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall.*

Alternative versions of the textbook are available at much lower cost (e-textbook, rentals, used old editions etc.). The text is optional; if you come to class regularly, it will not be necessary (though it is certainly useful). A general open-access organizational behavior textbook can be accessed for free at http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Organizational%20Behavior.pdf

. Please note that you will need to come to class regularly if you do not use the assigned text to ensure coverage of relevant material.

ONLINE RESOURCES : UR Courses will be extensively used for class updates, lecture outlines, supplementary materials, mark posting, electronic submissions of assignments, and online quizzes.

Evaluation

WRITTEN REFLECTIONS (9/11)

Reflections are a written paragraph ( 200 words or less – going over the limit means a 10% penalty)

• Apply a specific concept to understand a personal experience you or someone you know has had

Reflections will be submitted on UR Courses in Word or PDF format

Due Sundays at midnight; late reflections will be penalized 25% per day

• A rubric with details on marking criteria is available on UR Courses

Your final reflection mark will be calculated from your best 9 of 11 reflections

GROUP PROJECT

Groups will be randomly formed and presentation slots assigned early in the semester

Find an article on an issue in a single organization from a reputable newspaper or magazine

• Analyze this real-world organizational issue (positive or negative) using OB concepts o What did the organization do right? What did they do wrong? What could be improved?

Remember organizations include governments, non-profits, clubs, and unions, among others!

Your final deliverables will be (a) a 500-word or less written proposal (worth 50%), and (b) a short presentation to the class (7-10 minutes, worth 50%)

The proposal will be marked by the instructor, and feedback provided before your presentation

• Your presentation grade will come from the instructor (25%) and the class (75%)

• Groups will complete a peer evaluation ; individual grades will be adjusted according to contribution

FINAL EXAMINATION

Final : 40 multiple choice questions (1 mark each) + 8 short answer questions (5 marks each)

• The final exam is cumulative

You are allowed a “cheat sheet” for the exam – one 8.5 × 11” page (front+back) for prepared notes

Cheat sheets must be hand-written , and handed in with your exams

RESEARCH PARTICIPATION

Up to 2% bonus marks can be earned by participating in research studies in Business Administration

• Unfortunately, availability of these opportunities cannot be guaranteed

Further information will be posted to UR Courses

FINAL GRADE CALCULATION

Grades are calculated using three marking schemes; your final grade will be the highest calculated

Each scheme emphasizes different components (so you will be rewarded for what you are best at)

Writing Heavy Balanced Redemption

Reflections (9/11) 35% 25% 10%

Group Project

Final Exam

20%

45%

25%

50%

10%

80%

Class Protocol

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Plagiarism and not submitting your own work are serious academic offenses with grave consequences, ranging from a mark of zero to university expulsion

It is very important that the assessments you hand in are the product of your own work, and not work you did with anyone else (except the group project)

References with page numbers are required for direct quotes

• Paraphrasing is required for all ideas that are not your own, and you must provide a reference

CLASS PREPARATION

This course is very language heavy!

• Outlines of each unit will be posted on UR Courses at the beginning of the semester

I do not use slides or provide course notes, so you will really benefit from coming to class

I follow the textbook closely; it is a well-written, excellent resource

• You will benefit strongly from reading the chapters assigned before or after class

GRADING

All marks will be posted on UR Courses as quickly as possible (usually within 10 days)

Reflections and the midterm will be marked by a teaching assistant (TA)

Reflections and exams will not be returned to you in class

For substantive feedback on your reflections, you must come and see me in person o This allows for personalized, constructive feedback for students who are willing to take the time and effort to actively understand and improve their performance

I am willing to re-mark reflections, but you will need to submit a request in writing o To ensure consistency, all of your reflections will be re-marked (random error dictates that mark adjustments will occur in both favorable and unfavorable directions!)

MISSED EVALUATIONS

There will be no make-up writing reflections or final exam

• There is built-in flexibility for the reflections: if you miss a reflection for any reason , it will count as one of the reflections not included in your final mark calculation

• All writing reflection submission links will be available from the beginning of the semester

If you know you will be unable to complete a reflection near the due date, do it ahead of time!

SPECIAL NEEDS

• Students with special needs that might impact class performance should contact the Centre for

Student Accessibility to organize accommodations

For further information on policies and assistance programs available to students to guarantee equal access to education: http://www.uregina.ca/studserv/disability/servicesavailable.shtml

Tentative Course Schedule and Due Dates

Week 1

(Sept 4)

Introduction to organizational behavior

Week 2

(Sept 9/11)

Methods in organizational research

Values, attitudes, and work behavior

Week 3

(Sept 16/18)

Personality and learning I, II

Week 4

(Sept 23/25)

Personality and learning III

Perceiving and judging others I

Perceiving and judging others II

Motivation in theory and practice I

Week 5

(Sept 30/Oct 2)

Week 6

(Oct 7/9)

Week 7

(Oct 14/16)

Motivation in theory and practice II, III

Group dynamics and teams I, II

Week 8

(Oct 21/23)

Week 9

(Oct 28/30)

Week 10

(Nov 4/6)

Week 11

(Nov 11/13)

(Group formation/meet and greet)

Social influence, socialization, and culture

Leadership

(In-class group time)

Conflict and stress

(In-class group time)

Decision-making I, II

Week 12

(Nov 18/20)

Power, politics, and ethics I, II

Week 13

(Nov 25/27)

Group presentations I, II

Week 14

(Dec 2/4)

Group presentations III

(Exam review)

Ch. 1

App. A

Ch. 4

Ch. 2

Ch. 2

Ch. 3

Ch. 3

Ch. 5, 6

Ch. 5, 6

Ch. 7

Ch. 8

Ch. 9

Ch. 13

REFLECTION 2 DUE (SEPT 21)

(Personality)

REFLECTION 9 DUE (NOV 9)

(Conflict and Stress)

Ch. 11 GROUP PROPOSAL DUE (NOV 16)

Ch. 12

REFLECTION 1 DUE (SEPT 14)

(Values/Attitudes/Work Behavior)

REFLECTION 3 DUE (SEPT 28)

(Learning)

REFLECTION 4 DUE (OCT 5)

(Perceiving and Judging Others)

REFLECTION 5 DUE (OCT 12)

(Motivation in Theory/Practice)

REFLECTION 6 DUE (OCT 19)

(Group Dynamics and Teams)

REFLECTION 7 DUE (OCT 26)

(Socialization and Culture)

REFLECTION 8 DUE (NOV 2)

(Leadership)

REFLECTION 10 DUE (NOV 23)

(Decision Making)

REFLECTION 11 DUE (NOV 30)

(Power, Politics, and Ethics)

FINAL EXAM (COMPREHENSIVE): DECEMBER 20 @ 2.00 PM