National University of Singapore
NUS Business School
Department of Management and Organisation
MNO3301: Organisational Behaviour
Session: Semester 2, 2013/2014 (Jan – Apr 2014)
Time: 11 am – 2 pm, Wed & Thurs.
Instructor:
E-mail:
Office:
Tel:
Associate Professor Audrey Chia
audreychia@nus.edu.sg
BIZ1, MRB08-47
6516-6441
Course Description
People are the core of any business, and many work challenges are people-related.
In this module we try to prepare you for the world of work by addressing key
questions about how and why people behave the way they do at work. We will also
explore how features of the workplace can influence people’s behavior.
This module is designed around a quartet of inter-related questions.
1. Who goes to work?
Topics:
a) Individuals: Diversity, Personality, Values, Emotions
b) Groups: Team processes
We start by understanding who goes to work.
People take their personalities, values and other individual characteristics to work.
Work can influence how they feel and their level of satisfaction.
People do not just work alone but also in groups, so we shall examine how groups
work and what can be done to improve team processes at work.
2. Why go to work?
Topics:
a) What makes people tick? Understanding Motivation
b) Applications from motivation research and theory
Our purpose will be to identify and improve our understanding of the nature of
motivation. We shall then apply this understanding to work-related practices.
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3. What is the workplace like?
Topics:
a) Culture
b) Power & Politics
There are many ways to characterize workplaces.
First, we shall take the perspective of culture, or the assumed way of life in
organisations. Second, it is almost impossible to discuss organizational life without
examining power and politics. We round off this segment with the classic debate
about macro vs. micro influences on the way people behave in organisations.
4. What if you were in charge?
Topics:
a) Leadership & Change
b) Engagement
c) Stress and mental well-being
Every business graduate will at some point have to lead people and organisations
through change, create engagement at work and cope with stress. We shall apply
knowledge from the research to create a knowledge base on what to do when we
are in charge.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you should:
 Understand the micro and macro influences on the way people behave in
organisations
 Recognize and know the effects of group and organizational processes at
work
 Be able to suggest how such knowledge can be applied by organizational
leaders and employees.
Modes of learning
Classes will be conducted in a seminar format.
The course will be learner-centered. I will set norms of openness, participation and
preparedness because much of the learning in this course will be through peer- and
self-learning.
You will also learn from a variety of readings and resources that we will examine
throughout the course. Learning activities include analyses of cases (local/regional
and foreign), debates, critiques of papers, simulation and talks by invited speakers.
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Learners’ responsibilities
Before each class, you will be given a set of readings to complete, videos to watch
and questions to think about. To gain the most from each class, you should:
 Be prepared for all classes, having completed the readings and assignments. This
is especially important given the nature of the approach we will be adopting. Y
 Be responsible for participating actively in class
 Be willing to question, think critically and learn from others.
We will be using group exercises as part of the learning process. You have a
responsibility to your group to be prepared for the exercise and play your part.
At some point in the semester you will (working in groups) be put in charge of part
of a class session. You will have to make sure you prepared to lead the discussion for
that session.
Outside of classes, my main mode of communication with the class will be via IVLE
and e-mail. It will be your responsibility to check your NUS mailbox regularly, and to
also read the announcements, updates and other materials uploaded to the IVLE.
Learning resources
To gain different perspectives, you will read journal articles, book chapters and
published cases. The readings are present ways of thinking, illustrative cases and
experience-based reflections. The articles are available on e-reserve in IVLE.
In addition we will be using a textbook:
Robbins, S.P. & Judge, T.A. Organizational Behavior (15th edition). Pearson.
Guest speakers will be invited to provide a real-world, practitioner’s perspective on
organizational behavior.
Academic honesty
Please acknowledge all references and sources that you use in your work. This is not
just good manners but also academic honesty.
Assessment
Participation 10%
Multiple Choice Quizzes 10%
Class discussion & facilitation (in groups) 20%
Written Assignment (individual) 30 %
Project (report and presentation) 30%
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Class
session
Topic
Read BEFORE class
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Introduction and the scope of Organisational Behaviour
 What is Organisational Behaviour? Why does it matter?
 Class introduction and expectations
Who goes to work?
 Diversity at work
 Facets of diversity
Robbins & Judge
Chapters 1 & 2
2
Who goes to work?
 Individuals: Unique?
 Personality
 Values
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 5
3
Who goes to work?
 Distinguishing emotions and moods
 Functions of emotion
 Emotional labour
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 4
4
Who goes to work?
 Groups
 Team processes
 Getting the best from teams
Robbins & Judge
Chapters 9 & 10
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Why go to work?
 What makes people tick? Understanding Motivation
 Applications from motivation research and theory
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 7 & 8
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Integrative session consolidating learning so far
 Simulation.
Simulation materials
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Characterizing the workplace:

Culture: the life blood of organisations

Form & substance

Effects of culture

Cultural intelligence
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 16
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Characterizing the workplace:

Who's got the power?

Politics at work

Principles of influence
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 13
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Being in charge
 Leadership: What makes a leader?
 Transformational leadership
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 12
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Being in charge
 Building engagement at work
 Stress, wellness and resilience
Robbins & Judge
Chapter 18 plus ereadings
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Integration & Project presentations
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Integration & Project presentations
The class schedule may be amended when necessary, e.g., to take advantage of other
opportunities for learning.
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