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THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Management
MGT 312 - Human Behavior in Business Organizations
Professor E. Holly Buttner
Email: ehbuttne@uncg.edu (See instructions below)
Office phone: 336-334-4529
Office Hours: Tues & Thurs. 12:00-1:30 or by appointment
Fall 2015
Office: Bryan 363
Note: The Bryan School has an attendance policy that says if you are not in attendance
during the first class meeting, you can be dropped from the class to make room for
students on the waiting list.
TEXT and additional resources: The text for MGT 312 is Kinicki, Angelo & Fugate Mel,
Organizational Behavior, 1st Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2015. You can purchase the text at the
UNCG Bookstore, online as an e-book, or a hard copy for delivery to your home (takes about a
week). The bookstore-provided shrink-wrapped text will also contain an access code to
McGraw-Hill Connect resources. You must have access to these resources as there will be
assignments within the Connect system.
To purchase the e-book online, go to Canvas and sign in to the MGT 312 section in which you
are registered. You will see the link to purchase the e-book there. Alternately, you can go to the
following website and register for Connect:
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/e-buttner-mgt-312-organizational-behavior---fall-2015
If you wish to purchase the book and have it delivered to your home, you can buy the hard copy
for $15 on the Connect website.
You should check your UNCG email and/or Canvas (CVS) at least several times weekly, if not
daily, for course announcements and updates.
A copy of the syllabus is available online through Blackboard in Documents. Please note that
reading and studying the text as well as completing the Connect homework are essential
for passing the course. Reading the power point slides is NOT a substitute for reading and
studying the text. There will be a lot of material on the tests that is not covered in the slides.
I urge you to read and study the text from the first day of class. Students who fail the first test
have a very difficult time recovering and improving their grades.
EMAIL: If you have a question regarding the course, you can email your question to me at:
Holly_Buttner@uncg.edu You MUST put your name, (last name first) and the subject of your
inquiry in the subject line (e.g. Smith, Nancy – review question) or the email will be deleted and
not opened. If you do not receive a response to an email within 48 hours, you should assume
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that I did not receive it and you should resend it.
PREREQUISITES for MGT 312: Students enrolled in MGT 312 must have achieved at least
sophomore standing (31 or more earned credit hours, not including this term) at the beginning of
the semester in which you take MGT 312 and a minimum GPA of 2.0. Any student who does not
meet these requirements will be administratively dropped from the course. There is no guarantee
that this administrative drop will be processed before drop/add week is over, so if you lack any
prerequisites, drop yourself so you may add another course in its place before the week’s end.
MGT 312 COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of this course, you should be knowledgeable
about major concepts and theories of Organizational Behavior. The learning outcomes for this
course are the following:
1. Explain the value dimensions of assessing national cultures using Hofstede's model.
2. Give specific examples of how the U.S. workplace is becoming more heterogeneous in
terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and age.
3. Identify the stages of group development and explain the managerial responses
appropriate to each stage.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of interpersonal awareness by explaining different styles
of conflict resolution and negotiation techniques.
5. Provide an example of an ethical issue pertinent to leadership today.
6. Predict how perception and attribution affect the decision making process.
7. Explain and give examples of how personality, values and motivation affect employees’
performance.
8. Identify and explain the dimensions of organizational structure and culture and the steps
of organizational change.
TOPICAL COVERAGE: The following topics will be covered in MGT 312.
o Individual behavior concepts such as ability, personality, learning, values,
attitudes, perception, attribution, motivation, individual decision making, &
ethical dimensions of decision making;
o Group behavior including stages of group development, group structure and
processes, group decision, work teams, leadership, power & politics, conflict, and
negotiation techniques;
o Organizational systems and processes including organizational change & stress
management.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY: Webster's definition of "learn" is: to acquire knowledge, skill or
understanding; to explore; to investigate. The definition of "teach" is: to guide; impart
knowledge; to make aware by information or experience. These concepts form the basis of what
we will be doing in MGT 312.
I see my role as "teacher" as that of a guide with responsibility to organize the class and
materials so that information will be understandable for you. I will use a variety of teaching
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techniques including lecture, cases, role plays, self-assessment instruments, homework
assignments, group activities and exercises to give you an opportunity to acquire knowledge
about and to experience organizational behavior.
As a "learner" you also have responsibilities:
 to read the chapters before class
 to complete homework when assigned, and turn it in during class on the assigned date
 to attend class and participate in class discussions and in-class graded activities
 to complete an individual assessment project that consist of completing eight (8) assigned
self-assessments in Connect
 complete the Connect homework assignments prior to taking each test
 study for and take three tests and complete the final exam
 take responsibility for your performance in the class.
Each of these requirements is explained in more detail in the Graded Course Requirements
section. I see this as a shared opportunity for us to investigate and explore organizational
behavior and I invite you to join your classmates and me for a thought-provoking semester.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLASS SUCCESS:
Class Attendance and Participation:
Experience is a wonderful teacher. Experience indicates that some of the keys to successful
performance in a class are preparation, attendance, and participation. Attendance is essential to
successfully completing MGT 312. I have found over the years that students who attend class
and actively participate consistently earn better grades. To maximize your opportunity for
learning, you should read the assigned material before we will cover it in class. Material
covered in class, some of which is not in the textbook, will be included in questions posed on the
tests and final exam. You are responsible for class material whether you are in class or not. I
encourage you to find a study buddy now who can give you notes if you should have to miss
class.
You are allowed two (2) absences from class without penalty. I understand that students get sick,
have job interviews, have days of religious observance, doctors’ appointments, etc. The two
unpenalized misses are for those types of absences. It is not necessary for you to bring in a note
unless I ask you for one. Class absences beyond two will reduce your attendance and
participation grade, except for extreme emergencies such as hospitalization, at the discretion of
the instructor. I recommend that you hold those days for emergencies.
Study Aids and other resources available online in Connect:
The Kinicki text comes with a rich package of resources to help you learn the material in MGT
312. We will go over how to access these materials the first day of class. If you miss that day,
consult with another student in the class about how to access the online resources. I encourage
you to check out these resources the first week of class and to make use of them throughout the
semester. Students who practice using the online resources AFTER a full review of the material
have told me they were helpful preparation for the tests.
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CLASS ETIQUETTE: Please plan your schedule so that you will be on time and stay the
entire period, unless you have a genuine emergency. It is distracting for the rest of the class to
have students arriving late and getting up and leaving during the class. If you have to leave
class early for an emergency such as a doctor’s appointment, it is courteous to come up and
let me know before class. Please turn off all beepers and cell phones or set them to vibrate
before coming into the classroom. If you have an emergency call, please take it in the hall. Your
cooperation will help us have a better classroom experience.
Accessing Project and Homework
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!! PLEASE READ BELOW
The Self-Assessment project resources as well as homework assignments are located at the
McGraw-Hill Connect website. To go there, click on the web address on p. 1 of the syllabus.
Once there, you must register using the access code that came with the text or which you can
purchase at the site (e.g. if you bought a used text). In Connect, click “Library” at the top of the
screen and then click on “on Student Resources” on the left. This will take you to various
resources including the Asset Gallery where some of the self-assessments are located. Other selfassessments are located within chapter resources. See the link to the chapter resources below the
link to the Asset Gallery on the left. Homework assignments are located on the “Home” page in
the MGT 312 site.
GRADED COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.
INDIVIDUAL SELF-ASSESSMENT PROJECT:
You must complete and submit your Self-Assessment Project which is composed of the
results for eight (8) of the self-assessments in the Kinicki/Fugate Connect Assignments
website. The SA Project is due on September 1st by class time. The eight (8) selfassessments you should complete are listed below and are posted in Connect. Beside each
assessment listed below you will note a page number which refers to the page in your text
where questions you’re to answer about your results are posted. You should type your
responses to these questions on a separate page for each assessment. Type the title of the
assessment at the top of the page and put your responses below. Organize the response
sheets so they are in order listed in the table below and place the cover page (from the last
page of the syllabus) on top. This set of 9 pages (cover page and responses to each of the
8 SAs) make up your Self-Assessment project. Please follow the directions carefully.
Failure to follow these instructions will result in a lower self-assessment project grade.
Assess.
Number
1
2
3
4
5
Assessment
How satisfied are you with your present job? Answer questions on p. 57
What is my Big 5 personality profile 5? Answer questions on p.82
What is the status of my acquired needs? Answer questions on p.150
What rewards do I value most? Answer questions on p.201
What is my level of PsyCaps? Answer questions on p.238
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6
7
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Group and Team role preferences scale. Answer questions on p. 259
What is your preferred conflict handling style? Answer questions on p.351
Corporate culture preference scale. Answer questions on p. 501
Important instructions for preparing the self-assessments to turn in:
THE INSTRUCTOR WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ASSIGNMENTS
NOT PLACED INTO THE ORGANIZED PILES BY STUDENTS AT THE
BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE DUE DATE.
Late assessment reports will be downgraded one letter grade per day unless you bring in
written evidence that you were in the hospital or suffering some other verifiable
emergency on the date it was due. Unless you have a verifiable emergency, after three
days beyond the deadline, no credit may be earned for the assignment. Note that printer
breakdowns, computer failure, car breakdowns, and other difficulties are not acceptable
reasons to avoid the late penalty if your project is late. Late self-assessment reports
handed in after the class period in which they are due MUST be handed in to one of
the administrative staff in the Department of Management Office in Bryan 366.
Emailed assignments and assignments turned in via any way other than to Bryan
366 will not be accepted. DO NOT SLIDE THE REPORT UNDER THE
PROFESSOR’S DOOR AS THEY ARE NOT SECURE. The complete self-assessment
assignment is worth 8% of your course grade.
2.
IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION & HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
Throughout the semester, in-class activities will be randomly assigned, completed, and
collected the same class day. Depending upon course progression and time constraints, a
minimum of ten (10) in-class assignments will be collected. Some of these activities will
be individual activities and others group work. In addition, at other times attendance will
be taken. Completion of these activities as well as participation in class discussions will
constitute your class attendance and participation grade. Simply attending class will not
earn you full credit for attendance & participation. You must also contribute thoughtful,
value-added comments during class discussion in such a way that I have opportunities to
hear your comments. It is also important that I know who you are. While I make a
concerted effort to learn names, in a large class, this may not be possible. Accordingly, I
will hand out name cards in the beginning of the semester and I encourage you to bring it
with you to class each day and post it on your desk so that your name is visible to me in
the front of the classroom.
There are two types of homework assignments for each chapter:
1) One set of assignments are in Connect. You can complete the assignments at any time
prior to the test which they precede. So, for example, the assignments for chs. 1-4 can be
completed any time prior to Test 1 on September 10th. The HW assignments window for
completion will close at the start of the test; therefore no credit can be earned for any
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Connect assignment not completed before the test administration. You get 2 (and only 2)
opportunities (called attempts) to complete each Connect assignment. Your score on each
Connect assignment will be the highest of the two attempts for each assignment.
2) There will also be weekly assignments for you to complete and bring to class. These
assignments will be announced in class and in CVS at least one day before they are due.
Be sure to check CVS before each class. Theses assignments must be brought to class and
turned in during the class period to earn credit. Emailed or late assignments will not be
accepted.
Attendance, participation and homework together will comprise 20% of your course
grade.
NOTE: In-class work cannot be made up outside of class for any reason. Late
homework assignments handed in after the class in which they were due will not be
counted for credit. Students may miss up to two (2) total of the in-class assignments,
homework assignments or attendance sign-in sheets without penalty. EXCEEDING
THIS GRACE NUMBER OF TWO WILL RESULT IN GRADES OF ZERO FOR
EACH ADDITIONAL MISS. No exceptions will be made for this course
requirement.
3. TESTS AND FINAL EXAM INFORMATION:
Test-Taking Procedure. The tests and final exam will be administered in class during
the regular class period. There will be three tests and a non-cumulative final exam. Each
test and the final exam are worth 18% of your course grade. The tests and final exam will
be multiple choice. The tests (including the make-up test) will be closed book and closed
notes. You are responsible for material in the text, material covered in class and any extra
assigned readings. I expect you to abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy in
taking tests as well as all other work for the course.
The test dates are:
September 10th for Test 1
October 22nd for Test 2
November 5th for Test 3
The final exam will be Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 3:30 pm.
Test Make-up Policy:
If you miss a test, for any reason, your only option is to take a make-up test which will be
administered on Tuesday, November 17th, 11-12:15 pm. This make-up will cover the material
on all three tests and will be all short-answer questions. You will have 1 ¼ hours to complete the
make-up test. It will be closed book and closed notes. No resources (text, notes, web resources,
other students, etc. may be used). You are responsible for checking with me ahead of time about
the location of the makeup. No other make-ups will be given. If you know ahead of time that you
will be unavailable on a test day, you should let me know well ahead of time. If it is possible, we
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will set up a time for you to take the test early. If an early test is not possible, you will have to
take the make-up.
IMPORTANT NOTE - NO EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
You are a student in a professional business school. Part of being in a professional school, like
the Bryan School, is learning how to behave as a business professional. Being a professional
means getting the work done right the first time. If an employee failed on an assignment at
work, would the boss give the employee an opportunity for extra credit? No. There are no
opportunities for extra credit assignments. All credit earned in the course must be earned
through regularly scheduled assignments described in this syllabus and in the Assignments
section of CVS.
If you fail the first test, you have time to improve your grade. I urge you to take steps
immediately to modify your study skills to enhance their effectiveness. The Student Success
Center in McIver Bldg. has a good track record of helping students improve their study skills
and hence their test performance. They are friendly, helpful folks. The service is free to you. I
strongly encourage you to use it if you are struggling or failing the class.
ADVERSE WEATHER/CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY:
If class is cancelled due to adverse weather, instructor illness or for any other reason, you should
consult the announcements section of Blackboard on line for available updates. You will be
responsible for being aware of any scheduling or other changes announced on Blackboard, so be
sure to check it frequently.
GRADING POLICY:
Your final grade will be weighted as follows:
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Final exam
Self-Assessments
In-Class Attendance & Homework Assignments
Total Points
18
18
18
18
8
20
100
points
points
points
points
points
points
GRADING SCALE:
A+
A
A-
97-100
B+ 87-89.999
93-96.999 B 83-86.999
90-92.999 B- 80-82.999
C+
C
C-
77-79.999
73-76.999
70-72.999
D+
D
D-
67-69.999 F below 60
63-66.999
60-62.999
NOTE: THE PROFESSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE
DATES/ASSIGNMENTS OR ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE ABOVE SYLLABUS.
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ANY SUCH CHANGES WILL BE POSTED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION OF
BLKBD.
NOTE – BRYAN SCHOOL SENIOR EXAM MATERIAL:
If you are a Bryan School major, you will be tested on the material we cover in MGT 312 in a
comprehensive written examination in MGT 491. Your score on this exam will comprise a part
of your grade for MGT 491. It is recommended that, at a minimum, you retain your notes for
MGT 312 for review in preparation for the comprehensive exam in MGT 491.
UNCG ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE:
I expect you to uphold and abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy in all matters
pertaining to this course. Violations of the Policy will be pursued in accordance with the code.
All written work submitted should include the UNCG Policy statement written out (“I have
abided by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy in completing all aspects of this work.”)
followed by your signature, indicating that you have abided by the Academic Integrity Policy.
This pledge will also indicate that you have not used information, materials, or papers prepared
by or given by any other individual or from any other source. For information concerning the
Bryan School Faculty – Student Guidelines, explore the following website:
http://bae.uncg.edu/assets/faculty_student_guidelines.pdf
The URL for the Academic Integrity Policy is the following:
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/
I look forward to working with you as we explore the behavioral topics that challenge managers
and professionals in their work each day.
Week
Course Topics and Assignments
Topic
8/18
Introduction to MGT 312; Values and Attitudes
8/25
9/1
Values and Attitudes; Individual Differences & Emotions
Individual Differences & Emotions; Perception & Managing Diversity
Self-Assessment Project due on Tuesday, 9/1 at the beginning of
class. See instructions on the syllabus.
Perception & Managing Diversity; Motivation
9/10: Test 1 on Thursday on Ch. 1-4; Be sure to complete all
Connect assignments prior to the test!
Motivation; Performance Management
Performance Management; Positive Organizational Behavior
Positive Organizational Behavior; Groups & Teams
Groups & Teams; Managing Conflict and Negotiation
9/8
9/15
9/22
9/29
10/6
Chapter
Assignments
Ch. 1-2
2-3
3-4
4,5
5, 6
6,7
7, 8
8, 10
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10/13 Fall break! Enjoy!  Thurs. Ch 10
10/20 Decision Making & Creativity; Power, Influence & Politics
10/22: Test 2 on Ch. 5-8. Be sure to complete all Connect
assignments prior to the test!
10/27 Power, Influence & Politics
11/3 Leadership; 11/5: Test 3 on Ch. 10-12. Be sure to complete all
Connect assignments prior to the test!
11/10 Leadership; Organizational Culture
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11, 12
11/17 Organizational Culture; Organizational design
14, 15
11/24 Managing Organizational Change & Stress; Thanksgiving break! 
The final exam date and time is scheduled for Saturday, December
5th at 3:30 pm in our usual classroom.
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13
13, 14
16
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MGT 312
Self-Assessment Report Cover Sheet
Your name (Please print)_______________________________________
Student ID #________________________ Section_________________
Please copy and paste this page into a new screen. Then print it off. Check off each assessment
that you have completed in the table below. Place the printouts for each assessment in order
according to the table indicated below. Make sure you have answered the questions in your text
on the page numbers indicated below beside each assessment on a separate sheet of paper. Attach
your typed response sheet to the front of each SA. Be sure to follow the instructions for properly
preparing your assessment feedback pages on the syllabus. Then clip together your complete
Self-Assessment Report. Failure to follow these instructions will result in a lower grade.
Assessment
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Assessment
Completed
How satisfied are you with your present job? Answer questions on p. 57
What is my Big 5 personality profile 5? Answer questions on p.82
What is the status of my acquired needs? Answer questions on p.150
What rewards do I value most? Answer questions on p.201
What are my signature strengths? Answer questions on p.244
Group and Team role preferences scale. Answer questions on p. 259
What is your preferred conflict handling style? Answer questions on p.351
Corporate culture preference scale. Answer questions on p. 501
Please write out the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy statement and sign your name here: