THE UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
MANAGEMENT 4310
ADVANCED ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
Fall 2005
Professor:
Dr. Diane Miller
Office:
Telephone:
380-1845
E-mail:
Office Hours: M 1:30-2:30,W 10:00-11:00, or by appointment
E516
d.miller@uleth.ca
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this fourth-year seminar is to further explore the determinants of behaviour in
complex work settings. Through readings, discussions, and assignments, we will attempt to
understand why people behave the way they do in organizations and what this means for
management practices. To this end, students will be expected to read, discuss, present, and
debate leading edge issues in research and management. The course is appropriate for students
majoring in HR/IR.
PREREQUISITES
4TH Year Standing, Management 2030 (3030), and Management 3051.
TEXT
Osland, J.S., Kolb, D.A. & Rubin, I.M. (2001). Organizational Behavior: An Experiential
Approach (7th Ed.). NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Osland, J.S., Kolb, D.A. & Rubin, I.M. (2001). The Organizational Behavior Reader (7th
Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
EVALUATION
Tests (x3; 20% each)
Individual Research Project (Due November 30; Bibliography by November 21;
Research Question by November 14)
Participation
Debate
Presentation
Class activitiy
60%
20%
10%
5%
5%
GENERAL CLASS STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
In general, we are covering one chapter per week. In the Monday class we will review the
chapter, clarify issues through discussion, and have students present relevant readings. On
Wednesday we will complete topic discussion, and students will participate in activities such as
debates and exercises.
TESTS
Three tests will be given throughout the term. Each test is worth 20% of your grade. Tests dates
are October 6 (Ch 1,2,4), November 9 (Ch. 8, 9, 12, 13), and December 7 (14, 15, 16). The
material covered will be readings, textbook chapters, class notes, discussions, exercises, and
videos covered during the course. Tests may include multiple choice, short answer, and or essay
questions. You are expected to write the test on the assigned day.
INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT
For this research paper students should develop a research question, in conjunction with me, that
is relevant to the field of Organziational Behaviour. Questions might centre around topics such
as employee attitudes, motivation, satisfaction, or commitment, diversity, teamwork, leadership,
or other relevant topics. Once the question has been established students will submit a
bibliography to me- maybe 8 to 10 articles to be used in the paper. Peer reviewed articles are
required as part of your source material. Peer reviewed sources can be obtained from ABI
Inform, other similar data bases, or the library. I will not accept personal web pages as sources.
Use APA format for the bibliography. The paper should summarize the current state of
the literature and address the question(s). The paper is intended to invoke critical thinking to
resolve an issue. Literature review papers will receive a lesser grade. The paper should be as
long as is required to address the issue. This project is worth 20% of the course grade. There are
final due dates for each of these steps: Research Question Approved by November 14;
Bibliography Approved by November 21; Final Report Due November 30. However, I advise
people not to wait until the last minute to get the first two steps finalized.
PARTICIPATION
Working individually or in pairs, students will be responsible for reviewing one assigned reading
from the required reading list, and for preparing a two-page bullet-point summary (photo-copies
for all course members). The two-page summary will include the key points from the reading
and your reaction to it. Use ABI Inform and other similar sources to present your appraisal of the
reading noting its particular strengths and limitations. The appraisal will need to identify at least
two (2) relevant sources which must be referenced according to the APA citation style. You will
also make a 10 minute class presentation of the reading highlights and your reaction. You are
encouraged to rehearse the class presentations for content, flow, use of visual aids, and timing.
The presentation is worth 5%.
Teams will be formed to give a debate presentation to the class. Each team will make a 15
minute presentation of their side. Following the main statements there will be a five minute
break during which each team will prepare its rebuttal to the main arguments posed by the
opposition (rebuttals are limited to 5 minutes for each team). At least two days before the
debate, presenting teams should e-mail the instructor a 1-2page (typed double spaced) summary
of the team’s position and its main arguments. Attach a bibliography in APA form listing the
sources used in preparing your position. Debates account for 10% of the course value.
The marks given for the above assignments will be determined by computing the average score
of the assessments completed by the other course members, as well as the evaluation given by the
instructor. The instructor reserves the right to adjust student evaluations that may be too lenient
or too strict. Criteria can include presentation quality, response to readings and other debators,
and answers to questions.
The importance of pre-class preparation, regular class attendance, as well as consistent and
meaningful contributions during class cannot be overemphasized. Students not involved in
presentations during a given week will come to class having read the required readings.
Evidence of having done the readings, by making insightful observations and asking
thoughtful questions about the readings, will be one of the criteria for assigning course
work marks. Class activity marks are awarded based on active and thoughtful involvement in
the day’s discussion. Contributions which add a new insight or perspective to the discussion will
be weighted more heavily. Members of the class are responsible for their individual and
collective learning in this course – you will get out of the class what you put into it.
ETHICAL CONDUCT
Ethical Conduct is expected from all students, in accordance with University policies as
described in the Calendar. Students cheating on any test OR submitting plagiarized, copied or
duplicated work for individual or partnered projects can receive an immediate "F" in the course
(please refer to the Student Discipline Policy - Academic Offenses and Discipline Procedures
section of the Calendar). The circumstances of any applied penalties will be thoroughly
documented in your personal academic files. Ask yourself: Is it worth having such a penalty
documented on my academic file? If you are having problems completing work it is far
wiser for you to contact your instructor and request help and/or due date extensions than
to cheat.
YOUR PROFESSOR.
I am an Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour. I received my B.A. from the
University of Victoria, my M.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo, and my Ph.D. from the
University of Toronto. Before going back to school for my Ph.D., I worked as a contract
consultant for the Department of National Defence and for the Department of the Solicitor
General. I also worked as an internal consultant for the Federal Public Service Commission. My
research interests are in the area of groups and diversity and I have research and publications
covering issues related to these interests.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION
90 -100 A+
85 - 89 A
80 -84 A-
77 - 79 B+
73 - 76 B
70 -72 B-
67 - 69 C+
63 - 66 C
60 - 62 C-
57 - 59 D+
50 - 56 D
0 -49 F
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS
September 7
Introduction
Handout: Course Outline
September 12
Psychological Contract
September 14
September 19
Theories of Managing
September 21
September 26
Motivation
Workbook: Ch. 1.;
Readings: Rousseau
Conger
Exercise
Workbook: Ch. 2.
Readings: Mintzberg
Quinn
Exercise
Workbook: Ch. 4.
Readings: Nadler & Lawler
Kouzes & Posner
Debate
Exercise
Ch. 1,2, 4
Workbook: Ch. 8.
Readings: Adler
Paul
Workbook: Ch. 12.
Readings: Ragins et al.
Hofstede
Debate
Workbook: Ch. 9.
Readings: Wageman
Lipnack & Stamps
Debate
Workbook: Ch. 13
Readings: Goleman
Manz & Sims
Debate
Exercise
Ch. 8, 9, 12, 13
Workbook: Ch. 15
Readings: Vroom
Klein
Debate
Workbook: Ch. 14.
Readings: Schein (1st)
Greiner
Debate or alternate activity
Workbook: Ch. 16.
Readings: Conger
Cohen & Bradford
Exercise; Research project due
September 28
October 3
October 5
October 12
October 17
Motivation
Test 1
Perception and
Attribution
Diversity
October 19
October 24
Group Dynamics
October 26
October 31
Leadership
November 2
November 7
November 9
November 14
Leadership
Test 2
Decision Making
November 16
November 21
Organizational Culture
November 23
November 28
Power
December 30
Study Day
December 5
Test 3
Ch. 14, 15, 16
December 7
Note: Additional detailed information concerning specific readings, pre-class preparations,
assignments, etc., for each topic area, will be provided separately. Also, weekly activities
may be modified slightly from those listed above.