UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
DBA 203 ORGANIZATION THEORY
COURSE OUTLINE 2020/2021 JANUARY-DECEMBER 2020/21 SEMESTERS
MODULE II NAIROBI AND MOMBASA DAY CLASSES
DR. KITIABI
INSTRUCTOR(s)
Prof. Ogutu M
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
1. PURPOSE AND COURSE OBJECTIVES
This is an introductory course in Organization *Theory*. It covers the basic theories and principles/Elements
contained in the organizational theories of the structuring of contemporary organizations in a complex, dynamic and
competitive environment. It examines the effects of both the internal and external environment on managerial choices
for the structuring of organizations. For the Second year student this course compliments DBA 102 Principles of
Management and DBA 101 Introduction to Business
The course helps the students to understand the importance of *organizational* structure on internal *organizational*
processes and overall effectiveness. It also helps them to understand the relationship between organization structure
and the behaviour of those who work for them or otherwise interact with them. Students will gain both knowledge and
skills through a combination of lectures, discussions, and cases.
At the end of the course students should be able to
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Understand the concepts of organizational Theory
Distinguish between management theory and organizational Theory
Use the systems approach to describe how organizations work
Define Organizational development (OD) and explain the steps and techniques used during OD Interventions
Appreciate the techniques available to managers for managing conflict
Relate the concepts of organizational theory to Business and Management in general
2. Course Requirements
Students taking this course are expected to have taken and passed introductory courses in Management and Business
that include DBA 101 Introduction to Business and DBA 102 Principles of Management.
More importantly, students are expected to read widely beyond the suggested class texts and use the readings for
analysis. The Professor/Lecturer will provide guidance on the major principles during Lectures.
3. Class Participation and Proceedings
Contributions to the class discussions will be evaluated. What is rewarded is helping the class make progress as it
tries to come to grips with a given case. It is imperative that all students sign the attendance sheet every class period.
The professor will maintain a log for student participation.
Class Proceedings and *Group Work in Business Courses:*
We encourage group assignments in the school for several reasons. They Provide you with opportunities to develop
and enhance interpersonal, communication, Leadership, follower-ship and other group skills. Group assignments are
also good For learning integrative skills for putting together a complex task. Your professor/Lecturer May assign
one or more group tasks/assignments/projects in this course, depending on the Number of Students in the class
If you have a group assignment, you may find the resources at specific websites that may have been designed by
Course coordinators. This will be announced in class where applicable. The Professor/Lecturer will not undertake
photocopying or distribution of class notes. The Class is required to elect two class representatives for purposes of
communication
COURSE EVALUATION
i)
ii)
iii)
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments &
Class participation
End of semester Final Examination
TOTAL
1 DR. KITIABI©2020/21
30%
70%
100%
WEEK ONE &TWO
1. INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZATION THEORY
1.1 What is organization theory?
1.2 Management theory, organization theory and organization behavior.
1.3 Benefits of organizations.
1.4 Relationships in organizations.
1.5 Formal and informal organizations
1.6 Inter organizational relationships
WEEK THREE
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2. OVERVIEW OF EVOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION THEORIES
2.1 Why evolution theories
2.2 How the -The pre-classical period.
2.3 The classical theories.
2.4 The Neo- Classical theories.
2.5 The Contingency theories.
2.6 And Contemporary theories - inform the development of organizations
WEEK FOUR
3. ORGANIZATION GOALS
3.1 What are Goals?
3.2 Functions of Goals.
3.3 Types of Goals.
3.4 Model of Evaluating Goals.
WEEK FIVE
4. ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS
4.1 What is a system?
4.2 What are sub-systems?
4.3 Open- closed systems.
4.4 Input Output Analysis.
4.5 Other kinds of systems.
4.6 Significance of looking at organizations as systems
WEEK SIX
5. ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE AND DESIGN
5.1 Meaning of organization structure. and design
5.2 Basis for organization design.
5.3 Types of organization design and structure.
6. THE ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND STRUCTURE
6.1 Micro and Macro environment.
6.2 Actual and Perceived environment.
6.3 Task environment
6.4 Environmental dimensions.
6.5 Environment and structure.
6.6 Environment and strategy.
WEEK SEVEN
7. ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND STRUCTURE
7.1 What is Technology?
7.2 Technology Typology.
7.3 Technology Structure Relationship.
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DR. KITIABI©2020/21
WEEK EIGHT
8. ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT
8.1 What is Organizational Change?
8.2 Sources of Organization change.
8.3 Need for organization change.
8.4 Organizational change process.
8.5 Resistance to change.
8.6 Organizational Development.
8.7 Business process Re-engineering.
8.8 Ambidextrous Approach to Organizational Change Development.
WEEK NINE
9. ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND STRUCTURE
9.1 The meaning of culture.
9.2 Importance of culture.
9.3 Evolution of culture.
9.4 Dimensions of culture.
9.5 Relationship between culture and structure.
9.6 Creating and changing organization culture
WEEK TEN
10. ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AND DECLINE
10.1
Define growth and decline.
10.2
Growth models.
10.3
Growth and structure
10.4
Managing Decline.
10.5
Managing growth.
11. ORGANIZATIONAL POWER AND POLITICS
11.1
What is organizational politics? What is power?
11.2
Causes and consequences of political behavior
11.3
Techniques used in organizational politics.
11.4
Guidelines/ Ethics of organizational politics.
WEEK ELEVEN & TWELVE
12. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT, COOPERATION AND COMPETITION
12.1
What is conflict, cooperation and competition?
12.2
The conflict process
12.3
Functions and Dysfunctions of conflict, cooperation and competition.
12.4
Managing conflict
12.5
ASSIGNMENTS DUE-REVEWS, PRESENTATIONS
12.6
FINAL EXAMINATIONS
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DR. KITIABI©2020/2021
SUGGESTED READINGS AND REFERENCES
5.
REFERENCES AND READING TEXTS
1. Schermerhorn, J.R., Hunt, J.G., Osborn, R.N, & Uhl-Bien M., ( 2011) Organizational Behavior Hoboken,
John Willey and Sons ( Asia) Plc Ltd
2. Robins S.P, Judge, T.A, & Sanghi, S, (2011) Essentials of Organization Behavior, New Delhi, Dorling
Kindersley
3. Daft R.L (2011) Organization Theory Change and Design Cengage Learning India Private Limited,
Delhi.
4. Stephen P. Robbins & Timothy A. Judge. (2010) Essentials of organizational Behaviour Tenth Edition
Prentice Hall
5. Gareth R. Jones (2008) Organizational Theory, Design, and Change Sixth Edition Prentice Hall
6. Robbins S.P, (2004) (2nd edition, “Organization Theory, Structure, Design and Applications”. PrenticeHall Inc. A division of Simon and Schuster Eaglewood Cliffs, New Jersey. ISBN 01 3642182 2.
7. Robbins S. P (2000) Organization theory Structure, Design and Applications Third Prentice Hall
8. Mullins L. J. (1999) Essentials of organizational Behaviour Second Edition Prentice Hall
9. Luthans F (2002) Organizational Behaviour, Ninth Edition, McGraw-Hill Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas,
New York,
10. Koontz, O , and WEIHRICH, (2004) Essentials of Management, McGraw- hill International Book Company
11. Daft R.L,(2001) Essentials of Organization Theory & Design, South West College Publishing
Company,. ISBN 0-324-02097-X
12. Cole G.A ((2004) Management Theory and Practice Sixth Edition Book Power
13. Campoux, J.E (1999) Organizational Behaviour Essential Tenets for a new millennium College
Publishing
14. Burness B (2002). Managing change Fourth edition, Prentice Hall.
15. DBA203 Organization Theory Manual, Kagwe, etl - SOB Liberary
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DR. KITIABI©2020/2021