MGH B02
Managing People and Groups in Organizations
Summer, 2025
Instructor Contact Information:
Name:
Brian S. Connelly
Office:
IC 394
Office hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Email:
brian.connelly@utoronto.ca
Telephone:
(416) 287-6534
Class day/time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Class location:
IC 200
Course website: q.utoronto.ca
Course Description:
Welcome to MGH B02: Managing People and Groups in Organizations! Organizations are an integral part
of our everyday lives, yet, the average person understands little about how organizations function. This
course examines how organizations work, what impact they have on the people within them, and how we
can help people and organizations operate in concert.
This course provides an introduction to micro- and macro-organizational behaviour theories from both
conceptual and applied perspectives. Students will develop an understanding of the behaviour of
individuals and groups in different organizational settings. Topics covered include: individual differences,
motivation and job design, leadership, organizational design and culture, group dynamics and inter-group
relations.
Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand central Organizational Behaviour concepts and theories related to individual, group,
and organizational processes
• Recognize and apply ideas from Organizational Behaviour in real-life and simulated scenarios
• Provide evidence-based management principles to improve employees' effectiveness,
commitment, and well-being
• Communicate effectively about principles in Organizational Behaviour (in oral and written form)
• Work together effectively in a team
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
1
Prerequisite(s):
Prerequisites: MGTA38H3 or (MGTA35H3) or (MGTA36H3)
Corequisites: None
Exclusions: MGIB02H3, MGT262H5, RSM260H1, PSY332H
Recommended Preparation: None
Credit Value: 0.5
Textbook/Required Course Materials:
Johns, G. & Saks, A. M. (2023). Organizational Behaviour: Understanding and Managing Life at Work (12th
edition). Pearson Canada: Toronto. ISBN: 0134302796.
Lecture Notes and Other Announcements:
Brief lecture notes will be made available on Quercus prior to the start of each class. The notes are
designed to help you to listen and take your own supplemental notes in class – not to provide you with a
complete set of notes so that you do not need to attend the lectures.
Overall Evaluation and Grading:
Component
Weight/Value
Due Date
Midterm Exam
100 points
May 26, 2025
in class
Final Exam
100 points
TBD
Individual assignment: News article
60 points
May 30, 2025
11:59 pm
Group presentation: News article
analysis
40 points
June 16, 2025
in class
Midterm and Final Exams (100 points each, 33% of total mark each). A closed-book midterm will be given
over the course of the semester consisting of material covered in the first half of the semester, and a noncumulative final exam will be scheduled during the exam period that covers only material covered during
the second half of the term. Both exams will include material presented in class lectures and from the
textbook. Note that lectures and readings contain both unique and overlapping information. Thus, the best
preparation for the exams will require careful reading of the material and regular attendance and
participation in class.
Students’ favorite questions around exam time generally begin with “Do we need to know _____.” I
suppose this seemed like a reasonable question to me when I was a student, too. The answer to these
questions is almost a ubiquitous “yes”: if it was covered in class or in the textbook, then you need to know
what it is, you need to know how it is different from other similar constructs covered in the course, you
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
2
need to be able to apply it to understand peoples’ behaviours, thoughts, and feelings in a particular
situation, and you need to be practiced in explaining all of this in a coherent way.
Individual Assignment (60 points, 20% of total mark). You will select and read a current article (within 12
months of the start of this class) from a newspaper or a business magazine related to any of the topics
covered in this class. For example, you might identify an article from Forbes titled “Quiet Quitting: Why
Employees are Demanding Fairness and Boundaries.” Your task is to research whether the article’s
information is accurate and based on theory and/or empirical research. The purpose of this assignment is
to develop your critical analysis skills, particularly with developing as a thoughtful consumer of
management principles. You will submit a <750 word paper that summarizes and evaluates the central
claims of the article, drawing from content covered in class and in your textbook.
Group Presentation (40 points, 13% of total mark). For the final class of the term, students will work in
groups to research an organization and give a brief presentation about its management practices.
Specifically, student groups will provide a brief overview and history of the company, assess its practices
related to two different topics covered in the course, and provide an evaluation of those practices in a ~10
minute presentation.
Attendance and Participation:
Come to class! Sometimes, I say smart things. Often, your peers say smart things - you can, too! I realize
that speaking up in class will be harder for some of you than others. Still, you will be far more successful in
your careers if you can hold the attention of a group to take in your ideas. There is nowhere better to
practice than here, and there is no time to waste at learning how to speak up intelligently. So don’t miss
out. I don’t award points for attending and participating. But coming to class does mean that we’ll see
each other’s lovely smiling face AND get to talk about organizational behaviour!
Course-specific Accommodations:
Sometimes, despite one’s best intents and efforts, students encounter challenging circumstances that may
present short-term barriers to your academic progress. In the event that you require academic
accommodations, the following supports are available for you specifically for this course:
• A complete set of lecture notes are available on Quercus in advance of each class.
• Students may attend regular office hours (in person or virtually) or make an additional
appointment to seek clarification on particular course content.
• Students’ grades are not directly penalized if they cannot attend class.
Students needing longer term accommodations (e.g., more than 1-2 class sessions) can make additional
requests via the Registrar’s Office or AccessAbility (see below).
Policy on Missed Assignments/Examinations:
The university has created a standardized form for students who are requesting special academic
consideration based on illness or injury. The form focuses upon the degree of incapacitation that the
illness or injury has upon the student’s academic functioning and the timeline of that incapacitation, rather
than on diagnosis and /or details of the problem. All students must now have a health professional
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
3
complete this new form:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/registrar/verification-illness-or-injury
Make-up exams will not be possible. However, in cases of 1) illness, 2) religious observance, or 3)
emergencies that conflict with the midterm, students will be allowed to take a cumulative final exam (i.e.,
one that covers content from all of the semester). For these students, the weight of the midterm will be
transferred to this cumulative final. This is possible only if I am contacted before the exam is given (unless
you are completely incapacitated) and if I am presented with a written excuse (using the above form) from
a responsible party, such as a doctor or lawyer, within two weeks of the date of the missed exam. In all
other cases students missing an exam will receive a zero.
Students missing the final exam will have to appeal to the Subcommittee on Standing in order to complete
a similar exam at a later date.
Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights and respect for diversity. All members of
the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect where all
members of our community can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one another’s
differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or harassment against any persons or communities.
If you have questions or concerns on issues related to EDI, please contact the Equity, Diversity and
Inclusion Office: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/edio/
Academic Support
Office Hours:
Office hours for individual consultation with students who have problems or questions that cannot be
discussed in the class sessions will be announced by the instructor in Quercus.
Questions relating to administrative, registration, degree/program requirements should be directed to the
academic advising team:
Management programs/courses: mgmtss@utsc.utoronto.ca.
Economics programs/courses: ecoss.utsc@utoronto.ca.
UTSC Library:
Management students can access library services at The BRIDGE, located in IC 108. The BRIDGE offers
programs and services to support students, staff, and faculty in their studies, research projects, and
experiential learning initiatives. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thebridge/
Visit The BRIDGE to:




Access the finance & data lab, including specialized software and Bloomberg terminals
Participate in events and competitions
Get research and data analytics help
Access data and academic research tools and tutorials
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
4
 Get support in entrepreneurship and the New Venture Program
 Learn more about Work Integrated Learning
To find out more about the UTSC Library’s support for students visit: https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/
For all other inquiries, please email thebridge@utsc.utoronto.ca or email your Liaison Librarian, Mariana
Jardim mariana.jardim@utoronto.ca
Health & Wellness Centre:
The Health & Wellness Centre provides professional and confidential medical, nursing, counselling, health
promotion, and education services to all UTSC students. These services are offered in a safe, caring,
respectful, and empowering environment that is directed toward optimizing your personal, academic, and
overall wellbeing.. To access these services, please use the following url:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/ and when visiting the Health & Wellness Centre, please bring a valid
T-card and Health card.
Academic Advising and Career Centre:
The Academic Advising and Career Centre (AA&CC) at UTSC integrates developmental advising,
learning/study skills, career counselling, and employment coaching. To reach out to them please use the
following url: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/
Quercus – UTSC Learning Management System
To access Quercus, please visit: https://q.utoronto.ca
If you need help getting started? Visit the Quercus Help Page to access tip-sheets and other helpful
resources.
For additional questions, contact the Ed Tech team at quercus@utsc.utoronto.ca.
For frequently asked questions, please visit: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/technology/faq-students
AccessAbility Services
The University provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the
terms of the Ontario Human Rights Code. This occurs through a collaborative process that acknowledges a
collective obligation to develop an accessible learning environment that both meets the needs of students
and preserves the essential academic requirements of the University’s courses and programs.
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have a disability that
may require accommodation, please feel free to approach me and/or the Accessibility Services office.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ability/welcome-accessability-services
The Centre of Teaching and Learning
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is available to support you in your writing, math and stats, and
English language needs. It offers online and in-person tutoring and consultations and has a variety of
helpful resources.
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
5
English Language Development Centre:
The English Language Development Centre (ELDC) helps students develop the critical thinking, vocabulary
and academic communication skills essential for achieving academic and professional success.
Personalized support includes: RWE (for academic writing); Communication Cafés (oral); Discussion SkillBuilding Cafés; Vocabulary Cafés; seminars/workshops; personal ELD consultations; drop-in sessions.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/english-language-development-support
The Writing Centre:
The Writing Centre (TWC) offers invaluable services to students (learn to become a better writer!) and
offers many kinds of help: drop-in sessions, individual consultations, workshops, clinics, and online writing
handouts. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/writing-support
Other Support:
For more information regarding other academic support from the university, please visit CTL’s Student
Resource Centre at AC313 or check out https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/academic-learning-support.
Use of Generative AI in Assignments
Students may use artificial intelligence tools, including generative AI, in this course as learning aids or to
help produce assignments. However, students are ultimately accountable for the work they submit.
Students may not use artificial intelligence tools for taking tests, writing research papers, creating
computer code, or completing major course assignments. However, these tools may be useful when
gathering information from across sources and assimilating it for understanding.
The knowing use of generative artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and other AI writing and
coding assistants, for the completion of, or to support the completion of, an examination, term test,
assignment, or any other form of academic assessment, may be considered an academic offense in this
course.
Academic Misconduct
Academic integrity is essential to the pursuit of learning and scholarship in a university. The University
treats cases of cheating and plagiarism very seriously. The University of Toronto’s Code of Behaviour on
Academic Matters
(http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppjun0
11995.pdf) outlines the behaviours that constitute academic dishonesty and the processes for addressing
academic offences. Any student caught engaging in such activities will be subject to academic discipline
ranging from a mark of zero on the assignment, test or examination to dismissal from the university as
outlined in the Code of Behavior on Academic Matters. Any student abetting or otherwise assisting in such
misconduct will also be subject to academic penalties. If you like to find out more information regarding
university advice for ‘How not to plagiarize’, please use the following url:
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize/
More generally, the link below includes a lot of useful advice for students on academic writing:
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
6
For information and resources on Academic Integrity, visit: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/vpdean/faq-0
Plagiarism Detection Tool
Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to the University's plagiarism
detection tool for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so,
students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the tool's reference
database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that
apply to the University's use of this tool are described on the Centre for Teaching Support &
Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq).
Recording of Classroom Material by Students
Recording or photographing any aspect of a university course - lecture, tutorial, seminar, lab, studio, practice
session, field trip etc. – without prior approval of all involved and with written approval from the instructor
is not permitted.
Detailed Course Outline
Date
May 5
May 7
May 12
May 14
May 19
May 21
May 26
May 28
June 2
June 4
June 9
June 11
June 16
TBD
Topic
Overview
Values, Attitudes, and Work Behaviours
Personality & Learning
Perception, Attribution, & Diversity
Motivation
Reading/Assignment Due
Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Victoria Day: No class
Decision Making
Chapter 11
Midterm: In class
(covering Ch. 1 – 6; Ch 11 and all class lectures)
Social Influence & Socialization
Chapter 8
Individual assignment due: May 30
Leadership, Power, & Politics
Chapter 9
Chapter 12
Groups & Teams
Chapter 7
Organizational Culture & Change
Chapter 13
Stress
Communication
10
Group Presentation Day
Non-Cumulative Final Exam
(covering Ch. 7 – 10; 12 – 13)
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
7