Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
AP/ADMS 2400
Winter 2014
Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Dr. Joanne Gray
E-mail: grayjg@yorku.ca
Office Hours: by appointment
If you need assistance with the course material, please send me an e-mail to set up an
appointment. You are encouraged you to meet with me as soon as possible if you have any
questions or concerns.
Course Description
Introduces concepts of individual and group behaviour as they affect performance in
organizations. Topics covered include motivation, communication, decision-making,
leadership and structural issues. Lectures and case discussions are employed to develop
theoretical models and illustrate their use.
Prerequisites
AK/ADMS 1000 3.00. Note: AK/ADMS 1000 3.00 cannot be taken concurrently with
AK/ADMS 2400 3.00.
Required Textbook
Colquitt/McShane, AP/ADMS 2400 Introduction to Organizational Behaviour, Custom
Publication for York University, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, © 2013, ISBN 125925707X
This Custom publication includes 12 chapters from Organizational Behaviour: Improving
Performance and Commitment in the Workplace, Second Edition, by Colquitt, Wesson , Le
Pine & Gellatly, and 2 chapters from Canadian Organizational Behaviour, Eight Edition, by
Mc Shane & Steen.
Cases:
8 cases from Hoffman, R. & Ruemper, F., Organizational Behaviour Canadian Cases and
Exercises. 7th Edition will be used in this course.
These cases are available as an E book and can be purchased on line via this link:
https://secure.captus.com/registration/epub/
Once you access this link, please select your appropriate section letter in the pull down menu
and continue with purchase.
Course Objectives
Acquaint you with major concepts and theories of individual and group behavior in
organizations that guide management thinking today
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Develop your ability to apply these concepts and theories to recognize, analyze and
suggest solutions to organizational problems
Assist you in developing skills that will help you become a successful and contributing
member of an organization (manager or otherwise)
These objectives will be accomplished through lectures, class discussions, exercises and inclass group work.
Behavioural Expectations During Class
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You are expected to contribute to the creation of a learning community in the classroom.
Come prepared -- complete all the assigned readings for each session before coming to
class.
Be courteous. Come on time and do not leave early. Do not interrupt or engage in
private conversations while others are speaking. It is also disrespectful to your classmates
to surf the web during class.
Respect others’ rights to hold opinions and beliefs that differ from your own
The use of electronic equipment (e.g. smart phones) for non-course-related purposes is
strictly prohibited.
Course Evaluation
Mid-Term Examination: 40%
The mid-term examination will be held on Sunday Feb 9, 6 - 8:30 pm. Please mark your
calendar. The mid-term exam is a closed-book exam so you cannot bring any material into
the exam. The exam includes one of the cases assigned in the course (i.e. could be one we
have already done or one we will do after the midterm exam). You will be given a copy of
the case in the exam. You will be asked to answer questions about the case, as well as be
given other questions about the course material. Remember that cases are often written to
identify different levels of understanding – thus some concepts may be easily identifiable
whereas others are more implicit. Students who have developed an in-depth understanding
of the course material and who have practiced reading cases and contributed to case
discussions in class will be well-placed to do well in the exam. If you haven’t read and
analyzed cases before the mid-term your achievement may be more limited.
Please note:
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Students who have missed the midterm exam must notify your course director by email
no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, February 12, 2013.
An Attending Physician's Statement form for your absence must be submitted to the
main office at Atkinson 282 no later than Friday, February 14th at 4pm. A “Doctor’s
Note” will not be accepted.
The weight of the Midterm Examination cannot be transferred to the Final Examination.
Final Examination: 60%
The exam will be held during the formal examination period for the semester. The final
exam is a closed-book exam so you cannot bring any material into the exam. Further
information will be provided prior to the exam date.
Students are required to present their current sessional identification card, and their
York Card or one piece of photo identification at the midterm and final exams.
Additional information / notes
Please BE AWARE: Students CANNOT write exams or submit any work for sections that
they are not registered in. Students must confirm the correct section within the first two
weeks of class.
The instructor/course director has NO AUTHORITY to enroll students into the course.
Detailed Course Outline
Week
1
2
Topic
Readings
Introduction
 What is Organizational Behaviour?
 Integrative model of OB
 Evidence-based research in OB
Colquitt et al. Ch. 1
Individual Differences & Perception
 Personality : The big five
Colquitt et al. Ch. 9
McShane & Steen Ch.3 (at the end
Casebook: Purpose and Analysis of
Case Studies
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3
4
5
6
Cultural values
Abilities
Self-concept: How we perceive ourselves
Perceiving the world around us
Specific perceptual processes and problems
Global mindset: Developing perceptions across
borders
Behavioural Outcomes
 Task performance
 Citizenship behaviour (OCB)
 Counterproductive behaviour
 Withdrawal behaviours (psychological and physical)
/ Turnover
 Performance management
Attitudes, Moods and Emotions
 Job satisfaction
 Value-perception theory
 Job Characteristics Model
 Forms of organizational commitment
 Moods and emotions
of customized textbook, pp.361-382
as per number at the bottom of the
page)
Motivation
 Motivation and effort
 Theories of motivation
 Self-efficacy
Midterm Exam Sunday Feb 9, 6 - 8:30 pm
Colquitt et al. Ch. 6
Case: Portrait of a Canadian Advisor
Colquitt et al. Ch. 2
Colquitt et al. Ch. 3 (only pp.61-66)
Case: Flexible Packaging
Colquitt et al. Ch. 3
Colquitt et al. Ch. 4
Case: Best Food Grocer
Case: Motivation in the Boiler Room
Winter Term Reading Week
7
8
9
Communicating in Teams and Organizations
 The importance of communication
 Communication channels
 Choosing the best communication channel
 Communication barriers
 Cross-cultural and gender communication
 Improving interpersonal communication
 Improving communication throughout the hierarchy
 Communicating through the grapevine
Organizational Trust & Justice
 Bases of trust
 The importance of trust
 Dimensions of organizational justice
Teams Characteristics and Processes
McShane & Steen Ch.9 (at back of
customized textbook, pp.391-411 as
per number at the bottom of the
page)
Case: Livelife Health Care
Colquitt et al. Ch. 7 (pp.139-152
only as per number at the bottom of
the page)
Case: Returned Goods
Colquitt et al. Ch. 10
10
11
12
13
 Team characteristics
 Team development
 Task interdependence
 Team composition
 Team processes
Learning & Decision Making
 Knowledge and expertise
 Methods of learning
 Training and knowledge transfer
 Models of decision making
 Decision making biases and problems
Power, Influence & Negotiation
 Types of power
 Using influence
 Power and influence in action
 Differences in power holding
 Organizational politics
 Conflict resolution
 Negotiation
Leadership Styles & Behaviours
 Leadership styles and behaviours
 Transformational leadership behaviors
 Effective leadership styles
Colquitt et al. Ch. 8
Case: Alice’s Expense Account
Colquitt et al. Ch.11
Case: Sarah Hannigan
Colquitt et al. Ch.12
Final Exam (date TBA)
RELEVANT UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS
Deferred standing may be granted to students who are unable to write their final
examination at the scheduled time or to submit their outstanding course work on the last day
of classes. In order to apply for deferred standing, students must complete a Deferred
Standing Agreement (DSA) form and submit their request no later than five (5) business
days from the date of the exam. The request must be properly submitted with supporting
documentation directly to the main office of the School of Administrative Studies (282
Atkinson), NOT to the Course Director. These requests will be considered on their merit
and decisions will be made available to the students by the main office in the School's web
site (under the heading of 'Links'), no individualized communication will be sent by the
School to the students (no letter or e-mails). The status of the DSA submitted shall be
checked at: http://apps.eso.yorku.ca/apps/adms/deferredexams.nsf
Students with approved DSA will be able to write their deferred examination during the
School's deferred examination period. No further extensions of deferred exams shall be
granted. The format and covered content of the deferred examination may be different from
that of the originally scheduled examination. The deferred exam may be closed book,
cumulative and comprehensive and may include all subjects/topics of the textbook whether
they have been covered in class or not. Any request for deferred standing on medical
grounds must include an Attending Physician's Statement form; a “Doctor’s Note” will not
be accepted.
DSA Form: http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/pdf/deferred_standing_agreement.pdf
Attending Physician's Statement
form: http://www.yorku.ca/laps/council/students/documents/APS.pdf
Academic Honesty: The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies considers breaches
of the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty to be serious matters. To quote the Senate Policy
on Academic Honesty. The Policy on Academic Honesty is an affirmation and clarification
for members of the University of the general obligation to maintain the highest standards of
academic honesty. As a clear sense of academic honesty and responsibility is fundamental to
good scholarship, the policy recognizes the general responsibility of all faculty members to
foster acceptable standards of academic conduct and of the student to be mindful of and
abide by such standards. Suspected breaches of academic honesty will be investigated and
charges shall be laid if reasonable and probable grounds exist.
Students should review the York Academic Honesty policy for themselves at:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=69
Students might also wish to review the interactive on-line Tutorial for students on academic
integrity, at: http://www.yorku.ca/tutorial/academic_integrity/
Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy: The grading scheme (i.e. kinds and weights of
assignments, essays, exams, etc.) shall be announced, and be available in writing, within the
first two weeks of class, and, under normal circumstances, graded feedback worth at least
15% of the final grade for Fall, Winter or Summer Term, and 30% for ‘full year’ courses
offered in the Fall/Winter Term be received by students in all courses prior to the final
withdrawal date from a course.
Note: Under unusual and/or unforeseeable circumstances which disrupt the academic norm,
instructors are expected to provide grading schemes and academic feedback in the spirit of
these regulations, as soon as possible. For more information on the Grading Scheme and
Feedback Policy, please visit:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=86
In-Class Tests and Exams - the 20% Rule: For all Undergraduate courses, except those
which regularly meet on Friday evening or on a weekend, tests or exams worth more than
20% will not be held in the two weeks prior to the beginning of the official examination
period. For further information on the 20% Rule, please visit:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=141
For further information on examination scheduling and other important dates, please refer
to:
http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/enrol/dates/index.htm
Reappraisals: Students may, with sufficient academic grounds, request that a final grade in a
course be reappraised (which may mean the review of specific pieces of tangible work).
Non-academic grounds are not relevant for grade reappraisals; in such cases, students are
advised to petition to their home Faculty. Students are normally expected to first contact the
course director to discuss the grade received and to request that their tangible work be
reviewed. Tangible work may include written, graphic, digitized, modeled, video recording or
audio recording formats, but not oral work. Students need to be aware that a request for a
grade reappraisal may result in the original grade being raised, lowered or confirmed. For
reappraisal procedures and information, please visit the Office of the Registrar site at:
http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/grades/reappraisal/index.htm
Accommodation Procedures: LA&PS students who have experienced a misfortune or who
are too ill to attend the final examination in an ADMS course should not attempt to do so;
they must pursue deferred standing. Other students should contact their home Faculty for
information. For further information, please visit:
http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/exams/deferred/index.htm
Religious Accommodation: York University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs
and practices of all members of the community, and making accommodations for
observances of special significance to adherents. For more information on religious
accommodation, please visit:
https://w2prod.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/cdm.woa/wa/regobs
Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The nature and extent of accommodations shall be consistent with and supportive of the
integrity of the curriculum and of the academic standards of programs or courses. Provided
that students have given sufficient notice about their accommodation needs, instructors shall
take reasonable steps to accommodate these needs in a manner consistent with the
guidelines established hereunder. For more information please visit the Disabilities Services
website at http://www.yorku.ca/cds/
York’s disabilities offices and the Registrar’s Office work in partnership to support alternate
exam and test accommodation services for students with disabilities at the Keele campus.
For more information on alternate exams and tests please visit
http://www.yorku.ca/altexams/
Please alert the Course Director as soon as possible should you require special
accommodations.