Bishops University
Williams School of Business
BHR 221 – A01, A02
Organizational Behaviour
Fall 2008
Lissa
McRae
Office: Hamilton, 208, Ext 2373
Office Hours: Tuesday: 10 to noon
Wednesday: 1 pm to 3
pm
or by appointment or
chance
E-mail: lmcrae@ubishops.ca
Course Objectives
This course introduces students to the theory and management of individuals and groups in
organizations. Understanding such behaviours is a critical component of being an effective
manager, team player, and employee. Indeed whether you are acting in a leadership, team
member, or a subordinate role your success in business will be partially determined by your
ability to effectively deal with people in organizational settings, regardless of your field of study
and employment.
Through lectures, case studies, class exercises and group projects students will be familiarized
with major OB theories and models as well as the application of this information to an
organizational setting.
Required Readings
Langton & Robbins, (2007) Organizational Behaviour, 4th Canadian edition, Prentice Hall
Organizational Behaviour Readings Book (RB), fall 2008
Course Requirements
You are required to: attend class; read the assigned material before coming to class; be
prepared to answer questions on this material during class, participate in class discussion; hand
in assignments on time; write required tests/exams.
Evaluation
Mid-term
Final Exam
Group Case #1 (average of
2 cases)
Group Case #2
Quizzes (Best 2 out of 3)
Participation
Weight
20%
30%
25%
Date
October 21
TBA
Due Oct 14
Due Nov 11
15%
Random dates
10% (Includes case assignments collected on a ransom basis)
Group cases: (25%) These will be prepared in groups of three, with one typed report
submitted. Case format instructions will be further clarified in class. Since cases are a group
effort, each group must submit member’s percentage contribution to the group effort. The
average mark of the two cases will be your final grade for these cases.
Quizzes: (15%) Three quizzes will be administered on a random basis throughout the
semester. Final mark on the quizzes will be determined by the best marks from 2 out of the 3
quizzes. Quizzes will be composed of multiple choice questions focusing on the material that
has been recently covered in class. Missed quizzes cannot be rewritten.
Class Participation: (10%)
To understand the material covered in this course and do well, it is important to read the
material before class sessions so that you can contribute thoughtfully to the class discussions
and exercises.
Please consider that your comments and questions are more than welcome, will make the class
more interesting, and will contribute to everyone’s learning. Because this aspect of the class is
so essential, I believe it is important for you to receive credit for it. Your participation mark will
be based on class attendance and participation in class discussions. Required readings and
cases to prepare for class discussions, as well as cases to be handed in, are indicated on your
course outline. I will choose student’s case assignments on a random basis, each student will
be called on twice to hand in these assignments.
Policy: Correct spelling and grammar are required in all written work. Up to 5% of the value of
the assignments may be deducted for incorrect spelling and grammar. All assignments must be
submitted by the due date. A 2% per day penalty (e.g., 20-2) will be assessed of all work
submitted late.
Supplemental Exams: Supplemental exams will be available in exceptional circumstances
only and provided the student received a final grade of at least 45.
Bonus: Up to 2 BONUS points will be awarded to those students who choose to participate as
subjects in research conducted at Bishop’s University. The research must be formal research of
a professor or a student conducting an honours project. Participation in class projects is not
credited. You must participate in the study and have an appropriate participation form
completed by your self and the researcher.
Improving Writing
Everyone can improve the quality of their written work. There are some excellent resources here
at Bishop’s of which I encourage you to take advantage. One of these is the Writing Centre.
This is a free service for all students who would like help with their writing.
The Writing Centre, Divinity House, 822-9600 ext. 2400
Referencing
When using any ideas from the textbooks, journal articles, or another source, you must cite the
rightful author(s). Within the text, direct quotes must have quotation marks around them plus the
reference (e.g.: “...<quote>…” (Rubin & Peplau, 1976, p. 10). For references other than direct
quotes (i.e.: ideas, arguments) you do not have to include the page number, just the author(s)
and publication year (e.g.: Barling, 2000). Cite a book in a reference list as follows: McShane,
S.L. (2001). Canadian Organisational Behaviour. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Ryerson.
References for articles taken from the internet must indicate where they were retrieved from.
Cite an internet article based on print sources as follows. Sahellan, R. (1999, January). Achoo!
Better Nutrition, 61, p. 24. Retrieved September 17, 2001, from Academic Index.
Information taken from a web page must be included in your references. Cite such information
as follows: GVU’s 8th WWW user survey. (n.d.) Retrieved September 19, 2001, from
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/user_surveys/survey-1997-10/.
You must reference in the body of your essay and provide a reference list of your sources at the
end.
My Obligations to Students
As your instructor for this course, I will work hard to engage your intellect and imagination in
terms of the topics that we will cover. I will try to facilitate your learning by providing instruction
on the core concepts of OB, by engaging you in exercises and cases that will illustrate these
concepts, and by supporting a positive learning environment in the classroom where every
student feels an equal opportunity to ask questions or bring up issues. I am available to discuss
any concerns that you have about the course, the material, the assignments, or the tests. If you
have any problems, concerns, or would like to discuss anything relating to the course, please let
me know.
My Expectations of Students
I expect that you will attend class and be prepared to make a positive contribution. I expect that
you will read the assigned material before coming to class and be prepared to discuss issues
raised in the readings or ask questions if material is not understood.
Making a contribution in the classroom also includes listening to what others have to say, and
not dominating the class and group discussions.
How can you make a positive contribute to the class?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Provide recapitulations and summaries.
Make observations that integrate concepts and discussions.
Cite relevant personal examples.
Ask key questions that lead to revealing discussions.
Ask questions when concepts are unclear.
Disagree with the instructor when the difference of opinion serves as both counterpoint and
a way of exploring all sides of a concept, issue, or practice.
Tentative Schedule- subject to change; always check if you have missed a class
Date
September 4
Preparation for Class Topic/Discussion
What is OB, RB p 14
Class topic(s)discussion
Introduction to course
What is OB? Why study OB?
September 9
Langton, Chp 1
Effectiveness Notes, RB p 15
OB and Management
Variables
Globe & Mail article, RB p 17
Conceptual Anchors of OB , RB p 18
Models & Variables, RB p 20
Performance Model, RB p 23
Performance Equation
September
11
Perception & Attribution, Langton, chp 2
Notes, RB p 25
Case – the Review Session, RB p 146
Perception & attribution
Case discussion
September
16
Personality, Langton, chp 2
Personality Notes, RB p 32
Personality Self assessments, Langton p 64- 71
Personality Self Assessments, RB p 30. 31
Person vs Situation article RB p 34
Emotions Notes, RB p 38
Emotional Intelligence self assessment, RB p 40
Personality
Self assessment discussion
Article discussion
Emotions
September
18
Values & Attitudes, Langton chp 3
Notes, RB p 42, 45
What do you value? Self assessment , Langton p 105
Values, Attitudes,
Self assessment discussion
September
23
Job Satisfaction, Langton, chp 3
Notes, RB p 46
Globe & Mail article, RB p 50
Case- Michael Simpson, RB p 148- HAND IN CASE
Job Satisfaction, causes and
consequences; Job
Involvement & Commitment
September
25
Motivation, Langton, chp 4
Notes, RB p 54
Motivation self assessment exercises, RB p 60
Content motivation theories
September
30
Motivation, Langton, chp 4
Notes, RB p 61
Case-The Sales Contest that never got off the
ground, RB p 150
Process Motivation Theories
Case discussion
October 2
Motivation, Langton, chp 4
Notes, RB p 68
Case- Waiting Tables for Godot, RB p 159
The Leaders Role… article, RB p 71
Reinforcement theory
Case discussion
Article Discussion
Case- Striking Oil, RB p 151 - HAND IN CASE
October 7
Motivation in Action, Langton, chp 5
Notes, RB p 77
Higher order needs assessment, RB p 83
Is student Life Enriched exercise, RB 84
Money as a Motivator
Job Characteristics Model
Assessments discussion
October 9
Motivation In Action, Langton chp 5
Motivation Theory exercise, RB p 76
Work : the Next Generation article, RB p 87
Exercise discussion
Article discussion
October 14
Beyond the Hype article, RB p 91
Groups and Teamwork, Langton, chp 6
Notes, RB p 100
Stages of Group development article, RB p 96
GROUP CASE # 1 DUE
October 16
Groups and teams, Langton, chp 6
Notes, RB p 93
Team Roles Ex, RB p 111
Canadian Nuclear Industries, RB p 160
Structural Variables
Case Discussion
October 21
Mid Term Test, Chps 1 to 5 inclusive
MID TERM TEST 20%
October 23
Groups & Teamwork, Langton, chp 6
How Good Am I at Team Building, Langton, p 237
Case-Levi Strauss, RB p 156- HAND IN CASE
Case Discussion
Assessment discussion
October 28
A study of the Leadership Process article, RB p 112
Leadership vs management article, RB p 114
Leadership, Langton, chp 11
Notes RB p 116
Leadership vs management
Leadership theories
Skills discussion
October 30
Leadership, Langton, Chp 11; omit “Fiedler’s Theory”
Notes, p 118
Assessing your Leadership Style, RB p 124
Contingency Leadership
theories
Self assessment discussion
November 4
Leadership, Langton, chp 11
Case-Computer Services at Avionics, RB p 163-
Leadership
Case discussion
HAND IN CASE
November 6
Power & Politics, Langton, chp 8
Notes, RB p 127
Personal Power profile, RB p 130
Preferred Influence Strategies, RB p131
Notes, RB p 133
Power
Assessment discussion
Empowerment
November 11
Power & Politics, Langton, chp 8
Notes, RB p 134
How Political are you? Assessment, Langton p 307
Politics
GROUP CASE #2 DUE
Assessment discussion
November 13
Conflict & Negotiation, Langton, chp 9
Notes, RB p 138
What is your conflict Style ex, Langton p 339
Case- Pierre says No Way, RB p 166
Conflict, causes and
consequences
Assessment discussion
Case Discussion
November 18
Conflict & negotiation, Langton, chp 9
Case-Conflict at Burger Mart, RB p 167
Case discussion
November 20
Stress, Langton p 110-117
Notes, RB p 143
Stress, coping and
consequences
November 25
Review Session