THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Business Administration
MGT 312 - Human Behavior in Business Organizations
Professor E. Holly Buttner
Email: ehbuttne@uncg.edu
Office phone: 334-4529
Office Hours: By appointment
Spring 2009
Office: Bryan 361
TEXT and PREMIUM CONTENT ACCESS:
The text for MGT 312 is Kreitner, Robert & Kinicki, Angelo. Organizational Behavior. 8th
Edition. McGraw-Hill Hall, 2008. You can purchase the text at the UNCG Bookstore. The
ISBN for the text is: 0078187907. Be sure if you buy the text new from any other source, that it
includes the access code for premium content. If you bought a used book from the bookstore or a
new text elsewhere, you can obtain a premium access code by going to the Course Docs section
of Blackboard and clicking on the power point instructions for obtaining access. Instructions are
the first link in Course Docs. If you want to download an eBook version of the text to your hard
drive, either visit www.vitalsource.com or textbooks.zinio.com and search by title, author, or
ISBN. The text is currently listed at this source with a price of about $82. You may need to pay
an additional $10 or so for the premium content.
A copy of the syllabus is available online through Blackboard. Copies of Power Point slides that
accompany the text as well as iPod files, practice quizzes and other materials are in the premium
content for the text. You may find these materials useful for taking your notes in class and for
review. However, reading the text is essential for passing the course. Reading the power
point slides is NOT a substitute for reading and studying the text. There will be material on
the tests that is not covered in the slides. I urge you to read and study the text from the first day
of class. Students who fail the first test have a very difficult time recovering and improving their
grades. You should check Blackboard at least several times weekly, if not daily, for course
announcements and updates.
EMAIL:
If you have a question regarding the course, you can email your question to me at:
Holly_Buttner@uncg.edu You MUST put your name, (last name first) and MGT 312 in the
subject line (e.g. Smith, Nancy – MGT 312) or the email will be deleted and not opened. If you
do not receive a response to an email within 48 hours, you should assume that I did not receive it
and you should resend it.
PREREQUISITES for MGT 312:
Students enrolled in MGT 312 must have achieved at least sophomore standing (31 or more
earned credit hours, not including this term) at the beginning of the semester in which you take
MGT 312 and a minimum GPA of 2.0. Any student who does not meet these requirements will
be administratively dropped from the course. There is no guarantee that this administrative drop
will be processed before drop/add week is over, so if you lack any prerequisites, drop yourselves
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so you may add another course in its place before the week’s end.
.
MGT 312 COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, you should be knowledgeable about major concepts and theories of
Organizational Behavior. The learning outcomes for this course are the following:
1. Explain the value dimensions of assessing national cultures using Hofstede's model.
2. Give specific examples of how the U.S. workplace is becoming more heterogeneous in
terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and age.
3. Identify the stages of group development and explain the managerial responses
appropriate to each stage.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of interpersonal awareness by explaining different styles
of conflict resolution and negotiation techniques.
5. Provide an example of an ethical issue pertinent to leadership today.
6. Predict how perception and attribution affect the decision making process.
7. Explain and give examples of how personality, values and motivation affect employees’
performance.
8. Identify and explain the dimensions of organizational structure and culture and the steps
of organizational change.
TOPICAL COVERAGE:
The following topics will be covered in MGT 312.
Individual behavior concepts such as ability, personality, learning, values, attitudes,
perception, attribution, motivation, individual decision making, & ethical dimensions of
decision making;
Group behavior including stages of group development, group structure and processes,
group decision making including groupthink and groupshift, work teams, leadership,
power & politics, conflict, and negotiation techniques.
Organizational systems and processes including organizational structure and design, work
design and the effects of technology, organizational change & stress management.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY:
Webster's definition of "learn" is: to acquire knowledge, skill or understanding; to explore; to
investigate. The definition of "teach" is: to guide; impart knowledge; to make aware by
information or experience. These concepts form the basis of what we will be doing in MGT 312.
I see my role as "teacher" as that of a guide with responsibility to organize the class and
materials so that information will be understandable for you. I will use a variety of teaching
techniques including lecture, cases, role plays, self-assessment instruments, homework
assignments, group activities and exercises to give you an opportunity to acquire knowledge
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about and to experience organizational behavior.
As a "learner" you also have responsibilities:
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
to read the chapters before class
to attend class and participate in class discussions and in-class graded activities
to complete an individual assignment that consists of: ten (10) assigned self-assessments
from the Self Assessment Library
to write a paper summarizing the results of three (3) of the self-assessments, as described
in the section below
take two tests and
complete the final exam.
Each of these requirements is explained in more detail in the Graded Course Requirements
section below. I see this as a shared opportunity for us to investigate and explore organizational
behavior and I invite you to join your classmates and me for a thought-provoking semester of
OB.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLASS SUCCESS:
Class Attendance and Participation:
Experience is a wonderful teacher. Experience indicates that some of the keys to successful
performance in a class are preparation, attendance, and participation. Attendance is essential to
successfully completing MGT 312. I have found over the years that students who attend class
and actively participate consistently earn better grades. To maximize your opportunity for
learning, you should read the assigned material before we will cover it in class. Material covered
in class, some of which is not in the textbook, will be included in questions posed on the tests
and final exam. You are responsible for class material whether you are in class or not. I
encourage you to find a study buddy now who can give you notes if you should have to miss
class.
CLASS ETIQUETTE:
Please plan your schedule so that you will be on time and stay the entire period, unless you have
a genuine emergency. It is distracting for the rest of the class to have students arriving late and
getting up and leaving during the class. If you have to leave class early for an emergency
such as a doctor’s appointment, it is courteous to come up and let me know before class.
Please turn off all beepers and cell phones or set them to vibrate rather than ring before coming
into the classroom. If you have an emergency call, please take it in the hall. Your cooperation
will help us have a better classroom experience.
Note: The Bryan School has an attendance policy that says if you are not in attendance
during the first class meeting, you can be dropped from the class to make room for
students on the waiting list.
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GRADED COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.
INDIVIDUAL SELF-ASSESSMENTS AND PAPERS:
You must complete ten (10) of the self-assessments in the Kreitner & Kinicki SelfAssessment Library. The ten (10) self-assessments you should complete are listed below:
Assessment
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Assessment
Assessing your ethical decision-making skills
Corporate culture preference scale
Assessing how personality type influences goal setting
Career planning based on brain dominance
The Type “A” Scale
Team role preferences scale
Your preferred decision-making style
What is your preferred conflict handling style?
Assessing your leader-member exchange
Identify your preferred organizational structure
Ch. Completed
1
3
5
5
5
10
12
13
16
17
This table, along with instructions for handing in your assignment, is on the last page of
the syllabus. After you have completed all 10 assessments, select three (3) for your
report. In your 3-page paper, for two (2) of the selected assessments, you should do the
following:
 indicate which assessment (the title) you have chosen to write about,
 Briefly indicate what the assessments measures,
 Summarize your feedback and what you have learned about yourself.
For the third assessment you have chosen, you should follow the three steps above and
then write an additional paragraph about how you can use this information to be more
effective at school, work and/or your personal life. You must complete and print out all
ten assessments along with the cover sheet (See the end of the syllabus) and your paper
and hand them in on the due date, February 10th, in class. The paper reporting on the 3
assessment results should be typed, double-spaced, and limited to three pages (not
including the cover page with the table). So, in total, you should hand in the table (cover
page), your 3-page paper and the printouts of the 10 self-assessment feedback reports.
Important instructions for preparing the self-assessments to turn in:
For each of the self-assessment feedback reports, you must write the title of the report on
the top right hand corner of the first page of the report and then the first two substantive
words of the title on each successive page. For example, if the title is: “The Type ‘A’
Scale”, you should write that title on the first page and on each succeeding page write
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Type A in the top right hand corner. Follow this labeling procedure for all 10 reports.
Then number each and every page of all the reports also in the top right, starting with
page 1 for the first page of the first report and so on to the last page of the last report. You
may print front and back to save paper. Failure to follow this procedure will result in a
lower self-assessment report grade.
THE INSTRUCTOR WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ASSIGNMENTS
NOT PLACED INTO THE ORGANIZER BOXES BY STUDENTS AT THE
BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE DUE DATE. SUCH BOXES WILL BE
LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE CLASSROOM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
CLASS PERIOD.
Late assessment printouts and reports will be downgraded one letter grade per day unless
you bring in written evidence that you were in the hospital or suffering some other
verifiable emergency on the date it was due. Unless you have a verifiable emergency,
after three days beyond the deadline, no credit may be earned for the assignment. Note
that printer breakdowns, computer failure, car breakdowns, and other difficulties are not
acceptable reasons to avoid the late penalty if your paper is late. Late self-assessment
reports handed in after the class period in which they are due MUST be handed in
to one of the departmental secretaries in the Department of Business Administration
Office in Bryan 366. Emailed assignments and assignments turned in via any way
other than to Bryan 366 will not be accepted. DO NOT PUT THE PRINTOUT IN
THE BOXES OUTSIDE THE PROFESSOR’S DOOR AS THEY ARE NOT SECURE.
The assignment will not be returned to you. The complete self-assessment assignment,
including the paper and assessments is worth 18% of your course grade.
2.
IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION & HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
Throughout the semester, in-class activities will be randomly assigned, completed, and
collected the same class day for grading. Depending upon course progression and time
constraints, a minimum of ten (10) in-class assignments will be collected. Several
homework assignments also may be collected in class. I will announce any homework
assignments one week ahead of time in class and post an announcement of the
assignment in BBD. You should check BBD frequently for announcements. Some of
these activites will be individual activities and others group work. In addition, at other
times attendance may be taken. Completion of these activities as well as participation in
class discussions will constitute your class attendance and participation grade. This will
comprise 14% of your course grade.
NOTE: In-class work cannot be made up outside of class for any reason. Late
homework assignments will not be accepted. Students may miss up to two (2) of the
in-class graded assignments, homework assignments or attendance sign-in sheets
without penalty. EXCEEDING THIS GRACE NUMBER OF TWO WILL RESULT IN
GRADES OF ZERO FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MISS. Exceptions will not be made
for this course requirement.
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3. TESTS AND FINAL EXAM INFORMATION:
Test-Taking Procedure. The tests and final exam will be administered in class during
the regular class period. There will be two tests and a non-cumulative final exam. The
first test is worth 20% and the second test and final exam are worth 24% each of your
course grade. The tests will be multiple choice and short answer format. They will be
closed book and closed notes. You are responsible for material in the text, material
covered in class and any extra assigned readings. I expect you to abide by the UNCG
Academic Integrity Policy in taking tests as well as all other work for the course.
Tips for successfully completing the tests and exam are posted in the Course
Documents section of BBD.
The test dates are:
February 26th for Test 1
March 31st for Test 2
The final exam is schedule on Friday, May 7th from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.
Test Make-up Policy:
If you miss a test, for any reason, your only option is to take a make-up test which will be
administered on Tuesday, April 21st, 3:30-4:45 pm. This make-up will cover the material on
both tests and will be all short-answer questions. You are responsible for checking with me
ahead of time about location of the makeup. No other make-ups will be given. If you know
ahead of time that you will be unavailable on a test day, you should let me know well ahead of
time. If it is possible, we will set up a time for you to take the test early. If an early test is not
possible, you will have to take the make-up.
ADVERSE WEATHER/CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY:
If class is cancelled due to adverse weather, instructor illness or for any other reason, you should
consult the announcements section of Blackboard on line for available updates. You will be
responsible for being aware of any scheduling or other changes announced on Blackboard, so be
sure to check it frequently.
GRADING POLICY:
Your final grade will be weighted as follows:
Self-Assessments
Self-Assessment paper
Test 1
Test 2
Final exam
In-Class Attendance & Assignments
10
8
20
24
24
14
100
GRADING SCALE:
points
points
points
points
points
points
Total Points
7
A+
A
A-
97-100
93-96.99
90-92.99
B+ 87-89.99
B 83-86.99
B- 80-82.99
C+
C
C-
77-79.99
73-76.99
70-72.99
D+
D
D-
67-69.99
63-66.99
60-62.99
F below 60
NOTE - NO EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
There are no opportunities for extra credit assignments. All credit earned in the course must
be earned through regularly scheduled assignments described in this syllabus and in the
Assignments section of BBD.
NOTE: THE PROFESSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE
DATES/ASSIGNMENTS OR ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE ABOVE SYLLABUS.
ANY SUCH CHANGES WILL BE POSTED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION OF
BLKBD.
NOTE – BRYAN SCHOOL SENIOR EXAM MATERIAL:
If you are a Bryan School major, you will be tested on the material we cover in MGT 312 in
a comprehensive written examination in MGT 491. Your score on this exam will comprise
a part of your grade for MGT 491. It is recommended that, at a minimum, you retain your
notes for MGT 312 for review in preparation for the comprehensive exam in MGT 491.
UNCG ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE:
I expect you to uphold and abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy in all matters
pertaining to this course. Violations of the Policy will be pursued in accordance with the code.
All written work submitted should include the UNCG Policy statement written out (“I have
abided by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy in completing all aspects of this work.”)
followed by your signature, indicating that you have abided by the Academic Integrity Policy.
This pledge will also indicate that you have not used information, materials, or papers prepared
by or given by any other individual or from any other source. For information concerning the
Bryan School Faculty – Student Guidelines, explore the following website:
http://www.uncg.edu/bae/faculty_student_guidelines.pdf
The URL for the Academic Integrity Policy is the following:
http://www.uncg.edu/bae/faculty_student_guidelines_sp07.pdf
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/
I look forward to working with you as we explore the behavioral topics that challenge managers
in their work each day.
Chapter Learning Objectives
The learning objectives are listed on the first page of each chapter in the text and in the
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Documents section of BBD. You are responsible for learning the material pertaining to the
objectives for each chapter listed in the table below. While we will cover most of the objectives
for each chapter listed below, we may not cover all for a particular chapter in class. You are still
responsible for the material for testing purposes. Please bring any questions you have about
material pertaining to a learning objective with you and ask about it in class.
Chapter
Learning Objectives
1
1,6-9
2
1, 4-6
3
1,3,4,8,9
4
1-5
5
1-5,8
6
1-3,5-8
7
1,3-8
8
1-7,8 (Job Characteristics model only)
9
4,5,8
10
2-4,8,9
11
3-5
12
1,2,4-6
13
2,3,7,9
15
1-4,6,7
16
2-5,8
17
1, 7
18
2,5-9
Course Topics and Assignments
Week
Topic
1/20
Introduction to MGT 312; Managing Diversity
1/27
2/3
2/10
Managing Diversity; Organizational Culture
Organizational Culture; International OB
International OB; Self-Concept, Personality, and Emotions
Self-Assessments and OB Reflective Paper Due on Tuesday, 2/10 at
the beginning of class. See instructions on the syllabus.
Self-Concept, Personality, and Emotions; Values, Attitudes & Job
Satisfaction
2/24: Values, Attitudes & Job Satisfaction
2/26: Test 1 on Chapters 1-5.
Perception & Attribution
Spring break – No class
Motivation; Improving Job Performance
2/17
2/24
3/3
3/10
3/17
Chapter
Assignments
Ch. 1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5
5-6
6
7
8, 9
9
3/24
Group Dynamics; Teams
3/31
4/7
4/14
4/21
Individual & Group Decision making;
4/2: Test 2 on Chapters 6-11.
Conflict & Negotiation; Power & Politics;
Leadership
Creating Effective Organizations
4/28
5/7
Managing Organizational Change & Stress
Final Exam, Friday 5/7, 3:30-6:30 pm
Please see the next page.
10, 11
12
13, 14
16
17
18
10
MGT 312
Self-Assessment Report Cover Sheet
Your name (Please print)_______________________________________
Student ID #________________________
Please copy and paste this page into a new screen. Then print it off. Check off each assessment
that you have completed in the table below. Place your paper immediately behind the cover page,
followed by the printouts for each assessment in order according to the table indicated below. Be
sure to follow the instructions for properly preparing your assessment feedback pages on pp. 4-5
of the syllabus. Then clip together your complete Self-Assessment Report. Failure to follow
these instructions will result in a lower grade.
Assessment
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Assessment
Assessing your ethical decision-making skills
Corporate culture preference scale
Assessing how personality type influences goal setting
Career planning based on brain dominance
The Type “A” Scale
Team role preferences scale
Your preferred decision-making style
What is your preferred conflict handling style?
Assessing your leader-member exchange
Identify your preferred organizational structure
Ch. Completed
1
3
5
5
5
10
12
13
16
17
Please write out the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy and sign your name here: