EXECUTIVE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
MODULE LEARNING GUIDE
ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
Subject Code: EDMG102
Version 1: April 2012
Executive Diploma in Business Management
1) INTRODUCTION
This module is intended to introduce the concept of organizational behaviour which
investigates how individuals, groups, and structures impact behaviours within organizations
and how such knowledge can be used to improve the effectiveness of the organizations.
2) AIMS
This module is designed to help students develop a conceptual understanding of OB theories
and to provide them with skills to put those ideas and theories into practice. Key techniques
and processes designed to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness are fully
examined from the perspective of management, workers, and society at large.
3) SYLLABUS
1) Introduction to Organisational Behaviour
2) Perception and Learning
3) Personality and Values
4) Emotions and Stress
5) Attitude and Behaviour at Work
6) Motivation
7) Groups and Teams
8/9) Decision Making/Communication
10) Power, Influence and Politics
11) Leadership
12) Creativity, Innovation and Culture
13) Organizational Structure & Design
4) LEARNING OUTCOMES
Having successfully completed this module, students will be able to:

Explain how personality and perception influence behaviour in organizations

Apply concepts associated with effective work design to suggest tactics for enhancing
work performance in organizations

Understand the concepts of decision making/problem solving to develop
Strategies/design effective systems in these areas
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Executive Diploma in Business Management

Understand and apply effective leadership behaviours in different situations

Understand theories and concepts of motivation to develop strategies for improving
work performance

Describe how groups function and identify methods for increasing group efficiency
and effectiveness

Explain the structural arrangements and cultural norms of an organisation
5) LEARNING MATERIALS:

Main Reference Text
a. Zainal Ariffin Ahmad et.al Understanding Organizational Behaviour,
Oxford University press, 2009.

Additional Reference Text
b. Organizational Behaviour: Concepts, Controversies and Practices,
Stephen P. Robbins, Prentice Hall, 2009
c. Organizational Behavior And Management, 9th Edition Ivancevich et al,
McGraw-Hill, 2008

Website
http://books.google.com.my/books?id=7IAOAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover
&dq=ORGANIZATIONAL+BEHAVIOUR&hl=en&ei=BsT2TcenJo3yrQeO0u
2oCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v
=onepage&q&f=false
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Class Teaching-Learning Schedule
Week
Lecture
1
Introduction to Organizational Behaviour:
2
Perception and Learning:
-Meaning of perception & its importance
-Perceptual process
-The Attribution process
-Common Perceptual Distortions
-Applying perception in organizations
-Learning
-The Brain & Learning
- Reinforcing Learning
Personality and Values:
-What is Personality?
-Personality Theories
-Personality Determinants
-Personality Attributes Influencing
Organizational Behaviour
Emotion and Stress:
-What are Emotions?
-Dimensions of Emotion
-Gender and Emotions
-External Constraints on Emotions
-Organizational Behaviour Application
-Understanding Stress and its Consequences
-Sources of Stress
3
Attitude and Behaviour at work:
-What is Job Satisfaction?
-How to Promote Job Satisfaction
-Effects of Job Dissatisfaction
Motivation:
-What is Motivation?
-Theories of Motivation
Organizational Behaviour
Tutorial/ Activities
Chapter 1
Page 15
Chapter 2
Page 37
Chapter 3
Page 59
Chapter 4
Page 75
Chapter 5
Page 89
Chapter 6
Page 109
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5
6
Groups and Teams:
-Understanding Group and Teams
-Difference between Group & Team
-Types of Groups
-Stages of Group Development
-Types of Teams
Chapter 7
Page 133
Decision Making/Communication:
-What is Communication?
-Types of Communication
-Organizational Communication
-Understanding Decision Making
-The Nature of Decision Making
-Decision Making in Organizations
Chapters 8: page 152 - 153
Chapter 9: page 164 - 165
Power, Influence and Politics:
-Definition of Power and Influence
-Bases of Power
- Power and Political Tactics in Organizations
-Empowerment
Leadership:
-What is Leadership?
-Leadership Theories
Chapter 10
Page 176 - 177
Creativity, Innovation and Culture:
-Creativity and Innovation
-Innovation for Competitive Advantage
-Change and Innovation
-Culture
-Culture and Decision Making
-Characteristics of an Innovative Organization.
Organizational Structure and Design:
-Organizations: Definition & Dimensions
-Organizational Structure
-Elements of Organizational Structure
Chapter 12
Page 208 - 210
Revision
Exercises focused on past year
questions
Chapter 11
Page 195
Chapter 13
Page 225 - 227
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Organizational Behaviour
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
7) ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
7.1 AIMS
The aim of the assessment strategy is to identify formal practices and procedures for
assessing and appraising the performance of participants so that judgments and decisions can
be made concerning:



The progression of participants through the programme.
How well participants have met the programme learning outcomes through the
combination of the individual module learning outcomes.
The provision of feedback information to participants concerning their performance and
how they adhered to the generic assessment criteria and the module-specific
assessment criteria.
The underpinning principles which drive the assessment strategies adopted for this
programme are the profile of the target participants and the programme itself (its philosophy
and associated learning outcomes).
7.2 ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS:
Final examination constitutes 40%, Coursework constitutes 60%.
7.3
To provide feedback to participants, the following grading scale will be used for all assessed
elements:
Marks
Grade
Pass/ Fail Grading
Point
80 – 100
A
Pass
4.00
75 - 79.99
APass
3.67
70 - 74.99
BPass
3.33
65 - 69.99
B
Pass
3.00
60 - 64.99
B+
Pass
2.67
55 - 59.99
C+
Pass
2.33
50 - 54.99
C
Pass
2.00
47 - 49.99
CPass
1.67
44 - 46.99
D+
Pass
1.33
40 - 43.99
D
Pass
1.00
0 - 39.99
F
Fail
0
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LEARNING SUGGESTIONS AND GUIDELINES
Week 1
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
undertake the following:

To ensure students are aware of the overall module requirements in terms of the
Teaching-Learning and Assessment strategies and expectations.

To emphasize the need for students to adopt the right approach to University
education and the critical skills and attributes necessary to succeed on the Diploma in
Business Management programme.
Learning outcomes to be attained:

To use and understand organisational behaviour theories

To understand the key concepts related to the introduction of Organizational Behaviour.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a. Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 1
b. Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c. Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in both the
lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
Week 1
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be on:
Perception and Learning
Learning outcomes to be attained:
At the end of the week students will be able to understand the following:






The meaning of perception and why it is important
The perceptual process
The Attribution process
Common perceptual Distortions
Specific Applications of Perceptions in organizations
The Brain and Learning
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 1.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics
covered in both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
Week 2
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

Explain how personality and values influence behaviour in organizations

To define the motivation and specific individual attitude and behaviour towards an
organisation.

Analyse individuals’ behaviour and motivation and explain the implications within the
work environment
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Executive Diploma in Business Management

To apply and relate motivational theories and practices to the work and business
environment
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 2
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
Week 2
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

To understand emotions, the emotional dimensions, emotional labour as well as gender
and emotions.

To understand stress, its consequences and how to manage it.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 2.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
Week 3
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcome:
To understand important attitudes and behavioural factors at the individual, interpersonal, or
group levels that can make the system more effective.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 3.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
Week 3
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

To define the motivation and specific individual attitude and behaviour towards an
organisation.

Analyse individuals’ behaviour and motivation and explain the implications within the
work environment

To apply and relate motivational theories and practices to the work and business
environment
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 3.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour,
Oxford University press, 2009.
Week 4
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcome:

To describe how groups function and identify methods for increasing group efficiency and
effectiveness

To identify the group behaviour and to understand the overview of group behaviour and
teams.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 4.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
Week 4
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcome:

To understand the importance of decision making in organizations.

To understand the concept of communication and the communication process.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 4.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University Press,
2009.
Week 5
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

Understand the meaning of power, influence and politics.

Understand the concept of empowerment

The role of power, influence and politics in organizations.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 5.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University
press,2009.
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
Week 5
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

The role of leadership in organizations.

To understand different theories of leadership

To understand contemporary issues pertaining to leadership.
.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 5.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
Week 6
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

To understand the meaning of creativity, innovation and culture.

To understand why organizations need to change to sustain competitive advantage.

To understand why it is important to have culture that supports innovation.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 6.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics covered in
both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University
press, 2009.
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
Week 6
Over this week of lecture/ tutorial and independent study, the focus will be to
ensure the attainment of the following learning outcomes:

To understand the meaning and dimensions of organization.

To understand what is meant by organizational structure.

To understand the elements of organizational structure.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken:
a) Go through teaching-learning materials provided for Week 6.
b) Attempt all activities as outlined under tutorial activities.
c) Undertake further readings and activities based on the main topics
covered in both the lecture and tutorial.
Reference Text:
Zainal, Lilis, Azura & Siti: Understanding Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University press,
2009.
Week 7
Over this week of lectures/ tutorials, the focus will be to undertake a review and
consolidation of the whole module to the final examination.
Come prepared with a list of questions for clarifications, as you may want your lecturer to
clarify. Past year questions will be discussed and it is advisable to come prepared with
answers outline to check against the lecturer’s suggestions.
FINAL EXAMINATION
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Executive Diploma in Business Management
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