Behaviour in Organisations

Overview

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of management and organisational behaviour in the context of today's global business environment. It examines the major theories and models in areas of communication, group dynamics, individual behaviour and motivation, decision-making, leadership, power and politics, change and resistance, and ethics and social responsibility. It places particular emphasis on the application of theory to dilemmas and issues likely to confront managers today and in the future.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Apply critical and analytical thinking, including a capacity to question existing practices and assumptions, to the study of management and organisations
2. Critically evaluate the theoretical foundations of the fields of management and organisational studies; and place contemporary managerial practices within these theoretical approaches
3. Apply advanced and coherent knowledge of organisational problems and issues relevant to organisations operating in a global and diverse workplace
4. Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, and function as an effective member or leader of a team
5. Critically analyse the politics and ethics of managerial and employee behaviour in organisations

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• Models in areas of communication, group dynamics, individual and group behaviour and motivation, decision-making, leadership, power and politics, change and resistance, and ethics and social responsibility
• Introduction to organisational behaviour approaches including critical management thinking,  paradigms and  theories
• Applications of organisational behaviour theories to dilemmas and issues likely to confront managers today and in the future
• The politics and ethics of managerial and employee behaviour in organisations
• Organisational problems and issues relevant to organisations operating in a global and diverse workplace