University of Alberta
SMO 301
Behaviour in Organizations
Instructor: F.W. [Rick] Brick Winter Term 2016
Office: Off-Site Lec B1
Office Hours: by appointment Classroom 1-5 BUS
Time: Monday/Wednesday 8:30-9:50 am E-mail: [email protected]
COURSE OUTLINE
Provides an understanding of the behavior of individuals in organizations. Draws from psychology, sociology, organization theory and covers topics such as personality, motivation, leadership, communication, conflict, and group dynamics.
Required Textbook
Colquitt, J.A., LePine, J.A., Wesson, M.J., & Gellatly, I.R. (2015). Organizational Behaviour:
Improving Performance and Commitment in the Workplace. 3
rdCanadian Edition. Toronto:
McGraw-Hill Ryerson Learning Objectives
This course incorporates the learning goals of the B Com Program, in particular: Critical Thinking, Global Awareness, Oral Communication, Teamwork, and Written Communications.
The purpose of this course is not to turn you into a do-it-yourself manager. Rather it is to give you the basic knowledge that will help you understand organizational behaviour and provide insights into effective management strategies. At the end of this course, you will have developed functional competence in the following knowledge areas: Job Performance; Organizational Commitment; Personality, Cultural Values, and Ability; Job Satisfaction, Motivation,
Organizational Justice, Ethics, Decision Making; Communication; Team Structure and Process;
Power and Influence; Leadership; Structure; Organizational Culture and Change.
Course Requirements
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential to get the best from this course. In particular,
you are asked to be sure to attend those sessions where guest speakers have taken time out of
their busy schedules to be with us. You must participate fully within any teams to which you are
assigned. Failure to do so will result in your marks being penalized.
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Evaluation Criteria
a) Mid-term Examination (February 10, 2016) 30%
b) Team Assignment – Written (March 28, 2016) 20%
c) Team Assignment – Presentation (Mar 28 &30/Apr 4 & 6) 20%
c) Final Examination (April 22, 2016) 9:00 am 30%
TOTAL 100%
Course Schedule [rough guide – subject to change]
Topic
Class 1 – January 4, 2016 Read Chapter 1
Introduction to SMO 301 Expectations
Guest Speakers
Introduction – Instructor and Class What is Organizational Behaviour
Class 2 – January 6, 2016
What is Organizational Behaviour [continued]
Class 3 – January 11, 2016 Read Chapter 2
Job Performance
Class 4 – January 13, 2016 Groups Must Be Submitted
Job Performance [continued]
Group Selection
Class 5 – January 18, 2016 Read Chapter 3
Organizational Commitment
Class 6 – January 20, 2016 Read Chapter 4
Organizational Commitment [continued]
Personality, Cultural Values and Abilities
Class 7 – January 25, 2016 Read Chapter 5
Personality, Cultural Values and Abilities [continued]
Job Satisfaction
Class 8 – January 27, 2016 Group Work
Class 9 – February 1, 2016 Read Chapter 6
Stress
Class 10 – February 3, 2016 Read Chapter 7
Motivation
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Class 11 – February 8, 2016 Motivation [continued]
Mid Term Questions/Review
Class 12 – February 10, 2016 Mid Term
Class 13 – February 22, 2016 Read Chapter 8
Trust, Justice and Ethics
Class 14 – February 24, 2016 Trust, Justice and Ethics [continued]
Class 15 – February 29, 2016 Read Chapter 9
Learning and Decision Making
Class 16 – March 2, 2016 Read Chapter 11
Team Characteristics and Processes
Class 17 – March 7, 2016
Team Characteristics and Processes [continued]
Class 18 – March 9, 2016 Read Chapter 12
Power Influence and Processes
Class 19 – March 14, 2016 Read Chapter 13
Leadership Styles and Behaviours
Class 20 – March 16, 2016 Read Chapter 14
Organizational Structure
Class 21 – March 21, 2016 Organizational Structure [continued]
Class 20 – March 23, 2016 Read Chapter 15
Organizational Culture and Change
Class 21 – March 28, 2015 Easter Monday
Class 22 – March 30, 2016 All Group Written Assignments are Due Presentations
Class 23 – April 4, 2016 Presentations
Class 24 – April 6, 2016 [if necessary]
Presentations
4
Class 25 – April 22, 2016 9:00 am Final Examination
Grading System
Final grades will be determined by cut-off points rather than a particular distribution.
Consideration will be given to a raw score out of 100 points, possible natural breaks, university policy on class GPAs, and any relevant factor that relates to students’ performance. The instructor has some discretion in awarding final grades but, generally, cut-off points should fall quite closely to the following:
95+ = A+ 80+ = B+ 65+ = C+ 50+ = D+
90+ = A 75+ = B 60+ = C
85+ = A- 70+ = B- 55+ = C-
A grade of D will be used for borderline cases that for some reason should be given the minimum conditional pass of D. For the vast majority of cases, though, a score of less than 50 will be a fail and get a grade of F.
Marking Grievances
While all assignments and exams will be marked with due consideration and fairness, any dispute of marks must be brought to the attention of the instructor within one week of the assignment or exam marks being provided to the student. You may disagree with some assessments and I will respectfully reconsider my whole assessment and comments on the basis that the student provides a written explanation of the dispute. I will not reconsider grievances after that time. The whole reassessment may result in an increase, decrease, or no change in your mark. Please, note that your entire assignment or exam will be reassessed in case you have any grievance. No special make up assignments will be granted nor will re-writes of examinations or re-marking of previous
assignments/exams be considered.
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
University Policy on Course Outlines
“Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
Sample Exam Questions
Representative midterm and final exam questions are available from the following source:
the PowerPoint slides that I will post to ULearn after working through the sample questions in class prior to the midterm and final.