Organizational Behaviour (ORGB) 326
Organization Theory (Revision 5)

Revision 5 closed April 8, 2005, replaced by current version.

View previous syllabus

Delivery modes:

Individualized study. (May be offered online or online-enhanced. Confirm status before registering.)

Grouped study**
Credits: 3 - Applied Studies
Prerequisite: ADMN 232 is recommended but not required for students with no previous work experience or university-level background in administration.
Centre: School of Business
Challenge for Credit: ORGB 326 has a Challenge for Credit option.

**Note: Students registering in grouped study, or grouped study international mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the School of Business Call Centre at 1-800-468-6531.

>> Overview | Outline | Evaluation | Course Materials | Course Fees | Course Availability


Overview

ORGB 326 focuses primarily on structural aspects of organizations, although it also reflects on the relationship between structure and behaviour. The student should come to an understanding of the ways in which managers seek to promote organizational effectiveness through internal structures and processes.

The student will analyse how organizations are structured within the context of the larger social, political, and economic environment; why systems of control and coordination vary across organizations and change over time; and how organizational theory may contribute towards improving the design and management of organizations.

Outline

  • Lesson 1 Organizations and Theory
  • Lesson 2 Goals, Effectiveness, and the External Environment
  • Lesson 3 Technology
  • Lesson 4 Organization Size, Life Cycle, and Decline
  • Lesson 5 The Design of Organizations
  • Lesson 6 Innovation and Change
  • Lesson 7 Decision Making
  • Lesson 8 Organizational Power, Politics, and Conflict
  • Lesson 9 Corporate Culture

Evaluation

To receive credit for ORGB 326, students must achieve a course composite grade of at least a "D" (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Assignment 3 Final Exam Total
15% 15% 20% 50% 100%

Course Materials

Textbook

Daft, Richard L. 2001. Organization Theory and Design, 7th ed. Cincinnati: South-Western College Publishing..

Other material

The course materials include a study guide, and assignment manual, and a course manual.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

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Open in Revision 5, October 16, 2003. View previous syllabus
This page was updated by G. Zahara