Overview
This course covers how and why organizations function as they do — the linkages among their environments, strategies and structures — are described in a framework designed to improve organizational effectiveness. The course uses an integrative approach to diagnose and analyze how the successful implementation of organizational strategies is often contingent on achieving a fit between specific environmental factors and organizational structure and process variable.
Outline
This course is divided into 8 lessons:
- Lesson 1: Understanding and Managing Our Environment, and Measuring Effectiveness
- Lesson 2: Structure and Strategy
- Lesson 3: Leadership
- Lesson 4: Values
- Lesson 5: Ethics
- Lesson 6: Organizational Culture
- Lesson 7: Conflict, Power, and Politics
- Lesson 8: Organizational Change and Course Summary/Overview
Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to
- identify and apply the key elements of organizational analysis, industry and environment analysis, strategy, structure, systems, and processes.
- discuss the importance of integration between organizational functions for maximizing organizational effectiveness.
- explain the role of analysis and management of the external environment on organizational effectiveness.
- identify a variety of different models for measuring organizational effectiveness.
- articulate the new requirements of leadership and the role of leadership in supporting organizational effectiveness.
- discuss individual, group, and organizational values, and make connections among values, leadership, organizational culture, and ethics.
- articulate the role of conflict in organizations and explain the ways in which power and politics affect conflict resolution processes—both positively and negatively—thereby supporting or working against organizational effectiveness.
- relate organizational effectiveness to the need for change, and articulate ways to manage the change process effectively.
- identify and offer appropriate evidence for good management decision making.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Daft., R. L., & Armstrong, A. (2022). Organization theory & design (4th Canadian ed.). Nelson Canada.
Other materials
All other course materials will be accessed online, including an online self-evaluation tool.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of successful completion of two written assignments and on your participation in moderated group discussions.
| Activity | Weight |
| Participation in Discussions | 40% |
| Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Final Assignment | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards:
- receive a minimum of 60% on the participation component; and
- receive an average grade of 60% over all course components.