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
Daft., R. L., & Armstrong, A. (2022). Organization theory & design (4th Canadian ed.). Nelson Canada. (eText)
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.
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.