Module Directory

The intention of this module is to dig deeper into the concepts of management, work and organization in order to develop understanding of the interplay of management practices and experiences of organizational life.

The focus is on understanding the social, historical, economic, and cultural context within which things and people are organized. The module considers a number of broad and overlapping topics in the field of organizational behaviour and explores these with reference to both their historical origins and their contemporary relevance.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide an appropriate level of conceptual and theoretical understanding of organizational behaviour.


• To develop an informed understanding of the ways in which broader social contexts and changes affect organizational behaviour and management practice.

To develop students' abilities to engage in critical analysis, evaluation and argumentation through reading, participation and assessment.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate a social scientifically informed understanding of organizational behaviour, drawing on relevant theories, concepts and examples of organizational settings (CWI and CWII).


2. Apply social scientific concepts and ideas to explain and evaluate changing contexts shaping the management and experience of work organizations (CWII).


3. Develop and deploy skills in critical analysis, evaluation and argumentation through reading, participation and assessment (CWI and CWII).

Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to have:

1. Enhanced their written communication skills through producing discursive coursework assignments.


2. Improved their oral communication skills by taking part in class discussions.


3. Enhanced their individual research skills through researching two coursework assignments.


4. Developed their critical, analytical and evaluative thinking skills by reading and commenting on academic journal articles relating to organisational behaviour.


5. Improved their collaborative skills by participating in class discussions and reflections.


6. Developed their digital/technical fluency through the use and application of Microsoft Office software package and Library search engines.

The focus of this module is on the social and cultural dynamics and power relations that shape the management and experience of organizational life. 'Organization' here has three meanings: (i) organization as an entity, a thing (an organization); (ii) organization as an activity, a practice (organizing) and (iii) organization as an idea, even an ideal. All three meanings have a direct impact on how we organize and manage in our daily lives and work, and form the basis of our thinking about organizational behaviour.

Whilst a clear description of organizational realities is important, to really understand management, work and organization, it is necessary to move beyond description, first to analyse and then to critically evaluate. Analysis means moving beyond description to understand the social contexts, processes and dynamics that give rise to particular organizational structures, relations and patterns of behaviour. The teaching, learning and assessment on this module is designed to support you moving from a descriptive to an analytical, and critically evaluative understanding of OB as you work through the teaching materials, readings and the two coursework assignments.

All students who successfully complete this module should be able to make and articulate an informed judgement on specific management and organizational practices, evaluating them in terms of their contexts and effects. This is an essential skill set for all managers, who are often in a privileged and influential position when it comes to making changes to the way we organize. It is also an important basis for final year study and beyond.

This module has been designed to fully integrate lectures, classes and assignment preparation. It does so in three ways:

1. Discussion questions for the first two classes are the assessment questions for the first of the two coursework assignments;
2. Core readings that these questions are based on have been provided (on Moodle) as essential class and assignment preparation, and
3. Discussion of draft answers to these questions and thoughts on the readings will enable all students to benefit from developmental feedback in the relevant fortnightly classes and support sessions.

Weekly preparation and participation is therefore essential to successful completion of both coursework assignments. Further details and guidance will be provided in weekly lectures and via regular updates on Moodle and by email.