PS 405/605: Organization Theory and Behavior
Spring 2009
Dr. Jeremy Walling
Office: Carnahan 311R Office phone: 651-2691 Email:jwalling@semo.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10-11; or by appointment
Course Description
This course will introduce students to the major concepts of organization theory and behavior. Organization theory discussions focus on foundations, theories, and literature for designing effective organizations. Topics include organization structure and design, bureaucracy, and the systems concept. The primary focus of organization behavior is leadership, culture, power, job satisfaction, and motivation. The overall objective of this course is the development of skills and knowledge that will allow students to contribute in the managing of effective behavior in organizations.
Course Policies
Texts: Images of Organization: The Executive Edition, Gareth Morgan (required); Classics of Organization Theory, Shafritz and Ott (required). In addition, a handful of supplemental readings will be placed on reserve.
Expectations: This course will be administered as a seminar. Although some classes will feature traditional lectures, the emphasis will be placed upon class discussion and interaction. As a result, a high premium is placed upon student participation.
Grades: The grades in this course will be determined by performance on two examinations, a term paper and presentation, two article presentations, class discussion, and a final quiz. Grades will follow the traditional scale (90%=A, 80%=B, etc.).
Exams: 2 @ 100 pts each = 200 pts.
Term Paper = 100 pts.
Article Presentations = 60 pts. (3@20 pts. each)
Class Participation = 50 pts.
Presentation Quiz = 40 pts.
Total = 450 pts.
Examinations: There will be two major examinations in the course. There will not be a comprehensive exam. Since you know well in advance when the exams are scheduled, make-up exams will be given only in the event of a documented illness or emergency. In addition, you will be given a quiz over paper presentations on the final night of the course.
Term Paper: You will be given the option of conducting an organization analysis or writing a literature review over one of the topics covered in the course. Using tools discussed in the course, the analysis should focus on structure and design, culture, communication, leadership, etc. In addition, students are expected to present their findings to the class.
Article Presentations: At the first meeting of the seminar, articles will be assigned to students for the purpose of class discussion and presentation. Students will lead class discussion on two readings, providing the class with critique and insight. Students will also present a book chapter as a team. In addition, students are required to provide the class with a copy of a summary of the article critique.
Class Participation: Since this is an upper division/graduate course, class participation is expected. Although attendance will not be graded, it should be noted that attendance is a necessary condition for participation.
Academic Dishonesty—Please do not pass along work in this class that is not your own. Plagiarism on papers and cheating on exams will not be tolerated. Plagiarized work will be given a zero grade.
Special Needs—Please see me if you have a disability that requires alternative arrangements or circumstances. I’ll assist you in any manner possible.
Course Schedule
January 20: Introduction
February 3: Classical Organization Theory/Machine Metaphor
Readings: Morgan, Chapters 1 and 2; Shafritz & Ott Introduction and Chapter 1 introduction
Xenophon “Generic Management”, Smith “Division of Labour”
Fayol “General Principles”
Taylor “Scientific Management”
Weber “Bureaucracy”
Gulick “Theory of Organization”
February 10: Neoclassical Organization Theory
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 7 (brace yourself for this); Shafritz & Ott Ch2 Introduction
Barnard “Economy of Incentives”
Merton “Bureaucratic Structure and Personality”
Simon “Proverbs of Administration”
Selznick “Foundations of the Theory of Organization”
Cyert & March “Behavioral Theory”
February 17 Organization Structure and Design
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 8; Shafritz & Ott Chapter 4 Introduction
Burns & Stalker “Mechanistic and Organic”
Blau & Scott “Formal Organization”
Walker & Lorsch “Organizational Choice”
Mintzberg “Five Basic Parts”
Jacques “In Praise of Hierarchy”
February 24: Systems Theory/Organism Metaphor
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 3; Shafritz & Ott Chapter 9 Introduction
Katz & Kahn “Systems Concept”
Thompson “Organizations in Action”
Jensen & Meckling “Theory of the Firm”
Williamson “Markets and Hierarchies”
March 3: Public v. Private Organizations
Shafritz and Ott Chapter 5 Introduction
(The first four will appear in the packet outside my office, the fifth is in your reader and the rest are online)
Allison “Public and Private Management: Are They Alike in All Unimportant Respects?”
Appleby “Government is Different”
Gormley “Privatization Revisited”
Osborne and Gaebler “Reinventing Government: Introduction”
Gore “National Performance Review”
Sandefur “They're Coming for Your Land”
Wilson “The Study of Administration”
March 10: Catch up and First Exam
March 17: No Class
March 24: Human Relations and Organization Behavior
Readings: Shafritz & Ott p145-150; Chapter 3 Introduction
Follett “Giving of Orders”
Roethlisberger “Hawthorne Experiments”
Maslow “Theory of Motivation”
McGregor “Human Side of Enterprise”
Janis “Groupthink”
March 31: Leadership, Followers, and Situation Dynamics
Readings: Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy, Chapters 3 and 14
April 7: Power and Politics in Organizations
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 6; Shafritz & Ott Chapter 6 Introduction
Pfeffer “Role of Power”
Michels Democracy and the Iron Law of Oligarchy
French & Raven “Bases of Social Power”
March “The Power of Power”
Mintzberg “The Power Game and its Players”
April 14: Organization Culture
Readings: Morgan, Chapters 4 and 5; Shafritz & Ott Chapter 7 Introduction
Schein “Defining Organizational Culture”
Cook & Yanow “Culture and Organizational Learning”
Trice & Beyer “Changing Organizational Cultures”
Martin “Organizational Culture: Pieces of the Puzzle”
Meyer and Rowan, “Institutionalized Organizations: Formal Structure as Myth and Ceremony”
April 21: Reform Movements
Readings: Morgan, Chapters 9 and 11; Shafritz & Ott Chapter 8 Introduction
Ouchi “The Z Organization”
Peters & Waterman “In Search of Excellence”
Senge “The Fifth Discipline”
Barney & Ouchi “Learning from Organizational Economics”
April 28: Catch up and Second Exam
May 5: Presentations
May 12: Presentations and Papers Due/Final Exam