PS 405/605: Organization Theory and Behavior
Spring 2004
Instructor: Jeremy Walling
Office: Carnahan 205 Office phone: 651-2691 Email:jwalling@semo.edu
Office Hours: MW, 10-10:50; TR, 2-3:15; 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, Gareth Morgan (required); Classics of Organization Theory, Shafritz and Ott (required). In addition, a number of supplemental readings will be placed on reserve at the library.
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 = 40 pts. (2@20 pts. each)
Class Participation = 30 pts.
Presentation Quiz = 30 pts.
Total = 400 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. 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.
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
January 27: Classical Organization Theory/Machine Metaphor
Readings: Morgan, Chapters 1 and 2; Shafritz & Ott p1-6, 27-33
Xenophon “Generic Management”, Smith “Division of Labour”
Fayol “General Principles”
Taylor “Scientific Management”
Weber “Bureaucracy”
Gulick “Theory of Organization”
February 3: Neoclassical Organization Theory
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 7 (brace yourself for this); Shafritz & Ott p88-91
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 10: Organization Structure and Design
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 8; Shafritz & Ott p197-200
Burns & Stalker “Mechanistic and Organic”
Blau & Scott “Formal Organization”
Walker & Lorsch “Organizational Choice”
Mintzberg “Five Basic Parts”
Jaques “In Praise of Hierarchy”
February 17: Systems Theory/Organism Metaphor
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 3; Shafritz & Ott p242-246
Scott “Overview and Appraisal”
Katz & Kahn “Systems Concept”
Thompson “Organizations in Action”
Jensen & Meckling “Theory of the Firm”
February 24: Catch up and First Exam
March 2: Human Relations and Organization Behavior
Readings: Shafritz & Ott p145-150
Follett “Giving of Orders”
Roethlisberger “Hawthorne Experiments”
Maslow “Theory of Motivation”
McGregor “Human Side of Enterprise”
Janis “Groupthink”
March 9: Leadership, Followers, and Situation Dynamics
Readings: Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy, Chapters 3 and 14 (on reserve)
March 16: No class
March 23: Power and Politics in Organizations
Readings: Morgan, Chapter 6; Shafritz & Ott 298-302
Pfeffer “Role of Power”
French & Raven “Bases of Social Power”
March “The Power of Power”
Mintzberg “The Power Game and its Players”
March 30: Organization Culture
Readings: Morgan, Chapters 4 and 5; Shafritz & Ott p361-366
Schein “Defining Organizational Culture”
Louis “Surprise and Sense Making”
Cook & Yanow “Culture and Organizational Learning”
Trice & Beyer “Changing Organizational Cultures”
April 6: Reform Movements
Readings: Morgan, Chapters 9 and 11; Shafritz & Ott p425-431
Ouchi “The Z Organization”
Peters & Waterman “In Search of Excellence”
Senge “The Fifth Discipline”
April 13: Catch up and Second Exam
April 20: Presentations
April 27: Presentations
May 4: Presentations
May 11: Final Exam