ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR AND DSS LAB

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2018/2019

Type of Course:

Characterising

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Disciplinary Sector:

Business Organisation

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

VIRILI Francesco

COSTARELLI Sandro

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

AF code:

A001054

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

Organizational Behavior Module (6 CFU):
Written exam of about 2 hours, based on three open questions, in the form of a theme to be developed.
The questions are directly related to the expected learning outcomes, according to the detailed declination proposed on the instructor's website. A typical question can be formulated on the basis of one, two or maximum three of the detailed expected learniong outcomes specified on the instructor's website. Students can refer directly to the detailed list of learining outcomes to prepare for the written exam.
The score for each answer is applied taking into account first of all the completeness and correctness of knowledge and understanding that alone justifies the minimum grade. The maximum mark also requires an adequate demonstration of knowing how to apply knowledge, to possess critical skills and autonomy of judgment. The integrative teaching activities and the optional oral test allow to extend the evaluation taking into account the communication and learning skills. When you reach a score of 33/30 you are entitled to the Lode mark.

DSS Lab Module (6 CFU):
Practical test in the laboratory lasting about 1,5 hours with the same software platform used during the lessons in the laboratory (Libre Office Calc: Pivot Tables and Solver). Three exercises, one of which on pivot tables (10 points) and two on decision analysis models explained in the classroom (20 points).
Reference exercises are published on the teacher's website.

The final evaluation corresponds to the average of the marks in the two tests.

Distance exam modality - COVID-19 period:
Comportamento Organizzativo (Organizational Behavior) - Written examination, pen and paper, of about 2 hours, based on three open questions, in the form of a theme to be developed, with student’s visualization using Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
DSS Lab – Two lab exercises using Libre Office Calc administered through MOODLE () with student’s visualization using Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
The exercises are based on 1) building a pivot table; 2) solving a problem using Libre office Calc. A mark of 0-10 points will be assigned to the first exercise, and 0-20 points to the second exercise. The sum is the final grade. Time available: 1 hour.

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

The course aims at introducing students to the basic concepts and theories of organizational behavior, with a focus on understanding managerial behaviors and decision processes and using decision support systems in the laboratory.
These subjects are outlined below in terms of knowledge, understanding, application and critical evaluation.
Expected results. At the end of the course the student will have acquired:
(1) Knowledge and understanding. Knowing the basics of behavioral phenomena in organizations. Know and understand the concepts and main models of personality and individual differences. To know the conceptual aspects derived from the psychology of work on attitudes, perceptions and judgments. Knowing how to illustrate and understand the main theories on motivation, feedback and work performance. Know and understand models and theories about working groups and their training and effectiveness. Knowing how to analyze conflicts in organizations. To know, understand and analyze individual and collective decision-making processes.
Applications in the laboratory of decision support systems, with particular reference to problem solving and business intelligence systems.
For each of these areas, occasionally know how to find and understand the scientific references (mainly in English) cited in the text at the base of the theories examined.
(2) Applying knowledge and understanding.
To be able to apply the knowledge and understanding abilities indicated above to the analysis and discussion of case studies proposed in the reference texts and in the classroom and to the interpretation and discussion of stories, events and corporate documents.
(3) Making judgments. Being able to perform comparative analyses, critical analyses and interpretations of corporate decisions and decisions in the organizational field and propose motivated alternatives.
(4) Communication skills. Specific training in communication skills is not provided, but the student will be able to operate within working groups preparing and presenting reports and analyses also with the use of slides and under limited time constraints.
5) Learning skills
The teaching provides basic knowledge that fosters the deepening of organizational bahavior research issues in the context of higher level courses. Particular attention is given to the connection with he research work referred to in the texts.

Contents

Theory
Basic aspects of organizational behavior
Personality and individual differences
Beliefs, perceptions and attributions
Motivation, feedback and performance
teams
Conflicts and negotiation
Decision processes
Lab
Laboratory application of Decision Support Systems (DSS), in problem solving and business analysis.

Recommended Bibliography

Required textbooks:
Robbins S.P., Judge T.A., Organizational Behavior, Pearson,16th edition 2015, chapters. 1,3, 5-10, 14.
Ragsdale C., Managerial Decision Modeling, Thomson, 2008, ISBN 9780324580617 chapters 1-3.

Course material and readings are available on line from the instructor's web pages:
https://sites.google.com/site/fvirili/home

Teaching Methods

Teaching Methods
Lectures with the use of power point presentations and with the aid of blackboard.
The integrative teaching activities include questions and debate in the classroom, either verbally or individually or in small groups. Some additional and optional works are also assigned through the online platform to be carried out outside the lessons. At the end of the course the integrative activities, both in the classroom and outside are subject to additional evaluation (1-2 bonus points) valid for the final exam. The slides and all the supplementary material for the basic texts used in the lesson are made available on the instructor's page.

Contacts/More Information

1) Readiness to offer individual assistance also in English to incoming students: YES

2) Availability of supporting material and bibliographic references also in a foreign language: YES.

List:
Required textbooks:
Robbins S.P., Judge T.A., Organizational Behavior, Pearson,16th edition 2015, chapters. 1,3, 5-10, 14.
Ragsdale C., Managerial Decision Modeling, Thomson, 2008, ISBN 9780324580617 chapters 1-3.

Course material and readings are available on line from the instructor's web pages:
https://sites.google.com/site/fvirili/home

Readiness to accept examination of incoming students also in a foreign language (please specify):
YES written essay in English.

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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR AND DSS LAB