Study Guide

Objective

This study unit will provide the students with foundation on the impact individuals, groups and structures have on human behavior within organizations and their contribution to the company’s success.
The student
- is able to identify trends in the changing business environment and their impact on organizations
- is able to describe the impact of organizational culture and atmosphere at the workplace
- knows the basics of working as a team leader
- is able to work as a team member and effectively contribute to the team results
- can identify and cope with typical problems of the working community
- is able to manage oneself and to find own development areas

Content

- Changing business environment and change management
- Organizational design and culture
- Leading teams and efficient teamwork        
- Self management

Materials

Presentation materials and learning videos
Articles and selected chapters
Provided list of books

Teaching methods

The course emphasizes collaborative and experiental methods.
The course includes online discussions, individual and group assignments.

Individual research and reflection
Interactive online meetings
Team discussions and sharing
Video lectures and reading materials

International connections

Team learning
Work life oriented learning assignments
Task-based assessment

Completion alternatives

Accreditation of Prior Learning based on Competence (not transfer of credits):

Two weeks prior to course start, student submits a video and a written report showcasing expertise in the aforementioned course topics:
Changing business environment and future of work; organizational culture; basics of teamwork, team performance and typical problems in teams; and developing own leadership skills.

If the submission fulfils the assessment criteria, student can attain the credits. If the submission does not meet the criteria, student joins the course.

Student workload

5 ECTS = 135 working hours.
5 hours - online discussions
20 hours - preparations for the online discussions, online test
40 hours - team tasks
70 hours - individual tasks & readings, online test

Content scheduling

The course is designed for PINBOS students with own study teams.

Course opens on week 3 with pre-tasks.
All group meeting on 1 Feburary 2024 (week 5)
Small group meeting 1 on 6-7 February 2024 (week 6)
Small group meeting 2 on 12-13 March 2024 (week 11)
Small group meeting 3 on 2-3 April 2024 (week 14)

The themes of the course are:
- Changing business environment and future of work
- basics of teamwork, team performance and typical problems in teams
- developing own leadership skills
- importance and elements of organizational culture

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The assessment is based on the completion of the given tasks, attendance and active participation in online meetings.
All the given assignments need to be completed to be able to pass the course.
The course includes numerically graded assignments and assignments which will be graded with scale pass/fail. All assignments will be taken into account in the final grade.
If the graded task is returned late, the grade will be reduced by 1.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

All the given assignments are not completed.
The student has not contributed to group work and any online team activities with the small group including study team meetings.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student is able to
•describe how organisational thinking has evolved from traditional organisations to future organizational designs
•understand the basics of teamwork and can identify typical problems in teamwork
•describe a company's organizational culture using an organizational culture framework
•identify the main duties of a team leader and evaluate own leadership skills

Limited communication and contribution to discussions and group assignments.
All assignments returned. The outputs correspond to the assignments at a sufficient level but remain on a very basic level.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student is able to
•understand how the organizational designs are reflections of the organizational thinking of that time and the need for change.
•understand the concept of team; identify and find solutions typical problems in teamwork and personally contribute to team results
•analyse a company's organizational culture using an organizational culture framework
•describe the main duties of a team leader; evaluate own performance and leadership skills; and find own development areas.

Communicates and contributes to discussions and group assignments. All assignments returned according to instructions and on time. The outputs are relevant and focus on key point on a general level.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to
•show a very good understanding of changing organizational thinking and theory and their application in real-life contexts
•understand the concept of teamwork; take responsibility and actively contribute to team results; solve conflicts and find solutions
•can analyse a company's organizational culture with justified development suggestions using an organisational culture framework
•analyse own leadership strategies; identify own development areas and actively start implementing small changes in real life.

Active communication and contribution to discussions and group assignments. All assignments returned according to the instructions and on time. The outputs show evidence of insight and capacity for argumentation.