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
Articles, videos, podcasts
Provided list of books and selected chapters

Teaching methods

The course emphasizes collaborative and experiental methods.
The course includes discussions and workshops in class, individual and group assignments.

Lectures and visiting speakers
Individual research and reflection
Individual and group assignments
Team discussions and sharing
Reading circle
Professional readings, videos, podcasts and articles

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.
25 hours - interactive sessions in class
40 hours - group work
70 hours - individual research, reading and tasks

Content scheduling

The course starts on wk 10 and includes eight interactive sessions together.
The themes of the course are:
- changing business environment and future of work
- organizational behaviour in global context
- motivation
- 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 assignments & tasks, attendance and active participation in class.
The course requires attendance.
If the student is absent more than three times from class, he/she will fail the course.
If the student arrives to class more than 15 minutes late, he/she can join the class, but attendance will not be recorded.

The final grade will be determined as follows:
Assignments (individual/pair/ group, graded with points 0-3 or 0-6) 70%
Personal activity (attendance, active participation in class, tasks with grade pass/fail) 30%
All graded assignments and tasks need to be completed to pass the course.

The number of points will be converted to scale 0-5 as follows:
5= 90% of total points
4= 80% of total points
3= 70% of total points
2= 60% of total points
1= 40% of total points
If the graded assignment is returned late, the max number of points is 1 (when graded 0-3) and 2 (when graded 0-6).

Plagiarism and using of artificial intelligence without proper citation automatically leads to the failing of the assigment/task.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

The student has not attended classes (more than three absences).
All the given assignments are not completed or returned according to the instructions.
The student has minimal contribution to group work/not contributed to any group activities.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

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)

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 points on a general level.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

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.