Organisational Behaviour
| Module title | Organisational Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM820 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Susan Reh (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 0 | 11 (for Jan starters) | 0 |
Module description
This module explores the dynamics of behaviour in an organisation. It will address how to identify and understand behavioural patterns and how to develop skills in managing this behaviour in ourselves and others. Understanding behaviour is fundamental to effective management and personal development. Organisational behaviour (OB) pervades all other activities in an organisation as long as people are involved in it. This module will examine our everyday understanding of behaviour and explore new insights into OB in a theoretical and practical manner. No prior study of OB is required.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- Provide students with an understanding of behavioural theories in the context of organisations, at the individual, group and organisational level.
- Enable students to translate behaviour theory into practice, through applied work
- Develop student’s confidence in assessing and managing their own behaviour and the behaviour of others that they can take into the workplace.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate knowledge of organisational behavioural theories;
- 2. show how these theories of behaviour can be used to understand and manage organisational dynamics.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. develop management skills by applying theories to real life situations;
- 4. demonstrate effective, persuasive arguments.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. work effectively independently.
- 6. work effectively in a group.
Syllabus plan
Topics to be covered include:
- Organisational and group level:
- culture, power
- Group level:
- group dynamics, leadership, change, decision-making (also at individual level)
- Individual level:
- personality and perception.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 12 | Lectures (10 x 1 hour in person) + 2 x 1 hour online cohort sessions on assessment |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 8 | Small class sessions (duration of 1 hour) |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Supporting materials on ELE and forum discussions. |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Reading, reflection, and assignment completion |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class based case scenario discussions | Short case scenarios (circa 700-1000 words) discussed in seminars. | 1-5 | Verbal, in class |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individually written assignment | 70 | 2000 words | 1-5 | Written comments; verbal feedback if required |
| Group presentation and report | 30 | 10 minute presentation + 1200 word report | 1-6 | Written comments; verbal feedback if required |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individually written paper (70%) | Individually written paper (2000 words, 70%) | 1-5 | Referral/deferral period |
| Group presentation and report (30%) | Report (1000 words) | 1-6 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Resubmission of failed components.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Textbook:
Buchanan, D. A. and Huczynski, A. A. (2017) Organizational Behaviour, 9th edn. Harlow: Pearson (online accessible)
Supporting texts:
King, D. and Lawley, S. (2022) Organizational Behaviour, 4th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wilson, F. M. (2018) Organizational Behaviour and Work: A critical introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Reference:
Jeanes, E. (2019) A Dictionary of Organizational Behaviour, Oxford University Press (online) DOI: 10.1093/acref/9780191843273.001.0001
Academic Journals:
A range of academic journals cover relevant topics, including:
Journal of Organizational Behaviour
Management Learning
Other recommended reading
Management practitioner journals are useful for understanding OB in action, for example:
CIPD’s People Management: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/
HR magazine: https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | N/A |
| Module co-requisites | N/A |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 06/08/2024 |
| Last revision date | 06/08/2024 |
