Students registering in grouped study mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.
Overview
Organizational analysis depends on the behavioural and structural aspects of organizations. Although both levels of analysis are crucial for an understanding of organizations, the field is usually divided into two specific areas of study: organizational behaviour and organization theory. The former comprises the interpersonal, or micro, aspects of organizations, while the latter includes the structural, or macro, aspects.
This course focuses primarily on the structural aspects of organizations, though it also reflects on the relationship between structure and behaviour and, thus, complements ORGB 364: Organizational Behaviour.
In this course, you will learn about the ways in which managers seek to promote organizational effectiveness through internal structures and processes. To do that, you will analyze
how organizations are structured within the context of the larger social, political, and economic environment
why systems of control and coordination vary across organizations and change over time
how organizational theory may contribute towards improving the design and management of organizations
Several lesson notes focus on the relationship between gender, structure, and organizational outcomes. This adds another dimension to the analysis of how the larger social environment affects organizational cultures and processes.
Outline
Lesson 1: Organizations and Theory
Lesson 2: Goals, Effectiveness, and the External Environment
Lesson 3: Technology, Information, and the Organization
Lesson 4: Organization Size, Life Cycle, and Decline
Lesson 5: The Design of Organizations
Lesson 6: Innovation and Change
Lesson 7: Decision Making
Lesson 8: Organizational Conflict, Power, and Politics
Lesson 9: Organizational Culture and Ethics
Evaluation
Credit activities for ORGB 326 consist of three assignments and a final examination. Your final grade is determined by a weighted average of the grades you receive on these activities. To receive credit for this course, you must receive a grade of D (50 percent) or better on the final examination and an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent). The following chart summarizes the evaluation activities:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
15%
Assignment 2
15%
Assignment 3
20%
Final Online Exam
50%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Materials
Daft, R. L. (2010). Organization theory and design (12th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western. ISBN 9780324599138 (eText)
The Challenge for Credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ORGB 326 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 9, September 11, 2015
Updated November 15, 2021, by Student & Academic Services