Organization Theory and Design

MG462-740*

Organization Theory and Design

Instructor Syllabus

Semester: Spring 2007

Southeast Missouri State University

Donald L. Harrison College of Business

Department of Management and Marketing

______

Meeting Schedule: WEB

Instructor: Dr. Matt Mardanov

Office Number DH 269

Office Hours: Tuesdays 11: 00 AM – 12:15 PM; Thursdays 2:00 – 3:00 PM: and TBA

On Campus Mail 5875

E-mail

Phone: 573-651-2902 (office), 573-332-7838 (home)

Fax: 573-651-2909

Web site:

http://online.semo.edu/2007Spring/MG462-740

or

http://cstl-hcb.semo.edu/mardanov

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION (3 credit hours):

Organizational purpose, design, structure, bureaucracy, power and politics; impact of external environmental and internal organizational factors on structure and design (3)

II. PREREQUSITE(s): MG362 with a minimum grade of ‘C’.

III. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. To gain factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) in

organization theory and design.

B. To learn theories and fundamental principles of organization and design

C. To demonstrate knowledge of the principles of organization structure and design.

1. To develop skills for understanding the impact of environment, strategy, technology, organizational culture, change, and organizational size on organizational and inter-organizational relationships.

1. To demonstrate analytical skills in linking design/structure to performance.

F. To develop awareness of the decision making hierarchies, bureaucracy, power and politics.

1. To demonstrate knowledge of various organization theories which enable managers to understand, predict, and influence organizational design/structure and development.

H. demonstrate awareness of the complex issues faced by managers in the area of ethics and social responsibility in organizational development.

1. To link organizational design to global business strategies and practices.

IV. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:

A.Normal expectations, including two hours of time spent outside of class for each hour in class

B.Periodic access to a PC and the Internet for performing assigned activities.

C. Reading the content of the required course materials, participating in class discussions, performing in- and out class individual and team assignments, case analysis, and writing a term paper.

D. Following all the required procedural rules and regulations of the University regarding to undergraduate students: attendance, academic honesty, effectiveness, and performance.

V. INSTRUCTING – LEARNING STRATEGIES:

• Individual readings (textbook and other materials)
• Instructor’s written lecture texts (power-point slides) on the most important theories of organization (CLASS CONTENT PAGE)
• Case discussions (FORUM)
• Quizzes (U-TEST)
• Experiential exercises in teams (FORUM)
• Term paper (DROP BOX)
• Final examination (U-TEST)

VI. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:

• Daft, L. Richard. (2004). Organization Theory and Design. (8th edition). Thomson-Southwestern.
• Baker & et al. (2007) Experiential Exercises in Organization Theory and Design (2nd edition). Thomson-Southwestern. [To be purchased. Available in the university bookstore – note for the upcoming summer and fall semester students].

• Periodicals and Other Sources:

1.Academy of Management Journal

2. Academy of Management Review

3.Administrative Science Quarterly

4.Business Week

5.Decision Sciences

6.Fortune

7. Harvard Business Review

8.Human Resource Management

9.International journal of organization theory and behavior

10. Journal of Management

11.Strategic Management Journal

1. Wall Street Journal

Articles from other journals can also be used for the term paper.

VII. TERM PAPER

Each student is expected to write a term paper on a selected topic. Term paper topics must be on one of the theories of organization. Analyzing these theories you have to link their utilization in contemporary organizations. Are they applicable to management practices in today’s organizations?

Theories of Organization:

1.Classical School: Adam Smith, Fredrick Taylor, Henry Fayol, Max Weber, and Gulick

2.Systems Perspective: Bertalanffy (1972), Boulding, Katz, Khan, Kast, Rosenweig, and others.

3.Transaction Cost Perspective: Williamson (1975) and Ouchi (1980)

4. Technology: Hatch, Woodward, Thompson, Perrow, Keller, and Adler

5.Contingency Theory: Lawrence, Lorsch, Burns, Stalker, Woodward, Thompson, and others.

6.Institutional Theory: Meyer, Rowan, DiMaggio, Powell, Scortt, Salznick, Greenwood & Hinings, and others

7.Population Ecology: Hannan & Freeman; McKelvie & Aldridge, Astley, Langton, Schilz, and others.

8. Resource Dependence Theory: Salancik, Barney, and others.

9. Symbolic Interpretive view and Enactment Theory: Weick, Smircich, Stubbartr, Schein, and others.

10.Political Perspective: Salancik, Pfeffer, and others.

11.Change: Nystorm, Starbuck, Gersick, Isabella.

12Strategic Choice: Child (1972)

13. Postmodern Theory: Kilduff, Mehra, and others

It is important to structure the paper (divide into sections). You can structure the paper as the following. First section must be an Introduction. Put here 1-2 paragraphs stating the importance of the subject. Next several sections must comprise the body of the paper. You must describe the issue (analysis and literature review – a section), identify problems in that issue (another section), and suggest solutions to those problems – a new section. You must review the relevant literature to that particular theory. The conclusion must include a summary and brief description of your contribution to the field (problems identified and solutions suggested). Non-structured (not divided into sections with subheadings) papers will not be graded. The title page must be designed as shown on the class web site (CLASS CONTENT page).

Size: not less than 10 double spaced pages. Use the APA citing format. At least five journal articles must be cited. See section V for a journal listing.

A sample structure of the term paper titled: Postmodern Theory and its Application in Contemporary Management Practice.

I. Introduction

II. The Postmodern Theory

III. Advantages and disadvantages of Application of the Postmodern Theory in Contemporary Management Practice

IV. Neutralizing Disadvantages of the Postmodern Theory: Theory Development.

V. Utilizing Advantages of the Postmodern Theory

VI. Conclusion

There may be many other ways to name the sections of the term paper.

VIII. DISCUSSIONS

Each student is expected to make a significant contribution to online (FORUM) discussions. The best formula is to contribute regularly (several times in each discussion) and make your contributions count by asking incisive questions, raising important points on the subject area covered, and bringing in experience or knowledge that will facilitate understanding of the concepts being covered. Remember, the first principle of participation is to read assigned material and perform the project. The second is to be active, and the third is to make your ideas heard.

IX. EXAM and QUIZZES

One quiz will be given on each of the chapters. The final exam will pertain to the material covered in the text and instructional materials.

X. MAKEUP EXAM

Makeup exams will be given after the final exam but before the last day of grade submissions (TBA) – additional information will be provided - for those students who missed a scheduled exam(s) due to circumstances beyond their control. For those students who missed the scheduled exam without excuses the makeup exam will be more difficult than the regular final comprehensive exam.

XI. GRADING

Final course grades will be determined by a weighted average of the student’s grade on the various course activities. The weights that will be used are:

The course grading scale is: A = 90 and above, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = below 60.

XII. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Note: Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary sanctions consistent with the rules and regulations of the Southeast Missouri State University (Undergraduate Bulletin, pp. 16-17).

See the Tentative Class Schedule on the “ASSIGNMENTS” page. Do not print out that page at least at the beginning of the semester. It will be live assignments page and may change. Every time look up this page before you start doing homework. Every change will be announced in advance.

*THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO make additions in the syllabus according to the university policies and ANY CHANGES TO THE CLASS SCHEDULE THAT ARE DEEMED NECESSARY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MIGHT ARISE DURING THE SEMESTER.

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