University of Alexandria

University of Alexandria

Faculty of Commerce

Executive MBA Program –Fall 2009

Organization Behavior

Instructor : Dr. Aly A. Messallam
DR. Lisa Lambert
Meetings : Fri: 1:30 – 4:30
Sat: 1:30 – 4:30

Course Objectives

This course provides a broad overview of the Organization Behavior (OB) field. The course has two main objectives: The first is to provide students with a theoretical knowledge base relevant to organization behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels. The second is to provide students with opportunities to apply this theoretical knowledge both in classroom and real life work settings. The overall objective is to help students to learn to be more effective in organizations.

Required Readings

Ivancevich, J., Konopaske, R., and Matteson, M. (2008) Organizational Behavior and Management . (8th ed.) McGraw Hill International Inc.,

Mode of Instruction

A combination of lecturing, group discussion, case analysis, and individual assignments will be used to link organizational behavior theories with managerial practices.

Topic Outline

Part One: Introduction

Chapter 1. Introduction to organizational behavior:

The origins of management, The importance of studying Organizational Behavior, What is organizational behavior? Levels of analysis in organizational behavior, An historical overview of the field of OB, Contributing disciplines to OB field, Effectiveness in organizations, and Systems theory.

Part Two: Understanding and managing individual behavior

Chapter 3. Individual Differences and Work Behavior:

Why individual differences are important? Individual differences influencing work behavior: Biological individual differences: sex, physical characteristics, age, and intelligence. Psychological individual differences: gender, personality, and attitudes.

Chapter 4: Perception, Attribution and Emotions:

The perception process, perceptual grouping, perceptual errors, attribution theory, impression management, emotions, and Emotional Intelligent.

Chapter 5: Motivation:

What is motivation? Content theories of motivation, Process theories of motivation, integrating contemporary theories of motivation, The motivation and psychological contract.

Chapter 9: Managing Individual Stress:

What is Stress? Work stressors: individual, group, and organizational. Stress outcomes, Stress moderators, Stress prevention and management.

Part Three: Group behavior and interpersonal influence

Chapter 10: Groupsand Teams:

The nature of groups, Types of groups, work group design, stages of group formation and development, internal group process, characteristics of groups, and the management of groups in organizations.

Chapter 12: Power, politics and empowerment:

The concept of power, where does power come from? Empowerment, interdepartmental power, the illusion of power, political strategies, and tactics, ethics, power, and politics,

Part four: Organizational processes

Chapter 13: Communication:

The importance of communication, the communication process, communicating within organizations, information richness, how technology affects communication, barriers to effective communication, improving communication in organizations.

Chapter 15: Leadership:

What is leadership? Trait theories, behavioral theories, contingency theories, the most recent approaches to leadership, dimensions of trust, how leaders can build trust.

Part five: Organizational design, change and innovation

Chapter 17: Managing organizational change and innovation

Alternative change management approaches, learning principals of change management, resistance to change, a model for managing organizational change, and some guidelines for managing change.

Schedule of activities

Date / Subject / Readings
Week 1, Friday
Week 1, Saturday
Week 2, Friday
Week 2, Saturday
Week 3, Friday
Week 3, Saturday
Week 4, Friday
Week 4, Saturday
Week 5, Friday
Week 5, Saturday
Week 6, Friday
Week 6, Saturday
Week 7, Friday
Week 7, Saturday / Course Overview
. Course Syllabus.
Video Case: STARBUCKS AS “THE FRONT PORCH” :
To be handed out.
Part One: Introduction
. Chapter 1. Introduction to organizational behavior:
Case: Thanks for 24 years of service. Now here’s the door.
To be handed out.
Part Two:
Understanding and managing individual behavior
. Chapter 3. Individual Differences and Work Behavior:
Case 3.1: Personality Testing: Yes or No? P. 84
. Chapter 4: Perception, Attribution and Emotions:
Case 4.1: A management style that made an impression P.107
Video Case: The Fluker Cricket Farm (to be handed out)
. Chapter 5: Motivation:

Case 5.1: Comparing co-workers against each other: Does this motivate employees? P. 134

Video Case: Harbor Marine Corporation (to be handed out)
. Chapter 9: Managing Individual Stress:
Case 9.1: No response from monitor 23 P. 251
Video Case: Fighting Stress P. 255
Mid-term Exam
Part Three:
Group behavior and interpersonal influence
Chapter 10: Groups and Teams:
Case 10.1: Boosting R&D and getting all units on the same page delivers a rebound P. 287
Video Case: All Brand appliance (to be handed out)
Chapter 12: Power, politics and empowerment:
Case 12.1: Power Abuse: Yes or No? P. 345
Video Case: Specialized Bicycle P. 346
Part four: Organizational processes
Chapter 13: Communication:
Case 13.1: The Road to hill P.376
Video Case: Community insurance company (to be handed out)
Chapter 15: Leadership:
Case 15.1: Rotating leaders: Orpheus Orchestra P. 442
Video Case: Ironbound Supply Company (to be handed out)
Part five:
Organizational design, change and innovation
Chapter 17: Managing organizational change and innovation
Case 17.1: Nucor corporation: Innovation, change, and motivation P.510
Video Case: Waterford (to be handed out)
Term paper final report due
Term paper presentation (all students)
Final Exam / Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 15
Chapter 17

Term Paper

Select a topic of an interest to yourelated to organizational behavior issues; communicate the topic with me early during the term. I may be able to make some suggestion that you might find useful. The term paper can cover theoretical, empirical, or practical problems. My objective is to improve students' skills in utilizing OB knowledge and writing research report.

Mid-term exam

There will be a mid-term exam on Friday of week 4. The exam will cover the first 4 topics.

Case Analysis

For each topic, a group of two members should undertake two tasks:

The first is to lead the discussion on an assigned case (cases are listed in the schedule of activities)

The second is to make up a case from an organization of their choice and to apply the concepts, models, and theories concerning OB on real work settings.

The case analysis and the real organization written report should be typed and handed in at the beginning of each due session.All group members are expected to participate in oral presentation.

Performance Evaluation

Student performance during the semester will be assessed by four means:

Midterm Exam20%

Case analysis and participation20%

Term Paper20%

Final Exam40%

Suggested Format for Term Paper

Title Page
Table of Contents
Abstract--One page, introducing the topic and summarizing your findings
Introduction--Review the significance of the topic to OB, giving a brief historical perspective.
Literature Review--An overview, with citations, of observations, approaches, opinions, and/or conclusions that can be found regarding the topic. Use a variety of sources, "academic" or "professional," and expand your readings beyond assigned text.
Existing Situation--Cite the existing situation, regarding the selected topic, in a real company. Use a company with which you have personal experience. Discuss the strengths and/or weaknesses of the way the company currently handles the issue. Are there problems with its approach?
Discussion--Present your analysis and conclusions. Discuss alternatives for the company you selected. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the alternatives? What are your recommendations? What action strategies do you recommend and which are the most critical? Be specific.
Reference List--The information you have used should be referenced in the text and in the reference list.
Appendix-- as needed

Important Notes

1. No late assignments will be accepted

2. No make-up exams will be allowed.

3. Keep your cellular phone on silent mode during class.

Best Wishes for Great Performance

Date / Subject
Week 1, Saturday
Week 2, Friday
Week 2, Saturday
Week 3, Friday
Week 3, Saturday
Week 4, Friday
Week 4, Saturday
Week 5, Friday
Week 5, Saturday
Week 6, Saturday / Part One: Introduction
Introduction to Organizations and Organization Behavior
Case: Thanks for 24 years of service. Now here’s the door.
Chapter 3. Individual Differences and Work Behavior:
Case 3.1: Personality Testing: Yes or No? P. 84
Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Chapter 4: Perception, Attribution and Emotions:
Case 4.1: A management style that made an impression P.107
Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Chapter 5: Motivation:

Case 5.1: Comparing co-workers against each other: Does this motivate employees? P. 134

Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Chapter 9: Managing Individual Stress:
Case 9.1: No response from monitor 23 P. 251
Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Part Three:
Group behavior and interpersonal influence
Chapter 10: Groups and Teams:
Case 10.1: Boosting R&D and getting all units on the same page delivers a rebound P. 287
Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Chapter 12: Power, politics and empowerment:

Case 12.1: Power Abuse: Yes or No? P. 345

Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Part four: Organizational processes
Chapter 13: Communication:

Case 13.1: The Road to hill P.376

Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Chapter 15: Leadership:
Case 15.1: Rotating leaders: Orpheus Orchestra P. 442
Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…
Part five:
Organizational design, change and innovation
Chapter 17: Managing organizational change and innovation
Case 17.1: Nucor corporation: Innovation, change, and motivation P.510
Participants: ……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…