Swedish name: Organisation and Management of the Firm A
This syllabus is valid: 2011-08-29 valid to 2012-08-26 (newer version of the syllabus exists)
Syllabus for courses starting after 2014-08-18
Syllabus for courses starting between 2013-08-26 and 2014-08-17
Syllabus for courses starting between 2012-08-27 and 2013-08-25
Syllabus for courses starting between 2011-08-29 and 2012-08-26
Syllabus for courses starting between 2010-11-08 and 2011-08-28
Course code: 2FE030
Credit points: 7.5
Education level: First cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Business Administration: First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Business Administration
This course aims to prepare the student for managing groups and teams in public and private organisations, both in the national and the international context, with a particular focus on interpersonal relations, leadership and change. The course is arranged into three phases. The purpose of the first phase is to address the issue of why organizations exist, and how, over time, man has chosen to organise the division of labour. The most central issues of the field of organisational behaviour will be taken up in this introductory phase of the course, with the aim to provide the student with a linguistic platform from which future work-related communication on organisational issues is possible, as well as a basis on which to build further studies. The second phase of the course aims to deepen the students knowledge of different work-related motives and goals held by individuals concerning their organisations and work-groups, as well as how different goals, motives and aspects of work-satisfaction affect performance and relations in work-groups. This phase will also make possible an understanding of how an organizational manager can lead and manage individuals and groups to perform more efficiently, through for example, improved communication, reward systems that are designed in accordance with the individual, and good conflict management. The third and final phase of the course aims at both creating a synthesis of the themes that have been taken up in the course to date, and to provide the student with the opportunity to delve more deeply into one of the following themes (on the course, three out of the five themes will be selected by the teacher/s then the student chose one of the three themes ); ethics, power and politics, leadership, organisational change and development, or organisational design.
After completing the course, the student should be able to: describe and apply theories, models and concepts on individuals and work-groups in organisational contexts understand, evaluate and influence group development and effectiveness based on the particular business idea of the organisation reflect upon ones own way of relating to others, including ones own contribute to, and role within, a work-group work in groups as well as individually assume responsibility both for ones own learning and the learning of ones group analyse and handle organisational problems and changes in various types of business.
To enter the course general admission requirements are demanded (exemption is given for required courses in Swedish) as well as special requirements for the subjects mathematics and social science. The students should have mathematics corresponding to C-level at Swedish Gymnasium (approximately three years in upper secondary education) and social science corresponding to A-level at Swedish Gymnasium. Language: Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). The course is only aimed for foreign exchange students studying at Umeå School of Business within formal exchange agreements.
All teaching will be in English. During the first phase, the main focus of instruction is the students learning through his or her own study of the literature. Introductory lectures will cover the major aspects of the course literature, as a support to the students own studying. Furthermore, small-group exercises will be utilized to illustrate important aspects of organisational behaviour. This phase concludes with a mini-exam, with the purpose to secure basic knowledge in order for the student to be able to take on board further knowledge of organisational behaviour taken up in the remaining phases. Case-based learning constitutes the main focus of instruction for the second phase, that is, learning arising from problem solving on specific events and processes arising in real-life or fictitious organizations. In this phase, students will work in groups to bring order and clarity to the described organisational situations, and to gain holistic as well as detailed understanding of the case issues. The work involved in the case-based learning will be prepared through in-depth studies of relevant parts of the course literature and through literature seminars. The group work entails the collective analysis of and solutions to, organisational problems through the application of theoretical knowledge concerning individuals, work motivation, and group relations. The group work will be examined by a written paper that is presented to and discussed with other students on the course. Furthermore, the students own experience of working in these organized student groups will be explicitly utilized to develop further insights on how individual ambitions, and relationships and communication among people affect the effectiveness and performance of a work-group. The focus of instruction used to stimulate learning in the third and concluding phase of the course comprises an individual, independent, exam in the form of an essay-based home examination paper. This form of examination entails that the student should analyse and solve organisational problems through applying the knowledge gained throughout the course on individuals, relations, and groups as well as through the students studies of their chosen area of theory as outlined above.
The following grading system will be used: Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more), Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more) Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%). The examination on the course consists of the following: A mini-exam, which corresponds to 20 percent of the total examination of the course. If the student fails to pass the mini-exam, he or she will be given a further chance to pass in the re-exam, or alternatively in the follow-up examination offered in the August examination week. A group work comprising both written and oral assignments. The performance of the group as a whole is the base of examination. There are two group works and group work taken together corresponds to 40 percent of the total examination of the course. The students active participation in seminars is required. Should the group fail to pass the case-work, supplementary case-related tasks will be designated. Should the group fail these supplementary tasks, the case-work will be failed, and the members of the group will be referred to new case work the next time the course is given. A home exam that corresponds to 40 percent of the total examination of the course. As this is an individual task, students are not allowed to collaborate on writing parts or the whole exam. Students are required to pass each part of the total examination of this course, i.e. the mini-exam, the group work, and the home-exam, in order to gain a grade for this course. This means that at least 50% of the points awarded for each form of examination during the course are required to pass the course. To achieve a Pass with distinction, at least 75% of the total possible points are required. All examination will be in English. In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given on each occasion. Students who do not pass the written examination will be offered a re-examination opportunity within 2-3 weeks. Beyond that, additional opportunities to complete the written examination normally arise every academic year one-week prior to the start of the autumn term. When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. Lectures are normally not obligatory. However attendance is expected because the lectures are designed to facilitate students towards achieving course specific learning objectives. In addition lectures often provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course litterateur and other relevant course materials. Student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grading. Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. ACADEMIC CREDIT TRANSFER. Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.
The course is included in the International Business Program at Umeå School of Business. The course is also offered to exchange students within formal agreements.
The literature list is not available through the web. Please contact the faculty.