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Organizational Behavior

SUNY Empire State College FORUM Management Program Organizational Behavior Learning Contract Fall 2007 4 credit

Instructor: Susan A. Raynis, Ph.D. 106 Vly Road Albany, NY 12205

Tel. No.: 518-454-2031 Fax No.: 518-458-5449 Email: rayniss@mail.strose.edu

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the causes of human behavior in organizations. It takes you through an exploration of the theoretical bases of individual, group, and organizational processes. Emphasis will be on the analysis of various business situations and the application of theory to the practical resolution of individual, team, and organizational issues. Generally, the topics can be broken down into three broad categories: macroorganizational, individual characteristics and group dynamics. At the macro level, we will look at how organizations should be structured to best fit the demands of the environment and thus maximize performance. Topics in this area include organizational structure, culture, and change processes. We will also examine how characteristics of individuals (personality, cognitive processes, motivational factors, etc.) relate to outcomes such as performance, effort, decisions, attitudes and turnover. The interplay of individual characteristics with group dynamics delineates the third category of topics, which includes team management, leadership, group decisionmaking, and conflict resolution. The focus will be on using the course concepts to improve your ability to understand and solve people problems at work, maximize the performance of your staff, and better understand your own skills and abilities as a manager. REQUIRED TEXT: Stephen Robbins & Timothy Judge, Organizational Behavior, 12th edition. LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The text is designed to provide you with an overview of the theories and concepts that help explain individual and group behavior in organizations. Your written assignments will involve the application of these principles to analyzing and solving problems in...