Students

BUS 815 – Behaviour in Organisations

2019 – S1 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Unit Convenor
Patrick Garcia
patrick.garcia@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Please view consultation hours via iLearn - https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BUS651 or MKTG696
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Co-taught with MGMT715
Unit description Unit description
In an increasingly globalized and competitive business environment, an organisation’s people can be a valuable source of sustained competitive advantage. However, this is largely determined by the manner in which people are managed and led. This unit aims to enhance student knowledge of the ways people behave in organisations and the skills required to effectively manage them. Organisations constantly face issues involving motivation, performance, and teamwork making leadership and organisational behaviour skills important for managers and non-managers alike. This unit is about people in organisations, focusing on how management and leadership practices affect the attitudes, motivation, behaviour, and performance of employees and teams. Unit content is derived mostly from contemporary theory, research, and practice in the organisational behaviour and management disciplines. Students will be encouraged to use unit material to be self-aware and mindful about how they lead and interact with others, and to adopt an ethic of continuous self-improvement in their leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of classical and contemporary OB theory. Topics include: leadership, motivation, organisational culture, and teamwork
  • Evaluate organisational behaviour concepts through review of relevant scholarship
  • Demonstrate commitment to achieving teamwork task
  • Practise giving and receiving constructive and critical feedback

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quiz 20% No Week 7
Case Study Analysis 20% No Week 7
Group Project 60% No Weeks 10, 11, 12, and 13

Online Quiz

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

Online Quiz Assessment Summary Task Description The online quiz will consist of multiple choice questions based on the content of the first six weeks of the session. Students need to answer 50 questions (randomly allocated to each student out of a question bank) Type of Collaboration Individual Submission Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page.  Length 50 questions Inherent Task Requirements Online access via iLearn; Participation online required.  Late Submission

Late submissions will not be marked. No extensions will be granted. Students who do not complete the online quiz will be awarded a mark of 0 for the assessment.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of classical and contemporary OB theory. Topics include: leadership, motivation, organisational culture, and teamwork

Case Study Analysis

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

Case Study Analysis Assessment Summary Task Description Students will be given a short case and will be asked to analyse it based on concepts covered in the first three weeks of the session. The case together with specific questions will be made available on iLearn one week before the deadline. Type of Collaboration Individual Submission Please Submit Via Turnitin Link on iLearn Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length 1,000  words Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

No extensions will be granted. Late submissions must also be made through Turnitin. There will be a deduction of 10% made from the total available marks for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% deduction). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of classical and contemporary OB theory. Topics include: leadership, motivation, organisational culture, and teamwork

Group Project

Due: Weeks 10, 11, 12, and 13
Weighting: 60%

Group Project Assessment Summary Task Description

Part 1 - Collective deliverable group report (worth 30%): In groups, (depending on cohort numbers) students will write a report about an existing organisation of their choice. The project aims to help students a) apply concepts from the course to a real world example and b) practice and improve teamwork, research, communication skills. Part 1 is due on Week 13.

Part 2 - Individual deliverable feedback exercise and reflection (worth 30%): Giving constructive feedback is critical element of work life and yet many of us struggle to deliver it. In weeks 10, 11, and 12 students will be asked to write and deliver feedback to each of their team members. The purpose of the assessment is to give students an opportunity to hone their skills in giving and receiving feedback. 

Type of Collaboration Individual and Group  Submission Please Submit Via Turnitin Link on iLearn Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length Part 1: 3000 words, Part 2 written feedback: 200-300 words, Part 2 reflection paper: 500 words Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Part 1: Collective Deliverable (Worth 30%): No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% deduction). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.

Part 2: Individual Deliverable (Worth 30%): No extensions will be granted. Students who do not participate in the feedback exercise will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of classical and contemporary OB theory. Topics include: leadership, motivation, organisational culture, and teamwork
  • Evaluate organisational behaviour concepts through review of relevant scholarship
  • Demonstrate commitment to achieving teamwork task
  • Practise giving and receiving constructive and critical feedback

Delivery and Resources

Required text
  • Organisational Behaviour: Emerging Knowledge. Global Insights. 6th  ed. By Steven McShane, Mara Olekalns, Alex Newman, Tony Travaglione (ISBN: 9781760421649)
Unit web page The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Technology Used and Required

Students are required to have access to a personal computer and familiarise themselves with iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/).

iLearn will be used to post lecture slides, assessment details, student grades and as a means of communication between staff members and students.
Delivery Format and Other Details
  • Number and length of classes: Each class is 3 hours long, including lecture and seminar activities. Classes may vary due to public holiday(s).
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Recommended readings

Additional readings will be made available via the Library Multisearch engine. The required readings for the essay will be made available through e-Reserve and/or iLearn. A list of additional suggested readings will be made available on iLearn for students who wish to stretch themselves.

Unit Schedule

Week Lecture Topic Readings and Preparation
Week 1  Course introduction, individual behaviour, and personality  Textbook Chapter 1 and 2
Week 2 Workplace attitudes and stress  Textbook Chapter 4 
Week 3 Employee motivation Textbook Chapter 5
Week 4 Team dynamics and processes  Textbook Chapter 8 
Week 5 Team dynamics and processes (continued) Textbook Chapter 8 
Week 6 Leadership in organisations Textbook Chapter 12
Week 7 Online quiz and case study analysis  Online submission via iLearn
Week 8 Organisational culture Textbook Chapter 14
Week 9 Organisational change  Textbook Chapter 15
Week 10 Giving and recieving feedback Online reading available via iLearn
Week 11 Oral feedback session  
Week 12 Oral feedback session  
Week 13 Group project and reflection paper due  

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of classical and contemporary OB theory. Topics include: leadership, motivation, organisational culture, and teamwork
  • Evaluate organisational behaviour concepts through review of relevant scholarship

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quiz
  • Case Study Analysis
  • Group Project

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate organisational behaviour concepts through review of relevant scholarship
  • Demonstrate commitment to achieving teamwork task
  • Practise giving and receiving constructive and critical feedback

Assessment task

  • Group Project

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate commitment to achieving teamwork task
  • Practise giving and receiving constructive and critical feedback

Assessment task

  • Group Project

Changes from Previous Offering

  1. The textbook has been updated to a newer edition. 
  2. The comparative review essay has been removed and replaced with the case study analysis.

Research & Practice, Global contexts & Sustainability

  1. This unit draws on extensive research from sources outside the textbook. Students will be provided with additional research articles fro every week to allow them to considerably expand their knowledge of OB. 
  2. Conducting research independently is strongly encouraged for this unit and is rewarded
  3. Cultural differences in work practices between countries will be extensively discussed and students will be asked to elaborate on work practices in their respective countries. OB theories from non-Western perspectives will be integrated in the lectures, where available.
  4. Issues of sustainability and ethics will be discussed during the first three weeks of the semester and in other weeks as they relate to other OB topics.