Organisational Behaviour

Programme

Course description

• To provide an understanding of the influence of motivation, perception, attitudes and group behaviour upon job performance and job satisfaction
• To comprehend how attitudes are formed and the interaction between attitudes and behaviour
• To recognise the impact of perception upon managerial decision making
• To appreciate how group norms affect behaviour at work
• To differentiate groups and teams
• To examine the links between motivation, job satisfaction and performance
• To explain the relationship between job design and job satisfaction and explore ways of motivating employees via job rotation, job enlargement and job enrichment.

Course contents

The course is divided into 6 topics:

1. Introduction to Organisational Behaviour & Groups and Teams
2. Personality
3. Perception
4. Communications in the Workplace
5. Motivation
6. Emotions

In advance of the start of the course the trainees will complete guided reading on the core concepts and theories covered in the course, and also complete the Belbin Team Types Questionnaire plus a number of motivational questionnaires. The online workshop sessions will focus on participating in practical exercises in group behaviour and motivation. While standard didactic sessions are used to explain the core underpinnings of each concept, this course adopts a more interactive and exploratory approach to facilitate a deeper and more practical understanding of how behaviour is enacted within organisations. Accordingly, there will be extensive opportunities for high-level class interaction. Individual study will be supported with guided readings and online content via Moodle. While based on essential academic theories, concepts and techniques, there will also be significant focus afforded to individual personal development coupled with the practical application of learning within the workplace.

The course assessment consists of two essays (worth 40% and 60%)

• • Assignment 1: Group Essay (40%)

Working in your groups, please use theories discussed in class, material supplied to assist you in the assignment 1 tool box, lecture slides and other relevant sources to discuss, evaluate and analyze the question poised. Useful guidelines on writing essays for this course will be available in the Assignment 1 tool box on Moodle. In particular, please note that complete and accurate referencing of all material used to complete the essay is required. Please do not write this essay as a reflective essay, do not write using (I), you must refer to the literature on this topic and discuss what the views of the authors/scholars have discussed. For example, “This essay highlights the importance of …”.

• • Assignment 2 : Individual Essay (60%)

The trainee will be asked to discuss four prompts for their portfolio; the prompts will be provided at the end of each of the lecture slides. The trainee should refer to theories discussed in class, and other relevant sources. Please note that complete and accurate referencing of all material used to complete the portfolio is required.

Type of training

This online course is a combination of e-learning, computer-based learning, group work, videos and self-study.

Objectives and outcomes

Trainees will be able to:

• Recognise how perception and attitudes impact upon managerial judgements and decision making across a wide range of managerial activities from selection, promotion and development to delegation, group behaviour and leadership style.
• Comprehend and integrate a range of motivation theories and appreciate that each individual requires different motivational challenges in the workplace.
• Appreciate the impact of group norms upon individual behaviour and how managers may influence group norms.
• Explain the relationship between motivation, job satisfaction and performance.
• Have greater self-awareness of how ones own attitudes and perceptions impact upon leadership style and decision-making.
• Apply job satisfaction questionnaires to assess areas for improvement in the workplace.
• Use Belbin Team Types questionnaire to identify the respective strengths and develop rest of their team.
• Apply motivational theories to assist in the design of personal development plan for team members.
• Recognise the wide range of different motivators and attitudes amongst team members.
• Discriminate between different team type profiles held by team members.

Language

English

Requirements

Participants would require their own laptop and a stable high-speed internet connection to take part in this course.

Target Group

This course is designed for Front-line Managers, Middle Managers and Senior Executives who wish to up-skill or refresh their current skill set.