Duration
30h Th, 10h SEM
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Welcome to the course Introduction to Organisational Analysis. This course will run in the autumn (September to December) term. Please read this document carefully as it contains important information regarding the structure, delivery, and assessment of the course. The course leader is Professor Wouter Vleugels. In addition, teaching support for this course will be provided by Ms. Lorane Berton. Their contact details are as follows:
Email: w.vleugels@uliege.be / lorane.berton@uliege.be
Office number: N1D 5ème étage
This course provides a broad introduction to the workings of the organisation, focusing specifically on three key dimensions: its employees, its operational processes and practices, and its structure. It is designed to help students develop a nuanced understanding of organisations and identify challenges that may arise.
The course is based on the notion that satisfactorily understanding organisations requires the application of different lenses drawn from different disciplines including psychology, sociology, management studies, organisation theory, political science, and economics. Moreover, such an understanding also requires that we look at different levels of the organisation. At the workforce level, topics such as motivation, team dynamics, and leadership will be discussed. With regard to processes, the course examines power dynamics and decision-making strategies, communication patterns, and organisational culture. Finally, and in terms of structure, the focus will be on the division of labour and various organizational configurations.
The main goal of this course is to provide insights into the inner workings of organisations and the key principles for effective management. This expertise is crucial for various managerial positions spanning marketing, operations, human resources, finance, and accounting. It is also invaluable for those considering roles in start-ups, family businesses, management consultancy, auditing, or investment banking.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Understand key concepts focusing on various levels and aspects of the organisation, including its workforce, operational processes, and structural design.
- Compare and contrast diverse theories and models related to employee behaviour and organisational management.
- Identify and discuss various challenges that could emerge within organisations.
- Analyse organisational issues and recommend solutions for improvement
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Not applicable.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course includes one 2-hour lecture per week. Class lectures will take place on Tuesdays from 18h00 to 20h00 in classroom 1/82 at N1d (HEC Campus).
The course is divided into 3 different modules and the unit structure looks as follows:
Introduction
- What is an organisation?
- The individual employee
- Teams and groups
- Leadership
- Power and decision-making
- Communication
- Mission & culture
- Division of labour
- Organisational configurations
- Synthesis, integration, and Q&A
Additionally, students are invited to participate in five seminars (2.5 hours) scheduled throughout the first semester from October to December. The purpose of these seminars is to delve deeper into topics that are only briefly covered in the regular classes, to reflect on theory, and to help students prepare for the case study exam at the end of the course. Detailed information regarding the seminars, including dates and times, will be shared during the opening class lecture and posted on the student pltaform Lol@.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
This cours will be taught in French.
Recommended or required readings
The primary textbook for this course is:
Clegg, S., Pitsis, T., & Mount, M. (2021). Managing and Organizations: An Introduction to Theory and Practice (6th edition). Sage: London
Additional course materials are sourced from:
Mintzberg, H. (1978). Structure et dynamique des organisations. Translation of "The structuring of oganizations" published by Prentice-Hall. Eyrolles: Paris.
Purchasing the textbook(s) is optional. Students can successfully complete the course by utilising the weekly PowerPoint presentations and actively participating in seminars.
All PowerPoints and seminar materials will be shared via the student platform Lol@.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Additional information:
Your knowledge about this course will be tested and evaluated via an individual assessment at the end of the semester.
Specifically, students will be required to analyse a case study and respond to a set of open-ended and multiple-choice questions. This is a "closed-book", "no-notes" exam, meaning you will not be able to use any supporting materials during the exam. Each multiple-choice question has four options with just one correct answer. The questions will include a mix of (i) purely theoretical topics and (ii) practical applications of models and theories discussed in class and during the seminars.
Work placement(s)
Not applicable.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Additional information on the course will be posted on the student platform Lol@.
Contacts
Association of one or more MOOCs
There is no MOOC associated with this course.