BUS351: Essentials of Organizational Behavior and Strategy
Spring 2008, Section 005: Wed, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Jesse L. Nelson, MBA
Office: Clow Faculty 114 Office Phone: 920.424.0186 Work Phone: 920.996.1214 Home Phone: 920.205.6000
Email: For fast response: jesse.nelson@schencksolutions.com
Other address: nelsonje@uwosh.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm. Other times by appointment only Classroom: Clow 207 Reading and Study Materials: Essentials of Organizational Behavior and Strategy This text contains selections from two separate works: a.) Hitt, Miller, and Colella, Organizational Behavior: A Strategic Approach, (HMC) and b.) Harrison, Strategic Management of Resources and Relationships(JH) Handouts and Discussion Materials Course packet prepared by UWO professor Dr. J. Kim DeDee. Collateral readings UWO library materials and articles from Fortune, Business Week, WSJ or related economic or technical publications may be assigned and discussed. Course Overview The course introduces the student to issues relating to the management of people in organizations to support the organization’s market/product strategy. Underlying theory and research in organizational behavior, organizational theory, and strategy is examined to understand how the organization achieves its strategy through people. Concepts and practices related to strategy formulation, strategy implementation, motivation, perception, intra-group and inter-group dynamics, leadership, communication, decision-making, organizational design, and organizational culture will be explored. Course Objectives The course seeks to provide students with: An understanding of the role that individuals play in achieving organization goals, objectives, and strategy. An opportunity to practice group formation, individual dynamics within groups, and interactions between groups/teams in the larger organizational context. Familiarity and appreciation of such crucial organizational processes as leadership, power, politics, decision-making, communication, negotiations, and culture. An understanding as to how internal forces (e.g., technology, size) and external forces (e.g., stability of economy, legal environment) influence organizational strategy, design, and structure. Opportunities to develop analytical, oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Course Expectations Students are expected to attend classes regularly, read and prepare assignments on time, and contribute to class discussion and activities. Class time will be used for lectures, discussions, quizzes, individual and group exercises, and case analysis.
Course Policies Contribution and Attendance Students will be evaluated for the quality and consistency of their contributions to class discussions, including work in small groups and reports to the entire class. Attendance will be taken in class. All students begin with a credit of 70 points. If you contribute, points will be maintained. Students not showing up for class will be penalized 5 points per missed class. If you attend all classes but do not contribute your point total will be reduced by up to 2.5 points per class. Projects One substantial team project will be required. Detailed instructions will be given the first evening of class. Any student who does not complete his/her assigned portion of any project will lose peer evaluation points, based on the judgment of his/her team – and may be kicked off the team. Teams Students will form teams of four (4) for completing team assignments. These teams are intended to remain constant throughout the course. Teams will: 1) Determine their own membership (selection). 2) Provide constructive feedback (performance appraisal). 3) Provide peer evaluation of team members in the form of points that count toward the total course grade, given confidentially to the instructor (rewards). 4) Have power to remove an uncooperative/unproductive member (retention). NOTE: Any student who is kicked off a team has three options. He/she may: • Complete a unique team assignment and present the information on their own. • Join another existing group in this section. • Form a new group with other "free" students. Quizzes To encourage students to come to class prepared, quizzes will be administered in this course. A total of 10 quizzes will be given during the course. Quizzes will be given in class or they could be take- home. Quizzes are not scheduled. The quizzes will consist of multiple choice questions, short answers or mini-case analysis Students will not be graded on a pass/fail basis. No make-up quizzes will be offered. A missed or omitted quiz is scored as a zero. Each quiz has questions drawn from designated text chapters and materials. Exams There will be two exams; one mid-term and the other will be given at the end of the semester. The exams may consist of objective questions such as multiple choice, true false etc., short answers, situation analysis, and essay questions. Any assignment handed in late without prior permission to do so will be accepted with a penalty. There are no make-ups for quizzes, projects and exams. Individual Writing All written assignments must be typed, double spaced and professionally presented. Please use APA formatting for references and footnotes. Multiple methods should be used to assure work is accurately and professionally done: (1) use a computer program that has spell check; plus (2) proofread your work; plus (3) have someone else proofread your work. Clarity and quality of writing as well as other presentation criteria will be included in the evaluation of the team assignments.
Makeup Work and Late Assignments Deadlines for completion of work will be strictly adhered to. If you anticipate being unable to submit an assignment on the due date, you must make arrangements to turn in your work early. Assignments must be turned in on the due date. Late assignments will automatically be dropped one grade level if the reason for lateness is valid, or rejected if the instructor judges the reason to be invalid or nonprofessional. Academic Integrity Simply put: Don’t cheat. If you have questions about how to cite information from journals, newspapers, company websites or other Internet sources, refer to APA formatting or contact the writing center. "Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work for the appropriate citation of sources and for respect of others' academic endeavors" (s. UWS 14.01, Wis. Adm. Code). System guidelines and local procedures are printed in the University of Wisconsin Student Discipline Code. Grading Quizzes (10) Team Project Peer Evaluations Exams (Midterm 150 pts, Final 150 pts) Contribution & Attendance Total Possible
100 points 180 points 20 points 300 points 70 points 670 points
Grading Range 92% - 100% 88% - 91.9% 82% - 87.9% 78% - 81.9% 72% - 77.9% 68% - 71.9% 62% - 67.9%
A A/B B B/C C C/D D
616-670 590-615 549-589 523-548 482-522 456-481 415-455
Tentative Schedule
Dates of Classes Feb. 6 Topics Course Mechanics & Formation of Teams Modules 1, 2 and 3 - Strategic Management Overview of OB and Strategy Feb. 13 Feb. 20 Diversity & Learning & Perception Personality, Attitudes & Values Module 4 - Individuals and the Organization Feb. 27 Work Motivation Decision Making by Individuals & Groups Mar. 5 Decision Making by Individuals & Groups Groups & Teams Mar. 12 Groups & Teams Module 7 - Groups and teams Mar. 19 Mar. 26 Apr. 2 Apr. 9 Conflict, Power & Politics Spring Break Exam One on Ch. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12 Organization Structure & Culture Organizational Change & Development Apr. 16 Organizational Change & Development Environment & External Stakeholders Module 10 - Strategy Implementation Apr. 23 Leadership Module 6 - Leadership Apr. 30 Organizational Resources and Competitive Adv. Strategy Formulation at Business - Unit Level Modules 8 & 9 May. 7 Corporate Level Strategy and Restructuring Review and Exam Prep Team Projects Due Exam Two on HMC Ch. 8, 13 & 14 + JH: Ch. 2, 3, 5, &7 Peer Evaluation JH: Ch 7 JH Ch. 3 JH: Ch 5 HMC Ch. 8 HMC Ch. 13 HMC Ch. 14 HMC Ch. 14 JH: Ch 2 HMC Ch. 12 HMC Ch. 11 HMC: Ch. 6 HMC: Ch.10 HMC Ch. 10 & Ch 11 HMC Ch. 2 & 4 HMC Ch. 5 Reading Assignment HMC Ch. 1 & JH Ch. 1
May. 14