COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
BUS 107 C 3 3 0 0 3 5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) Prof.Dr. Osman Nuri Aras oaras@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: M.Sc. Mikaela Süslü msuslu@epoka.edu.al , E302, Monday, Tuesday, 9:30-12:00, 13:30-15:00
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) Bachelor in Business Informatics (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time: E214, Thursdays, 08:40-09:30, 09:40-10:30, 10:40-11:30
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement: 75% (Absences are not justifiable. No medical reports will be accepted. Students who are not punctual, cause disturbance in the class by chatting with their friends, or engage in activities not related to the lecture, will be considered as absent even if physically present.)
Course Description: This course defines organizations as work settings. It is focused on the linkage between the individual, the group, and the whole organization. Specifically, the course describes the value of the correlation between work and family, individuals and teams, organizations and society in the quest of future prosperity. It plays a crucial role on determining students’ capabilities that help them choose the right way and course of action with the intention to contribute the most on their individual and organizational performance throughout their career. The teaching methodology and pedagogy are multidisciplinary and relies on different methods and techniques. The classical theoretical part is integrated with the practical one. The later includes case studies, teamwork exercises, self assessment and “meaning catch-out” (including articles, videos, etc). The main objective is to acknowledge the students about the importance of the human behaviors and their commitment in the organizations. Also to increase their knowledge, perspective, abilities and skills in order to be prepared on becoming the leaders of tomorrow’s people in organizations.
Course Objectives: Define organizational behavior, identify the major behavioral science disciplines that contribute to it, and recognize its value to organizational performance. Examine how individual characteristics can influence interactions and performance in the workplace. Explore the complex nature of attitudes and how job satisfaction impacts organizational success. Explain the role of perception in the decision-making process. Learn about motivational theories and what managers can do to increase employee motivation. Define groups and teams and discuss leadership. Learn how the right amount of conflict can be beneficial to organizational performance and learn about the negotiation process. Show how an organization's structure, design, and culture affect employees' attitudes and behavior. Describe individual and organizational approaches to managing stress at work. Give practical implications for managers.
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
1 Organizational behavior
2 Perception
3 Personality
4 Emotions
5 Attitudes
6 Motivation
7 Leadership
8 Communication
9 Organizational culture
10 Organizational change
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction and orientation to the course. (10 October 2024)
2 Chpt. 1 What is Organizational Behavior (pg. 1-24) Importance of interpersonal skills. Defining OB. Disciplines that contribute to the OB field. Challenges and opportunities in the workplace. (17 October 2024)
3 Chpt. 2 Perception, Personality, and Emotions (pg. 32-63) Factors that influence perception and why it matters. What is personality, how we measure it, what determines it, and personality traits. What are emotions and moods, why should we care about them. (24 October 2024)
4 Chpt. 3 Values, Attitudes, and Diversity in the Workplace (pg. 70-97) Assessing cultural values, cultural dimensions. Attitudes in the workplace. Managing diversity. (31 October 2024)
5 QUIZ #1 + Research Project Guidelines (7 November 2024)
6 Chpt. 5 Motivation in Action (pg. 150-174) From theory to practice: money and rewards. Motivating by job redesign. Employee involvement and participation. + READING CHAPTER Chpt. 4 Theories of Motivation (pg. 114-149) (14 November 2024)
7 Chpt. 6 Groups and Teamwork (pg. 182-213) Teams vs. groups. From individual to team member. Stages to group and team development. Creating effective teams. (21 November 2024)
8 National Holiday - Flag and Independence Day/Liberation Day (28 November 2024)
9 MIDTERM EXAM WEEK (2-7 December 2024) .
10 Chpt. 7 Communication (pg. 227-246) The communication process. Barriers to effective communication. Organizational communication. Modes of communication. + READING CHAPTER Chpt. 9 Conflict and Negotiation (pg. 285-310)(12 December 2024)
11 Chpt. 10 Organizational Culture (pg. 326-347) What is organizational culture. What do cultures do. Creating and sustaining an organization's culture. How employees learn culture. Changing organizational culture. + READING CHAPTER Chpt. 13 Organizational Structure (pg. 422) (19 December 2024)
12 QUIZ #2 + Chpt. 11 Leadership (pg.354-376) What is leadership. Inspirational leadership. Responsible leadership. Challenges to our understanding of leadership. + READING CHAPTER Chpt. 8 Power and Politics (pg. 254) (9 January 2025)
13 Chpt. 14 Organizational Change (pg.453-472) Forces for change. Approaches to managing change. Resistance to change. Creating a culture of change. (16 January 2025)
14 Presentations of Research Project (23 January 2025)
Prerequisite(s): NA
Textbook(s): Organizational Behaviour, Canadian Edition, 9th edition, Published by Pearson Canada (October 31, 2022) © 2023 Nancy Langton, Stephen P. Robbins, Timothy A Judge, Robin Yap, Edward Perry
Additional Literature: Organizational Behavior, 19th Edition, by Stephen P. Robbins and Timothy A. Judge, published by Pearson Education 2023
Laboratory Work: NA
Computer Usage: Yes
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Define organizational behavior and recognize the importance of studying organizational behavior.
2 Understand the relationship between attitudes and behavior. Summarize the main causes of job satisfaction and identify the four outcomes of job satisfaction.
3 Explain the factors that influence perception. Explain the link between perception and decision making. Contrast the rational model of decision making with bounded rationality and intuition.
4 Compare the main ways jobs can be redesigned. Explain how work arrangements, involvement, extrinsic and intrinsic rewards can motivate employees.
5 Describe the various properties of groups and how group characteristics affect group performance. Explain how organizations can create effective teams and know when to use individuals instead of teams.
6 Discuss the role of leaders and their impact on the organization.
7 Apply the five steps of the negotiation process.
8 Compare the functional and dysfunctional effects of organizational culture on people and the organization. Compare the four main approaches to managing organizational change.
9 Describe how the stress process unfolds in the workplace. Describe individual and organizational approaches to managing stress at work.
10 Develop employability skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, self-management, social responsibility, leadership, and career management.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Bachelor in Business Informatics (3 years) Program
1 Identify activities, tasks, and skills in management, marketing, accounting, finance, and economics. 4
2 Apply key theories to practical problems within the global business context. 5
3 Demonstrate ethical, social, and legal responsibilities in organizations. 5
4 Develop an open minded-attitude through continuous learning and team-work. 5
5 Integrate different skills and approaches to be used in decision making and data management. 4
6 Combine computer skills with managerial skills, in the analysis of large amounts of data. 4
7 Provide solutions to complex information technology problems. 2
8 Recognize, analyze, and suggest various types of information-communication systems/services that are encountered in everyday life and in the business world. 2
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
25
Presentation
1
5
Project
1
20
Quiz
2
7.5
Final Exam
1
35
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 14 4 56
Mid-terms 1 2 2
Assignments 1 12 12
Final examination 1 3 3
Other 1 4 4
Total Work Load:
125
Total Work Load/25(h):
5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
5
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

While we have covered a comprehensive range of topics, it's important to acknowledge the limitations, such as, time constraints that may have prevented an in-depth exploration of certain areas. I would encourage students to pursue further research independently or in advanced courses to delve deeper into specific aspects of the subject.