Organisational Dynamics

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

It is aimed to combine the expository method for presentation and elucidation with the use of pedagogical practices based on student work. Throughout the course of the curricular unit, literature review and/or research works shall be encouraged; preparation of small work on the issues covered in class; preparing questions about the content of the classes; performing small summaries on the topics addressed; reflection on the principles, ideological orientations, educational conditions, the assumptions of educational practices.

Learning Outcomes

In this curricular unit it is aimed to understand what is an organization and, therefore, consider different approaches to their understanding. We also include an approach to general aspects of organizational behavior, focusing in particular on communication, conflict and leadership, and culture. It is expected that the student is able to:

Identify the most consensual characteristics between different authors about the organization.

Present contributions from various disciplines for the understanding of the organization.

Characterize different approaches to the functioning of organizations.

Analyze the functioning of an organization taking into account the organizational paradigms studied and aspects of organizational behavior.

Indicate and describe strategies for overcoming conflicts.

Define different leadership styles.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

- What can be understood by organizations?

- A paradigm shift

- The metaphor as a representation of organizational reality

The positivist paradigm

- Organizations as machines

- The scientific organization of work

- Organizations as instruments of social control

- The bureaucratic approach

  The systemic biological paradigm

- Organizations as living beings

- The Hawthorne Studies

- Motivation at work

- The systemic approach

- Organizational species

The constructivist paradigm

- The cultural approach

- Organizations as Cultures

- The policy approach

- Organizations as political circles

- The organizational learning

- Organizations as Brains

Organizational Behavior

- Definition of the concept organizational behavior

- Communication in organizations

- The conflict in organizations

- Leadership in Organizations

- Cognitive processes relevant to organizational behavior

- Organizational change

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Assessment will always consists of two or more moments: for example, an exam and the preparation of a paper, and will be previously defined with students: 100.0%

Bibliography

Bilhim, J. A. de F. (2008). Teoria Organizacional. Estruturas e pessoas. Lisboa: UTL/ISCSP

Cunha, M. P.; Cunha, R. C.; Cabral-Cardoso, C. (2003), Manual de Comportamento Organizacional e Gestão, Lisboa: RH editora.

Ferreira, J.M. Carvalho; [ et al.] (1996). Psicossociologia das Organizações. Alfragide, Editora McGraw-Hill.

Gomes, Duarte (2000). Cultura Organizacional – Comunicação e Identidade. Coimbra, Quarteto Editora. GOMES, Duarte (2000). Cultura Organizacional – Comunicação e Identidade. Coimbra, Quarteto Editora.

Hofstede, G. (2003). Culturas e Organizações. Compreender a nossa programação mental. Lisboa: edições sílabo.

Neves, A. (2004). Estrutura e dinâmica das organizações. 3. ed. Lisboa: Publicações Dom Quixote.