About this course

The course addresses fundamental elements of organizational theory, including:

  • Different approaches to organization theory
  • Application of systems theory to the analysis of organizational functioning
  • How complexity affects organizational effectiveness
  • Formal versus informal organization
  • Organizational structure at corporate and unit level (e.g., departments and teams)
  • Definition and improvement of work processes
  • Formulation and implementation of goals and strategies

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student:

- will have basic knowledge of topics and issues related to how modern organizations function and are structured.

- will also have knowledge of the history, developmental characteristics, and distinctive nature of organizational theory.

Skills:

After completing the course, the student will:

- Be able to distinguish between the main directions in organizational theory.

- Be able to explain the concept of a formal organization and describe the purpose of organizing, as well as explain the difference between formal and informal organization.

- Be able to explain the concept of organizational structure and describe the different types of structures common in the workplace today, as well as identify the effects these can have on how organizations function.

- Be able to explain concepts such as mission, vision, goals, function, and mandate, provide examples of these concepts, and discuss their application.

- Be able to explain key concepts such as centralization, formalization, specialization and coordination costs

- Be able to explain the key elements of system-theoretic models and the concept of internal organizational complexity

- Be able to explain the significance of an organization’s environment and how it influences the way organizations function.

- Be able to use systematic methods to describe and analyze goals/functions and dependencies among tasks/roles/units in work processes.General Competence:

After completing the course, the student

- will be able to use their skills to conduct systematic investigations of how organizations function and identify improvement areas

- will be able to identify limitations and opportunities in their own workplace related to organization and organizing

- will be able to communicate about professional issues concerning organizations and organizing, and have developed a critical attitude toward organizational issues.

  • Learning activities

    Lectures with exercises, simulations and case-discussions.

  • Syllabus

    The syllabus will consist of a reading pack with selected articles, along with any lecture notes and presentation materials. These materials constitute the course's total syllabus and will be made available to students digitally at the start of the semester. In terms of content, the syllabus corresponds to topics covered in textbooks such as How Organizations Work by Jacobsen and Thorsvik (Fagbokforlaget).

  • Prerequisites

    BUS101 The Firm

  • Assessment method

    Final written campus examination (3,5 hours) accounts for 100% of the grade.

    Written exam Karakterregel: Letter grades Hjelpemiddelkode: A1 No calculator, no other aids

  • About use of AI

  • Examiner scheme

    An external examiner will review the syllabus, assignments and exams.

  • Mandatory activity

    There is one mandatory activity consisting of three components; all three must be completed to pass the mandatory requirement for the course:

    1. Attendance and participation in lectures and the group work integrated into the lectures.
    2. Submission of one or more smaller assignments throughout the course.
    3. Participation in a research project related to organizational theory. The activity takes approximately 20 minutes and is completed individually online. The purpose of the activity will be described during one of the lectures.

    Late Arrival: Students arriving later than the second day of the course will not be permitted to take the course.

    Previous Approval: Students who have previously passed the mandatory activity for this course do not need to complete it again.

  • Teaching hours

    Two or three hour lectures three times a week during the teaching period.

  • Admission requirements

    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)