Harvard University
Fall 2014
MGMT E-4000: Organizational Behavior – Tuesday: 5:30 - 7:30 PM Online – Live Web conferencing/Hybrid (Weekend Required)

Dr. Carmine P. Gibaldi
Telephone: (718) 990-7446 Fax: (516) 944-4005
E-mail: cgibaldi@fas.harvard.edu
Appointments: By appointment via the web, telephone, and in person

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course deals with human behavior in organizations and with practices and systems with in organizations that facilitate or hinder effective behavior. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are blended within each topic. Topics include communication, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course aims to improve ones understanding of human behavior in organizations and ones ability to lead people to achieve more effectively and how to increase organizational performance. Readings are assigned to give the student a clear understanding of the specific material. Cases are assigned to afford the student the opportunity to apply the theory, and put it into practice. Students will be expected to explore and reflect on their own experiences in the work place, and discuss ways in which they might apply the material to their daily work.

REQUIRED READING/BOOKS

Buller,P. and Schuller, R.; Managing Organizations: Cases in Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management: South-Western College Publishing, OH.
Hitt, Miller, and Colella; OB: Organizational Behavior; 3rd ed. John Wiley & sons; “Binder Version, 2011.

COURSE REQUIRMENTS AND GRADES
Class Attendance: Regular attendance is required even though we meet online. Anyone who is unable to attend a class session must submit all work that is due for that class, as well as a reflective statement discussing material read for that class. If a student expects to miss more then three classes, he/she must contact me to discuss this issue.

Class Participation: (20% of total grade) All students are expected to participate in class discussions and posting. The expectation is that the student will be fully prepared to engage in active learning through discussion and interaction.

Case Analysis: (20% of total grade) Students will be asked to respond to specific cases in writing (three to four pages) during the semester. This will give the student the opportunity to fully develop his/her own understanding of concepts learned; integrating analysis and theory.

Theoretical Paper: (20% of total grade) All students will submit a written term paper exploring an area of interest of theirs within the field or organizational behavior. Paper topics must be approved by the Professor no later than November 4th. Papers will be due December 2nd, and should be approximately 5-6 pages in length; style and format of papers will be addressed in class and posted on class site.

Final Examination: (30% of total grade) There will be a final due on December 16th (final exam period). The thrust of this exam will be the analysis of a comprehensive behaviorally based/ culminating case; students will receive the case on December 9th.

Weekend Meeting: (10% of grade) All students must attend this 2 day session to pass the course. Attendance is necessary for the full 2 days in order to pass the course. Cases will be examined through the lens of OB in a global context as will class exercises.

COURSE SCHEDULE
September 2
Course Orientation/Changing Nature of Management: What is Organizational Behavior? How to prepare a case analysis will also be discussed and policies for proper online learning behavior.
And
Understanding of yourself and other people at work
Read – Hitt et al. Chapter 1
Prepare-question/s and thoughts for discussion

September 9
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Read – Material will be posted
Prepare - Does This Milkshake Taste Funny? (Cases in Mgt.)

September 16
Organizational Culture
Read – Hitt, et al. Chapter 13
Prepare - American Express Case (Cases in Mgt.)

September 30
Learning and Motivation
Read - Hitt, et al. Chapter 6
Prepare – Nordstrom Case (Cases in Mgt.) October 7
Managing Organizational Change
Read – Hitt, et al. Chapter 14
Prepare - Implementing Teams at AAL and IPS (Cases in Mgt.)

October 21
Group Dynamics and Decision Making
Read – Hitt, et al. Chapter 11
Prepare- Acton-Burnett case (will be posted online)

October28
Perception and Communication
Read – Hitt,et al. Chapter 9
Prepare - Motor Parts Corporation Case (Cases in Mgt.)

November 4
Conflict and Negotiation
Read – Hitt, et al. Chapter 12
Prepare - Pearl Jam’s Dispute with Ticketmaster (Cases in Mgt.)

November 7 & 8
Friday and Saturday Weekend component. Meeting from 1pm – 5pm on Friday & from 9am – 5pm on Saturday. Cases and exercises to be assigned before Weekend session. Required meeting.

November 18
Leadership
Read – Hitt, et al. Chapter 8
Prepare - Lincoln Electric case (Cases in Mgt.) December 2
**Theoretical Papers Due** December 9
Stress and Fear in the Workplace
Read – Hitt, et al. Chapter 7
Exercise to be posted online, and group work will be carried out.

December 16
Final Case/Exam due