MG4C2      Half Unit
Organisational Behaviour

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Mrs Aurelie Cnop

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Human Resource Management/CIPD), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations/CIPD) and MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Organisational Behaviour). This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, MBA Exchange, MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MRes/PhD in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources), MRes/PhD in Management (Organisational Behaviour), MSc in Marketing and Master of Public Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is available in the Autumn Term only.

This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).

Course content

This course seeks to understand individual attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. Specifically, we primarily take a psychological perspective to understanding human behaviour at work by reviewing psychological theories as they apply to organisations and critically evaluating the associated empirical evidence.

Key topics include: personality and individual differences, work motivation, decision-making, power, leadership, group processes and organisational culture.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the AT.

The teaching is highly participative and includes lectures and seminars. The course is demanding of students and its success depends partly upon student commitment and willingness to participate fully.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to participate in a take-home practice exam in the AT.

Indicative reading

The course relies heavily on journal articles. An extensive reading list is provided in the syllabus at the start of the course. No suitable textbook exists but students may wish to consult one of the following:

  • Buchanan, D. A. and Huczynski, A. A. (2019). Organizational Behaviour (10th ed.). Pearson
  • Porter, L. W., Bigley, G. A., & Steers, R. M. (2002). Motivation and work behavior (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  • Staw, B. M (2004). Psychological dimensions of organizational behavior (3rd ed.), Prentice-Hall.

Assessment

Online assessment (100%) in January.

The online assessment will be a 12 hour online exam during the January exam period.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2023/24: 154

Average class size 2023/24: 16

Controlled access 2023/24: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Team working
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication