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BUS424Management Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Organizational Theory

This course explains organisational theory and identifies it as the basis for guiding the management and organization of an enterprise. It covers classical-mechanistic, behavioural-humanistic, and modern theories. Students will learn about authority, power, conflict, and change within organizations. The course also explores various approaches to organizational management and the factors influencing organizational behavior, preparing students for effective decision-making and leadership roles.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Organisational TheoryManagementAuthorityPowerConflict

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Organisational Theory

2

Management

3

Classical Theories

4

Behavioral Theories

5

Modern Theories

6

Organisational Change

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Business Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Human Resources Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Management Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Project Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

BusinessGovernmentNon-ProfitEducationHealthcare

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

7h

Unit 1: The Nature of Organisations and Organisation Theory

4 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction to understand the scope.
  • •Define organizations and identify their characteristics.
  • •Differentiate between types of organizations using typologies by Parsons, Blau & Scott, Katz & Kahn, and Thompson.

Unit 2: What is Management and Organisation Theory

3 study hours
  • •Define management and organization theory.
  • •Understand the functions of management and organization theory.
  • •Relate theory to real-world organizational behavior.
Week
2

Module 1:

7h

Unit 3: The Classical-Mechanistic Theory of Organisation and Management

4 study hours
  • •Trace the evolution of organization and management theory.
  • •Identify the characteristics of classical-mechanistic organizations.
  • •Understand the role of hierarchy and division of labor.

Unit 4: The Bureaucratic Model Of Organisations

3 study hours
  • •Define bureaucracy and its characteristics.
  • •Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of bureaucracy.
  • •Examine Weber's contributions to organization theory.
Week
3

Module 1:

7h

Unit 5: The Administrative Approach

4 study hours
  • •Understand Henri Fayol's contributions.
  • •Explain the 14 principles of organization.
  • •Analyze Lyndal Urwick's contributions to effective organizations.

Unit 6: The Scientific Management Approach

3 study hours
  • •Understand the Scientific Management Approach.
  • •Analyze F.W. Taylor's theories.
  • •Discuss the objectives and principles of scientific management.
Week
4

Module 1:

4h

Unit 7: Other contributors to Scientific Management

4 study hours
  • •Identify other contributors to scientific management.
  • •Discuss Henry Gantt's task-and-bonus system.
  • •Examine Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's motion studies.
Week
5

Module 2:

5h

Unit 1: The Behavioural-Humanistic Theory of Organisation and Management

5 study hours
  • •Understand the characteristics and elements of behavioral theory.
  • •Analyze the Human Relations Approach.
  • •Discuss the Hawthorne studies and their conclusions.
Week
6

Module 2:

5h

Unit 2: The Human Resources Approach

5 study hours
  • •Understand the Human Resources Approach.
  • •Analyze the approaches by Maslow, McGregor, Herzberg, Argyris, and Likert.
  • •Examine the contributions of human resources theorists.
Week
7

Module 2:

4h

Unit 3: Modern Theories of Organisation and Management

4 study hours
  • •Understand the Systems Approach.
  • •Identify the characteristics of open systems.
  • •Analyze the contributions of the Systems Approach.
Week
8

Module 2:

4h

Unit 4: The Socio-Technical Systems Approach

4 study hours
  • •Understand the Socio-Technical Systems Approach.
  • •Analyze the contributions of the Socio-Technical systems approach.
  • •Examine the relationship between technology and organizational structure.
Week
9

Module 2:

5h

Unit 5: Quantitative or Management Science Approach and the Situational or Task-Contingency Approach

5 study hours
  • •Understand the Quantitative or Management Science Approach.
  • •Analyze the contributions and limitations of the Quantitative approach.
  • •Discuss the Situational or Task-Contingency Approach.
Week
10

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Authority and Power in Organisations

4 study hours
  • •Differentiate between Power and Authority.
  • •Understand the nature of Authority and power.
  • •Identify the sources of power and Authority.
Week
11

Module 3:

4h

Unit 2: The Nature and Causes of Organisational Conflicts

4 study hours
  • •Understand the nature and causes of organisational conflicts.
  • •Analyze the negative effects of organisational conflicts.
  • •Discuss the various tools and strategies of conflict management.
Week
12

Module 3:

4h

Unit 3: Meaning and Objectives of Organisational Change

4 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning and objectives of organisational change.
  • •Analyze the approaches to organisational change.
  • •Discuss resistance to change: causes and solutions.
Week
13

Module 3:

6h

Final Revision

6 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Work on assignments and TMAs.
  • •Prepare for final examinations.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking classical, behavioral, and modern theories.

2

Focus on real-world examples to illustrate theoretical concepts.

3

Practice applying different management approaches to case studies.

4

Review key terms and definitions from each unit.

5

Allocate study time proportionally based on unit complexity.

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