Organizational Analysis from Coursera

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Syllabus

Module 1 - Introduction

Module 2 - Decisions by Rational and Rule-based Procedures

In this module, we will present a general introduction and discussion to decision-making in organizations. We will relate various rational system views of organizations that tend to focus on administrative units, or leaders of organizations.

Module 3 - Decisions by Dominant Coalitions

This module will give a more elaborate depiction of that model, and focus on its core process of exchange and coalition formation. Within organizations, you will frequently confront coalitions of interests, and you will come to realize that collective action and organizational reforms are impossible if you do not build and manage a coalition to get things done. Therefore, we turn now to Coalition theory. To relate this theory, throughout this chapter we will draw heavily on the writings by James G March (1962, 1994: chapter 4) and Kevin Hula (1999) concerning coalition formation.

Module 4 - Organized Anarchy

This module introduces you to the basic features of decision making in organized anarchies, or what some call a “garbage can theory’ of organizations. What do we mean that the decision process resembled an organized anarchy? Well, for example, some of them have a hard time coming up with their group’s platform and identity. Also, some of the group’s proposed solutions changed over the course of bargaining – some initially proposed universal vouchers only to promote targeted vouchers in the end. Almost all of the groups thought in terms of an identity and what that entailed. And they also thought about other’s identities and interests when trying to manipulate the situation in their favor.

Module 5 - Organizational Learning

In this module, we will describe the theory of organizational learning and what it entails. In the most general terms, the organizational learning perspective concerns adaptation and learning from experience. But how does an organization learn? Organizations learn by encoding inferences from history into organizational structures (so best practices into rules, routines, and roles), people, technologies (curricula), and culture (norms, beliefs) that guide behavior. That is, organizations reflect on what works well or not, and then encode that knowledge into its organizational elements (participants, technology/tasks, social structure) so it can remember.

Module 6 - Organizational Culture

In this module, we will cover organizational culture. We will look carefully at Gideon Kunda’s book, Engineering Culture, to put into question the organizational culture ideal. Within an organizational culture, actors make sense of their existence according to identities and norms, and these are often constructs afforded by the organization they are in. Think of the culture at firms like Apple or Facebook – all have an identity and norms surrounding their performance of it. As such, the motive in an organizational culture is the expression and fulfillment of an identity – a strong intrinsic motivator! An organizational culture entails normative (valued) and cognitive (implicit) aspects of organizational social structures. These are deep structural facets that guide interaction.

Module 7 - Resource Dependency Theory

The theory we will discuss in this chapter is Resource Dependence Theory, and it views an organization in terms of its resource dependencies with other firms in the environment.

Module 8 - Networks

In this module, we will describe how organization’s researchers look at social networks within organizations. In addition, we will describe how some theorists contend there is a network form of organization that is distinct from hierarchical organizations and markets. So we will relate two perspectives: a purely analytic one that describes networks within organizations, and a theoretical one concerning a prescribed form of inter- organizational association that can result in better outputs.

Module 9 - Institutional Theory

In this module, we will continue our discussion of organizations as open-systems whose survival depends on their relation with the environment. In particular, we will discuss one of the prevailing organizational theories stemming from sociology, called “neoinstitutional theory.” In oversimplified terms, one can think of neoinstitutional theory as arguing that an organization’s survival de- pends on its fit with the cultural environment. That is, a firm’s success depends on whether it adopts structures that are deemed rational and legitimate in the external environment; that the firm mirrors environmental beliefs about what a legitimate organization of that type should look like. Neoinstitutional theory has always been one of the harder theories for students to fully grasp, so we have organized the chapter to be a little repetitive. We will discuss many of the core concepts twice and relate them in different ways so you get a better sense for what this theory conveys.

Module 10 - Population Ecology and Course Summary

In this module, we conclude our study of organizations as open systems whose survival and success depends on their reaction to the environment. We introduce a 10th and final theory called “Population Ecology”. There is a long history of work that applies biological and natural selection metaphors to organizations (Scott 2003:117; Davis and Powell 1992:342-354), let alone to the study of society.

Final Exam

Final exam for the course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Geared towards organizational research, practice, and learning

Provides a solid understanding of organizational theory

Taught by respected instructors with expertise in organizational behavior

Involves applying theory to real-world organizational cases

Examines various frameworks for organizational analysis, broadening learners' perspectives

Suitable for individuals interested in enhancing their understanding of organizational behavior and management

Reviews summary

Sharp eye for success

learners say this course dives deep into the many qualities of effective organizational analysis. Outside of theories and strategies, learners say it has plenty of case studies for context. Past students specifically praised the course's depth, saying it's challenging but well worth the time and effort for anyone interested in organizational analysis or management.

Excellent and very well-developed course.

"Excellent and very well-developed course."

Excellent course, the content is adequate and clear, also the weekly forums are very interesting.

"Excellent course, the content is adequate and clear, also the weekly forums are very interesting."

This course was very challenging but completely relevant and provided many theories that can be applied to any Organisational Setting.

"This course was very challenging but completely relevant and provided many theories that can be applied to any Organisational Setting."

Excellent course with detailed videos, relevant reading material.

"Excellent course with detailed videos, relevant reading material."

The course is wonderful. full of insights, with logic , cases, cadence and strong theoretical basis.

"The course is wonderful. full of insights, with logic , cases, cadence and strong theoretical basis."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Organizational Analysis with these activities:

Review basic statistics concepts

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Strengthen your foundation in statistics to enhance your ability to analyze and interpret data in the course.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review your notes or textbooks on basic statistics concepts.
Take practice quizzes or solve practice problems.

Follow online tutorials on organizational decision-making

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Supplement your understanding of organizational decision-making through interactive and guided online tutorials.

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Identify reputable online platforms or resources that offer tutorials on organizational decision-making.
Select tutorials that cover topics relevant to the course.
Follow the tutorials and complete the associated exercises.

Participate in a study group to discuss course concepts

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Enhance your understanding of course concepts through collaborative learning and discussion with peers.

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Find a group of classmates who are interested in forming a study group.
Meet regularly to discuss course readings, assignments, and concepts.
Work together to solve problems and prepare for exams.
Provide support and motivation to each other.

Five other activities

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Read and summarize “Organizations” by James G. March and Johan P. Olsen

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of organizational theory and its application to real-world organizations.

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Read the book thoroughly and take notes.
Identify the key concepts and theories presented in the book.
Summarize the book in your own words.
Discuss the book with classmates or colleagues.

Practice applying organizational theories to case studies

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Reinforce your understanding of organizational theories by applying them to real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Organizational Behavior

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Identify the key organizational theories covered in the course.
Select a case study that you find interesting.
Apply the selected organizational theories to the case study.
Analyze the results of your analysis.
Write a report that summarizes your findings.

Compile a comprehensive study guide for the course

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Create a valuable resource that will help you review and retain course materials.

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Organize your lecture notes, readings, and assignments into a logical structure.
Identify key concepts and theories covered in the course.
Summarize the most important information from each topic.
Include practice questions and exercises to test your understanding.

Create a presentation on the impact of organizational culture on employee behavior

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Develop a deeper understanding of the influence of organizational culture on employee behavior and how to present your findings effectively.

Browse courses on Organizational Culture

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Research the topic of organizational culture and its impact on employee behavior.
Gather data and evidence to support your research.
Create a presentation that clearly communicates your findings.
Practice presenting your findings.

Conduct a case study analysis of an organizational change initiative

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Gain hands-on experience in analyzing and evaluating organizational change initiatives.

Browse courses on Organizational Change

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Identify an organizational change initiative that you are interested in studying.
Gather data on the initiative through interviews, surveys, and document analysis.
Analyze the data to identify key factors that contributed to the success or failure of the initiative.
Write a report that presents your findings and recommendations.

Career center

Learners who complete Organizational Analysis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and change management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to diagnose organizational problems, and how to develop and implement effective change interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Organization Development Consultant

Organizational Development Consultants help organizations improve their effectiveness. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and change management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to diagnose organizational problems, and how to develop and implement effective change interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organization Development Consultant

Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Psychologists study the behavior of individuals and groups in organizational settings. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and behavior, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to motivate employees, and how to create a positive and productive work environment.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and behavior, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to motivate employees, and how to create a positive and productive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Change Manager

Change Managers help organizations implement change initiatives. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and change management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to diagnose organizational problems, and how to develop and implement effective change interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and completing projects. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and project management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to manage projects effectively, and how to lead and motivate teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and business analysis, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to identify business problems, and how to develop and implement effective solutions.

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Training and Development Manager

Training and Development Managers are responsible for developing and delivering training programs for employees. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and learning theory, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to design and deliver effective training programs, and how to evaluate the impact of training.

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Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall management of an organization. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and change management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to make strategic decisions, and how to lead and motivate employees.

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Compensation and Benefits Manager

Compensation and Benefits Managers are responsible for developing and administering compensation and benefits programs for employees. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and human resources management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to design and administer effective compensation and benefits programs, and how to attract and retain top talent.

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Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Managers are responsible for managing employee relations and resolving employee disputes. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and human resources management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to manage employee relations effectively, and how to resolve employee disputes fairly and equitably.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives for organizations. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and corporate social responsibility management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to create a socially responsible organization, and how to improve the organization's social impact.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives for organizations. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and diversity and inclusion management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, and how to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

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Recruiter

Recruiters are responsible for finding and hiring qualified candidates for organizations. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and human resources management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to attract and hire top talent, and how to build a strong and diverse workforce.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives for organizations. This course provides a foundation in organizational theory and sustainability management, which are essential skills for success in this role. The course will help you understand how organizations operate, how to create a sustainable organization, and how to reduce the organization's environmental impact.

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