NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF COMMERCE

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR - (CBU 2105)

COURSE OUTLINE FIRST SEMESTER

Course aims

The course is intended to enable the management student to describe human behaviour in the work
environment and apply the concepts to typical industrial problems.

TOPIC CONTENT SECTION OBJECTIVES

1.An (1) Definition; On completion of this topic students should be able to
Introduction (2) A brief history of define the field of Organizational Behaviour; describe the
to Organizational history of Organizational Behaviour and be able identify
Organizational Behaviour; some of its qualities in modern societies; and list & briefly
Behaviour (3) Contributing explain the disciplines contributing to the OB field.
disciplines to the
OB field.

2. Individual (1) Foundations of On completion of this topic students should be able to

Personality Individual explain how dependent variables (productivity,
Development behaviour; absenteeism, turnover, and job satisfaction) are affected by
And (2) Personality types three-level independent variables of age, gender, marital
Attitudes. and traits; status, and ability. Students should also be able to define
(3) Psychometrics; personality; explain the differences between personality
(4) Values, attitudes types and traits; discuss in detail Hans Jurgen Eysenck’s
and attitude personality theory and its application in the world of work;
change. appreciate the role of psychometrics in the world of
employment and appreciate the role of values and attitudes
in individual behaviour.
3. Perception (1) The perception On completion of this topic student should be able to define
and process; perception; explain the factors that influence the perception
perceptual (2) Perceptual process and how human beings organize incoming stimuli;
distortions distortions; explain and apply perceptual distortions in the world of
(3) Relevance to work (managers).
managers.

4. Job (1) Importance of job On completion of this topic students should be able to
satisfaction satisfaction; define job satisfaction; explain and apply techniques of
(2) Measuring job measuring job satisfaction; discuss the various theories of
satisfaction; job satisfaction; discuss at least three major effects of job
(3) Job satisfaction satisfaction inclusive of models of job enrichment.
and life
 satisfaction;
(4) Job enrichment
models.

5.Stress in the (1) Stress and the On completion of this topic students should be able to
Work desire to succeed; define stress; explain at least six sources of stress in the
Environment (2) Sources of stress work environment; explain the causes and symptoms of
in the work burn out; and discuss organizational & individual stress
environment; management approaches.
(3) Stress
management
techniques.

6. Groups in (1) Group On completion of this topic students should be able to

Organizations classification; define group; explain characteristics of groups; differentiate
(2) Group between formal and informal groups; explain the stages in
development; group formation; explain the structure of work groups;
(3) Analyzing role discuss factors affecting group decision making (inclusive of
relations and groupthink and group polarization); discuss ways of
behavior in improving group decisions; and discuss the three main types
groups; of employee teams (project; problem-solving & self-
(4) Group problem managed teams).
solving and
effectiveness;
(5) Norms, conformity
and cohesiveness;
(6) Leadership and
group
performance;
(7) Intergroup
behaviour.
7. Power and (1) Why people fear On completion of this topic students should be able to
Politics within the use of power define power; explain why people fear the use of power in
organizations within organizations; explain how to develop power and use it;
organizations;
explain the productive use o f power in organizations.
(2) Dependency in the
power equation;

(3) How to develop

power;

(4) Organizational
politics – when is
power used?

(5) Techniques for

effective use of
 power in
organizations;

(6) Productive use of

power in
organizations.

TEACHING METHODS

This course will comprise a combination of conventional lectures, student presentation, class
discussions, case studies, and small group projects.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS

1. Carrell, M. R., Jennings, D.F. & Heavrin, C. (1997) Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior,
New Jersey (USA): Prentice-Hall, Inc.

2. Huczynski, A. A. & Buchanan, D. A. (1991) Organizational Behavior: an Introductory Text, 2nd

edition, New York: Prentice—Hall, Inc.

3. Robbins, S.P. (1996) Organizational Behavior – Concepts, controversies, applications, 7th

edition, New Jersey (USA): Prentice—Hall International, Inc.

N. B. later models of the above are acceptable & encouraged. Read wider than this reading
list.

MARKING SCHEME

The course shall be assessed as follows: 70% by formal written examinations

30% by continuous assessment

CLASSIFICATION

75% and above 1 (first division)

65% - 74% 2.1 (Upper Second Division)

60% - 64% 2.2 (Lower Second Division)

50% - 59% Pass

0% - 49% Fail