Course Description

Table of Contents
Course Goals/ Outcomes.............................................................................................................................1
Course Goals............................................................................................................................................1

Introduction

We spent most of our professional lives in organizations and as a result, these

organizations shape our identities and define our place in society. Organizations are
complex social formations not given to any straight forward input – throughput – output
relationship. The purpose of this course is to introduce student to the nature of
organizations, their operations, office systems and information flow.

Course Goals

(i) To enable students understand the nature of organizations and their operational
systems.
(ii) To develop students’ understanding of organization goals, organizational designs
and organizational structures available for different organizational contexts,
organizational culture, and processes like decision makings, communication and
politics.
(iii) To enable students become familiar with the office environment and general
office procedures.
(iv) To enable students understand the roles and value of the office worker in the
effectiveness and success of modern organizations.
(v) To enable students develop knowledge and a skill base that assists in
understanding the office environment.
(vi) To enable students appreciate the importance of records management in the
effective running of offices

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be expected to:

(i) Explain the conduct of business in organizations.

(ii) Identify the different types of organizations.
(iii) Define different organizational structures.
(iv) Explain the challenges of organizational design
(v) Explain how organizations both affect and are affected by the environment

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 (vi) Explain organizational life cycle
(vii) Define the responsibilities of an office professionals
(viii) Describe the flow of information in organizations, etc.
(ix) “Think critically” about the office environment and its procedures.
(x) Develop a plan of improving quality and productivity in the office.
(xi) Explain the importance of records management in the effective running of offices.

Instructional Methods

By use of lectures, visits to organizations, student-led group presentations and

individual research guided by the lecturer.

Indicative Content

(i) Introduction to Organizations

(ii) Organization design and structure.
(iii) Effective structuring of organization
a. Structural configurations
b. Bureaucracy
(iv) Organization as a system of flows
(v) Power and distribution of authority
(vi) Communication within and without organization
(vii) Office systems
a. Routines
b. Control and etiquette
c. Office abuse
(viii) Managing resources and office productivity
(ix) Office ethics and environment.
(x) Records management in offices.

Participation

Class attendance and active participation in discussions on contentious issues in the

field of organizations and office systems is fundamental if one is to successfully
complete this course and the programme. Relevant handouts will be given and all
students are requested to get them for use in their study and revisions.

Assessment Method

(i) Continuous assessment shall be applied to generate marks for coursework.

(ii) Tests, coursework, research questions, group work presentations will all
constitute coursework mark (30 mark) and final examinations (70).

For a student to be allowed to sit for final examination in this course, he/she should
have obtained at least 15 out of 30 marks. The pass mark for the course will be 50%.
Indicative Sources

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 (i) Arora, S.P. (2001), Office Organization and Management, New Delhi: Vikas
Publishing.
(ii) Bhattacharyya, K. (2009), Organisational Systems, Design, Structure and
Management, Mumbai: Himalaya Publishing House.
(iii) Handy, C. (1999), Understanding Organisations, Harmondsworth: Penguin.
(iv) Stoner, J, Freeman, R.E. and Gilbert, D.R. (1996), Management, 6th ed. , New
Delhi, Prentice Hall.
(v) Daft, R.L. (1998), Organization Theory and Design, 6th ed., Cincinnati, Ohio:
South-Western College Publishing.
(vi) Robbins, S.P. (1998), Organization Theory, New Delhi: Prentice Hall, 1998
(vii) Sulton-Calkins, P., and Hanks, J. (2000), Procedures for the Office
Professional Applications, South-Western Publishing

The sources listed above is not in any way exhaustive and students are encouraged to
always look out for new and updated sources of information if they are to keep pace
with the rapidly changing global communities.

Assignments

 All assignments will be presented in MS-word form. The format, style and
presentation should be in accordance with the standards laid down below:
o 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Arial
o 1.5 spacing
o 2cm margins
o Main text should be in “justified” alignment
 References should be presented in APA Format or Harvard Style. Please note
that marks will be awarded for proper referencing.
 You are requested to submit your work in person on prescribed dates. Late
submission will not be entertained.

Attendance of Lectures

 Please get the timetable(s) and plan to attend lectures as scheduled. Any
changes in the time table will be communicated through your class
representative.
 You will not be allowed into the lecture room if you arrive more than 10 minutes
after the lecture has started since this distract ongoing classes.
 You must sign on the attendance list every time a lecture is conducted.
Arrangement will be made with the class representative to have the register
availed to you.