BUSI 3103

INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY

Winter 2017

BUSI3103G Tuesday 2:35-5:25pm (TB 446)

BUSI3103F Wednesday 8:35-11:25am (SA 502)

INSTRUCTOR: Michael Halinski

OFFICE: TBD
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE WEB PAGE: CULearn at https://culearn.carleton.ca
E-MAIL: [email protected]
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: The Academic Writing Centre at www.carleton.ca/wts/
Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing with passing grade in BUSI 2101 or BUSI 2702.

Weight on
Course Deliverable Due Date Final
Grade
Reflection #1: Jan 31 (G) and Feb 1(F)
Individual Reflections Reflection #2: Mar 7 (G) and Mar 8 (F) 15%
Reflection #3: Apr 4 (G) and Apr 5 (F)
Case #1: Feb 7 (G) and Feb 8 (F)
Group Case Reports 20%
Case #2: Mar 21 (G) and Mar 22 (F)
Midterm Exam February 14 (G) and 15 (F) 25%
Final Exam TBD 40%
UNDERGRADUATE CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

Macro-organization theory. Structuring of organizations in a complex global economy. Effects of

the external environment, technology, culture and organizational goals on the structure, processes
and effectiveness of the organization.

COURSE TEXTBOOK
Daft, R.L. and Armstrong, A. (2015). Organizational Theory & Design (3rd Edition). Nelson
Publishing. (ISBN 978-0-17-653220-8)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Following the successful completion of the course, you should be able to:

1. Explain concepts of modern organization theory;

2. Analyze organizational structures and processes through multiple perspectives; and,
3. Apply concepts of the course to design solutions to organization’s moderately-complex
problems.

EVALUATION DETAILS

1. Individual Reflections (15%): There will be 3 individual reflection assignments, each worth
5% of your final grade. The reflections are based off the activity that was conducted in class. Each
2-page (single spaced) reflection should include the following: (1) summary of activity, (2)
explanation of relevant theoretical concept, and (3) reflection on how this concept may be applied
to organizations. Each reflection should be submitted online before the start of the following class.

2. Group Case Reports (20%): There will be 2 group case reports, each worth 10% of your final
grade. I will select the case, and you will be responsible for buying the case from iveycases.com
(approximately $5 each). Each 10-page case report should include: (1) brief summary of the case,
(2) analysis of case, (3) alternatives, and (4) recommendations. The paper is due at the beginning
of class. Please have one member of the group submit a copy of the presentation and the paper
online (i.e., CULearn) and hand in a hardcopy.

3. Midterm (25%): The mid-term test will be held in the regularly scheduled course time. You
must be present to write this test or present a medical certificate to explain your absence. The test
will cover all material covered in the text, lectures, in-class discussions and slide presentations, up
to and including the class prior to the test. The test will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and
short answer questions.

4. Final Exam (40%): The final exam will be held during the exam period. The exam will be
based on all the topics covered in the course (text, lectures, assignments, in-class discussions,
presentations, etc.), throughout the entire term. The exam will consist of multiple choice, short
answer, and essay questions. Writing the final exam is mandatory for passing the course.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Date Date Assignments

Resource
# Section Section Topic Due
Material
G F
Review of Course Outline
1 Jan10 Jan11 Ch. 1
Introduction to OT
2 Jan 17 Jan 18 Organizational Strategy Ch. 2
3 Jan 24 Jan 25 Organizational Structure Ch. 3
Reflection
4 Jan 31 Feb 1 Open Systems: External Environment Ch. 4 Activity #1:
Puzzle
Open Systems: Interorganizational Case #1
5 Feb 7 Feb 8 Ch. 5
Relationships
6 Feb 14 Feb 15 MIDTERM
Feb 21 Feb 22 READING WEEK
International Environments Ch. 6
7 Feb 28 Mar 1
Manufacture and Service Technologies Ch. 7
Reflection
Organization Size Activity #2:
8 Mar 7 Mar 8 Ch. 8
Organizational Life Cycle Supply
Chain
Organizational Culture
9 Mar 14 Mar 15 Ch. 9
Ethical Values
10 Mar 21 Mar 22 Innovation and Change Ch. 10 Case #2
Decision-Making Ch. 11
11 Mar 28 Mar 29
Conflict, Power, and Politics Ch. 12
Reflection
Covered
12 Apr 4 Apr 5 Review of Concepts Activity #3:
Chapters
Survivor
April 10 - 25 ALL
FINAL EXAM
CHAPTERS

Note: While every attempt will be made to keep to the schedule listed above, unforeseen
circumstances may necessitate modifications throughout the semester.
FND:

To reduce instances of miscommunication Carleton introduced a grade FND (Failure with No

Deferral) to be assigned to students who fail to meet the minimum in-term performance
standards explicitly set out in the outline and applied consistently (i.e., there is no other hidden
criteria).

SATISFACTORY IN-TERM PERFORMANCE

The criteria and the standards for satisfactory in-term performance are as follows:

1. At least 60% mark in the midterm exam;

2. At least 70% mark of all pre-final term work (i.e. individual assignment, group project,
and midterm).

Unsatisfactory in-term performance in this course will lead to a FND (Failure No Deferral) grade
in this course in the event of a missed final exam.

COURSE WEB PAGE:

The URL for the course web page is https://culearn.carleton.ca. You must access the site
regularly for updates about the class, upcoming assignments, and announcements. It may be
useful to bookmark the page. Grades for all course work will be posted on the CULearn Grade
Book as soon as available.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Course Sharing Websites

Student or professor materials created for this course (including presentations and posted notes,
labs, case studies, assignments and exams) remain the intellectual property of the author(s). They
are intended for personal use and may not be reproduced or redistributed without prior written
consent of the author(s).

Required calculator in BUSI course examinations

If you are purchasing a calculator, we recommend any one of the following options: Texas
Instruments BA II Plus (including Pro Model), Hewlett Packard HP 12C (including Platinum
model), Staples Financial Calculator, Sharp EL-738C & Hewlett Packard HP 10bII

Group work
The Sprott School of Business encourages group assignments in the school for several reasons.
They provide you with opportunities to develop and enhance interpersonal, communication,
leadership, follower-ship and other group skills. Group assignments are also good for learning
integrative skills for putting together a complex task. Your professor may assign one or more
group tasks/assignments/projects in this course. Before embarking on a specific problem as a
group, it is your responsibility to ensure that the problem is meant to be a group assignment and
not an individual one.

In accordance with the Carleton University Undergraduate Calendar (Section 2.3 Standing in
Courses/Grading System), the letter grades assigned in this course will have the following
percentage equivalents:
A+ = 90-100 B+ = 77-79 C+ = 67-69 D+ = 57-59
A = 85-89 B = 73-76 C = 63-66 D = 53-56
A - = 80-84 B - = 70-72 C - = 60-62 D - = 50-52
F = Below 50 WDN = Withdrawn from the course
ABS = Student absent from final exam
DEF = Deferred (See above)
FND = (Failed, no Deferred) = Student could not pass the course even with 100% on final exam
Academic Regulations, Accommodations, Etc.
University rules regarding registration, withdrawal, appealing marks, and most anything else you
might need to know can be found on the university’s website, here:
http://calendar.carleton.ca/undergrad/regulations/academicregulationsoftheuniversity/

Requests for Academic Accommodations

For Students with Disabilities:

The Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities (PMC) provides services to students with
Learning Disabilities (LD), psychiatric/mental health disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), chronic medical conditions, and
impairments in mobility, hearing, and vision. If you have a disability requiring academic
accommodations in this course, please contact PMC at 613-520-6608 or [email protected] for a
formal evaluation. If you are already registered with the PMC, contact your PMC coordinator to
send me your Letter of Accommodation at the beginning of the term, and no later than two
weeks before the first in-class scheduled test or exam requiring accommodation (if applicable).
Requests made within two weeks will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. After requesting
accommodation from PMC, meet with me to ensure accommodation arrangements are made.
Please consult the PMC website (www.carleton.ca/pmc) for the deadline to request
accommodations for the formally-scheduled exam (if applicable).

For Religious Obligations:

Students requesting academic accommodation on the basis of religious obligation should make a
formal, written request to their instructors for alternate dates and/or means of satisfying academic
requirements. Such requests should be made during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as
possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist, but no later than two weeks before
the compulsory event.

Accommodation is to be worked out directly and on an individual basis between the student and
the instructor(s) involved. Instructors will make accommodations in a way that avoids academic
disadvantage to the student.

Students and instructors can confirm accommodation eligibility of a religious event or practice
by referring to the Equity Services website (http://carleton.ca/equity/accommodation/religious-
observances/) for a list of holy days and Carleton's Academic Accommodation policies. If there
are any questions on the part of the student or instructor, they can be directed to an Equity
Services Advisor in the Equity Services Department for assistance.

For Pregnancy:
Pregnant students requiring academic accommodations are encouraged to contact an Equity
Advisor in Equity Services to complete a letter of accommodation. The student must then make
an appointment to discuss her needs with the instructor at least two weeks prior to the first
academic event in which it is anticipated the accommodation will be required.

Academic Integrity
Violations of academic integrity are a serious academic offence. Violations of academic integrity
– presenting another’s ideas, arguments, words or images as your own, using unauthorized
material, misrepresentation, fabricating or misrepresenting research data, unauthorized co-
operation or collaboration or completing work for another student – weaken the quality of the
degree and will not be tolerated. Penalties may include; a grade of Failure in the submitted work
and/or course; academic probation; a refusal of permission to continue or to register in a specific
degree program; suspension from full-time studies; suspension from all studies at
Carleton; expulsion from Carleton, amongst others. Students are expected to familiarize
themselves with and follow the Carleton University Student Academic Integrity Policy which is
available, along with resources for compliance at: http://carleton.ca/studentaffairs/academic-
integrity.

Sprott Student Services

The Sprott student services office, located in 710 Dunton Tower, offers academic advising, study
skills advising, and overall academic success support. If you’re having a difficult time with this
course or others, or just need some guidance on how to successfully complete your Sprott
degree, please drop in any weekday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Our advisors are happy to
discuss grades, course selection, tutoring, concentrations, and will ensure that you get connected
with the resources you need to succeed! http://sprott.carleton.ca/students/undergraduate/support-
services/
Be in the know with what’s happening at Sprott: Follow @SprottStudents and find us on
Facebook SprottStudents Sprott.

Important Information:
- Students must always retain a hard copy of all work that is submitted.
- All final grades are subject to the Dean’s approval.
- For us to respond to your emails, we need to see your full name, CU ID, and the email must be
written from your valid CARLETON address. Therefore, it would be easier to respond to your
inquiries if you would send all email from your Carleton account. If you do not have or have
yet to activate this account, you may wish to do so by visiting http://carleton.ca/ccs/students/