21512 Understanding Organisations: Theory and Practice
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 21221 Organisational Structure and Change
Description
This subject considers what is theory and what is theorising in the specific context of organisations and organisation theory. It covers both mainstream classical business theorising and some alternatives. This examination should lead to an understanding that theory and organisational reality interact, influencing and shaping each other. It then follows that the practising manager is informed by theory when defining issues, sense making and choosing practical action.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | explain the nature and roles of organisations in business and management, using different theoretical perspectives |
|---|---|
| 2. | apply different theoretical frameworks in addressing managerial issues that confront contemporary organisations |
| 3. | evaluate the uses and limitations of organisational theories and their implications in managerial and business practices |
| 4. | communicate individually and in a team, sound recommendations informed by relevant literature on organisational theories that address organisational and managerial issues |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject develops critical and complex thinking about managing in the context of organising. It enables students to make informed decisions and choices about management practice. It develops an important understanding of and skills for management processes. Students develop an awareness of key concepts of organizational design, organizational development and navigation of the social dynamics that characterise organizations. Specific attention is given to the ethical implication of management practice and organizational design choices.
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
- Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
- Communication and collaboration
This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objectives for the Bachelor of Business Management major:
- Apply evidence, creativity and critical reasoning to solve business problems (1.1)
- Communicate information clearly in a form appropriate for its audience (2.1)
This subject also contributes specifically to assure the following Program Learning Objective for the Bachelor of Business Human Resource Management major:
- Communicate information clearly in a form appropriate for its audience (2.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures and tutorials weekly. Tutorials to focus on skills in reading and understanding academic theory, discussions and debates, DVDs (when suitable), small group discussions practising exam-style questions. All students will be provided with the opportunity for initial feedback on their performance in the subject during the first six weeks of the semester, for example, online quizzes, tutorial exercises, draft assignments and other assessment methods. Further feedback will be provided in relation to submitted assessment tasks.
Lectures are designed as interactive experiences: students are invited to get acquainted with the theories that will be discussed (using recommended text books and suggested readings posted on the UTS Learning Management System) before coming to class; key to this preparation activity is the updating of their learning diary. The focus of the lecture is to discuss the connection and contrasts between different theories and to reflect on their implications for practice. During the lecture the audience is constantly engaged by the lecturer with open questions and requests for reflective feedback.
Tutorials are fully interactive experiences based on different types of exercises:
- ‘Lived experience’ of organizational dynamics through simulations, debates, and games
- Discussion and analysis of case studies
- ‘Theory presentation competitions’ in which students’ teams compete by delivering 2 minute presentations in which they imagine to explain key organisational theories to a non-specialist audience (and can obtain bonus mark if their performance is highly satisfactory)
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
Content (topics)
- Classic business approach to organisation — description and evaluation
- Classic theorising about why organisations take particular forms
- Limitations of, and problems arising from, the classic business approach — learning to critique through different lenses as applied to 'organisation'
- Organisation as a social construction, and the part theories play in this construction
- Managing and organising — what understanding of theory means for a manager
- Persistence and change in the context of organising
Assessment
Assessment task 1: (Audio Visual Documentary Production (30% Group)* + Briefing Paper (20% Individual)
| Intent: | Group: A/V Documentary=20% and Class Presentation*/Q&A = 10% |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Length: Task 1: Group Work
Task 2: Individual Written Briefing Paper: 1,500 words (maximum) |
| Criteria: |
*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Assessment task 2: Advocacy Folio (Individual)
| Intent: | 20% Advocacy Poster and 30% Written Business Report |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Task 1; Advocacy Poster: Single A4 Size Task 2: Written Business Report 1,500-2,000 words |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
Recommended texts
Required readings (indicated in Canvas) will be made available in electronic form or through the UTS library website. Some of these readings are mandatory and need to be read before some classes. Each week you will be reminded of your mandatory and/or additional readings for the following week through UTS online.