21212 People and Organisations
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 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksAnti-requisite(s): 21129 Managing People and Organisations AND 21130 Management and Organisations
Description
This subject explores the relationship between organisations and individuals from the perspective of the individual at work. It seeks to provide a conceptual understanding of how an individual navigates work in an organisation, including working in teams, leading and motivating staff, organisational politics, and tackling power structures. Students learn an appreciation of the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace as well as strategies for managing conflict and communication with internal and external stakeholders. Importantly, students apply these concepts, and develop these skills, as they self-manage their studies and work in teams. Students develop resilience and a framework for how to manage and work successfully in all types of organisations in the future.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Recognise and critique contemporary debates on the role of people in organisations in wider management and organisational theory |
|---|---|
| 2. | Explain practical applications of theories and concepts of working independently and in teams |
| 3. | Discuss the ethics and politics of managerial and employee behaviour in contemporary organisations |
| 4. | Apply effective communication and collaboration skills |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This introductory management subject is designed to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles of management and organisational behaviour in a complex and rapidly changing business environment. The subject contributes a wide range of critical concepts and issues concerning people and work across a variety of organisational settings in both domestic and international contexts. Students will begin to develop effective business communication skills, build resilience through self-reflection of their own independent work, and gain confidence in working collaboratively with their peers to tackle contemporary management issues. Equally important are the values of equity and diversity that students will develop as they engage with ethical dilemmas currently being observed in the workplace.
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 introduce the learning required to deliver the following Program Learning Objectives:
- Communicate information clearly in a form appropriate for its audience (2.1)
- Demonstrate ability to work independently and with others as a member of a team to achieve an agreed goal (2.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered through a blend of flipped online and active face-to-face learning strategies. Live, collaborative classes involve some content delivery, utilising media and electronic resources to enhance the learning of theory. In these classes, students will work together on case studies and experiential exercises to link theory and application. Weekly pre-class activities are provided on the UTS learning management system. It is expected that students complete these activities before attending class, because they may be called upon in class to actively present and discuss the relevant concepts with reference to organisations today.
Students receive ongoing in-class feedback from teaching staff and peers. Additionally, students will complete online or in-class quizzes and receive formative feedback on their progress prior to the census date. Leadership and team skills are developed in class through collaborative learning activities. Students are further supported through the use of subject materials provided in the UTS learning management system.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills in order to succeed at university and in the workplace. To determine your current academic language proficiency, you are required to complete an online language screening task, OPELA (information available at https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/learning-and-teaching/enhancing/language-and-learning/about-opela-students) [or a written diagnostic task]. If you receive a Basic grade for OPELA [or the written diagnostic task], you must attend additional Language Development Tutorials (each week from week [3/4] to week [11/12] in order to pass the subject. These tutorials are designed to support you to develop your language and communication skills. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.
Content (topics)
- Foundations of organisational behaviour
- Managing individuals
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Teams, groups and intergroup behaviour
- Resilience
- Conflict and negotiation
- Leading and motivating
- Communication
- Power and politics in organisations
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Weekly Topic Test (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | The quiz activities are completed in Canvas. The weekly quiz activities are due the morning of the tutorials i.e. by 9am each Tuesday for weeks 2 to 10. (refer to the assessment area of Canvas for details) |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Management & Leadership Report (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1500 words (Group) |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Presentation (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | Video Presentation Submission - 5-6 min pitch |
| Criteria: |
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Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
It is a requirement of this subject that all students complete OPELA [or a written diagnostic task]. Students who received a Basic grade in the OPELA [or the written diagnostic task] are required to attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials in order to pass the subject. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.
Required texts
The required textbook is:
Schermerhorn, J. R., Bachrach, D.G., Woods, P., Junaid, F., McKeown, T., Jessalyn Co, M., (2022). Exploring Management, 1st Asia-Pacific Edition. Wiley.
References
You will find many references on Canvas and the various Required Preparation pages. These are usually up to date journal articles relevant to each of the topics and useful in the preparation for your assessments. Below are some other seminal texts you may like to read.
Alvesson, M., & Willmott, H. (Eds.). (2003). Studying Management Critically. Sage, London.
Bakan, N. (2004). The Corporation. Constable, London.
Cummings, S., Bridgman, T., & Hassard, J. (2017). A New History of Management. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Fulop, L. & Linstead, S. (2004). Management: A Critical Text. Macmillan, Melbourne.
Knights, D. & WiIlmott, H. (2006). Introducing Organizational Behaviour and Management. Thompson, London.
Morgan, G. (2006). Images of Organization. Sage, Thousand Oaks.
Parker, M. (2002). Against Management. Polity, Oxford.