Organizational Analysis and Design (GSB 624)

Spring Semester 2008 (January 10th – May 1st )

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

 

 

Faculty Information

Professor:       Vince Sperduto, Ph.D., MBA

E-mail:            vsperduto@dom.edu

Phone: 708.205.1179

FAX:               708.771.0642

Office hours:  By appointment

 

Course Prerequisites

None

 

Course Description

This course examines organization theories, concepts, and real-world practices to help students understand, analyze, and improve organizations.

 

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to analyze organizations from both a theoretical and a practical perspective in order to solve organizational problems and enhance organizational effectiveness. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

  1. Explain the nature of organizations and organization theory.
  2. Identify different types of organizational goals, their purpose, and competitive strategies for achieving them.
  3. Explain the basic concepts of organization structure and structure an organization.
  4. Identify and define elements external to an organization that impact its structure.
  5. Explain how organizations should be designed to accommodate and facilitate operational work processes.
  6. Explain the nature of organization technology, its impact on organization design, and its impact on interorganizational relationships.
  7. Identify and predict the probable impact of cultural, ethical, and political changes within an organization.
  8. Describe how organizations change and how managers direct the innovation and change process.
  9. Describe when and how different decision-making models should be used.
  10. Explain how managers use power and politics to manage and resolve conflict.

 

Instructional Method

This course will be taught using a variety of instructional methods including lectures, case studies, group discussion, and small group activities.

 

Instructional Materials

Text: Daft, R. L. Organization Theory and Design, 9th ed. Thomson

ISBN: 9780324405422

Case Studies: as appropriate

Business Articles: as appropriate

 

Assessment of Learning

Grades will be based on:

  • Participation and attendance = 10%
  • Exams (4)  = 40%
  • Organizational Effectiveness paper = 40%
  • Organizational Effectiveness presentation = 10%

 

Writing Standards

  1. All papers should be double-spaced with one-inch margins.
  2. Use Times New Roman font, size 12.
  3. Include a page number on all pages except your title page.
  4. Use quotes and references to strengthen your writing.
  5. Make sure anything not written by you is properly referenced.
  6. Check grammar, spelling, and punctuation before finalizing your paper.

 

Grading Standards:

A    93-100

A-   90-92

Good

 

1. Responds fully to task; 2. Completes task on time; 3. Is clear and succinct; 4. Is directed toward specific purpose or goal; 5. Begins and ends in a meaningful, effective way; 6. Provides relevant supporting arguments, evidence examples and details; 7. Correctly acknowledges and documents sources, as appropriate; 8. Is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling, format and style; 9. Is well organized; 10. Applies information learned in a new way; 11. Shows consistency and excellence throughout; 12. Shows originality and creativity; 13. Goes beyond the scope of the assigned task.

 

B+   87-89

B     83-86

B-    80-82

Fair

 

Subscribes fully and completely to at least seven of items 1-10 above while incompletely responds to the remaining three items. Demonstrates solid understanding of material but does not address items 11-13 above.

 

C+  77-79

C    73-76

C-   70-72

Poor

 

Subscribes adequately to at least five of items 1-10 above but does not address the remaining items (much less items 11-13). Contains major errors in developing concepts, themes, or main ideas. Contains improper grammar, word choice, punctuation, spelling, format and style. A “C” paper may be creative but this does not make up for poor or careless writing. A “C” paper looks and reads like a first draft.

 

F   69 and below

Failure

 

Ignores most or all of elements of items 1-10 above. Contains many serious conceptual and stylistic errors. An “F” paper does not respond to task in any meaningful way.

 

Participation

Each class opens with a discussion of current events related to the evening’s lecture. Student involvement in these discussions counts toward participation. Students should come to class prepared to discuss the concepts and theories contained in assigned the readings.

 

Organization Effectiveness Paper and Presentation

Using theories, concepts, and real-world practices learned in the course, you will critique the effectiveness of your organization and make recommendations for improving its organizational effectiveness. Your paper should be 10 -12 pages in length, include appropriate citations from the literature, and conform to the writing standards outlined on page two of this document. You will have 20 minutes to present your findings to the class. (Time allotted may change based on the number of students enrolled in the class.) Your paper and your PowerPoint presentation are due on or before April 8th at 6:30 pm. Late submissions will automatically lose one grade. Detailed paper requirements will be discussed in class.

 

Exams

There will be four exams to test your comprehension of assigned readings and material covered in class.

 

Course Calendar

 

Session Date

                                        Session Topics

Session 1

1/15

·        Introduction to Course

·        Organizations and Organization Theory—Chapter 1 (pages 1-38)

·        Workshop: Input/Output Systems

·        Workshop: Measuring Dimensions of Organizations

Session 2

1/22

·        Strategy, Organization Design, and Effectiveness—Chapter 2 (pages 54-84)

·        Case Study Discussion: The University Art Museum

·        Workshop: Identifying Company Goals and Strategies

Session 3

1/29

·        Fundamentals of Organization Structure—Chapter 3 (pages 88-129)

·        Case Study Discussions: C&C Grocery Stores, Inc. and  Aquarius Advertising Agency

·        Workshop: Organization Charts

Proctored Exam

2/5

·        Exam One (chapters 1, 2, 3)

 

Session 4

2/12

 

·        The External Environment—Chapter 4 (pages 136-167)

·        Case Study Discussion: Paradoxical Twins

 

 

Session 5

2/19

·        Interorganizational Relationships—Chapter 5 (pages 170-195)

·        Organization Effectiveness paper requirements

Session 6

2/26

·        Designing Organizations for the International Environment—Chapter 6 (pages 204-239)

·        Case Study Discussions: Top Dog Software, Rhodes Industries

·        Workshop: Made in the USA?

Session 7

3/4

·        Exam Two (chapters 4, 5, 6)

·        Manufacturing and Service Technologies—Chapter 7 (pages 244-282)

·        Case Study Discussion: Acetate Department

Session 8

3/11

·        Organizational Culture and Ethical Values—Chapter 10 (pages 358-389 and 392-393)

·        Case Study Discussion: Does This Milkshake Taste Funny?

Session 9

3/18

·        Enron: The smartest guys in the room—video

·        Enron discussion

Session 10

3/25

·        Information Technology and Control—Chapter 8 (pages 286-315)

·        Case Study Discussion: Century Medical

Session 11

4/1

·        Exam Three (chapters 7, 10, 8)

·        Organization Size, Life Cycle, and Decline—Chapter 9 (pages 319-352)

·        Workshop: Windsock, Inc.

Session 12

4/8

·        Innovation and Change—Chapter 11 (pages 398-431 and 436-437)

·        Case Study Discussion: Southern Discomfort

Session 13

4/15

·        Exam Four (chapters 9, 11)

·        Organization Effectiveness Papers and Presentations due

·        Organization Effectiveness Presentations

Session 14

4/22

·        Organization Effectiveness Presentations continued

Session 15

4/29

·        Organization Effectiveness Presentations continued

 

 

 

Bio

 

Vincent Sperduto, Ph.D., MBA

 

 

Vince Sperduto obtained his Ph.D. degree in Organization Development from Benedictine University in 2007. His specialization is in the areas of Appreciative Inquiry, Employee Engagement, Organizational Culture and Merger and Acquisition. Sperduto received a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. He obtained his M.B.A. in Finance from Dominican University.

 

Professional:

 

Vince Sperduto has more than 20 years experience in retail banking and retail investments. Sperduto worked for St. Paul Federal Bank for 16 years, and for Bank Financial as president and COO of Financial Assurance, its investment and insurance subsidiary. He also has experience working for Fortune 500 organizations such as Citigroup and ABN AMRO. Sperduto holds a General Securities Principal License- Series 24, as well as a Series 7, 63, 65, and Property, Casualty, Life and Health Insurance Licenses. In addition he has earned a certificate in Financial Planning from DePaul University. In 1998, Bank Investment Marketing recognized Sperduto as a top manager nationwide.

 

Personal:

 

Vince and his wife, parents of four, have been married for 25 years and reside in River Forest. Sperduto has been affiliated with United Way, Leyden Family Services, St. Luke Parish Men’s Club, the St. Luke Youth Group and the Appalachia Service Project. His research interests include appreciative inquiry, organizational culture, employee engagement, mergers and acquisitions, downsizing and socially responsible leadership in the church.