Sociology of Organisations
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to historically introduce the discipline and to illustrate the economic theories of organization (transaction costs theories; moral hazard and principal-agent theories) and the sociological criticisms and integrations to these approaches. In the light of such theories, the recent process of organizational reform in public administration will be discussed considering some European countries, by quoting examples from the healthcare sector and with particular attention to personnel management (motivation; incentive systems; controls).
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to recognize the economic organizational theories, the sociological criticisms and integrations to these approaches, the recent process of organizational reform in the public administration considering some European countries, with particular attention to the healthcare sector and to the personnel management.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
First part.
Definition of organization. Main theoretical approaches to the study of organizations. The 'classici school': F. W. Taylor and M. Weber. The weaknesses of the classi school and the crisis of the tayloristic and bureaucratic model of organization. The peculiarities od the services organizations.
Second part.
The relationships between the individual and the organization from Barnard to Simon, to Crozier. The concept of public good and the dilemmas of collective action in M. Olson: strategic behaviour and opportunism (with elementary notions of game theory).
The perspective of transaction costs in the study of organizations (Coase, Williamson, Ouchi). Markets, hierarchies and clan: main features and conditions of viability and effectiveness. The relationships between organizations: internalization/outsourcing processes, networks. An application to human resource management. The relationships between individual and organization in the perspective of contract theory (based on Milgrom and Roberts). The problems of incomplete contracts: private information, adverse selection, moral hazard and the organizational remedies. An example of macro-institutional application: the case of the EU Stability and Growth Pact. The new sociological institutionalism and the sociological criticisms to economic theory of organization (Meyer and Rowan, Powell and DiMaggio, Dore, Trigilia, Elster).
Third part.
Organizational reform and reform of the employment relations in the public administration in Italy and other European countries in recent years: the New
Public Management and personnel policies inspired to the principal-agent theory. An example: institutional reform and organizational change in the health sector in Italy and other European countries.
Definition of organization. Main theoretical approaches to the study of organizations. The 'classici school': F. W. Taylor and M. Weber. The weaknesses of the classi school and the crisis of the tayloristic and bureaucratic model of organization. The peculiarities od the services organizations.
Second part.
The relationships between the individual and the organization from Barnard to Simon, to Crozier. The concept of public good and the dilemmas of collective action in M. Olson: strategic behaviour and opportunism (with elementary notions of game theory).
The perspective of transaction costs in the study of organizations (Coase, Williamson, Ouchi). Markets, hierarchies and clan: main features and conditions of viability and effectiveness. The relationships between organizations: internalization/outsourcing processes, networks. An application to human resource management. The relationships between individual and organization in the perspective of contract theory (based on Milgrom and Roberts). The problems of incomplete contracts: private information, adverse selection, moral hazard and the organizational remedies. An example of macro-institutional application: the case of the EU Stability and Growth Pact. The new sociological institutionalism and the sociological criticisms to economic theory of organization (Meyer and Rowan, Powell and DiMaggio, Dore, Trigilia, Elster).
Third part.
Organizational reform and reform of the employment relations in the public administration in Italy and other European countries in recent years: the New
Public Management and personnel policies inspired to the principal-agent theory. An example: institutional reform and organizational change in the health sector in Italy and other European countries.
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge is required
Teaching methods
Mostly lectures with discussions.
However, the second part includes two tutorials. One relative to the relationship between individual actors and the organization and to the participation of individuals to the production of a public good. The second one consisting in a role playing relative to the management of human resources in the perspective of transaction costs theory.
The third part includes the presentation and discussion of a few case studies.
However, the second part includes two tutorials. One relative to the relationship between individual actors and the organization and to the participation of individuals to the production of a public good. The second one consisting in a role playing relative to the management of human resources in the perspective of transaction costs theory.
The third part includes the presentation and discussion of a few case studies.
Teaching Resources
First part
Bonazzi G., Come studiare le organizzazioni, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2006.
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Second part
Bordogna L. (a cura di), Individuo e organizzazione. Materiali di analisi organizzativa, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2005 or last reprint (it can be found in the Faculty bookstore; copies are available in the Faculty Library). It is a small edited volume with essays by M. Olson, R. Coase, O. Williamson, W. Ouchi, P. Milgrom e J. Roberts, C. Trigilia, J. Elster, with an introduction of the editor.
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Terza parte del corso.
Pollitt C., Bouckaert G., La riforma del management pubblico, Egea, Milano, 2002 (pp. 25-43 e pp. 79-123).
Mapelli V., Il sistema sanitario italiano, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2012 new edition, chapters 6 and 7 (pp. 155-201) and chapter 8, paragraphs 4-8 (pp. 214-226).
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Bonazzi G., Come studiare le organizzazioni, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2006.
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Second part
Bordogna L. (a cura di), Individuo e organizzazione. Materiali di analisi organizzativa, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2005 or last reprint (it can be found in the Faculty bookstore; copies are available in the Faculty Library). It is a small edited volume with essays by M. Olson, R. Coase, O. Williamson, W. Ouchi, P. Milgrom e J. Roberts, C. Trigilia, J. Elster, with an introduction of the editor.
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Terza parte del corso.
Pollitt C., Bouckaert G., La riforma del management pubblico, Egea, Milano, 2002 (pp. 25-43 e pp. 79-123).
Mapelli V., Il sistema sanitario italiano, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2012 new edition, chapters 6 and 7 (pp. 155-201) and chapter 8, paragraphs 4-8 (pp. 214-226).
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written test. The test covers the topics dealt with in classes and consists of open and closed questions (including comments on brief cases, tables or figures to be completed or explained, definition of concepts, etc.) and aims at evaluating the learning of basic theoretical concepts of the discipline and the ability to apply them to concrete cases.
SPS/09 - ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Bordogna Lorenzo, Neri Stefano
Shifts:
-
Professors:
Bordogna Lorenzo, Neri StefanoProfessor(s)
Reception:
Friday, 10.00-13.00, online (Microsoft Teams). Please, contact the teacher to set an appointment, by the day before the office hours time. In case of urgent matters, please contact the teacher by e-mail.
Microsoft Teams or Skype. If the office hours take place in person, Room 6, New building (the building where lesson rooms 10, 11, 12, 13 are located).