Sociology of Organisations
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with the theoretical and methodological knowledge needed to analyze - in a sociological perspective - organizations, the plurality of their structures and logics. It offers a historical and critical review of the main theories and approaches to the study of organizations, in order to give students the necessary tools to understand the complexity of the organizational processes, both in the manufacturing and in the service organizations, public and private. The course will pay particular attention to the study, on one hand, of the relationships between individual and organization, on the other hand, of the relationships between organization and environment, enabling students to analyze two of the main dimensions of the organizational phenomena.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to be able to analyse and autonomously interpret organizational rules, structures, behaviors and processes. They will develop the competence, which allow them to analyze how public and private organizations work, both in the manufacturing and in the service sector, identifying some critical issues typical of those organizations and suggesting possible solutions. Adequate communication skills are also required, with particular regard to the specific language of the sociology of organization; it is also required to properly discuss and argue personal opinions and theses on situations connected to these studies and on topics which are proposed by the literature or empirically observable. Finally, students are required to develop the capacity to deepen on their own main issues in organizational studies.
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
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
In the phase of emergency lessons should be carried out face-to-face. In case the emergency conditions during the third trimester do not allow to carry out face-to-face lessons, lessons will be carried out online, in streaming, using the Microsoft Teams platform. Lessons will be carried out in the scheduled time. In case of persistence of the emergency phase, examination will consist of a written test, which will be performed face-to-face (like the ordinary way) or online, according to the ways and the cases defined by the University regulation.
Course syllabus
Definitions of organization. The 'classic school' of organizations: Taylor and Weber. The limits of the 'classic school': Robert Merton and the unintended consequences of bureaucracy. Michel Crozier and its critical examination of the bureaucratic phaenomenon. The crisis of the tayloristic organization. From fordism to the new ways of production. The Japanese or Toyota model. Old and new institutionalism in sociology of organization. The economic approaches: Williamson and the transaction cost theory; Ouchi and the concept of clan. The moral hazard.
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
The course will include lectures and discussions. Students will be stimulated to analyze organizational situations drawn by empirical knowledge, suggesting possibile solutions to critical elements which will emerge in the discussion.
Teaching Resources
1) Bonazzi G., Come studiare le organizzazioni, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006 (all the sections and chapters of the book, except for chapter V)
2) Bonazzi G., Storia del pensiero organizzativo, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2007, ultima edizione (only two chapters of this second book are required, respectively entitled "L'organizzazione scientifica del lavoro, ovvero il taylorismo" and "Nel post-fordismo: specializzazione flessibile, produzione snella e fabbrica modulare")
3) Suggested reading: Bordogna L. (a cura di), Individuo e organizzazione. Materiali di analisi organizzativa, Bologna, Il Mulino., 2005.
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
2) Bonazzi G., Storia del pensiero organizzativo, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2007, ultima edizione (only two chapters of this second book are required, respectively entitled "L'organizzazione scientifica del lavoro, ovvero il taylorismo" and "Nel post-fordismo: specializzazione flessibile, produzione snella e fabbrica modulare")
3) Suggested reading: Bordogna L. (a cura di), Individuo e organizzazione. Materiali di analisi organizzativa, Bologna, Il Mulino., 2005.
Slides discussed in classes and uploaded on ARIEL.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test, including 9-10 questions (2-3 multiple choice questions and 7-8 open-ended questions). The test has to be perfomed in 1 hour. There is no oral examination.
The exam includes questions concerning both the theoretical approaches illustrated in the course and in the references books, and case studies or examples drawn by organizational contexts described in the course. The exam is aimed at assessing;
- students' knowledge and comprehension of the theories described in the course, allowing students to grasp the complexity of organizations and to analyse organizational rules, structures, behaviors and processes;
- the development of competences, which make students able to analyze how public and private organizations work, both in the manufacturing and in the service sector, identifying some critical issues typical of those organizations and suggesting possible solutions;
- the acquisition of adequate communication skills, with particular regard to the specific language of the sociology of organization. Students are required to show their ability to describe organizational phenomena and properly discuss organizational issues and situations, which are suggested by scientific literature or empirically observable;
- the development of learning abilities in organizational behavior, processes and phenomena, allowing them to deepen on their own main issues in this field of study.
The exam includes questions concerning both the theoretical approaches illustrated in the course and in the references books, and case studies or examples drawn by organizational contexts described in the course. The exam is aimed at assessing;
- students' knowledge and comprehension of the theories described in the course, allowing students to grasp the complexity of organizations and to analyse organizational rules, structures, behaviors and processes;
- the development of competences, which make students able to analyze how public and private organizations work, both in the manufacturing and in the service sector, identifying some critical issues typical of those organizations and suggesting possible solutions;
- the acquisition of adequate communication skills, with particular regard to the specific language of the sociology of organization. Students are required to show their ability to describe organizational phenomena and properly discuss organizational issues and situations, which are suggested by scientific literature or empirically observable;
- the development of learning abilities in organizational behavior, processes and phenomena, allowing them to deepen on their own main issues in this field of study.
SPS/09 - ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Neri Stefano
Professor(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).