Mount Saint Vincent University

Department of Business Administration and Tourism & Hospitality Management

Business 2215 (16, 18)
Organizational Behaviour: Groups, Structure and Culture
Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:00 (AST)
Fall 2023

Instructor: Dr. Sandi Findlay-Thompson

E-mail: [email protected]
Office hours: By appointment

Course Description: A study of group-level and system-level principles of organizational

behaviour. Topics such as teams, power, leadership and organizational structure and culture
will be examined to help individuals improve their effectiveness in modern organizations. Note:
Students who have received credit for BUSI 2213 may not take this course for credit.

Course Objectives: After completing this course, if you have attended class regularly, read the
assigned material, and applied the teaching presented in the course, you will be able to:

 Identify and describe various organizational structure types, elements of structure, and
factors that affect structures
 Identify and describe various organizational culture types, elements of culture, and factors
that affect cultures
 Identify and describe elements of organizational change including driving forces, resistance
to change, and ways to respond to resistance to change
 Identify and describe the various elements of team dynamics and how those factors impact
on team functioning
 Identify and describe key elements of decision making and factors that affect decision
making in organizations
 Identify and describe key sources of power and contingencies of power in organizations
 Identify and describe key elements of influence and politics in organizations
 Identify various approaches to understanding leadership and factors that affect leadership
in modern organizations
 Identify various types of conflict in organizations, causes of conflict, and how conflict can be
effectively managed.

Course Text: Nelson, D. L., Quick, J. C., Armstrong, A., Roubecas, C.P., & Condie, J. (2020). ORGB
(3rd Canadian ed.). Toronto: Nelson.

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Mind Tap is not mandatory but is an extremely useful study guide for students. I do not post
assignments or exams on Mind Tap so it is not required. If you purchase your book on campus,
it already includes the Mind Tap Access card. Use this course key to access.
Course Link URL: https://student.cengage.com/course-link/MTPNJZ53NR04
Course Key: MTPN-JZ53-NR04
Course Link Instructions: Print instructions
If you do not purchase your book on campus, and you want access to Mind Tap you will have to
purchase it from the seller or directly from Nelson. If you are buying the book second hand the
Mind Tap access card might have already been used and in that case you will have to email
Nelson to purchase it if you want access.

Course teaching methods: This course will be taught using the Moodle and Collaborate
systems. Students will connect with their instructor and classmates through computer
technology on a weekly basis and Collaborate sessions will use a variety of lectures, small-group
discussions, cases, experiential exercises, and other activities as determined by the instructor.
You will need access to the internet and will connect to Collaborate directly from your course
Students must have a working microphone for every class
site in Moodle.
as there are in-class case discussions worth a portion of your total
grade.
Microsoft Office Products – this course is built on the use of Microsoft Office Products.
Should you elect to use a different product, it is your responsibility to convert it to the
prescribed format. Please do not save your work as a pdf – just upload using Word.
Meeting Time and Course Delivery:
Class will be held each Tuesday from 6:00- 8:00 pm via Collaborate. You will find the readings
for each class below under “In-class Work and Assignments.” Where it is noted that there will
be an in-class assignment you are required to participate to earn the associated points.
However, as this is a distance class, I understand there are times when you will have work or
other conflicts. You must email me prior to the class if you are not able to attend and upony
approval of your absence, you will be permitted to submit the answers for the in-class
discussion participation points by 6:00 pm on the Tuesday that the in class discussion is held.

HELPFUL MSVU ONLINE RESOURCES FOR YOU:

 Mount website: http://www.msvu.ca
IT Services:
o IT&S Hours and Contact
Information: https://www.msvu.ca/campus-life/campus-services/it-services/hours-
contact-information/
o IT&S Website: http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/studentservices/itservices/default.aspx
o Email: [email protected]
o 902-457-6538 during normal business hours
o 902-457-6601 Emergency on campus classroom support & after-hours IT emergencies
o Location in EMF Lower Level

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Teaching and Learning Platform:
o Mount Educational Technology Platform: https://www.msvu.ca/academics/online-
learning/mount-online-learning-platform/
o Moodle login: https://learn.msvu.ca/

Online Learning support

o [email protected]
o Toll-Free 1-800-665-3838
 Student email:
https://www.msvu.ca/en/home/studentservices/itservices/outlookwebaccess.aspx
 Assisi Information Centre: (902) 457-6788
 Parking/Security:
https://www.msvu.ca/en/home/aboutus/safety-security/parking/default.aspx
 Undergraduate Academic Calendar: http://www.msvu.ca/calendar/undergraduate.asp
 Library: http://www.msvu.ca/library/
 Writing Resource Centre:
http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/studentservices/academicadvisingsupport/
writingresourcecentre/default.aspx
 Student Services: http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/studentservices/default.aspx
 Class Cancellation Line: (902) 457-6566 and website:
http://www2.msvu.ca/classcancellation/Pages/index.aspx

Mount students registered in the Business or Tourism Programs are considered members of the
Halifax Chamber of Commerce and have access to information and great offers, including but
not limited to:
• Join one (or many!) of our 100+ events and make connections to the business community.
These businesses are the companies that will be looking to hire students, like yourself, in the
future!
• Discounts from our many Benefit Providers including Home & Auto insurance with TD
Insurance.
• Access to our Member Directory, a great way to connect with local businesses.
• M2M Marketplace offers.

Learning Passport (LP) Program September 14th to November 23rd 2023.

This initiative is designed to enhance your learning and may improve your course marks
through your participation in select activities within the Business and Tourism Department,
MSVU, and the broader community. Information sessions about the LP program will be held on
September 12th and 13th. A list of activities as well as any special requirements and
instructions can be found on the LP Moodle site. To be eligible for learning passport points
students must complete a reflection/survey activity form within 48 hours after
attending/accessing an activity. Late or incomplete student reflection/survey activity forms will
not be accepted. All activities must be attended AND REFLECTIONS/SURVEY ACTIVITY FORMS

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SUBMITTED on or before November 23 at 4:00pm to be eligible for bonus points to be applied
to your final course marks. LP bonus points will not increase a student’s grade from an F to a
passing grade.

Use of Course Material:

As a student in this course, you should observe the following:

 Course material to which you are granted access in this course is only to be used for this course.
 Material that you submit as part of the requirements of this course cannot be used to complete the
requirements of another course, without the expressed permission of the instructor of the second
course. This constitutes cheating as stated in the Academic Calendar.

 Students do not have permission to upload course material to any external websites or share with
others, unless expressly permitted to do so by the instructor. If you require further clarification
about using materials from this course in other contexts, please contact the instructor.

 Under no circumstances are students permitted to provide anyone not registered in this course with
access to the Mount Online course site established for the course.

 Only students registered in this Mount Online course site are permitted to view, download, upload,
comment or otherwise participate in this course site.

Notes:
 Regular attendance is expected of students at all classes. However, as this is a distance class, I
understand there are times when you will have work or other conflicts. You must email me
prior to the class if you are not able to attend and upon my approval of your absence, you will
be permitted to submit the answers for the in-class discussion participation points by 6:00 pm
on the Tuesday we are discussing the in class case.
 Students requesting special consideration because of a conflict with a deadline for an
assignment or an examination must do so in advance of the relevant deadline.
 Students who have a disability and who require academic accommodations must register with
Accessibility Services as early as possible in order to receive accommodations.
http://www.msvu.ca/Accessibilityservices
 Requests for accommodation of specific religious or spiritual observance must be presented
in writing to the instructor within the first two weeks of class.
 University regulations on plagiarism 2.2.23.1 and cheating 2.2.23.2 and other academic
offenses will be strictly enforced. These regulations including applicable procedures and
penalties are detailed in the University Calendar and can be found here.
https://www.msvu.ca/academics/university-academic-calendars/undergraduate-
academic- calendar/regulations/
 Correct use of language is one of the criteria included in the evaluation of all written
assignments.

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 Students who conduct research involving human participants must have their research
reviewed in accordance with the MSVU Policies and Procedures for Ethics Review of Research
Involving humans before starting the research. Check with your course professor or Chair of
the department about proper procedure.
 If a faculty member wishes to change a course outline after the start of classes, this can only
be done with reasonable notice to the class. After the deadline to register/add a course,
changes to the timing, number, and weighting of assignments and examinations need
approval of the Dean.
 All students, including those in labs and pass/fail courses, must receive written feedback from
instructors before the deadline for withdrawing without academic penalty.
 No tests or examinations worth more than 20% of the course grade shall be held in the last
two weeks of classes in the Fall/Winter semesters.

Exams:
There is no final exam for this course.

Late Assignments and Penalties:

Ensure you read your course outline carefully and be aware of the due dates for all assignments
(see schedule below and in Moodle). Deadlines for assignments will not be adjusted unless you
have a valid reason, and in cases of illness, a note from the doctor will be required. If you have
a personal emergency, you will need to notify me as soon as possible and each situation will be
assessed by me on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Department Chair as to
whether deadlines will be extended. Missed deadlines may/will result in a daily penalty of 25%
of the value of the assignment.

Method of Evaluation: The following grading plan is used for this course:
In Class Mini-Case Discussions
Must read case(s) prior to classes and be ready to post your answers to the case questions
into the chat box – cutting and pasting is required. Students must also be ready to discuss
their answers individually in class as well as in group break-out rooms. Just being in class
does not count as participation.
September 19 – F1 Pit Crews are the Epitome of Teamwork, p. 180 1
September 26 - Conflict Escalation between Neighbors, p. 197 1
October 10 – Dwayne Casey and the Toronto Raptors, p. 234 2
October 17 - The Great Little Box Company, p. 252; 2
October 24 - Sexual Harassment in Parliament, p. 215 2
November 14 – TD and Canada Trust p.331 2
November 21 – The Great Little Box Company, p. 310 2
November 28 – Assessing your Team’s Effectiveness on Team Project 2

Assignment 1: - Individual Mini-Case Assignment – Case posted in Moodle

Achieving Success in Virtual Teams. Case Posted in Moodle
(Due September 26 by 6:00 pm) 8

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Team Project (see instructions below and in Moodle)
Topic 1 Decision-Making Heuristics due October 17 7
Topic 2 Empowerment and Power due November 14 8
Topic 3 Organizational Behavior due November 28 8
Tests: (online during class time, multiple-choice)
Test #1 – Chapters 7, 9, 10 – October 3 15
Test #2 – Chapters 11, 12, 13 – October 31 20
Test #3 – Chapters 16, 17, 18 –December 5 20
Total 100

SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY WORK ACTIVITIES

Date Work Activity
September 12 Introduction to Course
Chapter 7 – Review (Decision Making by Individuals and Groups)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion Example: And the Grammy Goes to … p. 144
September 19 Chapter 9 – Review (Groups and Teams)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: F1 Pit Crews are the Epitome of Teamwork, p. 180
Team Formation for Project. If you are absent from class tonight you must email
me that you are still in the course and need your name added to a group.
September 26 Chapter 10 – Review (Conflict and Negotiation)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: Conflict Escalation between Neighbors, p. 197
Assignment 1 due by 6:00pm. Achieving Success in Virtual Teams. Case posted in
Moodle at the top of the page. Upload answers to Moodle in the September 26
Module using the link provided.
October 3 First Major Test – Chapters 7, 9, 10. Multiple Choice. Your test is in Moodle and
must be accessed at the start of class (6:00 pm). It is an open book test. You will
have 2 hours to write. If you are late to class you will only have the time remaining
until 8:00 as I have programmed the exam to close at 8:00. Fair Warning: The
exams are scrambled so do not collaborate with another student as you will not
have the same sequence or questions.
October 10 Chapter 12 – Review (Leadership)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: Dwayne Casey and the Toronto Raptors, p. 234
October 17 Chapter 13 – Review (Organizational Culture)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: The Great Little Box Company, p. 252
Topic 1 Team Project due by 6:00 pm. Use link in Moodle found in October 17
module.
October 24 Chapter 11– Review (Power and Political Behavior)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: Sexual Harassment in Parliament, p. 215
October 31 Second Major Test – Chapters 11, 12, 13. Multiple Choice. Your test is in Moodle
and must be accessed at the start of class (6:00 pm). You will have 2 hours to
write. If you are late to class you will only have the time remaining until 8:00 as I
have programmed the exam to close at 8:00.

November 7 Study Week – no classes

November 14 Chapter 17 – Review (Managing Change)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: TD and Canada Trust p. 331

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 Topic 2 Team Project due by 6:00 pm. Use link in Moodle found in November 14
module.
November 21 Chapter 16 – Review (Organizational Design and Structure)
In Class Mini-Case Discussion: The Great Little Box Company, p. 310
November 28 Chapter 18 – Review (Career Management)
In Class Discussion: Assessing your Team’s effectiveness on team project
Topic 3 Team Project due by 6:00 pm. Use link in Moodle found in November 28
module.
December 5 Third Major Test – Chapters 16, 17, 18. Multiple Choice. Your test is in Moodle
and must be accessed at the start of class (6:00 pm). You will have 2 hours to
write. If you are late to class, you will only have the time remaining until 8:00 as I
have programmed the exam to close at 8:00

Team Project – Critical Thinking

The project is to be completed in teams assigned throughout the semester.

The purpose of this team project is to allow students to learn to formulate and articulate
arguments, question the evidence behind a conclusion or stance, and to demonstrate critical
thinking skills as they relate to topics in organizational behavior. Other outcomes for this
assignment are to help students become more thoughtful, have greater empathy, learn to
contemplate alternative perspectives, and gain appreciation for individual differences.

At the start of the term, several teams will be formed. Each team will consist of students taking
either “Position A” or “Position B” as per the Topics and due dates below. The result will be
one written paper from each full team (Position A and Position B) stating which argument was
more persuasive (Position A or Position B). How will this be achieved?

Position A and Position B members will meet with their own position members to formulate
their respective arguments. Then Position A and Position B members will meet altogether to
present their respective arguments. After arguments are presented, all group members
(Positions A and B) are required to determine which argument was more convincing. There is
no right or wrong team in this exercise. The purpose is to use knowledge that you have learned
from this course to apply critical thinking, listen to all arguments, and select the alternative that
is the most convincing. You can use consensus, majority-rule, etc in your final decision but a
final decision must be made. Of course, it is possible that the team as a whole feels that some
arguments from Position A and some from Position B have validity and you are free to use
arguments from both sides in our decision as to what is the best way to move forward with this
topic!

Limit your arguments to material from the text and do not use outside sources – there is
enough in the relevant chapters to help you formulate your position.

After the end of each topic, the team as a whole is to submit to me one document for the
team that includes the required information noted below and on the appropriate due date
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using the Moodle upload link for that date.

- Topic being Discussed

- Position A’s arguments (bullet point is fine - ensure you are using text
material to support your arguments);
- Position B’s arguments ((bullet point is fine - ensure you are using text
material to support your arguments);
- The team’s consensus on which argument was the strongest and why/how
the team came to that agreement.

Topic 1 – due on or before October 17

Decision-Making Heuristics

Position A – Decision-making heuristics should be employed frequently as they prevent mental

distractions and encourage efficient information processing.
Position B – Decision-making heuristics should be avoided as they limit cognitive processing and
could lead to mistakes.

Topic 2 – due on or before November 14

Empowerment and Power
Position A – Leaders who empower others will lose some of their personal power
Position B – Leaders who empower others will gain personal power

Topic 3 – due on or before November 28

Organizational Behaviour
Position A – The best way to understand organizational behavior is through years of work
experience.
Position B – The best way to understand organizational behavior is to study it from a scientific
perspective.