Organisational Analysis

Module code: MN7565

Module Outline

This module introduces students to the study of large scale, complex organizations - the main characteristic of modern industrial society. It has two main themes. Firstly it reviews and evaluates the major perspectives that have been developed within organizational analysis. Secondly it explores how these can assist our analysis both of contemporary organizations and changes in their environment. The module's key elements are therefore: an examination of the historical origins of industrial society; a review and evaluation of the key theoretical perspectives in the study of organizations; an examination of their relevance to understanding of contemporary organizations; and an exploration of current and future social, political and economic changes that will affect organizational life.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• Discuss the different perspectives explaining the origins of organization
• Evaluate the assumptions of theories of bureaucracy and classical management and assess their contemporary relevance
• Debate the social and organizational impact of technology
• Discuss the relevance of the concept of the 'environment' to organizational analysis
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of notions of organizational culture
• Identify the key features of theories of the post-industrial
• Analyse the changes in organizational form and in the experience of work that are implied by these developments
• Analyse the basis of power in organizations
• Consider future social and economic challenges faced by organizations