Module Identifier RD15910  
Module Title ORGANISATION STRUCTURES  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Mr Raymond D Youell  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1.5 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 4  60%
Semester Assessment Report writing Assignment: Outcomes assessed: 3  40%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Outcome 1
Identify, describe and evaluate different organisational structures
Performance criteria
a) identify and describe different organisational structures
b) evaluate the appropriateness of different organisational structures
c) participate in the design of different structures to meet identified needs
Range
Types of organisation and associated structures: Classification of organisations; organisation charts; scale, purposes, interests, the influence of technology and organisational size.
Structural factors which influence success and failure of organisations: configuration; symptoms of efficient organisations.
Establishing and designing organisations: the development of organisation theory and relevance to the modern context, questioning management paradigms, centralisation, decentralisation

Outcome 2
Analyse the relationship between different structures and an organisation''r performance and development
Performance criteria
a) identify different organisational environments
b) analyse the relationship between different structures and an organisation''s performance and development
c) participate in the management of organisational change
Range
Different environment: placid-random, placid-cluster, disturbed-reactive; influence of technological change and stability.
Different structures: Bureaucratic, functional, divisional, mechanistic, organic matrix; stages of development; phases of growth and decline, expansion, consolidation, contraction;
Responding to change: sources of innovation, classification of control systems; driving and restraining forces.

Outcome 3   
Evaluate the effectiveness of different communication systems
Performance criteria
a) evaluate the effectiveness of different communication systems
b) identify and evaluate relationships between organisation type and communication systems
c) examine and evaluate the impact and implications of technology on communication and administrative systems
d) communicate through formal and informal organisation channels using a variety of appropriate media
e) make recommendations for improving organisational communications
Range
The media of communication: models of communication; formal and informal; advantages and disadvantages; communication channels and networks; controlling communication networks; the communication process and information.

Outcome 4
Identify and analyse factors which influence organisational cultures.
Performance criteria
a) identify organisational cultures, rules and norms
b) identify and analyse the factors which influence changing organisational cultures, rules and norms
c) identify and evaluate the relationship between organisational cultures, structures and performance
d) influence and adapt to organisational change
Range
Culture: formal, informal, positive, negative; autocratic, democratic; public image.
Influencing factors: history, ownership, size, objectives, external cultural environment.
Influencing and adapting: managerial styles; authority and hierarchy; responsibility and freedom; group needs, task needs, individual needs; reactions to change.

Brief description

This module will contribute towards students' analysis of, and effectiveness within, a range of work organisations. The module examines approaches to enhancing personal and organisational effectiveness through focusing on the internal nature of organisations, identifying alternative structures and common patterns of behaviour.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4