WISO100325 Organisational behaviour

Type
course with continuous assessment
Semester hours
3
Lecturer (assistant)
Darnhofer, Ika
Organisation
Agricultural and Forestry Economics
Offered in
Wintersemester 2025/26
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

Organizational behaviour is a field of research that seeks to understand and explain human behaviour in the workplace. In this course, you’ll dive into topics such as what drives motivation and job satisfaction, how group dynamics evolve, and how behaviour is influenced by leadership style, organisational structures, and technology. The course combines theory with practical case studies and role play that allow you to connect abstract concepts to real-life situations. As this course is taken by students from various studies at the BOKU, it is also a great way to meet new people and work in an interdisciplinary team.

By taking this course, you’ll gain valuable insights into how people and teams function, while at the same time developing practical skills that will support you throughout your career. You’ll practice how to communicate effectively, collaborate productively, take on a leadership role, motivate others with constructive feedback, and define strategies for managing change. At the same time, you’ll build greater self-awareness and by learning how to set SMART goals, you’ll take charge of your own progress and growth. No matter where your career takes you - whether in business, public service, non-profits, or your own venture - these skills will enable you to build strong relationships, navigate challenges with confidence, and achieve your goals.

The course is designed as ‘team-based learning’, i.e. you will be assigned to a team for the duration of the course. You will acquire core material mainly through independent reading of the textbook while class time will be devoted to interactive methods such as case studies and role plays. This approach allows you to experience group dynamics first-hand, gain deeper insights into your own behaviour, and better understand how to work effectively with others.

The course is offered in time-compressed mode, i.e. there will be 5 classes with 5 hours each. You can choose between the course offered on Friday (in-class, thus focusing on face-to-face interactions), or the one offered on Saturday (online, thus focusing on virtual team work and digital competencies).

For further information see the detailed Syllabus that can be downloaded below ('Zusatzinformationen').

Important: attendance in the first class is compulsory (this is where you will be assigned to a team).
Previous knowledge expected

Some knowledge about general processes in organisations is desirable (e.g. based on your work experience, including summer jobs).
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Upon completion of the course, students are able to:
+) explain organisational theory as it relates to the design of organisations, teamwork, leadership, management practices, work motivation, and job satisfaction
+) evaluate the benefits and challenges of alternatives, and thus make sound recommendations to improve the performance at individual and team level
+) communicate their understanding of a problem clearly and non-judgementally, thus contributing to its resolution within a team
+) analyse team dynamics and structure team work so as to foster cooperation and synergies between team members, not least by providing constructive feedback to team members
+) recognize their own strengths and preferences (e.g. regarding leadership style, preferred organisational culture, work organisation)
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.