Outline

Overview

This unit aims to give students the ability to understand how organisations operate. As an introductory organisational behaviour unit, it covers key debates across a range of social science disciplines including business, management, psychology, sociology, and communication studies. Key topics explored include job attitudes, power, team and team processes, organisational design, organisational culture and organisational change.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of 24 credit point of 1000-level units
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Hannah Kunst, hannah.kunst@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Written Supervised exam	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Group presentation (Week 10, 11 and 12)	30%	Ongoing	15 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation in Tutorial Attendance and discussion in tutorials. More information in Canvas.	10%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Multiple choice quiz One MCQ quiz (10%) in week3 lecture #earlyfeedbacktask	10%	Week 03	20 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Group Report Written report	20%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Sep 2025	1500 wrds	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Group report: This is the first part of the group assignment and the aim of this assessment is to build students’ teamworking and collaborative skills as they work in teams to formulate a group view of a specific topic.
Group presentation: This second part of the group assignment requires the group to do a presentation on the chosen group topic.
Online Quiz: The aim of this assessment is to test the students’ understanding of the relevant topics and students’ ability to critical analyse and apply theory and concepts.
Participation: The aim of this assessment is to help facilitate peer-learning through discussion whilst building communicative abilities and confidence.
Final exam: The aim of the exam is to test the students’ understanding of the relevant topics and the students’ ability to critically analyse and apply theory and concepts. Thus, the breadth and depth of understanding will be assessed.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please note the University of Sydney Business School's policy regarding late penalty, word length and academic integrity:https://business.sydney.edu.au/student/policy). The policy may be different from the other faculties that you are familiar with. Please also note the additional marking rubrics and information posted on Canvas regarding penalties.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Course Expectations and Introduction to Organisational Behaviour	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Group Allocation and OB Review	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Motivation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Motivation: Short case study and tutorial activities	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Attitudes and Job Satisfaction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Attitudes and Job Satisfaction: Short case study and theory evaluation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Emotions, Emotional intelligence, and Emotion regulation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Emotions: Short case study and tutorial activities	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Power and Politics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Power and Politics: A case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Making Decisions at the Workplace	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Decision-making: short case study and tutorial activities	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Foundations of Group Behaviour	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Groups and Teams: Short case study and tutorial activities	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Trust and Team Building	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Trust and Team Building: Tutorial activities	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Work and Organisational Design [online only]	Independent study (1 hr)
Week 09	Work and Organisational Design [online only]	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 10	Organisational Culture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Presentation: Group 1 and 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Organisational Change	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Presentation: Group 3 and 4	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Unit Summary and Conclusion	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Presentation: Group 5 and 6	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Robbins, S., Judge, T., Edwards, M., Sandiford, P., Fitzgerald, M., Hunt, J. (2020). Organisational Behaviour (9th Ed). Melbourne: Person.

You will have free online access to the textbook via Canvas. All other readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library or via the Reading List available on Canvas. There are also additional resources that may be cited during the lectures, so also please pay attention to these too.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. explain and evaluate the main models of organisational behaviour
LO2. apply theories and frameworks to analyse and provide solutions to real problems in organisational behaviour
LO3. reflect and apply the theoretical concepts into the relevant personal experience and engage in experiential learning, that is, learning by doing
LO4. work collaboratively to complete tasks and recognise and value the input of group discussions and individual autonomy and accountability to the delivery of outcomes.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The lecture duration has been reduced from 2 hours to 1 hour, while the tutorial duration has been increased from 1 hour to 2 hours. This adjustment offers students more time and opportunities to apply course concepts and theories through engaging tutorial activities.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WORK2218: Managing Organisational Behaviour

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links