W

MGTS1601 Week 1 Notes – Introduction to Organisational Behaviour (Dr. Erin C. Gallagher)

MGTS1601 Week 1 Notes – Introduction to Organisational Behaviour

  • Source: MGTS1601 – Week 1 transcript, Dr. Erin C. Gallagher, The University of Queensland (UQ)

  • Focus: Introduction to OB, course structure, expectations, assessment, and foundational OB concepts.

Acknowledgement and Learning Environment

  • Acknowledgement of Country: UQ recognises Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands where we meet; respect ancestors and descendants and their cultural connections.

  • Learning environment aims: mutual respect, courtesy, safety in learning spaces (including Zoom and other online platforms).

Online Learning Etiquette (Zoom)

  • Key principles for online sessions:

    • Arrive on-time, as you would for a physical class.

    • Use your enrolled name when joining Zoom.

    • Allow staff time to start the Zoom meeting; they may troubleshoot or wait for others.

    • Test audio and webcam on joining.

    • Mute microphone on entry and keep it muted unless speaking.

    • Keep webcam off to save bandwidth unless instructed otherwise.

    • If connection drops, re-join via the Zoom link.

    • If issues persist, refer to Zoom troubleshooting guide; otherwise watch the recording later (if available).

    • Seminars and tutorials are recorded, except during workshop presentation weeks.

  • Online learning etiquette guide:

    • Zoom chat is for content-related questions and discussions.

    • Treat fellow students with courtesy and respect in all communications.

Course Overview – MGTS1601

  • Regular engagement: Consistent attendance enhances direct interaction and dynamic learning; recordings cannot fully replace live sessions.

  • Preparedness and punctuality: Being prepared and on time supports a smooth, respectful learning environment.

  • Professional communication: Emphasis on professional, courteous written and oral interactions.

  • Responsible device use: Use electronic devices in a way that supports learning and minimizes distractions.

  • University policy: Personal recordings of lectures/tutorials are not permitted; essential materials distributed via Blackboard.

Staff and Roles (Week 1 overview)

  • Course Coordinator/Lead: Dr. Erin C. Gallagher – PhD in Industrial/Organisational Psychology; ~20 years teaching; focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, unseen disabilities and unconscious biases; contact details on Blackboard.

  • Course Administrator/Tutor: Mr. Paul Dibley-Maher – since 2014 at UQ Business School; research on social class in employment relations.

  • Facilitators/Tutors: Mr. Alex McBroom, Mr. Trevor Gormley, Dr. Stace Kent, Dr. Angela Bowles, Ms. Corene Crossin.

  • Mascots: Torque (black and tan) and Turbo (tan and black) – appear online; not common in lectures.

Student Obligations & Communications

  • Check official UQ email regularly; sync with other accounts if preferred.

  • When emailing staff, include name (as enrolled) and UQ student number; state query clearly.

  • Attend the tutorial you are enrolled in ONLY.

  • Be respectful in communications with staff and students.

  • Keep up with required material; familiarize yourself with Blackboard.

  • Inform staff early if problems arise (personally or with team).

  • Course communication details:

    • Check student email regularly; mgts1601@business.uq.edu.au for correspondence.

    • Keep messages brief and professional; include name and student number.

    • Use UQ student address; check Course Discussion Board before emailing.

    • Attend consultations (Blackboard/Course Staff) as needed.

Course Topics and Seminars (Week 1–Week 13)

  • Week 1: Introduction to Organisational Behaviour (OB)

  • Week 2: Groups and Teams

  • Week 3: Personality and Individual Differences

  • Week 4: Assessment Task Discussion

  • Week 5: Attitudes at Work

  • Week 6: Emotions in Organisations

  • Week 7: Perception and Individual Decision-Making

  • Week 8: Business Ethics

  • Week 9: Motivation at Work

  • Week 10: Managing Stress at Work

  • Week 11: Organisational Culture

  • Week 12: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • Week 13: The Future of Work & Course Review

Weekly Readings and Preparation

  • Each week: 1–2 chapter readings prior to seminar.

  • Readings deepen understanding to help with assessments and final exam.

  • Seminars provide deeper exploration of textbook concepts and theories; attendance is highly encouraged for interactive learning not fully captured by recordings.

  • Prior to Week 2, read Robbins et al. Chapters 8 and 9.

Tutorials and Assessments Overview

  • Tutorials focus on assessment preparation and teamwork; essential for weekly collaboration; interactive content clarification and exam prep.

  • Assessment tasks (MGTS1601 – Week 1):

    • Individual and Team Profile Report: Weighting 20\%, due 12\text{ September} at 2:00\text{pm}.

    • Team Workshop: Weighting 20\%, conducted Weeks 7–9.

    • Team Evaluation Report: Weighting 30\%, due 17\text{ October} at 2:00\text{pm}.

    • Final Examination: Weighting 30\%, during the exam period.

Individual and Team Profile Report (20%)

  • Purpose: Deepen understanding of individual work styles and team dynamics; explore workshop team composition and implications.

  • Length: 1500\text{ words} (±10%).

  • Early start required due to workload; due early in semester.

  • Absence policy: Students who miss Week 2 or Week 3 tutorials without adequate documented reasons will not be allocated to a team and will receive zero for this assessment.

Team Workshop (20%)

  • Task: Develop an interactive workshop addressing an OB question.

  • Preliminary team allocations in Week 2 tutorial.

  • Workshops run in tutorials between Weeks 7–9.

  • Assessment includes peer evaluation of individual contributions.

  • Absence policy: Same as above (Week 2/3 non-attendance without adequate documentation results in no team allocation and zero for this task).

Team Evaluation Report (30%)

  • Task: Write a report on the effectiveness of your workshop team and analyze factors affecting team effectiveness.

  • Length: 2000\text{ words} (±10%).

  • Requirements: Use at least six peer‑reviewed journal articles dated between 2010–2025.

  • Absence policy: Same as above; must engage in the workshop team to receive marks.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Assessment

  • Written assessments may involve AI tools, but you must critically engage with contexts/tasks where AI provides limited guidance.

  • You must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance, including any AI writing tools.

  • Failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Final Examination (60 MCQs) and Practice

  • Final exam: 60 multiple-choice questions covering major OB concepts and theories from across the course.

  • Questions draw from textbook chapters, seminar slides/discussions, tutorials, and required readings.

  • Weekly support: Five practice questions provided each week and weekly review questions in lecture PowerPoints to aid preparation.

  • Weight: 60\% of final grade.

Assessment Journey and Support Resources

  • Assessment guides & marking criteria (rubrics) available on Blackboard for major tasks.

  • Week 4 Seminar: Dedicated session to explain assessments in depth; attendance highly encouraged.

  • Library support: Available to assist with assignments.

  • Tutorial Team Discussion: Final ~15 minutes of most tutorials for discussing assessment materials (e.g., surveys, articles).

  • Regular consultations: Throughout the semester; attend for questions and support.

Consultation and Course Staff Support

  • All tutors hold dedicated weekly consultation sessions; details available under Course Staff on Blackboard.

  • You can attend any consultation with any tutor.

  • It is your responsibility to approach course staff to request assistance.

Student Support Services

  • The University offers a range of services to support students: general support services, assignment writing help, and free workshops.

What is Organisational Behaviour (OB)?

  • OB is the study of how individuals, groups, and structures influence behaviour within organisations, with the aim of improving organisational effectiveness.

  • Three determinants of behaviour in OB: individuals; groups and teams; and the organisational system.

  • OB knowledge is applied to help organisations function more effectively.

Evidence-Based Management (EBM)

  • OB emphasizes not relying solely on intuition or common sense.

  • EBM involves making managerial decisions based on the best available scientific evidence.

OB as a Blend of Sciences (Outline of Exhibit 1.5)

  • Disciplines contributing to OB:

    • Psychology (behavioural science): learning, motivation, personality, emotions, perception, training, leadership effectiveness, job satisfaction, individual decision making, performance appraisal, attitude measurement, employee selection.

    • Social Psychology: work design, work stress, attitude and behaviour change, communication, group processes, group decision making, etc.

    • Sociology: power, conflict, intergroup behaviour, formal organisation theory, organisational technology, organisational change, organisational culture.

    • Anthropology: cross-cultural analysis, comparative values/attitudes, organisational culture, environment.

  • Unit of analysis: Individual, Group, Organisation.

  • Outputs: Individual outcomes (attitudes, stress, etc.), Group outcomes (cohesion, functioning), Organisation outcomes (productivity, survival).

The Basic OB Model: Inputs, Processes & Outcomes (Exhibit 1.7)

  • Inputs (at three levels):

    • Individual level: Diversity, Personality, Values

    • Group level: Group structure, Group roles, Team responsibilities

    • Organisational level: Structure, Culture

  • Processes (across levels):

    • Individual level: Emotions and moods, Motivation, Perception, Decision making

    • Group level: Communication, Leadership, Power and politics, Conflict and negotiation

    • Organisational level: Change practices

  • Outcomes (across levels):

    • Individual level: Attitudes, stress, Task performance, Citizenship behaviour, Withdrawal behaviour

    • Group level: Group cohesion, Group functioning

    • Organisational level: Productivity, Survival

Major Challenges and Opportunities in OB (Future and context)

  • Networked organisations

  • Social media impacts

  • Employee well-being and positive work environments

  • Improving ethical behaviour

Week 1 Review Questions (Week 1 Questions for Review)

  • What is Organisational Behaviour? ext{(definition and scope)}

  • Why are interpersonal skills important in the workplace?

  • How does systematic study contribute to our understanding of OB?

  • What are the major behavioural science disciplines that contribute to OB?

  • Why are there so few absolutes in OB?

  • What are the major challenges and opportunities for managers in using OB concepts?

  • What are the three levels of analysis in the OB model described in the text?

Week 2 Preparations and Next Week

  • Attend Week 2 tutorial to join a workshop team for assessment.

  • Review all course documents and resources, including the Course Profile.

  • Read Robbins et al. Chapters 8 and 9 prior to the Week 2 seminar.

Additional Notes on Course Structure

  • The course uses a blended learning approach to increase engagement and employability.

  • Ongoing feedback from students has prompted reinstatement of a previous assessment task to enhance learning experiences.

  • Expected workload: As a 2-unit course, approximately 10\ hours per week (including class contact time).

  • Course materials are primarily distributed via Blackboard.

Summary of Key Dates and Figures (from transcript)

  • Individual and Team Profile Report due: 12\ September\, 2:00pm; weight 20\%.

  • Team Workshop: 20\%; Weeks 7–9.

  • Team Evaluation Report due: 17\ October\, 2:00pm; weight 30\%.

  • Final Examination: 30\%; exam period; MCQs: 60 questions.

  • Word count requirements: {1500\text{ words}} for the Individual/Team Profile; {2000\text{ words}} for Team Evaluation.

If you’d like, I can tailor these notes to focus more on the areas you’re most concerned about (e.g., assessment details, key OB concepts, or week-by-week seminar topics) or export a printable version.