COURSE OUTINE – MBA (MORNING,

EVENING, WEEKEND (MEW) - KNUST

SCHOOL OF BUSNIESS).
MBA 561: LEADERSHIP &
ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

HR&OD, KSB,
F. Ellis (Mrs)(PhD). 1/22/23
KNUST
COURSE CODE: MAS 561/MHRS 561
TEACHING CONTACT: 9 Sessions
COURSE ASSESSMENT: Continuous Assessment (40%)
(Assignments (20%)
(In-class test (10%)
(Class Attendance and Participation 10%)
Examination (60%)

TEACHING STAFF: Florence Ellis (Mrs.)(PhD)

LOCATION: SF 26 (Ayim Complex, Business School Building)
CONTACT: Tel: +233(0) 3220 - 63840
Mobile: +233(0)244064433
E-mail: florenceyaellis@yahoo.co.uk/floellis@knust.edu.gh/

INTRODUCTION
Imagine the first day you meet your supervisor Anne. She treated you in a rude manner and
when you asked for her help, she brushed you off. You may for the belief that she is rude and
unhelpful person. Later you hear that her mother is very sick and she is very stressed on the
day you met her. In reality she may have been unusually stressed on the day you met her. If
you had met her on a different day, you would have thought that she is a really nice person
who is unusually stressed these days. But chances are your impression that she is rude and
unhelpful will not change even when you hear about her mother. Instead, this new piece of
information will be added to the first one – she is rude, unhelpful, and her mother is sick.
This story could be an assumption but it accurately reflects some of the issues – such as
perceptions, emotions, communication, conflict - that we are likely all encounter in
organisations. The story also highlights different the perspectives of people at work both as
individuals and within work groups and how they impact or are impacted by the organisation
where they work – the place where supervisor Anne works. This implies that understanding
the way human behaviour plays an important role in a supervisor’s effectiveness.

Consequently, this course is all about people, especially people at work and examines effect
of the individual, group and the organisation on the behaviour of people at work.

The course comprises of five (5) units (and a number of subunits as shown in the course
schedule) including;
1. Introduction to Leadership and Organisational Behaviour;
2. Individuals in Organisation:
3. Groups, Teams and Interactions:
4. Organisational Characteristics and Processes/ Environment:
5. Organisational Behaviour & Challenges Facing Leadership & Management

COURSE SCHEDULE
SESSION TOPIC
1 Course Outline
PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
1 Lecture 1: Introduction to Leadership and Organisational Behaviour (OB);
2 PART 2 : INDIVIDUALS IN ORGANISATION
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 2 Lecture 2: Individual Differences/ Diversity/Individual Behaviour
b Lecture 3: Personality
c Lecture 4: Perception and Attribution
Deadline Individual Assignment 1 “Case Analysis” (26.01.2023–31.11.2023/
29.01.2023-11.02.2023) (THURSDAY – TUESDAY-
SATURDAY/SUNDAY)
d Lecture 5: Motivation Concepts
3 PART 3: GROUPS, TEAMS AND INTERACTIONS IN
ORGANISATIONS
a Lecture 6: Foundations/Nature of Work Groups and Teams in Organisation/
Communication
b Lecture 7: Leadership
c Lecture 8: Power, Politics and Conflict/Negotiation
4 PART 4: ORGANISATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND
PROCESSES/ENVIRONMENT
a Lecture 9: Organisational Structure
b Lecture 10: Organisational Culture/National Culture (Values)/Organisations as
Metaphors
5 PART 5: ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR & CHALLENGES FACING
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
a Lecture 11: Emotions/Stress/
Deadline: Individual Assignment “Organisational Experience” (27.03.2023–
02.04.2023) (MONDAY - SUNDAY)
Deadline: Team Assignment 2 “Case Analysis” (27.02.202023– 05.03.2023
(SATURDAY – TUESDAY)

Note: Topical outline is subject to change

Please make sure that you have access to an organisational behaviour book throughout
the course. It is the basis of your examination. Other lecture specific reading
lists/information sources (mainly articles from academic journals, case studies and
recommended readings) will be provided where appropriate during the course.

As you read pursue this course and read these units, you will find an excellent balance
between theory and practice of organisational behaviour. As you study these theories,
examples and cases, you will become accustomed to and uses the examples, it will enhance
your skill and ability to apply to other cases and situations, which will not only lead to a
change in your knowledge, skill and ability and behaviour, but also greatly enhance your own
competitive advantage in your career, your job, your organisation. It is hoped that, you are
ready and prepared for a challenging and interesting journey. Welcome on board!!

COURSE OVERVIEW
Competition in the 21st century's global economy will be complex, challenging, and filled
with competitive opportunities and threats. Effective leadership practices can help
organisations enhance performance while competing in turbulent and unpredictable
environments. However, an organisation’s leadership practices can become a source of
competitive advantage. In turn, understanding of the attitudes and behaviour of followers can

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also contribute significantly to achieving strategic competitiveness and earning above-
average returns in the next century.
Thus, this course examines human behaviour at the workplace. It delves into work and
behaviour in work organisations and how the interplay of people and work-related activities
influence the achievement of organisational goals. In other words, it is a way of
understanding the relationship between organisations and employees in terms of human,
organisational and social objectives. In this regard, it focuses on how employee behaviour is
shaped by “individuals in organisations”, “group and team processes” and “organisational
processes” and why it determines the effectiveness of an organisation. The course will also
use integrated case-oriented approach to the study of aspects of organisational behaviour with
the aim of enhancing the analytical capabilities of students. The emphasis is on thoroughly
understanding and management of organisational behaviour (OB).

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course provides opportunities for students to develop their own understanding of
behaviour in organisations.

By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate:

(a) a comprehensive understanding of central issues and factors relating to people, work,
organisations and social objectives.
(b) an understanding of the levels of analysis in organisational behaviour.
(c) an appreciation of the role of management of behaviour in organisations.
(d) an ability to evaluate how differences between individuals, social processes, group
dynamics, power relations, conflict, the functioning of work environments and
external environment can impact on human behaviour, work and organisational
effectiveness.
(e) an ability to integrate academic theory to leadership and organisational behaviour
practice.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS/READINGS
Bonesbright, D. A. (2010). 40 Years of Storming: A Historical Review of Turkman’s Model
of Small Group Development. Human Resource Development International, Vol 13 (1), pp
111-120.

Ludwig, D. C. and Longenecker, C. O. (1993). The Bathesheba Syndrome: The Ethical

Failure of Successful Leaders. Journal of Business Ethics, Vol 12 (3), pp. 265-273.

Mannix, E. and Neale, M. A. (2005). What Difference Makes a Difference? The Promise and
Reality of Diverse Teams in Organisations. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Vol
6 (2), pp. 31-55.

Robbins, S. P. & Judge, T. A. (2013). Organisational Behaviour. 15th Edition, Boston:

Pearson.

Robbins, S. P., Judge, T. A. & Campbell, T. T. (2017). Organisational Behaviour. 2nd Edition,
Harlow, England: Pearson.

Brook, J. (2009). Organisational Behaviour: Individuals, Groups and Organisations, 4 th

Edition. Harlow, England: Prentice Hall.

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OTHER RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS/READINGS

Martin, J. and Fellenz, M. (2010). Organisational Behaviour and Management, 4 th Edition.

Hampshire, UK: South-Western Cengage Learning.

McShane, S. L. Tannenbaum, S. I., Kukenberger, M. R., Dondbach, J. S. and Alliger, G. M.

(2014). Team Role Experience and Orientation: A Measure of Tests and Construct Validity.
Group and Organisational Management, Vol 40 (1), pp. 6-34.

Mathieu, J. E. and Von Glinow, M. A. (2016). Organisational Behaviour. 3 rd Edition, New

York, USA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Robbins, S. P. & Judge, T. A. (2013). Organisational Behaviour. 15th Edition, Boston:

Pearson.

Robbins, S. P., Judge, T. A. & Campbell, T. T. (2017). Organisational Behaviour. 2nd Edition,
Harlow, England: Pearson.

REQUIRED VIDEOS/TAPES
Lecture video - Undercover Boss – Smoothie King (YouTube)(https://youtube.com/watch?
v=AwdZ4eihqas&feature=share).
Vodafone 2 Ghana (YouTube). https://youtu.be/e24rZSYAe3k
Tigo “YouForKnow TVC” (YouTube). https://youtu.be/KGEgwkXQ7bl
“The American Girl”. Kansiime Anne. African Comedy. (YouTube).
https://youtu.be/70DMaVYjEmw.
“Touchy Customer” Kansiime Anne. African Comedy. (YouTube).
https://youtu.be/84_Q1H3Ypec.
Airtel Nigeria – “Data is Life – Chores”. https://youtu.be/hN0GBR15bX8.
Airtel Nigeria – “Data is Life – Conditioning”. https://youtu.be/A7yCGW8oCFU.

GRADING
Grading in this course will be based on the following:

Continuous Assessment (40%)

(Assignments – Two Individual Essays (15%)
(Assignments – One Team Essay (10%)
(Quizzes/Tests – Impromptu Quizzes/Tests/Cases (10%)
(Class Attendance and Participation in Group Discussions (5%)

Examination (60%)
Assessment of individual and team assignments will be based on the following:

Use of academic concepts and theories (%)

The extent to which academic materials have been incorporated
Depth of reading and application
Relevance of the content

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Structure and presentation (%)
Clarity of the points made
Spelling and grammar
Picture quality

Quality of reflection, interpretation and evaluation (%)

Logical reasoning, analysis and debate
Originality and use of initiative
Critical evaluation of the relevant issues

Completeness (%)
All parts of the task addressed

ACADEMIC SCIENTIFIC WRITING REQUIREMENT

All submissions must be student original work. All the text must be written in your own
words, or properly referenced using quotation marks. Remember plagiarism constitutes unfair
practice! Plagiarism will result in a “deduction” mark.

Examples of plagiarism
 Use of any quotation(s) from published or unpublished work of other persons which
have not been clearly identified as such by being placed in quotation marks and
acknowledge;

 Summarising another person’s ideas, judgements without reference to that person in

the context/content and the source in the bibliography;

 Use of unacknowledged material downloaded from the internet;

 Submission of another student’s work as your own;

 Submission of work similar to another student’s work.

The deadline(s) for submission for the questions will always be stated.
The assignment must be word-processed. Please use font type - Times New Romans, font
size 12pt, 1.5 lines and between approximate 500-2000 words. A reference page (based on
and formatted to the APA [American Psychological Association] citation style will also be
expected. Submission address to be sent will be provided.
Late submission of either version (hard copy or electronic) will result in a “deduction”.

REFERENCING FORMAT: Reference Citations in Text and a Reference List (APA

[American Psychological Association] citation style).
An example of the referencing format.

Reference Citations in Text

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Works by a Single Author

The last name of the author and the year of publication are inserted in the text at the
appropriate point
In a recent study of reaction times (Walker, 2000)

If the name of the author appears as part of the narrative, cite only the year of publication in
parentheses.
Walker (2000) compared reaction times

Works by Multiple Authors

When a work has two authors, always cite both names every time the reference occurs in the
text. In parenthetical material join the names with an ampersand [&].
as has been shown (Debrah &Ofori, 2005) or

as has been shown (Debrah and Ofori, 2005)

In the narrative text, join the names with the word "and."
as Snell and Bohlander (1993) demonstrated

When a work has three, four, or five authors, cite all authors the first time the reference
occurs.
Ellis, Smith, Simpson, and Oldham (1991) found

In all subsequent citations per paragraph, include only the surname of the first author
followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others") and the year of publication.
Ellis et al. (1994) found

Examples:
Books
References to an entire book must include the following elements: author(s) or editor(s), date
of publication, title, place of publication, and the name of the publisher.

No Author or Editor

Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (10th.) (1993). Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster.

One Author

Baddeley, A. D. (1999). Essentials of human memory. Hove, England: Psychology Press.

Two Authors

Beck, C. A. J., and Sales, B. D. (2001). Family mediation: Facts, myths, and future
prospects. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Corporate Author, author as publisher

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Australian Bureau of Statistics (1991). Estimated resident population by age and sex in
statistical local areas, NewSouth Wales, June 1990 (no. 3209.1). Canberra, Australian
Capital Territory: Author.

Edited book
Gibbs, J. T., & Huang, L. N. (Eds.) (1991). Children of colour: Psychological interventions
with minority youth. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

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