GMBA Organizational Behavior

College of Business Administration

Seoul National University
Fall 2019
TTh 14:10-15:50

Instructor: Dr. Seokhwa Yun

Office: LG Business Hall 603
Phone: 880-6935
Email: [email protected]
[email protected] (TA’s email)

Course Overview:
It is very rare to find a job which does not require working with other individuals. Today’s workers need to
understand human behaviors to work effectively with other people at work place. Also, the quality of
organization is determined by the quality of human resources. It is organizational members that determine
how to combine other resources. Thus, in order to be successful and effective in an organization, we need to
understand human behaviors. The purpose of this course is to help students develop a fundamental
understanding of human behaviors in an organization. More specifically, we hope to accomplish the following
goals:
1. Develop an understanding of the fundamental theories of organizational behavior,
2. Develop interpersonal and communication skills which help the students work with, work for,
motivate, manage, and lead other people,
3. Build critical thinking skills by analyzing and critiquing organizational behavior implications of
management trends,
4. Develop problem solving skills through the analysis of organizational issues and problems, and
5. Develop proposals for addressing problems based on organizational behavior theories and findings
from practice.
Course Packet:
Course Packet will be available at the Copy Center located at Dongwon Hall.

Harvard Business Cases (www.hbsp.harvard.edu/)

Bartlett, C. A. & Wozny, M. Microsoft's Vega Project: Developing People and Products. Product
Number: 9-300-004.
Burton, M. D. Rob Parson at Morgan Stanley (A). Product Number: 9-498-054.
Simons, R. L. & Weston, H. A. Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.: Sales Force Incentives (A). Product Number:
9-190-103.
Simons, R. L. & Weston, H. A. Nordstrom: Dissension in the Ranks? (A). Product Number:
9-191-002.
Grading:
Individual Work 160
Examinations 120
Quiz 30
Participation 10
Group Work 60
Group Case Report 20
Group Case Presentation 20
Group Peer Evaluation 20
Total 220

Treat others The more we know,

as you want to be treated the more we realize we don’t know.
-1-
SNU GMBA Organizational Behavior Syllabus 2/3

Exam:
There will be one exam on Session 8. The exam will cover relevant management theories based on text
readings and the lectures. If you cannot take the exams on the scheduled date, please let me know in advance.
Absence from an exam without prior notification will result in a grade of a zero, except for documented
emergencies.

Quizzes:
There will be 3 quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes will be administrated at the beginning of the
session. Each quiz will cover the content of the previous lecture. These quizzes will make up 30 points of your
grade. Each quiz will be worth 10 points.

Group Project:
Students will form their own group by Session 2. Each group will be required to analyze two Harvard
Business cases aforementioned. Each group will submit one group case report and make one formal
presentation. The write-up will be worth 20 points. Fifteen pages of report is due on Session 7. Each group
will also make a formal presentation on Session 7. The duration of the presentation should be approximately
30 minutes including questions and answers. The presentation will be worth 20 points. Half of team
presentation grade (10 points) will be determined by your classmates. The other half will be determined by the
instructor. You will be informed of case assignments on Session 3.

This requirement is designed to provide you an opportunity to:

1. develop critical thinking and analytic skills;
2. develop ability to identify motivation or leadership issues;
3. apply theories and concepts;
4. generate creative solutions for identified issues;
5. communicate critically yet persuasively; and/or
6. work productively in a group setting.

You should prepare your write-up and presentation as a report to management or board of directors
regarding an issue(s) you have identified (from the case), and your proposal for addressing it. Your goal is to
get management to both accept and address the problem(s). Therefore, your report and presentation must:
1. include an executive summary and introduction;
2. evaluate the effectiveness of current motivation practices and/or leadership approaches;
3. clearly state the motivation and/or leadership issue(s) the case presents, including the implications if
not addressed;
4. clearly communicate your diagnosis of the underlying causes of the issue/problem;
5. evaluate the approach the company or the leader/manager took in order to resolve the issues, if any;
6. make a specific recommendation for a solution to the issue/problem. Be as specific as possible
regarding the details of the new practice or procedure to put in place, leadership action to be
taken, etc.;
7. sell your recommendation by highlighting why it will solve the problem, and what advantages the
organization and the leader will reap from the solution;
8. apply theories, concepts, and approaches we discuss in class or you learned from another
management class.

At the end of the course, you will be required to evaluate the contribution of your group members to the group
project. This peer evaluation will be worth 20 points. The form will be provided at the end of the module. If
you fail to turn it in on time, your final grade will be lowered by one level (e.g., A  A-).

Participation:
Class participation forms an important part of the final grade. You are expected to participate actively in the
discussions. Sharing your knowledge and insights benefits the entire class. However, you should note that it is
quality rather than quantity of participation that counts. Constructive contribution to the class discussion and
genuine listening to others are an important element of class participation. Your participation grade will be
determined on the basis of your attendance and participation in class discussion.
Treat others The more we know,
as you want to be treated the more we realize we don’t know.
SNU GMBA Organizational Behavior Syllabus 3/3

Statement of Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to make reasonable efforts to prevent the occurrence of academic dishonesty. They shall
by their own example encourage academic integrity and shall themselves refrain from acts of cheating and
plagiarism or other acts of academic dishonesty. Instances of academic dishonesty will be directly (without
discussion) reported to the Student Honor Council and will result in final letter grade of F.

Class Schedule

Session # Topic Quiz

Session 1 Managers and Management

(Sep 24) Foundations of Individual Behaviors I
Session 2 Foundations of Individual Behaviors II
(Sep 26) Decision Making
Session 3
Motivation I Quiz 1
(Oct 1)
Session 4 Motivation II
(Oct 3) Leadership I
Session 5 Leadership II
Quiz 2
(Oct 8) Group and Work Teams
Session 6 Communication
Quiz 3
(Oct 10) Conflict and Negotiation
Session 7
Presentation
(Oct 15)
Session 8
Exam
(Oct 17)

Note: As we progress through the course, it may prove necessary to make adjustments to the
schedule. You will be notified in advance of any changes.

Treat others The more we know,

as you want to be treated the more we realize we don’t know.