MODULE AIMS

This module will equip you with practical skills and knowledge of the application of contemporary psychological theories and research to the world of business. It will help you find your way around work organisations as a professional psychologist by introducing you to various aspects and levels of organisational operation and development. You will learn how to analyse numerous strategies and interventions based on occupational psychology, management practices and human factors psychology. Then, as part of the module, you will understand how to successfully apply this knowledge to help organisations to function more safely and effectively as well as adequately respond to changes in their environment. As a result, you will be able to design safe and highly efficient workplaces and perform all the stages of organisational consulting – essential skills for your future career.

The main topics of study include:

• Essence of work organisations and main organisation theories
• Exploring static and dynamic aspects of work organisations: Organisational structure, roles, goals, culture and climate
• Consulting business clients: Individual, group and organisational level of analysis of organisational issues
• Workplace design: Critical review of management practices for optimising organisational effectiveness and productivity
• Psychology and occupational safety: Error prevention, risk mitigation and evaluation of human and system performance
• Understanding the external environment: Whole systems thinking
• Organisational planning and development: How to think strategically
• Models and methods for organisational and individual change
• Negotiation as the basis for organisational success

MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module students will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the way organisations work and change based on their internal and external interactions and circumstances;

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the main interventions that aim at optimising an organisational system and the underlying psychological principles for such practices;

Thinking skills

3. Show the ability to analyse organisational processes and reported challenges;

4. Show the ability to critically and creatively reflect on a range of management techniques applied to solve organisational issues;

Subject-based practical skills

5. Evidence the ability to perform organisational screening based on various explorative methods and set developmental priorities;

6. Evidence the ability to design and evaluate interventions addressing previously identified organisational needs and managing employees’ resistance to change;

Skills for life and work (general skills)

7. Engage confidently in academic and professional communication, including professional report writing as well as presenting and disseminating technical information to a wide audience.