The course aims to provide theoretical knowledge and methodological tools for the analysis and design of the organizational architecture. Particularly, it aims: -to develop competencies for the design of an effective organizational structure, according to strategy, objectives and environmental context; -to facilitate the understanding of the criteria and the relevant internal and external fundamentals of organizational design; -to deepen the organizational macro and micro dimensions through the analysis of structures and models, behavioral processes and organizational culture; -to stimulate analytical and problem-solving skills applied to the identification, analysis and resolution of organizational problems through the use of business cases. - Apply the acquired knowledge through the analysis and simulation of relevant practical cases, allowing students to understand and develop concrete solutions for the organizational challenges they may encounter in professional practice and private work settings.

Knowledge and understanding: The course will offer conceptual tools and fundamental knowledge on designing organizations in a global and complex environment. It will delve into the analysis and design principles of both macro and micro-organizational structures, aimed at enhancing performance while emphasizing their relationship with environmental, cultural, and technological variables. This course provides students with knowledge and analytical resources to understand the processes, content, and consequences of organizational decisions to be implemented in organizations of varying size and complexity. Applying knowledge and understanding: The students will be able to: -apply organization models on a global scale; -compare pros and cons of each organizational choice; -analyze how and why organizations make decisions to face an evolving environment; -apply fundamental concepts of management research. - recognize the various roles encompassed within the field of organizational management and why these roles are essential for the effective functioning and success of businesses. Making judgements: We expect students to be able to identify organizational issues, analyze them and propose solutions. They are expected to be able to discuss and evaluate key organizational choices. Throughout the whole course, students will be invited to critically analyses when, how and why certain organizational choices are pursued. Communications Skills: This course will give the students the possibility to acquire and understand major terms and concepts in order to communicate their ideas, proposals and analysis in the field of organization design. Learning skills: This course will empower learners giving them the tools to determine why certain organizational choices are made and how different alternatives are assessed. The case study discussion will increase experiential learning and critical thinking for all students involved in the course.

The course assumes the organization as the object of study and explores the fundamentals of design and analysis of both macro and micro organizational structure. The course initially provides an overview of the dimensions of organizational design and the theoretical fundamentals of the various organizational design options. The main classical and modern organizational theories are presented and the determinants and criteria for defining organizational structure are analyzed. Further, the course focuses on the different organizational models that can be implemented, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of the different options. Additional aspects are then analyzed, such as the management of innovation and organizational change, the impact of technology on organization, systems and processes, culture and organizational relationships. Finally, the course introduces the topics of the organization of work and the micro-structural design.

References for attending students (who will take part in the group-based project work): - Daft R. L., Organizzazione Aziendale (2017) 7^ ed., Maggioli - APOGEO. - Slides and other teaching material (including case studies and articles) available online or in classroom References for non attending students (who will not participate to the group project work or will reject the final grade): In addition to the references for attending students (that is Daft’s textbook and the materials used during classes and the lab), non attending students will have to study the following articles, already available in Learn: - AA.VV. Il modello organizzativo “per processi”. News Studio Barale. - Davoli S. (2003). Introduzione ai processi aziendali. consultabile all’indirizzo: http://www.cs.unipr.it/Informatica/Corsi/2003 - De Toni A. F. (2011). Teoria della complessità e implicazioni manageriali: verso l’auto-organizzazione. Sinergie, 81/10. - Di Vincenzo F. & Mascia D. (2017). Dalle “guidelines” alle “mindlines”: Knowledge management e progettazione organizzativa in sanità. Prospettive in Organizzazione, online. - Martinez, M. (2020). L'amore fra organizzazione e tecnologia" al tempo del digitale". Studi Organizzativi, special issue, 231-239. - Petitta L., Barbaranelli C. & Probst T.M. (2014). Il concetto di Cultura Organizzativa e le sue applicazioni. QI magazine online. - Reeves, M., Levin, S., & Ueda, D. (2016). The biology of corporate survival: Natural ecosystems hold surprising lessons for business. Harvard Business Review, 94(1-2), 46-56.

During the course, the following teaching methods will be applied: -lectures -individual assignment -working groups -case studies -keynote speakers’ presentations on real life experiences -presentations and assignment -introduction to critical discussion of scientific papers Teaching activities integrate face-to-face lectures with the analysis of business cases performed by both the instructor and the students, and keynote speakers’ presentations. Students will be required to join practical training sessions and analyze or discuss, individually or within small groups, case studies focused on the resolution of organizational problems and the definition of the different organizational configurations that can be adopted in different strategic and environmental contexts. These sessions are useful to evaluate student's ability to put into practice the methods of organizational design and analysis acquired during the lectures.

Students will be evaluated based on the following: - Development ad discussion of a project work. The aim of the teamwork activity is to test the students’ ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the course to a specific business case. The project work contributes globally to 50% of the final grade (25% obtained as an intermediate test + 25% upon completion of the project)The Project Work instructions will be illustrated by the instructor at the beginning of the course. The project work score is valid within the entire duration of the academic year but it can be used only once and only if the assessment results as sufficient (grade >=18); if a student fails (grade >18) or rejects the grade, he/she loses the evaluation achieved with the project work; however, in order to keep it for the next dates the student can leave the exam session within the first 15 minutes. - Written test: for students who have completed the project work it consists of a business case discussion (up to 10 points) and 4 true/false questions to justify (up to 5 point each); Project work instructions will be clarified by the instructor at the beginning of the course. For those students who will not complete the project work or will not reach a sufficient evaluation, the exam will comprise an extra question that may also revolve around the extra readings assigned. The aim of the written test is to allow students to demonstrate that they have acquired the fundamental theoretical knowledge related to the course and can apply them, demonstrating autonomy and critical thinking. An excellent level of analysis of the business case and the correct answer to all the open questions will result in a score of 30/30 cum laude. The duration of the final exam is 60 minutes (75 minutes for non-attending students, that is those that will not have the project work and instead engage with the longer exam).

Master Thesis assignment is based on a project presentation by the student. The project (2/3-word pages) must include: - table of content - abstract - main references