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.

Student assessment will be structured as follows: 1) Laboratory Activities - The objective of the laboratory activities is primarily to assess the ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to business cases. - Laboratory work contributes a total of 50% to the final grade, divided as follows: - 25% obtained through an individual mid-term assessment - 25% related to the development of a project - The format and requirements of both the mid-term assessment and the project will be explained by the instructor at the beginning of the course. - The laboratory score is valid for the entire academic year (until February 2027), but it can be used only once and exclusively in the presence of a passing final exam (grade ≥ 18/30). - If the student does not pass the final exam (grade < 18/30), the laboratory score will also be forfeited. - To avoid losing this evaluation, the student has the option to withdraw from the final exam. 2) Final Exam: Written + Oral - The objective of the written exam is to allow students to demonstrate that they have acquired the fundamental theoretical knowledge of the course and can apply it to practical cases, showing critical thinking and autonomy of judgment. - For students who have completed the laboratory activities, the written exam (duration: 30 minutes) will consist of: - one case to be analyzed and discussed - a set of multiple-choice and open-ended questions - For students who have not completed the laboratory activities, or who did not achieve a sufficient evaluation, additional study material will be required (as indicated in the relevant section on MyLuiss). - In this case, the written exam will last 45 minutes and will include a larger number of questions. - The written exam may be administered in paper-based, electronic, or AI-supported format. The specific mode of administration will be communicated by the instructor and published on MyLuiss at the beginning of the course. - A written exam deemed satisfactory by the instructor may exempt the student from the oral exam. - The oral exam may be required if further clarification is needed for individual assessment. - Excellent performance in the laboratory activities, a fully correct written exam, and a particularly effective oral discussion may lead to the award of 30/30 with honors.

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