Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Nova School of Business and Economics

Positive Organizations

Code

2419

Academic unit

null

Department

null

Credits

3,5

Teacher in charge

Miguel Pina e Cunha

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims to:
-Give you an advanced approach to organizational behavior;
-Explore the new field of positive organization scholarship;
-Discuss how leaders and organizational members in general can contribute to the creation of good organizations;
-Discuss the nature of positive organizations;
-Explore the characteristics of positive teams;
-Analyze the organizational characteristics contributing to individual flourishing;
-Contrast positive organizations with toxic organizational environments;
-Consider the impact of the positive approach on effectiveness at the various levels.

Prerequisites

N/A

Subject matter

  • Class 1 (March 28, 09:30-12:30): Positive organization studies

  • Class 2 (April 4, 09:30-12:30): Positive individuals

  • Class 3 (April 11, 09:30-12:30): Positive interactions

  • Class 4 (April 18, 09:30-12:30): Great teams

  • Class 5 (May 2, 09:30-12:30): Positive leadership

  • Class 6 (May 9, 09:30-12:30): Positive organizations

    • Bibliography

    1. General References

    Two highly recommended books are:

    Cameron, K. (2008). Positive leadership. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

    Quinn, R. (2015). The positive organization. San Francisco: Berrett Koehler.

    The books do not directly cover all the topics of the classes. But they are fine sources on the topics discussed in class. We strongly advise you to take good notes of our discussions.

    The following handbook is a great reading:

    Cameron, K.S. & Spreitzer, G.M. (Eds.) (2011). The Oxford handbook of positive organizational scholarship. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    We explored the positivity of leader behavior in a recent book:

    Rego, A., Cunha, M.P. & Clegg, S. (2012). The virtues of leadership. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    If you read Portuguese you can also consider the two following books:

    Cunha, M.P., Rego, A. & Cunha, R.C. (2007). Organizações positivas. Lisboa: Dom Quixote.

    Rego, A. & Cunha, M.P. (2011). Liderança: A virtude está no meio. Lisboa: Actual.

    If you want to know more about the effects of negative behaviors in the workplace, a good place to start is:

    Sutton, R. (2007). The no asshole rule. London: Sphere.

    Teaching method

    The course will use the following methods:

  • Lecturing

  • Class discussion

  • Case studies

  • Training films

  • Team presentations

  • Real world examples

  • Self-analysis

  • 360 degree feedback

    • Evaluation method

    Evaluation includes a diversity of approaches:

  • Class participation: 10%

  • Group presentation: 15% (On schedule)

  • My Reflected Best Self (Individual assignment): 5% (Class 5 8 October)

  • Making a difference (Team final written report): 20% (Class 6 15 October)

  • Final exam: 50% (On schedule)

    • Courses