The course offers an analysis of the theoretical, epistemological and methodological foundations for the study of administrations, with particular reference to those operating within the public sphere. The lessons are designed as a critical reading of the fundamental contribution of Herbert Simon "The Administrative Behaviour". The central themes of this essay will be investigated and related to the subsequent evolution of organizational thought and the main problems of administrative activity in contemporary societies. In this sense, attending students will be asked to read two tales of administrative life in our country and interpret them used the categories discussed in the course.
At the end of the course the students are expected to have acquired:
The course will be based mainly on lectures. The active participation of the students will however be encouraged.
The course is organised into four Didactic Units (UD):
UD1 – Problems of administrations
UD2 – Introduction to Herbert Simon
UD3 – Mechanisms of influence (Authority, communication, efficiency, loyalty)
UD4 – Organizational change.
Attending students.
H. Simon (2001), Il comportamento amministrativo, il Mulino, Bologna.
One of the following two books:
R. Balzani (2012) Cinque anni di solitudine, il Mulino, Bologna.
W. Tocci (2015) Roma: non si piange su una città coloniale. Note sulla politica romana, goWare, Firenze.
Non attending students.
M. Catino (2012), Capire le organizzazioni, il Mulino, Bologna.
February 15, 2021
Attending students will take the written exam at the first call. Subsequently the procedure will take place exclusively in oral form.
Non-attending students will take the oral exam to ascertain knowledge of the contents of the manual indicated.
