OVERVIEW

The course offers an analysis of the theoretical, epistemological, and methodological presuppositions for the study of administrations, with particular reference to those operating within the public sphere. The lessons of the first two modules are designed as a guided reading of Herbert Simon's seminal work, "Administrative Behavior." The central themes of this essay will be explored and compared to the subsequent evolution of organizational thought, such as the relationship between structure and environment, different types of structures, and their behavioral and performance implications. The third module is monographic in nature and will focus on the theme of "organizational myopia" and, more generally, on the problems related to learning in complex organizational systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to prepare students to recognize different organizational models and the parameters through which they were designed. Secondly, lessons will focus on the main mechanisms through which an organization's functioning can be interpreted, such as power, communication, learning, and identification mechanisms. Finally, the course will reflect on complex organizations, particularly public administrations, and management and policy strategies to foster learning and improve their performance. Technological change and its impact on organizational design will be a cross-cutting theme, with particular attention to the introduction of Artificial Intelligence.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. The ability to critically engage with a classic social science text.

2. Awareness of the main determinants of the functioning of complex organizations.

3. Awareness of the mechanisms associated with organizational stability and change.

4. Acquisition of basic concepts useful for evaluating organizational performance and intervention programs.

PREREQUISITES

Foundations of microeconomics, sociology, and political science Interest in social, political, and economic issues.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching is primarily based on IN-PERSON lectures. If necessary/opportunity, or for eligible students, we will use the dedicated Teams channel, code: mprw3ry Active student participation is required.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into four teaching units:

UD1 - Introduction to Organizational Thinking

UD2 - Administrative Action in Simon

UD3 - Organizational Structures

UD4 - Organizational Myopia and Strategies for Improving the Reliability of Complex Organizational Systems [Module III for SAP only]

A detailed syllabus will circulate from January 2027, before the course start.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attending students.

SAP and SPA students:

Simon H. (2001), Il comportamento amministrativo, il Mulino, Bologna. [messo a disposizione dal docente]

SAP students only:

Catino, M. (2009). Miopia organizzativa: Problemi di razionalità e previsione nelle organizzazioni, il Mulino, Bologna [Testo disponibile ON LINE nel catalogo del Sistema Bibliotecario di Ateneo]

Non attending students.

Lippi A. (2022) Modelli di amministrazioni pubbliche, il Mulino, Bologna.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2027

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students will take the written exam at the first and second 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.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Attending students: written

Non-attending students: oral.

Evaluation will take into account the knowledge of course's contents, the students capacity to elaborate them critically.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.
Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it).
Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected