EPN-V2

MALKA219 Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Ledelse og organisasjonsatferd
Study programme
Master's Program in Behavioral Science
Master’s Program in Behavioral Science - Specialisation in Innovation and Implementation
Master’s Program in Behavioral Science - Specialisation in Concepts and Applications
Master's Programme in Learning in Complex Systems, elective courses
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

This course concerns the application of behavioral principles to the workplace, introducing performance management and behavioral systems analysis, with strategies for positive reinforcement in performance improvement.

Required preliminary courses

Admission to the study program

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student can

  • describe and explain the evolution of organization and management theory within the social context of its time, and discuss core concepts of some classics of organization and management literature
  • describe and explain organizations and organizational behavior using concepts from systems theory and behavior analysis
  • discuss learning in organizations
  • describe core themes within management and organizations theories
  • describe and exemplify concepts and strategies from behavior analysis in performance management

Skills

The student can

  • describe and discuss matrix and project organizations and argue for the application of different organizational structures depending on the objectives of the organization
  • use relevant tools from Organizational Behavior Management/Performance Management

Competence

The student

  • balance resource allocation, and ensure that support functions add value to the core activities of the organisation
  • maximize human, financial and technological resources in order to achieve the organization’s objectives
  • present core principles of Organizational Behavior Management to others in a way that meets the requirements of professional scientific communication
  • present core principles of Organizational Behavior Management to the public

Teaching and learning methods

Campus-based lectures, student exercises, discussions and individual papers are the main teaching methods. Students read selected texts in advance for each day of class, and everyone is expected to participate in class through questions and through joining in discussion. Feedback is used on written assignments.

Course requirements

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

  • 2 individual written assignments submitted digitally, each with a maximum length of 10.000 characters, including spaces. References are to be included in the 10.000 characters.

Assessment

Individual home examination, 3 hours. Exam questions are in English. Students may submit their exams in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F

Examiners

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.