Diploma
in Organisational Behaviour
(Organizational Behavior)

A distance learning course

   College accreditation:  International Association for Distance Learning.
   This Diploma is also recognised by the Institute of General Management (Ireland) and
   the Institute   of Hospitality Management (Ireland). 

Total recommended period of study: approx. 3 to 4 months or less. Continuous enrolment. No time limit.

Cost: £375.00  (375 Pounds Sterling - for currency conversion see www.xe.com )

(Textbook extra - approx. cost of textbook £40.00 or less)

Method of study 

Textbook study. Written assignments based on textbooks and exercises. Assignment questions are issued by email and students return their written work by email. Grades and feedback are issued by email. Assessment is continuous – there is no final examination.

Course overview

The qualification is for those who want a quicker, more accessible and/or more affordable alternative than a university Diploma in Management Studies or MBA, and for those who do not wish or need to study economics, finance and accounting.  

Organizational behaviour is the study of individuals and groups in organizations. It is a multidisciplinary subject that draws from psychology, sociology and anthropology and is also influenced by economics and political science. Often combined knowledge from various fields is necessary to understand organizational behaviour and to build theories.

In today’s challenging times when work conditions are rapidly changing, it is important to be able to think clearly about how employees’ needs can be met whilst at the same time working towards the aims and growth of the organization.  This course presents an up-to-date view of the field of organizational behaviour. It begins with a thorough introduction to the topic’s many aspects.  Then major sections cover 11 key areas:

1.         Attributes and job performance – how people’s personality and perceptions affect their work.

2.         Learning and self-management – the nature of individual and organizational learning.

3.         Motivation and Empowerment – theories of motivation and empowering employees.

4.         Jobs, goals and work arrangements – job design, individual differences, goal setting, work arrangements and work-life balance, stress, teleworking, contracts.

5.         Group dynamics and team performance – theories of group communication, team coherence, dynamics, leadership

6.         Organizational operations and performance – structure and design of organizations, technology, organizational goals, policies and control, quality management, specialization/ departmentalization, bureaucracy, structural arrangements, virtual organizations

7.         Organizational culture – explaining organizational culture, types and levels of culture, values, functions of culture, control issues, alternative perspectives

8.         Leadership – leadership and management, trait and behavioural theories, key studies, situational contingency theories, new perspectives, charismatic approaches, transactional and transformational approaches, diversity issues, culture

9.         Decision making, power and politics – overview of power and politics, influence, types of power, authority, managing with power, empowerment, organisational politics and governance, politics in action, decision making, ethics, risk analysis, group decisions, intuition, improving decision making

10.       Communication, conflict and negotiation – organizational communication, interpersonal communication, channels, barriers to communication, conflict management and resolution, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, goals and outcomes, types of and approaches to negotiation, two-party negotiation

11.       Organizational change – definition, scale of change, planners and unplanned change, change leadership, forces and processes of change, technological change, change cycles, targets and planned change, persuasion and coercion, shared power, resistance to change, role of change agent.

The set text is complemented by selected journal articles, case studies, glossary, clear learning objectives for each section, real-life vignettes, practical tips, self-review questions, and other features.

Required Text:

French, Ray, et al., Organizational Behaviour. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. revised edition, 2011.

Entry criteria and suitability 

This course has open entry, but a high standard of written English and the ability to study comfortably on your own, and without close supervision, are essential. Experience of A-level study or some further or adult education, is strongly preferred, as is experience in the business environment. However, applicants without these qualifications will be considered on their merits subject to a qualifying essay at our discretion.

This diploma is primarily aimed at people in business (including small businesses and self-employment) who wish to develop their organisational management skills as well as to have a qualification they can use in their c.v. / résumé. Graduates of the course will be able to use the designatory letters ‘Dip.O.B.’ after their name.  The course will also be of interest to psychology graduates or life coaches who have not studied organisational psychology and are moving into the business world; those preparing to study business management at university at a later date, or taking an industrial gap year; stress managers and executive development trainers wishing to understand the corporate environment; accountants wishing to have a broader understanding of management; retired/redundant executives without a formal qualification who are moving into consultancy; those who wish to teach evening or adult education classes in the subject; change agents, business coaches and anyone interested in organisational behaviour and corporate change. 

Qualification

Successful graduates will receive the Diploma in Organisational Behaviour awarded by UK College of Holistic Training which is a private UK qualification. The college is accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning.

The course is accredited by The International Association for Distance Learning which is a private organization. This Diploma is also recognised by the Institute of General Management (Ireland) and the Institute of Hospitality Management (Ireland). 

The Dip.O.B., plus evidence of other business learning and skills, may be converted to an EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) degree of Calamus International University for an additional fee of  £750.00  (NB – this is not a UK degree but is awarded by an overseas university).  The EMBA may then be upgraded to a full MBA specialising in organizational and executive development by taking additional courses by distance learning with Calamus.  

Further information

Please see our FAQs page for general information.

We reserve the right to change the syllabus and other details of any course at any time.

To apply for this course now, go to our Application page