Syllabus

SG0159 The forestry from organizational theory related perspective, 15.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

In the course, the students analyse what different forestry organisations active within sector want to achieve and how they have organize themselves to implement this. By comparing the aims of the organisations and the way they work by means of organizational theories, the students learn how work distribution and work allocation are influenced by different conditions,as well as how the activities can be led, be structured and be developed.

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

-Explain organizational concepts, describe different basic organizational forms and discuss how the concepts that are found within forestry characterise the choice of organizational form and work processes.

• Analyse and critically review how the organisations in forestry have substantiated their aims in strategies and follow-up systems.

• Analyse, problematise and critically review how the choice of organizational forms of organisations in forestry influences cooperation, cooperation in groups/working climate

• Discuss the leadership and choice of methods for motivations used in the forest sector from theoretical perspective.

Content

The course discuss basic organizational theories that students use to study the organisations in the forest sector. The course starts with a discussion why organisations exists from several different views as well as the different ways to organise the activities. Students will thereafter review the choice of organizational forms used in the forest sector based on its efficiency, how the quality on the products of the organisation or employments be influenced and the need of skills and development. Cooperation on a workplace is reviewed in relation to choice of organizational structure, leadership philosophy and methods for motivation. The need for communication in work will be discussed and students will train in the basic negotiation technique. Different strategic perspectives and control functions of an organisation will be discussed as well as different ways to change an organisation

Students work in groups and have an organisation as their study object. Each group has a contact person at the organisation that can reply on the students’ questions on the different course components. Each group member presents their analysis in cross-groups and the cross-groups discuss what corresponds or differs between the organisations and why. The leadership role in the students’ group assignment will rotate, so that all students test how to lead the work of the group and evaluate this role. Participation in discussions of the cross-groups and in the seminars are therefore compulsory. At the end of the course, students meet representatives from their organisation to deepen their understanding in different organizational aspects that the students want to discuss further.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

Examination formats that are used in the course are formulation of questions to the leaders of the organisations for different course components and a written essay. The questions are to be based in organizational theory and the formulation should show how well the student meets the learning aims.

To pass the course, the student should present questions that meet the requirements of the learning aims, an essay that meets the requirements, approved practical assignments and approved participation in compulsory group discussions and compulsory seminars.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

Responsible department

Department of Forest Resource Management