Organizational Theory, Design and Change
What you'll learn
- A clear definition of organizational culture and insight into how culture forms and influences an organization.
- A thorough understanding of the different types of organizational culture and their direct impact on organizational performance.
- Knowledge of various organizational structure types, including how to choose the most effective structure for different strategies and environments.
- Deep insight into organizational behavior theories that influence managerial decision-making and stakeholder interactions.
- Critically assess different decision-making models and recognize cognitive biases that can affect organizational decision-making processes.
- Practical application of renowned organizational change models, including Lewin's Change Management Model and Kotter's 8-Step Change Model.
- Effective strategies for managing resistance to change, including clear, actionable steps in organizational change.
Requirements
- This course has no prerequisites and is suitable for beginners, professionals, or anyone interested in mastering organizational theory, organizational design principles, and effective change management.
Description
Master Organizational Dynamics, Structure, and Effective Change Management
Why do some companies have hundreds of managers while others barely have a few? And why does it sometimes feel like nothing ever changes in the corporate world?
Welcome to Organizational Theory, Design, and Change — a comprehensive course exploring why organizations operate the way they do. Contrary to common belief, corporate structures and organizational cultures do not evolve spontaneously. Instead, they are carefully shaped by decades of research, organizational behavior theories, and practical experimentation.
In this course, you'll explore how power, hierarchy, and organizational structure types influence daily team operations, why bureaucracy exists — and if it's as negative as commonly perceived. We’ll investigate how organizations are born, develop, and eventually decline, and you'll gain valuable insights into why companies fear revolutionary change.
Whether your goal is to improve team performance, better understand managerial decisions, or prepare for a leadership position, this course provides a clear, actionable framework to comprehend organizational dynamics, structure, and effective change management.
Course Structure:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Organizational Theory
We begin with the basics. What is an organization? Why do organizations exist, and what roles do people, rules, and structures play within them? We explore how organizations create value, the factors influencing their efficiency, and why some thrive while others fail. You’ll learn precisely what organizational theory is and how it enhances our understanding of company operations.
Chapter 2: Organizational Stakeholders
Organizations operate within a network of stakeholders whose interests often conflict. Who are these stakeholders, and how can their expectations be balanced effectively? We explore agency theory and the agency problem arising between managers and company owners.
Chapter 3: The Organizational Environment
Discover how organizations survive in turbulent, uncertain environments. We examine resource dependence theory and transaction cost theory, highlighting why organizations prefer outsourcing or in-house production.
Chapter 4: Key Challenges in Organizational Design
Explore critical organizational design principles: How should power be distributed? When should a company be centralized or decentralized? You’ll explore mechanistic versus organic structures and understand why different businesses need tailored organizational design models.
Chapter 5: Authority and Control
Investigate the rationale behind complex hierarchies, extensive management layers, and the pros and cons of bureaucracy. Understand Parkinson’s Law and its implications on organizational efficiency.
Chapter 6: Organizational Structures
Analyze various organizational structure types, including functional, divisional, hybrid, and network structures, determining the ideal conditions for each model.
Chapter 7: Organizational Change
Master effective change management strategies by understanding why companies resist change and how to address this resistance. Explore evolutionary and revolutionary change approaches, employing Lewin’s and Kotter’s organizational change models to facilitate smooth transitions.
Chapter 8: The Organizational Life Cycle
Examine how organizations are born, grow, stagnate, and decline. Learn about critical organizational growth models, significant risks companies face, and strategies for navigating these challenges successfully.
Chapter 9: Organizational Decision-Making
Discover why decision-making in organizations can be complex and sometimes irrational. Critically assess decision-making models, recognize common cognitive biases, and learn techniques to enhance decision-making effectiveness.
Our expert instructor will guide you through each concept, ensuring you gain not just theoretical knowledge, but practical skills you can apply immediately in your professional life. By the end of this comprehensive course, you'll be prepared to navigate the complexities of modern organizational life, drive effective change, and make informed decisions that propel organizations toward success.
Enroll now to master the fundamentals and strategies of organizational theory, design, and effective change management, preparing yourself to navigate complex organizational challenges successfully.
Who this course is for:
- Managers and Leaders looking to understand organizational dynamics and effectively lead change.
- Entrepreneurs and Startup Founders seeking optimal ways to structure and grow their companies.
- Business and Management Students desiring deeper insights into organizational theories and practices.
- Industry Professionals and Team Members interested in enhancing their understanding of organizational structures and performance.
- Anyone Curious About Organizations and eager to understand the complexities behind how companies operate and adapt.
Instructors
Hi, I'm Robert, a professional trainer and educator specializing in AI, Data Science, and SaaS. I've spent over a decade teaching and training—starting in academia in Sweden, then working with banking groups in Austria, where I learned how to turn complex ideas into practical insights.
I love helping learners build a solid, intuitive understanding of challenging topics. I've trained business professionals and data scientists across 13 countries in the European Union and reached thousands more through university courses, MBA programs, localized KhanAcademy content, and customized corporate training.
Here on Udemy, my courses cover key business topics like SaaS Business Essentials, EU AI Act Compliance, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Theory and Change, and Generative AI for Leaders and HR Professionals. I keep things clear and practical, ensuring you gain knowledge you can actually use.
My goal is simple: to make professional knowledge accessible, practical, and engaging. I look forward to helping you succeed in your career!
Hi there! I'm Jane - originally trained in environmental studies, with a passion for using data to solve real-world challenges. While finishing my diploma, I realized how crucial it is to use data to tackle numerous ecological questions which led me to pursue the field as a self-learner. I transitioned into data analytics and have worked as a data analyst in e-commerce. My passion is to help other self-starters grow into the topic and change their careers, just like I did. Today, my teaching spans data science, business strategy, and emerging technologies, including generative AI and regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act. I’m a co-author of Authentic Data Science and have developed Python practice materials used to teach hundreds of students across Europe.