Work Organization and Management
Arbetsorganisation och ledarskap

MAMF16, 7.5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED C/D
Date of Decision: 2024-04-16
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Main field: Technology Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: KLMT3, R2
Elective mandatory for: M3
Elective for: F4, MD4, N4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is for students to understand how various forms of work organizations are designed and how work is divided and coordinated, with consideration of human needs and conditions. Central to the course are the work tasks, the work organization, and their mutual adaptation, acknowledging conditions for productivity and worker satisfaction. The subject encompasses combinations of social and technical aspects to improve existing as well as future production systems. The course highlights conditions for changes in work organizations and demands that this puts on a sustainable and innovative health-promoting management, wherein all individuals’ conditions are considered. The course mainly relates to two of the UN:s Sustainable Development Goals: 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, and 9- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Define and discuss basic concepts about structure, distribution and organization of work.
• Explain the design of work and organiational systems and the relation to work satisfaction and productivity.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Suggest and motivate changes in an existing work organization using basic concepts and principles within the field of work organization.
• Design a set-up for designing new organizational systems.
• Verbally and in writing present a specific subject within the field of work organization.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Display insight into how technological and social aspects interplay in the performance of changes in work organizations.
• Display understanding of the impact leadership has in creating halth-promoting and inclusive work places.

Contents

Central concepts: Work-organizational theories from production and behavioral perspectives. History and trends of work organization, especially industrial production. Management, human resources and knowledge management. Quality management. Group theory. Human variation. Change strategies and organizational development processes. Current applied and research projects.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

To pass the course an approved test, an approved home exam, an approved oral presentation and an approved written report are required. The final grade is based on the results of the take-home exam and test.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0121. Name: Examination .
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Approved test and take-home exam. The module includes: Test and take-home exam.
Code: 0221. Name: Project Work.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Approved oral and written presentation of project work performed in groups. The module includes: Oral and written presentation of project work performed in groups.

Admission

The number of participants is limited to: 120
Selection: Admission guaranteed for students for whom the course is mandatory. Selection rules for the remaining places: Completed university credits within the programme. Priority is given to students enrolled on programmes that include the course in their curriculum.
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: MAMN30 MAMF15

Reading list

• Bohgard et al: Arbete och teknik på människans villkor. Prevent, 2017. Available as E-book in English and as a MOOC: www.onhumanterms.org.
• Additional material, research papers and lecture slides available online.

Contact

Course coordinator: Christofer Rydenfält, christofer.rydenfalt@design.lth.se
Examinator: Åsa Ek, asa.ek@design.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.eat.lth.se