Organizational Design and Change

In an era defined by rapid globalization, relentless digital transformation, intense worldwide competition, and ever-emerging technologies, the ability to effectively design and adapt organizations is not just an advantage; it's a necessity. From guiding a sprawling global enterprise to optimizing a small work team, in both private and public sectors, organizational design and change are paramount activities for today's leaders.

This course dives deep into the fascinating evolution of organizational forms, from traditional to contemporary models such as "spaghetti," crowd-based, and "holacracy" structures, to name a few. These new paradigms fundamentally challenge traditional notions of efficiency and effectiveness. You will gain a foundational understanding of organizational design basics, learn how to strategically employ design principles to foster innovation and manage change, and discover how to align organizational structures with increasingly complex and competitive environments.

Designed to be accessible to all, regardless of prior background in economics or management, this module builds on compelling examples and rich case studies of real-world companies across a variety of industries, businesses, and countries. You will engage in a creative and analytical effort, applying empirically supported theoretical principles to actual business challenges, preparing you to lead and thrive in a constantly evolving organizational landscape.

By the end of this dynamic course, students will be equipped to:

1. Grasp foundational principles: Comprehend the intricate relationships within organizational theory, particularly how an organization's structure interacts with its diverse environment and stakeholders.
2. Master design levers: Identify and differentiate various types of organizational structures and cultures as critical levers for design.
3. Identify strategic designs: Understand the link between strategy and organizational design levers, ensuring an effective and adaptive fit between an organization and its environment.
4. Navigate change effectively: Understand key roles and strategic levers for managing organizational change, including methods for overcoming resistance and setbacks to achieve successful transformation.

In presenza

Our learning journey in this module is highly practical and engaging, emphasizing real-world application. We will utilize up-to-date materials, including cutting-edge journal articles, and explore compelling practical examples of real-life organizations that vividly illustrate the theoretical concepts introduced in lectures.

Active participation is central to the success of this course. Students are expected to engage systematically in class discussions and actively contribute to a variety of in-session activities, which may include interactive question sessions, hands-on exercises, and in-depth case study discussions. This collaborative and applied approach is designed to deepen your understanding and enhance your practical skills.

Course work is assessed on the basis of one midterm test (30%), and a final exam (70%).

• The midterm test lasts 45 minutes and involves 15 multiple choice questions, based on the lectures and material covered in class up to the test date. The midterm test accounts for 30% of the final mark.
• The final exam lasts 90 minutes and accounts for 70% of the final mark. The final exam will be a comprehensive closed book exam involving a mixture of multiple choice questions, short essays and the analysis of mini-cases (or “incidents”). The final exam will be based on the readings and material covered over the whole course.

Resit exams, or exams that are - for any reason - sustained outside the Fall 25-26 exam session (January-February, 2026), will account for 100% of the course grade.