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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Organizational Analysis by Stanford University

4.6
stars
1,572 ratings

About the Course

In this introductory, self-paced course, you will learn multiple theories of organizational behavior and apply them to actual cases of organizational change. Organizations are groups whose members coordinate their behaviors in order to accomplish a shared goal. They can be found nearly everywhere in today’s society: universities, start-ups, classrooms, hospitals, non-profits, government bureaus, corporations, restaurants, grocery stores, and professional associations are some of many examples of organizations. Organizations are as varied and complex as they are ubiquitous: they differ in size and internal structure; they can entail a multiplicity of goals and tasks (some of which are planned and others unplanned!); they are made up of individuals whose goals and motivations may differ from those of the group; and they must interact with other organizations and deal with environmental constraints in order to be successful. This complexity frequently results in a myriad of problems for organizational participants and the organization’s survival. In this course, we will use organizational theories to systematically analyze how an organization operates and can best be managed. Organizational theories highlight certain features of an organization’s structure and environment, as well as its processes of negotiation, production, and change. Each provides a lens for interpreting novel organizational situations and developing a sense for how individual and group behaviors are organized. Theories are valuable for the analyst and manager because most organizational problems are unique to the circumstances and cannot be solved by simple rules of thumb. Armed with a toolset of organizational theories, you will be able to systematically identify important features of an organization and the events transforming it; choose a theoretical framework most applicable to the observed mode of organizing; and use that theory to determine which actions will best redirect the organization in desired directions. In sum, the course has three goals: to become familiar with a series of real-world organizational phenomena; to learn different theoretical perspectives that can elucidate these phenomena; and to apply these different ways of “seeing” and managing organizations to cases. In such a fashion, the course is designed to actively bridge theory and practice, exposing students to a variety of conceptual tools and ways to negotiate novel situations....

Top reviews

AA

Apr 29, 2020

This course provides in-depth analyses of a host of organizational theories and their application in real life. The dissection of each case and the applicability of the theories are really insightful.

AL

Sep 2, 2019

Very challenging yet worth it. If you are in an administrative position in an organization (especially education) you will get some great perspectives/understandings from this course. Take good notes!

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426 - 450 of 461 Reviews for Organizational Analysis

By Daryl L

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Nov 28, 2021

The only thing I found lacking was a list of reference texts

By Pooja G

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Sep 22, 2020

Explaination was good in these course and good content

By Pradeep D

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May 1, 2020

Good content..need very focused learning to pass.

By Ksenija R

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Dec 19, 2020

Boring course, I would like more examples.

By Jeroen O

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Nov 22, 2017

Very interesting course, easy to follow!

By Andres A

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Jul 23, 2020

Mr Mcfarland is a great professor

By Md. R

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Jul 14, 2024

It was an amazing experience.

By Louis U A

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Jun 4, 2018

Was enriched by the lessons.

By Shikha s

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Dec 29, 2017

Amazing learning experience.

By Ye M T

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Jan 15, 2021

It's quite challenging.

By yashaswini

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Apr 2, 2018

GREAT LECTURES & TOPIC

By Ing. P G

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Sep 7, 2017

great very deep course

By Zirak T

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Jul 5, 2024

One of the best

By sergio

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Apr 14, 2020

was good -

By DI D

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Nov 8, 2021

Nice

By Deleted A

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Sep 8, 2021

ok

By Karim A

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Jan 9, 2018

.

By Jeanna K

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Jan 3, 2018

Excellent overview of theories helps you understand what else to pursue or research, it's a very good baseline. The testing concepts are dated and not terribly effective. The capstone is 111 questions, which as we all know, prompts us all to develop a strategy to pass the test, vs assessing our application of concepts . Also there was no response to questions during the course. (Coursera tried to make contact and get resolution as well, the response problem is with the course developer not Coursera)

By Krista A

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Apr 16, 2022

The material was great! I wish it were presented differently. Frequent, short quizzes throughout each module (like was done in module 10) instead of one or two quizzes spread out (as was done in every other module) is a great way for students to check in with their comprehension and retention of the information. Also, some of the lectures were poorly organized. I found myself asking "what is the main principle here?" or "Why is this principle popping up here again?".

By Janice

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Apr 30, 2017

Interesting concepts. The instructor is knowledgeable. As an organizational development practitioners, I found it very academic relative to the terms used and examples given. In some cases, I had to translate the terms used to every day layman language to really understand the concepts as they would apply in my day-to-day work.

By Taslim A R

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Sep 23, 2022

iIt's an outdated course. Power points are too bookish. Require reforming of questions. You can not just put a sentence from your lecture, keep a word in vacant and ask for the correct answer.

By Jani S

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Jun 11, 2017

Thank for you for a interesting course, helping me to understand the dynamics of organisations. The course has fostered me an interest to pursue other courses in same path.

By Dilara D

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Oct 16, 2021

I find this course very interesting and beneficial but the final questions were too much, I had a really hard time to remember.

By Ana C S

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Sep 20, 2020

Amazing content although not dynamic which makes it difficult to follow during 11 weeks. The final exam is too long.

By Mezegebe W

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Nov 17, 2022

Finale Exam is too long ... may you can, change the approach and focus on the objective of the course.