Nature of Organisations (Byte Size)

In this course, we have set the stage for more detailed investigation of organisations and how they exist in today's business environment. We look at the functioning of organisations and relate these ideas back to the early researchers and theorists.

In this course, we help you to explore the nature and purpose of organisations and to understand and identify different organisational structures. We aim also to give you an understanding of the factors that must be considered when an organisational structure is designed.

Key choices and issues concerning organisational structure design include:

• how jobs and departments should be differentiated and grouped
• how organisational activities should be co-ordinated and controlled.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• define an organisation.
• distinguish between the formal and informal elements of organisational life.
• identify the importance of organisation structures and what they do.
• identify the key processes that take place in the structuring of an organisation.
• analyse and evaluate in practical examples.
• explain the nature of organisational missions and goals.
• evaluate the relevance of particular organisational goals and missions and their importance for organisational effectiveness.
• identify the use and value of organisation theory.
• evaluate the influence of size, technology and environment on an organisation's structure.

Syllabus

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Organisations and their Structures

Definition

Formality and informality

Types of organisations

Nature and consequences of organisation structure

Organisational design: differentiation and integration

Section 2: Understanding an Organisation's Design

Differentiation and integration

Section 3: Key Decisions in Designing an Organisation's Structure

Specialisation of jobs

Hierarchy and span of control

Grouping activities

Integration

Control

Section 4: Organisational Goals and Organisational Effectiveness

Goals and mission statements

Formal and informal goals

Goals and effectiveness

Section 5: Key Influences upon Organisation Structure

Organisation theory

Key influences upon organisation structure

Contingency theory

Influence of size

Influence of technology

Influence of environment

Summary

Tutor-marked Question Paper

Qualifications

On completion of your course, you will receive the dual award:

Award 1 is issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Nature of Organisations (Byte Size) Certificate

Nature of Organisations (Byte Size) Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Award 2 is issued by our Awarding Body: Level 1 Nature of Organisations (Byte Size) Award

At the end of this course successful learners will also receive a Level 1 NCFE Award Certificate of Achievement. Our course has been accredited under our NCFE IIQ Licence and the course measurable learning outcomes have been benchmarked at Level 1 (using Ofqual’s Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) level descriptors) to allow you to consider the depth of study, difficulty, and level of achievement involved.

This award has been designed by Stonebridge Associated Colleges to meet specific learners' or employers' requirements. Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that this learning programme has been scrutinised and approved by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals and is quality audited biannually by NCFE.

To view a sample of the NCFE Certificate of Achievement, please click here.

To view a sample of the NCFE Candidate Unit Summary, please click here.

What is NCFE

NCFE is the UK's longest established awarding body, recognised as a highly professional and responsive organisation, committed to maintaining excellent customer service and a friendly approach.

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that the college has been inspected and approved by an independent and experienced education professional and is quality audited biannually by NCFE. The centre delivering the programmes has been licensed by NCFE on the basis of its own quality systems. At the end of an accredited course, successful learners will also receive an NCFE Award certificate of achievement.

For more information on this award, click here

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Study Options

In order to offer our students the most convenient and flexible distance learning courses, Stonebridge Associated College offers you the option to study for your course via two methods:

• 1. Via the traditional paper-based method.
• 2. Through the online method via ElearnUK.

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Stonebridge Prices

Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com

The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.

The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course.
(APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 20 hrs.