Module manager: Dr Amber Gislason-Lee
Email: A.Gislason-Lee@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
See programme entry requirements.
This module is not approved as an Elective
No matter your discipline studied, in your future careers you are likely to work in a professional setting, applying your knowledge of medical imaging in the context of the complex organisational dynamics of research institutions, health services, universities and corporations. Hence, in addition to an understanding of medical imaging, the ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics will be necessary. An insight into the intricacies of organisational behaviour, particularly the challenges of teamwork and leadership, specifically in a professional setting, will allow you to thrive and progress in your career. The module is aimed at those of you who have not studied organisational behaviour or any aspect of the social sciences in any depth previously, but for whom issues such as managing teams, dealing with conflict and the challenges of leadership positions are likely to become increasingly significant as your careers develop.
The aim of the module is to provide an introduction and overview of critical dimensions of organisational behaviour for those who have not studied the subject previously. In doing so it is designed to encourage you to reflect critically on your own behaviour with a view to improving your performance in a professional environment. Whilst you may have pre-existing views of relevant concepts such as work motivation, the implications of individual differences, how organisations are designed and operate or what might constitute good team leadership, you will not necessarily have the knowledge or skills to critically review relevant academic insights, assess their implications and apply them to your daily practice to solve organisational problems.
By undertaking the module you will develop a greater insight into key organisational characteristics, your own behaviours and motivations and how academic tools and techniques might be applied to improve your self-reflection and performance in organisations.
The module will also introduce you to practitioner perspectives on organisational challenges, problems and solutions, identifying major continuities and discontinuities between academic and practitioner views. The aim will be to help you assemble you own ‘tool kit’ of ideas, concepts and knowledge to deploy when faced with an organisational challenge or problem like dealing with low levels of worker motivation, a poorly functioning team, or taking on your first leadership role.
Finally, the aim of the module is to establish a basic grounding of knowledge and analysis skills to allow you to continue your learning journey in the field of organisational behaviour, particularly in professional fields, as your career proceeds. Whilst it cannot hope to offer a comprehensive review of all of the relevant concepts, it will provide a solid foundation of sources and references which can be returned to as they become more relevant to your evolving career.
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the central theories, concepts and evidence relating to organizational behaviour including organisational design and culture, work motivation, coping with individual differences, and leadership
2. Critically evaluate the potential connections (and disconnections) between academic and research-based knowledge and prescriptions and existing management and organisational practices
3. Critically evaluate academic sources and research streams that might be returned to in later life as a source of insight and inspiration when dealing with organisational challenges
4. Critically evaluate different perspectives on teamwork and dealing with conflict
The module is designed to produce skills learning outcomes in the domains of work ready skills, enterprise skills and academic skills as described in the Leeds Skills Matrix.
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Conduct a critical, evidence-based analysis of an organizational behaviour problem or issue in a specific work organisation to identify new or revised approaches and priorities for change
2. Apply understanding of research-practice connections to diagnose, explain and generate productive responses to behavioural problems and challenges in specific organizations
3. Engage in structured self-reflection about your own characteristics, goals, behaviour and impact on others
4. Manage teams more effectively through application of theories around work design and managing conflict
5. Plan their own programme for leadership development
- The basic significance of behaviour in organizational life, what are we trying to achieve – the ‘healthy organisation’.
- The ‘professional’ work environment: working in academia, the medical sector and corporations
- Individuals: defining characteristics, predictable outcomes and person-job fit
- Diversity and inclusion; the meaning and consequences of difference
- Motivation and satisfaction; from individual to organizational impact – engaging people
- Organizing work; designing jobs and organization structures
- Organization culture; defining, understanding and shaping collective behaviour
- Ethical dimensions of organisational behaviour
- Teamwork; design, dynamics, conflict and decision-making
- Leadership; roles, goals and effectiveness
- Understanding oneself to work effectively with others
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 128 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback during the seminars based on their progress on the group assessment. There will be specific seminar time for the students to outline their progress to date on the group project, identify challenges and problems and for staff to feedback in terms of advice and guidance. Individual issues and challenges can be raised outside of the lecture / seminar programme with the module leader / teaching staff.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Group Project | To get the students working as a team on a business-related project. Completed over the course of the module. | 0 |
| Essay | Reflective essay based on group work. To encourage reflective review of personal practice. | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 22/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team