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.

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

On completion of your course, you will receive two qualifications:

Qualification 1: Nature of Organisations (Byte Size) Certificate

Nature of Organisations (Byte Size) Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, entitling you to use the letters SAC Cert after your name.

Qualification 2: 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. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 1 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (in which case GCSE's are at levels 1 and 2 and A Levels are at level 3).

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.

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.

When you study through ElearnUK you can quickly access your course material online and submit all of your question papers to your tutor online, using your unique student account. You have access to all of your course material immediately, and when you submit question papers, your tutor sends you an email containing your results and feedback.

At the end of the course you will receive an award issued by Stonebridge Associated College, and also gain full awarding body accreditation for the course.

With this course you will have unlimited access to your own personal tutor who specialises in their field of study. It is your personal tutor's role to ensure that you receive constructive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have. You are more than welcome to telephone, fax or email your personal tutor.

You will also have access to a dedicated and friendly team of administrators and course advisors who offer sound and professional guidance and advice when you need it. This ensures that you will never feel neglected and that you will always succeed!

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

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.

Assessment Method

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

What's Included

• All study materials
• Study Guide
• Full Tutor and Admin support
• The course fee includes the awarding body registration and certification fee (valued at up to £30.00).

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

Below you will find a list of courses that previous students have taken to complement their course. We hope that this list will give you some idea of the types of progression courses we offer, or alternative course options that may be of interest to you.

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