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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Organizational Analysis by Stanford University

4.6
stars
1,448 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

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!

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.

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76 - 100 of 426 Reviews for Organizational Analysis

By Alvaro E V R

Nov 12, 2017

Excellent course. It has provided me very strong understanding through various models and ways of thinking about organizational dynamics and decision making. I wish I had had this course decades ago. It is really excellent. Prof. Macfarland is very clear, honest and insightful. I am very satisfied.

By Nikola L

Jan 19, 2017

Incredibly enriching program by prof Daniel MacFarland! Brilliant! You get to dive into nearly a dozen of organizational theories and learn when and how to apply them as part of your management toolbox. Tons of use cases and real life examples, Very well done. :) Do yourself a favor and enroll!

By Sanjana R

Sep 6, 2020

A very well detailed course which provides us a piece of in-depth knowledge about it. Also, the lectures given by Mr McFarland creates a sense of interest and inquisitiveness regarding the topic at hand, in the course takers.

A big thanks to Sir for his well delivered and interesting lectures.

By Eugene T Y Y

Dec 15, 2018

I work in HR, from time to time, I need to discuss with potential candidates on how our organization differs from his/her current employers or other employers in the market. This course definitely gives me the extra tools I need to better analyse between organizations in the industry. Thanks

By Sebastian K

May 31, 2022

Daniel A. McFarland has done a fantastic job introducing organizational analysis through easy to grasp presentations, followed with simple, yet realistic examples. I have enjoyed every minute of this course, and would most definitely recommend it to anybody interested in business. Cheers.

By Narayan K

Jan 4, 2022

A course packed with amazing information and some great insights... It's a tough course purely because of the volume of information packed in, but totally worth the time and effort. The Screen Side Chats were particularly enjoyable and added so much more to the overall course value.

By CHINMAI R

Mar 29, 2023

This Course is intresting, You be reminded of few real world organisational procedures which we really ignore most of them. The intresting part of the course which i really excited watch the video class is Screen side chat of Superman. Thank you for the Course Mr. McFarland.

By Deleted A

Nov 4, 2022

This course is successfully expressed how to analysis the organization and it has abundant contents, apparently Mr. McFarland is so knowledgeable, all the examples from him are kind of profound, and it takes deep considerations to connect with each other. Thank you, Daniel!

By Fabio M

Jun 28, 2017

The course allows to master different theories that can be give value in day-by-day work on how and why organizations behave in specific ways. The opportunity to review the materials and to take the course in any time give all the necessary flexibility to study the subjects.

By Krzysztof Z

Dec 14, 2019

Very interesting and useful class. If you are interested in strategic view of organizations and learn practical frameworks of analysis this is the course you want to take. Special thank you for Professor McFarland for conducting the class in very friendly and clear manor.

By Yuzhu Q

Dec 11, 2017

Structured and well designed, comprehensive and thorough, both theoretical and practical, personally pretty enjoy the sections of forums and screen-side chats making the learning enriched and engaging. Would be even more fantastic to see updates over recent 2 years.

By Reagan E

Jun 12, 2017

Big picture insights we can use in order to understand how an organization thinks and functions.Just finished the course and I am looking forward to review the course again; in order to truly understand how it takes to become an essential part of organization..

By Gaurav

Jan 14, 2017

This is a fabulous starting course for those, who are seeking to develop their organization analysis skills. Prof. McFarland is a super-super instructor and knows his subject well. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in organizations.

By Vandana D

Mar 1, 2021

Excellent course with detailed videos, relevant reading material. The weekly quiz prepare you well for the final exam and the variety of cases taken up during weeks enhances our perspectives of organizations, their issues and strategies to deal with them.

By Ben D

Mar 8, 2017

The most comprehensive and MBA quality material I have found on Coursera to date. A fantastic course with significant effort made by Dan & his TA's to provide strong technical content and marry it with clear case studies. I highly recommend this course!

By 吴梦寒

Jun 19, 2017

This is a great course which teaches me a lot. It helps me to know more about organisations and how do they work in our real world. The course also brings me lots of new ideas and recognitions of the some fields. I had a very wonderful learning journey.

By DUMALISILE L S

Oct 20, 2022

I CAN BE SURE NOW THAT I CAN MAKE A GOOD AND SKILLFUL LEADER TO ANY ORGANIZATION. THE COURSE CONSISTS OF BROAD AND HELPFUL STUDY MATERIAL THAT IS A PEREFECT PACKAGE ONE MUST HAVE IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE MORDEN DAYS. I THANK YOU COURSERIA!!!

By YESID G R

Jan 7, 2024

¡Excelente curso! aprendí demasiado y reforcé otros conocimientos. Se abarcaron demasiados temas en relación a la temática central y los casos de estudio contextualizaron de muy buena forma lo tratado en cada módulo. ¡Gracias y felicitaciones!

By Eduardo R

May 5, 2020

Very insightful and comprehensive course about organizations. Many lectures regarding theories and applying them to cases, will provide students with an in-depth and practical understanding to become great analysts in their field of interests.

By Mac M

Feb 2, 2017

This course really delves in deep into the various theories encapsulated in organizational analysis. The content in covered extensively given the platform and time constraints. Professor Macfarland really made taking this class a pleasure.

By Alvin N

Dec 6, 2021

This is the first time i have taken a online learning course and is from Stanford University!!! Favourite subject in Organizational Theories and Analysis. Tutorials and Videos are well structured and great!!! Looking forward to learn more

By antonio b

Dec 31, 2020

Amazing course!!! A must for any type of managers, from experts to junior. it expands the management toolkit with solid and helpful insight for organizational analysis. It is an eye opener for social analysis and history/politics as well.

By Kerrin L B

Aug 6, 2017

I really enjoyed the course and found the theories shared gave me a clear set of tools to analyse the organisations I consult to. Thank you Prof McFarland and your team. Well done on a thorough and insightful course. I hope to be back.

By Omar C V

Oct 9, 2023

Todas las clases iban acompañadas de un caso práctico, el cual facilitó el entendimiento de la misma, por otro lado, me hizo ver las cosas de manera distintas ya que en mi país muchas veces se enfocan más en lo teórico que lo práctico.

By Filippo S

Jan 30, 2018

This is an excellent and challenging course providing a solid background on organizational analysis. I found it useful not only in respect to management within organizations, but also regarding institutions and policy-making.