Master of Science in Business Administration

Dear Students,

Due to technical issues, the Mid-Course Test scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29, from 10:00 to 13:00, has been moved to Room T1.

Please find the updated instructions attached to this message.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

lg

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9iuk5gn065bmuq2ruy9l2/Instructions-for-the-2025-October-29.pdf?rlkey=p861bjx5jqcafke1o4m8jn597&dl=0

Instructions for the Mid-Course Test of the Organizational Behavior Course 2025, October 29

Date and time

• The mid-course test will take place in Room I2, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM sharp.
• Students must arrive by 9:45 AM for identification, seat assignment, and setup.
• No late arrivals will be admitted once the exam has begun.
• Entry to the classroom will open at 9:30 AM to allow students to prepare quietly and test connectivity.

Once seated, students should connect their laptops to the university Wi-Fi, log into Google Classroom, and wait for the link to appear. The test link will be made available at 9:55 AM, and the exam will begin precisely at 10:00 AM.

Duration: 3 hours (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM).

At the end of the test, students must remain seated until all submissions are confirmed. Leaving the classroom without permission will invalidate the test.

Exam modality and conduct

The mid-course test is an individual written examination. Collaboration, communication, or any form of assistance among students is strictly forbidden.

The test is designed to evaluate individual understanding, critical thinking, and the ability to apply theoretical frameworks learned during the course.

General rules of conduct

• The exam is strictly individual.
• Cheating, collaboration, or communication with others in any form (spoken, written, or electronic) is prohibited.
• Use of ChatGPT or any AI-based tool is forbidden.
• Consulting notes, books, slides, or digital materials during the test is not permitted.
• Electronic devices other than the authorized laptop must be switched off and stored away (phones, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, etc.).
• Silence must be maintained at all times.
• Students who need technical help must raise their hand and wait for an invigilator.

Any violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification, a zero score, and disciplinary reporting to the academic board.

Respect for colleagues and staff, as well as professional conduct, are expected throughout the examination.

Test format and duration

The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions.

Each question presents five answer options, of which only one is correct.

• Students may navigate freely between questions during the exam.
• It is possible to review and change answers at any time before submitting.
• Once completed, click “Submit” and wait for the message “Your test has been recorded.”
• Only tests showing this confirmation will be considered valid.

The test evaluates three dimensions of learning:

1. Conceptual understanding – the comprehension of theories, frameworks, and key definitions.
2. Analytical reasoning – the ability to interpret scenarios and link them to theoretical constructs.
3. Application to practice – the capacity to use theoretical principles to explain real-world organizational behavior.

The duration is three hours. Students are encouraged to manage their time effectively—approximately two minutes per question is a good benchmark.

Structure of the test

The mid-course test covers all lectures, cases, supporting cases, and Rapid Quizzes included in Module 1: Understanding Yourself at Work – From Personality to Team Dynamics, which includes Section I – The Individual and Work and Section II – Group/Team and Work.

The test questions are proportionally distributed among these topics. They require the recognition, analysis, and integration of concepts covered in lectures, cases, and class discussions.

Section I: The Individual and Work

This section focuses on understanding the individual as the starting point of organizational life. It explores how personality, perception, motivation, emotions, and learning influence individual behavior and collective outcomes.

1. Introduction to the Course: The Rules of the Game
• Overview of course objectives, learning philosophy, and evaluation structure.
• Understanding the “rules of the game” that govern classroom learning, collaboration, and fairness.
2. Organizational Behavior: History and Paths to the Future
• The historical roots of organizational behavior and its evolution toward a multidisciplinary science.
• Focus on the balance between rational and humanistic paradigms.
• Rapid Quiz 2: Leading Through Subtle Tensions explores the challenge of managing paradoxes in leadership.
3. Personality, Perception, and Employee Attitudes
• Major personality frameworks (Big Five, MBTI, locus of control, and so on).
• Perceptual processes and biases, cognitive distortions, and attribution theory.
• Supporting Case: Blurred Lines – Happy or Harassed?
• Rapid Quiz 3: Interpreting Everyday Organizational Signals – identifying perception traps in workplace communication.
4. Case: eProcure – The Project (A)
• Organizational tensions and interpersonal misperceptions in project work.
• Rapid Quiz 4: Acting Within Invisible Norms – uncovering implicit behavioral expectations.
5. Supporting Cases: Managing Up (A) Grace and Managing Up (B) Jada
• Understanding upward influence, power without authority, and relational intelligence.
• Rapid Quiz 5: Reading What’s Not Said – the subtle art of managing superiors.
6. Case: Rachael Ray – Cooking Up a Brand
• Personal branding, leadership identity, and emotional projection.
• Rapid Quiz 6: Navigating Unwritten Expectations – decoding implicit performance norms.
7. Values, Emotions, and Moods
• Values, emotions, and moods reasoning in organizations.
• Emotional intelligence and emotional contagion.
• Supporting Cases: Defining Moments; Leading When You’re Being Followed (A & B).
• Rapid Quiz 7: When Authority Isn’t Enough – navigating power through emotional insight.
8. Motivational Theories
• Classical and contemporary motivation theories.
• Supporting Case: Stone Finch, Inc. (Young Division, Old Division).
• Rapid Quiz 8: Between Clarity and Assumption – understanding motivation through expectation alignment.
9. Case: Martin Brass Company (A/B/C)
• The relationship between motivation, leadership style, and team morale.
• Rapid Quiz 9: Deciding With Emotional Awareness.
10. Motivation in Practice
• Translating theory into managerial practice.
• Supporting Case: Engstrom Auto Mirror Plant – Motivating in Good Times and Bad.
• Rapid Quiz 10: Framing Decisions Under Pressure.
11. Case: Elise Smart
• Trust, fairness, and intrinsic motivation under ambiguity.
• Rapid Quiz 11: Trusting Judgment, Not Procedures.
12. Learning
• Learning theories in organizational contexts: behavioral, cognitive, and experiential models.
• Supporting Cases: Agile Boot Camp (A & B).
• Rapid Quiz 12: Decoding Workplace Intentions.
13. Stress
• Causes and management of workplace stress, resilience, and emotional regulation.
• Supporting Cases: Why Is the Universe Against Me? (A & B).
• Rapid Quiz 13: Timing Shapes Leadership Meaning.
14. Case: Amazon as an Employer
• Work pressure, organizational design, and ethics of performance systems.
• Rapid Quiz 14: Acting With Contextual Intelligence.

Section II: Group/Team and Work

This section examines the foundations of group behavior, collaboration, team learning, and leadership dynamics in collective work settings.

1. Foundations of Group Behavior
• Group formation, social roles, cohesion, and team norms.
• Supporting Case: Internal Competition – A Curse for Team Performance.
• Rapid Quiz 15: Power, Presence, and Perception.
2. Case: Teaming at Disney Animation
• Collaboration, creativity, and psychological safety in complex teams.
• Rapid Quiz 16: Small Choices, Big Impact.
3. Understanding Work Teams
• Team structures, interdependence, diversity, and virtual collaboration.
• Supporting Case: Please Stop Working So Hard!
• Rapid Quiz 17: Influence Without Formal Power.
4. Case: The Leo Burnett Company Ltd. – Virtual Team Management
• Managing global and digital teams.
• Rapid Quiz 18: Leading in Lived Complexity.

The questions will reflect all the materials above. Expect both factual and applied reasoning questions that combine theory with practical interpretation.

Platform and registration requirements

The test will be administered via Google Classroom.

1. Join the course “Organizational Behavior 2025/2026.”
• Access code: 5w7kmah4
• If you are already enrolled, no further action is required.
2. Verify access at least two days before the exam.
3. Check that notifications are active to receive the test link and announcements.

Students who do not meet these requirements before the exam will be unable to participate.

Technical requirements

• Laptop computer with internet access (Wi-Fi available in Room).
• Power outlet and charger (one per desk).
• Updated browser – Chrome or Firefox recommended.
• No tablets or iPads or cell phones, as the test requires multiple active windows.

Before the test begins:

• Log in, connect to Wi-Fi, and close all other applications.
• Keep only one browser tab open for the test.
• Disable notifications and pop-ups.

In case of technical failure, raise your hand and notify an invigilator immediately. Do not attempt to reload or restart independently.

Grading and bonus points

The mid-course test does not directly determine your final grade but offers an opportunity to earn bonus points toward the first official exam session following the course.

Only students who achieve at least the passing threshold of 54 correct answers out of 90 are eligible for bonus points.

Once this threshold is met, bonus points are awarded gradually, in increments of 0.5, up to a maximum of +3 points. The higher the number of correct answers, the higher the incremental gain within this range.

These points are valid only for the first exam session after the course and cannot be transferred to later sessions or to other course components (assignments, participation, or final projects).

This structure rewards both thorough preparation and consistent engagement across the semester. Performing well on the test can make a meaningful difference in the overall course outcome, but its main goal is to encourage disciplined learning and self-assessment before the final exam.

Academic integrity

Academic honesty is essential. The test will be supervised both in person and through system monitoring.

Infractions such as consulting external materials, communicating with others, or using unauthorized digital tools will result in annulment of the test and disciplinary measures.

Respect for the rules, fairness toward peers, and professional conduct are integral parts of the evaluation.

Results and communication

Results will be published on Google Classroom within approximately 10 working days after the exam.

Students will receive:

• The total number of correct answers;
• The corresponding bonus (if applicable);
• A short overview of class performance distribution.

No question-by-question feedback will be provided, but students may discuss general performance during office hours.

Recommended preparation

To prepare effectively:

• Review all lecture slides and readings from Sections I and II.
• Study all supporting and main cases, focusing on how theories explain real behaviors.
• Revisit the Rapid Quizzes, as they mirror the logic and structure of many exam questions.
• Create conceptual maps linking personality, perception, motivation, emotion, learning, and teamwork.
• Test yourself through self-quizzing and peer discussions.
• Practice reasoning, not memorization—questions will test comprehension and contextual application.

Final recommendations

• Bring your university ID card.
• Verify that your Google Classroom account works.
• Manage your time: do not linger too long on a single question.
• Read carefully—many questions test nuanced understanding.
• Stay calm, trust your preparation, and work systematically.

Closing message

The mid-course test is a crucial step in consolidating your understanding of Organizational Behavior. It encourages disciplined preparation, reflective thinking, and the ability to connect theory with practice.

Approach it with integrity, confidence, and curiosity. Every question is an opportunity to demonstrate not just what you remember, but how you think.

Good luck to all participants!

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