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Online Sessions Link
To connect to the online sessions of this study programme please click on this link. You will be asked to register your attendance if you are not already signed in into your Zoom account. You will also be asked for the password which is below.
Meeting ID: 957 1769 9519
Passcode: 131690
Make sure that you show with your name & surname as you have been registered for the study programme. This is very important for attendance purposes.
Lecture Schedule & Notes
Lecture notes will be available during the week following the respective lecture. Schedule dates are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, SMS or telephone calls.
Lecturer/s
Dr Roselyn Borg
Ms Raisa Rizzo
Lecture Summaries & Suggested Reading
Lecture 1 - What is Occupational Psychology? - Ms Gabriella Farrugia
Learning Outcomes
- You will have an understanding of the branches in Occupational Psychology, how it gained popularity and how the nature of work has changed over the years.
- You have a chance to identify the selling points of an Occupational Psychologist and its consultancy cycle.
- You will gain awareness of how an Occupational Psychologist collects and presents its observations to its client.
Topics Covered
- Terms of Reference of the field
- Sub-Branches in Occupational Psychology
- Contribution to wider disciplines
- Definition of Occupational Psychology
- A Brief History
- The Changing Nature of Work
- Selling Points of Occupational Psychology
- Areas in Occupational Psychology
- The Consultancy Cycle
- Loyalties
Core Reading List
- Occupational Psychology: An Applied Approach (2013)
By Dr. Gail Step-Toe Warren - Organizational Psychology and Behaviour An Integrated Approach to Understanding the Workplace (2019)
By Zinta Byrne - Work in the 21st Century An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2019)
By Jeffrey M. Conte, Frank J. Landy
Lecture 2 - Ethical & Legal Considerations in Occupational Psychology - Dr Roselyn Borg & Mr Angelito Sciberras
Learning Outcomes
- You will gain an understanding of some key laws that will be relevant in Occupational Psychology.
- You will have the chance to discuss some examples of tricky situations that you might encounter as you practice Occupational Psychology.
- You will gain awareness of how you can protect yourself whilst conducting your job
Topics Covered
- The Equality Act
- Direct Vs. Indirect Discrimination
- Discrimination by Association
- Dual Discrimination
- Occupational Health & Safety Authority Act
- Employer’s Key Responsibilities
- Employee’s Key Responsibilities
- Data Protection Act
- Data Protection Key Principles
- Exemptions
- Rights of Data Subjects
Core Reading List
- CAP 586 – Data Protection Act, Laws of Malta, 2018#
- CAP 456 – Equality for Men and Women Act, Laws of Malta, 2003
- CAP 424 - Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act, Laws of Malta, 2000
- LN 85/2007 Equal Treatment of Persons Order
- LN 181/2008 Access to Goods and Services and their Supply (Equal Treatment) Regulations
- Altman, Andrew, "Discrimination", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2020 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2020/entries/discrimination
- Heckman, James J. 1998. "Detecting Discrimination." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 12 (2): 101-116.DOI: 10.1257/jep.12.2.101
- Equality Act Bill: https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/MSDC/Documents/2015%20HREC%20Final/Bill%20-%20Equality%20Act.pdf
- NCPE: https://ncpe.gov.mt/en/Pages/NCPE_Home.aspx
- Borg R., Gonzi P., Sciberras A., (2018) GDPR for HR Professionals
- Data Protection Act, Cap 586 of the Laws of Malta
- General Data Protection Regulation, (EU) 2016/679
Lecture 3 - Applied Techniques in Occupational Psychology - Ms Gabriella Farrugia
Learning Outcomes
- To be able to systematically evaluate and select appropriate principles, research findings and techniques for Occupational Psychology interventions.
- To understand the utility and best practices associated with the scientific application of the psychological theories and principles learnt within the workplace context.
Topics Covered
- Observational Approaches
- Critical Incident Approaches
- Repertory Grids Approach
- Appreciative Enquiry Approach
- Psychometric Testing Approach
- Employee Life-Cycle
Core Reading List
- Ehigie, B. O., & Ehigie, R. I. (2005). Applying Qualitative Methods in Organizations: A Note for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists. The Qualitative Report, 10(3), 621-638. Retrieved from https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol10/iss3/10
- Bannister, D., Fransella, F. and Bell, R., 2004. A Manual For Repertory Grid Technique. 2nd ed. West Sussex, England: Wiley.
- Chai, D., Jeong, S., Kim, S. and Hamlin, B., 2019. A Case Of Critical Incident Technique: Perceived Managerial And Leadership Effectiveness. SAGE Publications Limited.
- Saunders, M. and Tosey, P., 2015. Handbook Of Research Methods On Human Resource Development. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Lecture 4 - Introduction to Organisational Change & Development - Mr Calvin Cassar
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the function and various types of organisational structures, theories of organisational design.
- Understanding the difference between Organisational Culture Vs Organisational Climate, identifying sub-cultures and dominant cultures and understand the functions and uses of an organisational culture.
- Understanding the meaning of organisational change and change options whilst identifying how resistance to change is tackled
Topics Covered
- The Function of an Organisational Structure
- Organisational Culture
- Understanding Change
- Organisational Change & Development
- Managing Organisational Culture
Core Reading List
- Ashkanasy, N., Wilderom, C. and Peterson, M. (2000) Handbook Of Organizational Culture & Climate. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications
- Choi, M. (2011) "Employees' Attitudes Toward Organizational Change: A Literature Review". Human Resource Management 50 (4), 480
- Conger, J. (2000) in Effective Change Begins At The Top. ed. by Beer, M. and Nohria, N. Boston: Harvard Business School
- Dunphy, D. (2000) "Embracing Paradox: Top-Down Versus Participative Management Of Organizational Change.." in Cracking Code Of Change.. ed. by Beer, M. and Nohria, N. Boston: Harvard Business School
Lecture 5 - Recruitment - Mr Calvin Cassar
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the difference between recruitment and selection, the importance of having competencies for which to assess against and the importance of having a person specification.
- Critically evaluate current theory and practice in recruitment and selection;
- Understanding the recruitment phase, what happens if things go wrong and the reliability and validity of selection methods.
- Critically evaluate and apply ethical guidelines with sensitivity and integrity.
Topics Covered
- Personnel Selection & Assessment
- Cost to Recruit
- Reliability & Validity of Selection Methods
- Ethics & Legal Considerations in Selection & Assessment
Core Reading List
- Chartered Institute of Personnel (2017). Resourcing and Talent Planning 2017. Resourcing and Talent Planning. [online] London, UK: The Royal Charter. Available at: https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/resourcing/surveys.
- Edenborough, R. (2007). Assessment methods in recruitment, selection & performance. London: Kogan Page, p.4.
- Hesketh, B. and Robertson, I. (1993). Validating Personnel Selection: A Process Model for Research and Practice. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, [online] 1(1), pp.3-17. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229964543_Validating_Personnel_Selection_A_Process_Model_for_Research_and_Practice.
Lecture 6 - Designing Jobs & Work Environments - Ms Raisa Rizzo
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding what is job design and the outcomes associated with it.
- Evaluation of the various job characteristics models and considerations of future developments.
- Understanding the link between job motivation and job satisfaction.
Topics Covered
- Definition of Job Design
- A Brief History
- Motivation
- Job Satisfaction
- Managing Motivation & Satisfaction
Core Reading List
- Grant, A. M. (2007). Relational job design and the motivation to make a prosocial difference. The Academy of Management Review, 32, 393–417.
- Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16, 250–279.
- Piccolo R.F., Greenbaum R.L., Eissa G. (2012) Ethical Leadership and Core Job Characteristics: Designing Jobs for Employee Well-Being. In: Reilly N., Sirgy M., Gorman C. (eds) Work and Quality of Life. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4059-4_16.
Lecture 7 - Workplace Safety, Error Prevention & Risk Management - Ms Gabriella Farrugia
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the difference between Safety Culture vs. Safety Climate.
- Understanding what is Safety Management and how to address the indicators of good and poor safety management.
- Implementing Risk Management and what is involved.
- Identify the importance of ergonomics and its four main areas of ergonomics.
Topics Covered
- Safety Culture Vs. Safety Climate
- Guidelines to Create a Safety Climate
- Measures of Safety Culture/Climate
- Safety Management
- Implementation of Safety Programmes
- Ergonomics
Core Reading List
- Bridger, R., 2009. Introduction To Ergonomics. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
- Parsons, K., 2000. Environmental ergonomics: a review of principles, methods and models. Applied Ergonomics, [online] 31(6), pp.581-594. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687000000442.
- Neal, A. and Griffin, M., 2002. Safety Climate and Safety Behaviour. Australian Journal of Management, [online] 27(1_suppl), pp.67-75. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/031289620202701s08.
- Vredenburgh, A., 2013. Organizational safety: Which management practices are most effective in reducing employee injury rates?. Journal of Safety Research, 33(2).
Lecture 8 - Work & Well-Being - Ms Raisa Rizzo
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an understanding of how work links with an individual’s personal and organisational well-being.
- Identifying the negative aspects of work including stress, work-place bullying and the roles of emotions as well as the symptoms and disorders, and potential interventions to increase well-being at work.
Topics Covered
- Factors affecting Well-Being
- Positive impact on Well-Being
- Negative impact on Well-Being
- The Link between Attributes & Behaviour
- How to build Resilience & Thrive?
- Bullying at Work & Counterproductive Behaviours
- Work-Life Balance
- Managing Stress
- Physical Activity at Work
Core Reading List
- De Jonge, J. and Schaufeli, W. (1998) "Job Characteristics And Employee Well-Being: A Test Of Warr's Vitamin Model In Health Care Workers Using Structural Equation Modelling". Journal Of Organizational Behavior 19 (4), 387-407
- Dollard, M. and Bakker, A. (2010) "Psychosocial Safety Climate As A Precursor To Conducive Work Environments, Psychological Health Problems, And Employee Engagement". Journal Of Occupational And Organizational Psychology 83 (3), 579-599
- Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D. and Cooper, C. (2010) Bullying And Harassment In The Workplace. Developments In Theory, Research And Practice. New York: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis
- HSE (2018) Work Related Stress Depression Or Anxiety Statistics In Great Britain, 2018 [online] Annual Statistics. HSE in collaboration with the National Statistics. available from http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdf
Lecture 9 - Leadership (Part 1) - Ms Raisa Rizzo
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the broad concept of leadership and the attributes required to be a leader.
- Identifying how leadership is constructed.
Topics Covered
- Defining Leadership
- Leadership Vs. Management
- Leadership Approaches
- Leadership Styles
Core Reading List
- Kotter, J., 2008. Force For Change: How Leadership Differs From Management. New York: Free Press.
- Algahtani, D., 2014. Are Leadership and Management Different? A Review. Journal of Management Policies and Practices, [online] 2(3). Available at: http://dmuresource.edu.et/admin/home/Dmu%20Academic%20Resource/Health%20Science/adult%20health%20nursing/Article%201.pdf.
- Ahmed Khan, Z., Nawaz, A. and Khan, I., 2016. Leadership Theories and Styles: A Literature Review. Journal of Resources Development and Management, [online] 16. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allah_Nawaz/publication/293885908_Leadership_Theories_and_Styles_A_Literature_Review/links/56bcd3ad08ae9ca20a4cdea2.pdf.
- Sethuraman, K. and Suresh, J., 2014. Effective Leadership Styles. International Business Research, 7(9).
Lecture 10 - Leadership (Part 2) - Ms Raisa Rizzo
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an understanding of groups and teams dynamics.
- Developing an understanding of how leadership types influence change in the work place.
- Understanding the effect of leadership on organsiaitonal performance.
Topics Covered
- Groups & Teams
- Strategic Leadership
- Organisational Performance
Core Reading List
- Kozlowski, S., 2017. Enhancing the Effectiveness of Work Groups and Teams: A Reflection. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), pp.205-212.
- Kozlowski, S. and Bell, B., 2012. Work Groups and Teams in Organisations. Industrial and Organizational Psychology III. ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 12.
- Rowe, W., 2001. Creating wealth in organizations: The role of strategic leadership. Academy of Management Perspectives, 15(1), pp.81-94.
- Barbara J. Davies & Brent Davies * (2004) Strategic leadership, School Leadership & Management, 24:1, 29-38, DOI: 10.1080/1363243042000172804
- Hollander, E. (1980) "Leadership And Social Exchange Processes." in Social Exchange - Advances In Theory And Research [online] ed. by Gergen, K., Greenberg, M. and Willis, R. New York: Plenum Press, 103. available from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4613-3087-5#about
Lecture 11 - Introduction to Learning, Training and Development - Mr Calvin Cassar
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an understanding of individual learning styles, skill acquisition and training design.
- Undertaking a training needs analysis.
- Evaluation of a variety of training methods.
Topics Covered
- Purpose of Training & Development
- Skills & Competencies
- Developing a Competency Framework
- Business Drivers for Training & Development and ROI
- Designing a Training Programme
- Delivering a Training Programme
- Training Evaluation
- Threats to Successful Training
- Challenges for 21st Century Training
Core Reading List
- Carliner, S., 2015. Training Design Basics. 2nd ed. Vancouver: ATD Press.
- Salas, E., Weaver, S. J., & Shuffler, M. L. (2012). Learning, training, and development in organizations. In S. W. J. Kozlowski (Ed.), Oxford library of psychology. The Oxford handbook of organizational psychology, Vol. 1 (p. 330–372). Oxford University Press.
Lecture 12 - Performance Coaching - Ms Gabriella Farrugia
Learning Outcomes
- Developing the ability to identify both wellbeing and performance indicators which suggest the need for Performance Coaching within the workplace.
- Developing an understanding and ability to demonstrate the benefits of implementing Performance Coaching techniques upon both employee wellbeing and organisational performance.
Topics Covered
- The Principles of Coaching
- How is Coaching different to Counselling?
- Relationships in Workplace Counselling
- Employee Assistance Programmes
- Ethical Considerations
- Coaching & Developing Employees
- Workplace Interventions
Core Reading List
- Coaching Models (2017) [available online] http://www.yourcoach.be/en/coaching-tools/smart-goal-setting.php
- Wilson.,C (2014). Performance Coaching: A Complete Guide to Best Practice Coaching and Training. London:Kogan
Assessments
There will be one in class group quiz during the 6th lecture. Information on how this will be carried out may be obtained from this note. The Quiz will carry 20% of the final score.
For your final assignment, you have to choose 1 out of the 3 questions which has been made available in the Assignment Submission form below. Assignments should be submitted by not later than Friday 28 January 2022. Assignment has to be submitted together with the Assignment Submission Form. The assignment will carry 80% of the final score.
If you need information on how to plan, draft and submit your assignment follow the 21 Academy presentation on Writing and Submitting your Assignment.
We are also making the 21 Academy's Assignments Rubric available for your guidance. This is a performance-based assessment tool. Tutors will use the rubric to assist them to allocate scoring while it allows students to understand what is required in the assignment and how it will be graded.
Assignments should be sent accompanied by their respective assignment submission form on info@advisory21.com.mt. Please send assignments in pdf format. Do not scan assignment but convert/save it directly to pdf.
Note that the submitted assignments will be scanned for plagiarism.
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