PSYCHOLOGY OF WORK AND OF ORGANIZATIONS 2
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: TIZIANA RAMACIExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding (D1). At the end of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental concepts necessary to understand the dimension of work within complex organizations. They will be familiar with the historical and theoretical evolution of work psychology, from classical foundations to the most recent disciplinary and applied developments. Applying Knowledge and Understanding (D2). Students will be able to use the conceptual framework and operational tools presented in the course to analyze real organizational situations, assess job characteristics, and apply psychological analysis models to the context of new organizational forms. Making Judgements (D3). Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate the models and tools presented, identifying the most appropriate contexts for their use. They will be able to reflect independently on work dynamics in relation to organizational and social changes. Communication Skills (D4). Students will be able to clearly and appropriately communicate theoretical concepts and practical tools related to work psychology, both in academic and professional contexts, using adequate technical language. Learning Skills (D5). Students will demonstrate learning abilities and continuous self-updating skills, also through independent study of scientific sources, in order to further explore issues related to work and complex organizations.
Course Structure
Lectures supported by multimedia presentations and guided discussions on case studies and scientific articles. Active participation of students will be encouraged in order to stimulate critical thinking and the practical application of course contents.
Required Prerequisites
- Fundamental principles of general and social psychology;
- Basic skills in analyzing contexts and communication processes.
In any case, the theoretical and operational knowledge necessary for understanding the course contents will be provided during the lectures.
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended to facilitate a deeper understanding of the contents, encourage active participation in teaching activities, and achieve better overall learning outcomes.
Detailed Course Content
Work Psychology: levels of analysis, intervention, and new perspectives;
- Environment and regeneration in workplaces;
- Flexible organizations and new forms of work;
- Changing meanings and relationships in work;
- Motivation in the workplace;
- Emotions in the workplace;
- Work stress and burnout;
- Engagement and psychosocial resources for organizational well-being;
- Teamwork and conflict management;
- Leadership as an organizational process;
- Organizational change and its management;
- Interventions for well-being and diversity management;
- Artificial Intelligence and ethics in the world of work;
- Neuroscience and its applications in the world of work.
The course contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda, particularly:
- Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Promoting psychological well-being in workplaces. Preventing work-related stress, burnout, and psychosocial risks.- Goal 4 – Quality Education: Developing professional and transversal skills in human resource management. Promoting lifelong learning and organizational learning.
- Goal 5 – Gender Equality: Promoting inclusion and equal opportunities in work contexts. Managing and valuing diversity within workgroups.
- Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Improving work quality, motivation, and active participation. Supporting sustainable and responsible organizational practices.
- Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Valuing differences in work contexts. Preventing organizational inequalities and fostering inclusive environments
Textbook Information
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Work Psychology: levels of analysis, intervention, and new perspectives; Flexible organizations and new forms of work; Work psychology in the 5.0 transition. Historical discontinuities, theoretical models, and methodological innovation. | Text 1: Ramaci et al. [Ch. I, III, IV] |
| 2 | Changing meanings and relationships in work; From adaptation to co-creation: the future as an organizational challenge; From success to fulfillment: spirituality, meanings of work, and calling. | Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. I]; Text 1: Ramaci et al. [Ch. VIII, IX] |
| 3 | Organizational change and its management. | Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. VIII] |
| 4 | Motivation in the workplace. | Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. II] |
| 5 | Emotions in the workplace; Reflexivity beyond practice: the relationship with emotions; The role of entrepreneurial skills in facing organizational fear and career anxiety. | Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. III]; Text 1: Ramaci et al. [Ch. X, XI] |
| 6 | Work stress and burnout; Engagement and psychosocial resources for organizational well-being. | Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. IV, V] |
| 7 | Environment and regeneration in workplaces; Game Work Design: cultivating well-being and health in the workplace; Sustainable careers: an integrated model for individual, corporate, and social well-being. | Text 1: Ramaci et al. [Ch. II, VI, VII] |
| 8 | Teamwork and conflict management; Leadership as an organizational process. | Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. VI, VII] |
| 9 | Neuroscience and applications in the world of work; Artificial Intelligence and ethics in the world of work. | Text 1: Ramaci et al. [Ch. V, XII] |
| 10 | Diversity Management: from policies to practices. Age management at work: how to value workers of different age groups. | Text 1: Ramaci et al. [Ch. V, XII] Text 2: Guglielmi & Mazzetti [Ch. IX] |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Knowledge assessment will be carried out through a written and/or oral exam, which may include:
- Written exam: multiple-choice test on the course contents;
- Oral exam: discussion of the main topics covered, with verification of comprehension, critical elaboration, and application skills.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- What are flexible organizations?
- What does work psychology study?
- Work stress and burnout.
- Interventions for well-being and diversity management.
- Artificial Intelligence and the world of work.
- Ethics in the world of work.
- Neuroscience and its applications in the world of work.