Objectives and competences
The course introduces the subjects of Leadership of organizations.
Basic goals of the course are: introduction of Leadership of organizations, presentation of different theoretical and practical approaches for the study of organizations’ leadership, presentation of the influence of organizations’ leadership on the business of organizations, and presentation of different starting points for appropriate leadership of organizations. In this course students: enhance their theoretical knowledge in the field of business processes and are able to apply it, gain the ability to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice in the field of business processes’ management, acquire different approaches for consideration of business processes’ leadership, and acquire advanced knowledge of basic theoretical approaches in the field of business processes’ leadership. They also become familiar with the management of organizations in the context of digitalization and the latest insights and challenges.
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes:
Communication skills, capability of application of knowledge, skills for analyzing situations, and capacity for the practical use of knowledge.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Basic areas of the course are:
1. Characteristics of leadership in organizations and the leadership process
2. Main characteristics of leaders, authority, and power of a leader
3. Delegation in frame leadership
4. Personality theories of leadership
5. Behavioral theories of leadership
6. Situational theories of leadership
7. Motivation, communication, and group work in the leadership process
8. Trends in leadership
9. Leadership in the “digitalization era”
10. From functional to process-oriented organization
11.
Process-oriented organization and leading of processes
12. Management of business processes
13. Business processes in companies
14. Modeling of processes in companies
15. Leading processes in manufacturing and service companies
16. Renewal of processes in companies and trends in the field of renewal and leading of processes.
17. Leadership in Industry 5.0 and the contribution of Industry 5.0 to sustainable development
18. Management challenges in the context of digitalization
19. Leading processes in the digital era – focus on Industry 5.0 and human-robot collaboration
20. Consideration of cases regarding leading the processes and renewal of processes in companies.
Learning and teaching methods
- lectures;
- discussion groups;
- videos and films;
- case studies;
- student presentation and independent study
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Development of knowledge and understanding
Students:
1. Acquire basic management and leadership skills
2. Be able to delegate management tasks
3. Develop the ability to communicate appropriately and how to motivate subordinates in the context of the management process
4. Be trained in the use of different leadership styles in different situations
5. Know classical and contemporary approaches to leadership
6. Acquire specific knowledge in the field of business processes.
7. Have a detailed knowledge of theories in the field of business processes’ management.
8. Learn to recognise business processes and their inter-connections in the field of business.
9. Develop the skills to interpret the gained results for leadership of business processes.
10. Learn how to analyse and synthesise different approaches for leadership of business processes.
11. Are able to pursue further analysis regarding leadership of business processes.
12. Are qualified for leadership of business processes in different organizations.
13. Can demonstrate awareness of wider social and environmental ethical issues related with leadership of business processes in different organizations.
14. Are qualified for leadership of organizations in the context of digitalization.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Key/Transferable skills
Students:
1. Further develop skills and expertise in the use of knowledge in a specific working area.
2. Upgrade the ability to become an autonomous learner.
3. Upgrade the ability to apply information technology.
4. Upgrade the ability to work in pairs and groups.
5. Further develop their communication skills in an effective manner to effectively and professionally communicate.
Practical skills
Students:
1. Gain practical experience in leadership, selection of leadership styles, how to motivate, communicate, and delegate.
2. Get practical experience in the field of business processes, management of business processes, and leadership of business processes.
3. Are able to act autonomously with defined guidelines and certain level of supervision.
Readings
Osnovna literatura / Essential sources:
Nedelko, Z. (2013). Vodenje podjetij - 1.del (zapiski predavanj). Maribor: EPF.
Potočan, V., & Nedelko, Z. (Eds.). (2015). Poslovni procesi v organizacijah. Maribor: Samozaložba.
Izbrana poglavja iz/Some Chapters from:
Daft, R. L. (2019). Management. Andover: Hampshire Cengage Learning.
Potočan, V., Dabić, M. (2012). Managementska orodja v poslovnem okolju. Maribor: EPF.
Možina, S. (idr.) (2002). Management: Nova znanja za uspeh. Radovljica, Didakta.
Dodatna literatura / Additional sources:
Potočan, V., Nedelko Z. (2024). Vodenje podjetij (zapiski predavanj). Maribor
: EPF (dostopno tudi v Moodlu).
Izbrana poglavja iz/Some Chapters from:
Potočan, V., Lazányi, K., & Nedelko, Z. (2025). Organizations and Industry 4.0 - Management Solutions Beyond Technology. New York: Routledge.
Burlton, R. T. (2001). Business Process Management: Profiting from Process. Indianapolis: Sams Publishing.
Seznam dodatnih študijskih materialov in revij bo razdeljen študentom ob začetku predavanj.
A list of additional study materials (published studies, journals, etc.) will be distributed when the module begins.
Prerequisits
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Additional information on implementation and assessment In-class participation 20%
- Case study 30%
- Written exam 50%
Note:
Student can replace the written examination with two midterm exams
