JOB PSYCHOLOGY AND TOURIST GROUP MANAGEMENT

1) Knowledge and understanding: of the main theories of Work Psychology, with particular reference to tourism organizational contexts; knowledge of the theories and dynamics of groups in the workplace and within tourism groups.

2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the main theories of Work Psychology, hypothesizing and simulating organizational interventions aimed at improving the relational climate in the workplace and within tourism groups. Ability to evaluate the relational and organizational climate within work contexts and relationships within groups of participants in tourism and cultural activities.

Acquire the skills and tools to integrate into work groups, including international ones, integrating into work environments where workers from different professional backgrounds are present, and being able to work in a team while maintaining the necessary decision-making autonomy in relation to the objectives to be achieved.

3) Independent judgment: Ability to analyze organizational contexts, assessing potential critical issues and proposing solutions. Within groups, ability to observe the internal dynamics of tourist groups and groups of operators, identifying any dynamics that create obstacles for participants. Ability to acquire data and information useful for professional activity in the cultural tourism sector.

4) Communication skills: Participate in lessons with personal contributions, with arguments supported by theoretical references, data, and information that take into account the main theoretical aspects and specific topics related to the discipline. Ability to communicate effectively within the student group.

5) Learning skills: Demonstrate students' ability to use a study and learning method that combines acquired theoretical knowledge with reflection, observation, and analysis of experiences within organizational and group contexts. This enables them to develop design hypotheses regarding organizational and group realities through the application of what they have learned.

OBJECTIVES

-Acquire basic knowledge and tools related to the discipline of Work Psychology, in order to identify strategies to improve living and working conditions.

-Be able to analyze and evaluate the culture, values, and relational and communication climate within organizations.

-Be able to analyze organizational contexts, identifying problematic aspects that could foster counterproductive behavior.

-Understand the main theories regarding group dynamics, both in work settings and in the context of cultural tourism product enjoyment.

-Acquire skills to improve communication and relationships within organizational contexts and within groups of users of group interventions in the field of cultural tourism.

-Be able to define best practices in the management and leadership of cultural tourism groups and work groups within organizations.

The course includes lectures with in-depth case studies on the core topics of the discipline. Students are also involved in group discussions on specific disciplinary areas related to Work Psychology and Tourism Group Management. Students are also involved in experiential learning through simulations involving tourism organizational contexts and the leading/managing/coordinating of tourism groups.

The course aims to provide students with knowledge of the theoretical concepts and methodological approaches used in organizational and group settings, with a focus on public and private tourism organizational contexts, while also considering the cultural aspects involved in the use of tourism products.

Specifically, the course's objective is to enable students to identify the importance of organizational architecture in creating contexts in which operators can express their skills and improve the quality of their products. During lectures, students are encouraged to actively participate in developing organizational hypotheses, which are then analyzed using what they have learned. The analysis and evaluation of organizational and group contexts offers participants the opportunity to understand how to use and test what they have learned. The core of the training program is to develop an awareness of the potential  applications of what they have learned.

-Argentero P., Cortese C. (2016). Work Psychology, Milan, Raffaello Cortina Editore (all except chapters 2, 8, and 11)

- Kaneklin C., (2010) The group in theory and practice. Intersubjectivity as a productive force, Milan, Raffaello Cortina Editore

-Materials provided by the instructor

Please note that, pursuant to Article 171 of Law No. 633 of April 22, 1941, and subsequent provisions, photocopying commercial books in excess of 15% of the volume or journal issue is a criminal offense.

For further information on restrictions and penalties for unlawful use of photocopies, please consult the Guidelines on the Management of Copyright in Universities (edited by the Italian Association for the Reproduction Rights of Intellectual Property - AIDRO).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.