Course overview
Improve organisation performance, increase efficiency, and drive success
In today's fast-paced and rapidly changing business environment, organisations are constantly seeking ways to improve their performance, increase efficiency, and drive success. At the heart of this pursuit is the concept of organisational effectiveness - the ability of an organisation to achieve its goals and objectives through the optimal use of resources, people, and processes. This course is designed to help you understand the principles and practices that underpin organisational effectiveness, and to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to drive improvement and success in your own organisation.
Through a combination of theoretical insights, real-world examples, and practical exercises, this course will examine the complex factors that shape organisational performance and effectiveness. You will learn about the importance of leadership, culture, and teamwork, and how these elements can be harnessed to drive collaboration and success. You will also explore the role of organisational design, strategy, and change management in shaping effectiveness, and develop the skills needed to analyse complex organisational problems and develop evidence-based solutions. By the end of the course, you will have gained critical understanding of the principles and practices of organisational effectiveness and be well-equipped to apply this knowledge in your own context.
What you’ll learn
This course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that underpin organisational effectiveness. Throughout the course, you will learn about the factors that influence organisational performance and effectiveness, including leadership, culture, and teamwork. You will also explore the importance of organisational design, strategy, and change management in shaping effectiveness, and develop the skills needed to analyse complex organisational problems and develop evidence-based solutions.
The course introduces a wide range of concepts that can be used to diagnose a variety of organisational issues: for example, how people construe what is happening around them, the facilitators and inhibiters of team effectiveness, how to make good decisions, how organisations can be configured to achieve particular ends - efficiency, flexibility/ innovation, resilience, quality, consistency, and so on. The emphasis is on developing your ability to diagnose and analyse complex organisational settings, and hence operate effectively. By the end of the course, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge needed to drive organisational improvement and success, including decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking, and be well-equipped to apply this knowledge in your own context.
Why organising for effectiveness matters now
The ability to adapt, innovate, and respond to changing circumstances is crucial for organisations seeking to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. With increasing global competition, technological advancements, and shifting market trends, organisations must be agile, adaptable, and effective in order to survive and thrive. Organising for effectiveness is crucial for organisations that want to stay ahead of the curve and achieve sustainable success. By understanding organisational behaviour and prioritising organisational effectiveness, businesses can improve their decision-making, enhance their collaboration and communication, and drive innovation and growth, ultimately leading to increased productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the market.
Who should attend
This course is designed for professionals who are responsible for leading, managing, or contributing to organisational improvement and success, including managers and leaders, team leaders and supervisors, organisational development professionals, and HR professionals. It is suitable for individuals from a variety of backgrounds and industries, such as business, government, non-profit, and education, who want to develop their skills and knowledge in organisational effectiveness and apply its principles in their own context to drive improvement and success.
How you’ll learn
This is an MBA online course delivered over 12 weeks, with approximately 100 hours of study.
You'll learn through a mixture of pre-recorded lectures, case studies, and online tutorials. The online tutorials are live interactive sessions where you will review the topics covered in lectures using case studies or other materials to help embed and deepen your understanding. These are a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from the other participants. Online tutorials are typically scheduled every 2 weeks on weekdays from 12–2pm, most often on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with final scheduling confirmed within eight weeks of the course start date.
Participants will be joining the existing Online MBA cohort, which provides an excellent opportunity for networking and idea exchange. The pace is designed to work alongside a full-time role but assumes steady weekly engagement.
Assessment and certification
In this course, you will complete a group task (20%) and an individual assessment (80%) based on an insightful and engaging simulation game. These really bring to life the learnings from the course and are designed to embed your learning and help you practically apply your newly acquired skills and strategies in your workplace.
On successful completion, you will receive a University of Edinburgh Business School certificate, plus 10 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits, equivalent to 5 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits. These credits can be put towards the University of Edinburgh MBA or Online MBA.
Course impact
By attending this course, you can expect to gain a deeper understanding of organisational effectiveness and its application in real-world contexts, enabling you to drive improvement and success in your organisation.
The course will have a lasting impact on your professional development, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to analyse complex organisational problems, develop evidence-based solutions, and lead your organisation to achieve its goals. You will be able to apply the principles and practices of organisational behaviour and effectiveness to enhance collaboration and communication, and improve decision-making and problem-solving.
Course lead – Dr Lucia Cervi
Dr Lucia Cervi is lecturer in Organisation Studies at the University of Edinburgh Business School. She graduated in Political Science at the University of Padua (Italy) and received her MSc and PhD in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Nottingham (UK). She has extensive teaching expertise at the Executive, Postgraduate, and Undergraduate levels. Her research focuses on the ethical implications of digitalisation, the digital and social vulnerabilities emerging from FinTech, and the socio-political implications of technology-driven organisations and practices. She has been the recipient of UKRI SPRITE+ funding on digital vulnerability as well as the UEBS’ 2025 Large Grant Enabler Fund for her work on Buy Now Pay Later digital platforms. Lucia’s work has been published in Gender, Work & Organization, Information and Organization, and Journal of Business Ethics.
She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), an associate editor for the journal Gender, Work and Organization's Emerging Scholar Review Board, and honorary fellow at Durham University.
Course dates
2 December 2026 – 3 March 2027
Course fees
£2000
Application terms
Applications are accepted until 5pm UK time on Tuesday 17 November 2026.
Our participants typically hold a 2:1 honours degree or higher. We do, however, take a holistic view of every application. If your academic background does not meet these specific criteria, your application may still be considered if supported by a good professional track record.
Successful applicants must also evidence a minimum of three years’ management experience.
Before applying, please ensure you have gathered all the required supporting documents, including a CV and your sponsor letter (if applicable). For further details, please see the application form.
Cancellation requests must be received by 5pm UK time Wednesday 9 December 2026 to qualify for a full refund. After this date, a refund will no longer be possible.
For more information about this course, please email us: executive@business-school.ed.ac.uk