Coordinated noun phrase and subclause: singular or plural verb?

[jhswe]

This is what a sentence I'm reading says:

The organisation itself and how it is managed forms an important part of the study.​

This is how I think:

[The organisation itself] and [how it is managed] form an important part of the study.

I.e. like this: [Pete] and [John] are friends.​

Whereas the author seems to have thought:

[The organisation itself and how it is managed] forms an important part of the study.​

Which one is correct? Shouldn't the verb in the first sentence should be conjugated as singular (form)?

 

[entangledbank]

It's arguable, but I would probably edit it to give it plural agreement. Two things joined by 'and' normally take plural agreement, but one thing joined to another by any other means ('with', 'including', 'as well as') usually doesn't. Two things regared as aspects of the same thing also often take singular agreement. So there's room for choice in that sentence.

 

[jhswe]

So there's room for choice in that sentence.

I guess there is. Thank you!