Management Science and Innovation

MSIN7003: Organisational Change (Term 1)

Course Leader: Peter Antonioni

MODULE PROFILE at a glance

So you’ve analysed your environment, figured out a need for change and maybe even developed an idea of what you need to do. What now?
In this module we build on some of the key points of the scenario building process and start looking at how you turn an organization round. Along the way we’ll introduce you to

  • How to embed a need for change in an organisation
  • key principles for analyzing resistance and change optimism
  • some of the central issues that affect organizational change in practice
  • main elements of expertise that change leaders need to develop to be successful

The whats (techniques and principles) are covered through lectures, where we will build on the body of knowledge in the field of organisational change to give you a tool kit of techniques and methods to allow you to develop your effectiveness as a change leader. The Hows and Whys are covered in seminars where we will work on practical exercises to build on these techniques and turn them from a textbook exercise into a working set of practices. We’ll be considering, amongst other things, communication, motivation, leadership and even diagnosis of underlying conditions from a practical perspective. And in two practical coursework exercises we’ll build a change plan from diagnosis to readiness for implementation.

Intended Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • discuss the problems and issues that surround change in organisations, using a critical perspective and informed approach
  • explain and evaluate principal strategic reasons for adopting organizational change
  • produce, justify and support analysis and arguments for influencing the direction of an organistation
  • apply effectively a range of concepts, methods, frameworks and analytical approaches to specific issues and cases
  • be ready to participate in change leadership activities, with a conscious understanding of the nature of the task and the type of methods that may be used.

Module Assessment Summary

60% of the marks are awarded on the basis of examination result. The examination is held in the Summer Term and is unseen, and of 3 hours duration.
40% of the marks are awarded for coursework. There are two pieces of coursework.

Lectures & Seminars

Lectures: 10 lectures x 2 hours Fridays 11.00 – 13.00.
Seminars: 9 seminars x 1 hour Tuesdays between 09.00 and 11.00.

Module Textbook

Hayes, J. The Theory and Practice of Change Management, third Edition, Palgrave (2010)

Recommended:

Cialdini, R: Influence, science and Practice (2001)