Undergraduate Course: Managing Change (BUST10107)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Business Studies |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Organisations, their workforces, clients and customers face new internal and external contextual issues on a regular basis. This course covers organisational design and development. The course will enable students to develop a critical understanding of organisational change via the theories and conceptual frameworks of organisation design and the principles and practices of organisational development. Both are critical to our understanding of organisations and how they function and both reside within a framework of organisation theory.
The course focuses on decisions that have to be made on the most appropriate organisational structure(s) to ensure dynamic delivery of organisational activities. Organisation design is about shaping an organisation to maximise its effectiveness; aiming for flexibility in delivery of its services. Through breaking down departmental barriers, seeking improved supply efficiencies, teamwork and collaboration and working towards better customer management and retention, organisations can enhance their performance and ensure that organisational goals and targets are achieved. Organisation design activities therefore focus on finding the most appropriate structures, relationships between departments and sections, and allocation of work activities, including definition of duties and role responsibilities. The module also focuses on how an organisation¿s culture, values and environment support and enhance organisational performance and adaptability.
Organisation development is defined as a ¿planned and systematic approach to enabling sustained organisation performance through the involvement of its people¿. This might include how organisational members acquire new skills, knowledge and behaviours, and do things differently, often as part of the application of continuous improvement strategies. The concept of the ¿learning organisation¿ as one of a number of organisation development strategies that might be adopted as part organisational change activities is also explored.
Overall, the course aims to introduce students to a range of explanations that can help in the understanding of how organisations and their component groups and individuals approach change. In so doing, students will be encouraged to explore a range of practical techniques that can be used in dealing with change. The course requires critical reflection on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.
This course will be taught through weekly sessions that combine lecture input, case discussions and student presentations. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Organisation Studies (BUST08011)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | A pass in Organisation Studies (BUST08011) equivalent.
Visiting students should have at least 3 Business Studies courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
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| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
12/01/2015 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
55 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
15 %
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
The course objectives are:
1. To explore the theoretical meaning of change, organisation design, and organisation development in a variety of organisational settings.
2. To analyse specific cases of change using a range of models, techniques and skills.
3. To critically assess the applicability of such analysis to the organisational opportunities and challenges created by the need / desire for change.
4. To understand the role of change and organisational learning in the broader context of general management in organisations.
By the end of the course students should have developed critical analytical skills, enabling them to identify aspects organisational, some societal, and broader environmental changes, what the interaction of these factors are and how change can be addressed both managerially and politically, together with how change can be dealt with managerially and politically.
At the end of the course, students will be expected to have:
1. Knowledge of the historical and theoretical basis of organisation design and development and their context in terms of value and contribution to organisational life.
2. Knowledge of available design options regarding organisational structures and relationships.
3. A critical awareness of processes and systems that need to be in place to maintain such structures and relationships, and evaluation of same.
4. Knowledge of methods and procedures of organisation development and the skills and tools used to review their strategic impact.
5. Knowledge of change management strategies and activities used in the application of organisation development strategies, which might support organisation design and realignment outcomes.
6. Knowledge of organisation culture and employee norms, attitudes, and behaviours.
7. A critical appreciation of the importance of the HR role in advising on these design and development choices and supporting their implementation.
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Assessment Information
Degree Examination: 55%
Assessed essay of 2,500 words: 30%
Class presentations and participation: 15% (this will be awarded individually on the basis of presentations in response to case study questions and participation in class discussions).
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
The course textbook is:
Hughes, Mark (2010). Managing Change: A critical perspective (2nd Edition). London: CIPD.
A further reading list will be provided at the start of the course.
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MC |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Thomas Calvard
Tel: (0131 6)51 5313
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Paul Kydd
Tel: (0131 6)50 3824
Email: |
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