Introductory description

N/A.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Changing Organisations will introduce students to concepts and perspectives which will allow them to analyse processes of societal change and their impact on organisations and the management of change within organisations. Below is an illustration of topics that will be addressed:

• The Second Industrial Divide: an introduction to theories of societal change and their implications for organisations
• Theories of Post-Fordism and post-bureaucracy
• The knowledge economy and the information society
• Markets, hierarchies and networks: developing the new economy model
• Organisational change: concepts and critique
• Models and maps: power and change
• Resistance to change
• Communities of practice and the learning organisation
• Knowledge management and change

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Display an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives on the changing contexts of organizations.
• Be able to critically analyse the core concepts of these theories and apply them to an understanding of the problems facing organisations.
• Be able to critically analyse how managers seek to change organisations and what tools and techniques are available to them.
• Display an understanding of the role of knowledge and learning in organisational change.
• Locate organisational change processes in broader social changes.
• Identify the problems with models of transition.
• Understand the tools and techniques used by management in change processes and evaluate the effects of these on the organisation as a whole.
• Locate the significance of learning and knowledge management to changing organisations.

Indicative reading list

Core Text:
Myers, P., Hulks, S., & Wiggins, L. (2012) 'Organizational Change: Perspectives on Theory and Practice'. Oxford University Press.
Students will also be directed towards a range of journal articles from sources including: Personnel Review, Journal of Management Studies, Academy of Management Review, Management Learning, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Sociology, British Journal of Management, and Organization Studies.

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate skills in academic communication in both written (eg. Essays) and oral forms.
Demonstrate skills in business communication in both written and oral forms.
Work on and manage projects.
Demonstrate interpersonal skills that will be useful in workplaces, such as influencing, resolving conflict and team work.

Transferable skills

Analyse how and why organisations are changing.
Present critical analyses of specific organisational change processes.