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Module Catalogue

IB98R-15 Leading and Managing Change

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Derin Kent
Credit value
15
Module duration
9 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

The core idea of this module is that creating change in organisations depends on a fundamental tension: success comes from keeping a balance between fitting in and standing out from our colleagues.

Module aims

This module aims to develop an understanding of some of the challenges faced by leaders and managers within an increasingly volatile organisational environment particular, it aims to:

  1. Introduce students to the major frameworks for understanding how different forms of organisational change might be evaluated, analysed, led and managed.

  2. Build students’ skills in analysing how the cultural and micro-political dimensions of organisational life impact on both the need for change and the ways in which it manifests itself.

  3. Develop students’ understanding of various strategies and tactics for the mobilisation of support for necessary change initiatives.

  4. Enable students to critically engage with debates about organizational change and the role it plays into their organisational careers.

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.

The course will draw on recent developments in the field of organizational change management to examine the dynamics of managing change within varying organizational and environmental contexts. These may include the following topics dependent of faculty availability and interests:
Models and strategies of change.
Images and metaphors for change.
Cultural change.
Political dynamics of change.
Change leadership.
Affectivity and communicating change.
Power and resistance to change.

Learning outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes organisational change
  • Identify different types of change dependent on context, structure and those associated approaches to leading and managing it.
  • Identify the ways in which competing interests frequently serve to drive and contest the outcome of organisational change processes.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how political, affective and career factors impact on the change process.
  • Engage in critical analysis of change strategies
  • Recognise and critically engage with assumptions underpinning conceptual frameworks
  • Critically analyse the strengths and limitations of associated change leadership and management approaches.
  • Apply conceptual frameworks to particular examples.

Indicative reading list

Carnall, C. (2007) Managing Change in Organizations Harlow: Pearson Education.
Collins, D. (1998) Organizational Change: Sociological Perspectives. London: Routledge.
Grieves, J. (2010) Organizational Change: Themes and Issues. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mabey, C. and Mayon-White, B. (eds) (1993) Managing Change. Milton Keynes: Open University

Subject specific skills

Formulate and test assumptions about how change can be managed within varying environmental and structural contexts.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate skills in academic and business communication in written form, and the ability to work on and manage projects.

Study time

Type Required
Online learning (scheduled sessions) 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Other activity 18 hours (12%)
Private study 51 hours (34%)
Assessment 72 hours (48%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private study to include preparation for lectures and own reading

Other activity description

9 x 2 hrs workshops

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A3
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Individual Assignment 100% 72 hours Yes (extension)

Individual assignment (3500 words)
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Assessments are graded (%) using standard University Postgraduate Marking Criteria. Oral and written feedback is provided relating to the presentation and project. Overall percentage marks are awarded for examination performance and general examination feedback is provided to the cohort.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TIBS-N1B0 Postgraduate Taught Business (Marketing)