Units
Organisational Consulting and Change
Unit code: MGB314
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Managing change is a fundamental skill required by prospective managers and professionals. This unit provides opportunities for students to develop a theory in practice orientation to consulting to individuals, groups, and organisations. Hence content theory and process theory is addressed. The focus of this unit is on human process issues and change. The unit examines a range of human process interventions designed to improve organisational effectiveness. Attention is also given to change strategies that are socially and culturally inclusive. Graduates of this unit should be able to be productive members of organisational change teams.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
The business environment is being fundamentally reshaped by trends such as globalisation, the demand for sustainable business practices, demographic change and technological innovation. Developing change leadership capabilities will help Human Resource Management and management professionals shape their organisation's responses to the challenges and opportunities reflected in these trends. The unit forms an important part of the HRM extension program; it builds on and extends the capabilities developed in the Major.
Aims
This unit is designed to provide you with learning experiences to help you develop a theory in practice orientation to developing change leadership capabilities. Hence content theory and process theory will be addressed. Attention will also be given to change strategies that are inclusive and business relevant. Graduates of this unit should be able to be productive and proactive members of organisational change teams.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding
Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of selected theories of effective change leadership and change.
2. Apply systematic problem solving capabilities (finding, diagnosing and framing, and intervening).
3. Identify strategies to build collaborative relationships with clients and other stakeholders.
4. Demonstrate sensitivity to ethical dilemmas in change leadership.
5. Recognise your own strengths and developmental needs as a leader and change agent.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Consistent with its place in the HRM extension, it is expected that you will be actively involved in all aspects of this unit and you will take a high level of responsibility for your learning. Teaching and learning strategies such as case studies, experiential exercises, class discussions, role-plays, self-assessment and peer-assessment will be employed.
The learning program includes two (2) three-hour workshops designed to prepare you for the two case study assessment items.
In workshop number one the objective is to assist you to understand the factors that need to be considered in making an organisational change diagnosis, to learn how to break down a change problem and to develop appropriate responses.
In workshop number two the objective is to assist you to gain an understanding of the issues that need to be considered when developing a change intervention program and how to develop appropriate change interventions.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Consulting Case Study Part A
Description:
Consulting Case Study Diagnosis Presentation. The project requires you, to work in your in-class tutorial group, to apply discipline knowledge and problem solving capabilities to an organisational case study, in order to produce an initial diagnosis and to present your findings in an in-class presentation.
Length / Duration: 15-minute group presentation
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.2)
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Consulting Case Study Part B
Description:
Consulting Case Study - Change Intervention Plan. The project requires you to apply discipline knowledge and problem solving capabilities to an organisational case study. You will take into account the Assessment Item 1 feedback to design an implementation strategy for a change management intervention.
Length / Duration: 1,500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Team Development
Description:
The team development taskexamination requires that you use your direct experience in your presentation team, feedback from your peers (20% or 6 marks will be awarded for peer assessment) and wider conceptual material to self assess your contribution to the development of your presentation team. A process will be provided to facilitate the completion of this task.
Length / Duration: 1,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), TW (4.1)
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 8
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Prescribed Text
Waddell, D., Cummings, T.G. and Worley, C.G. (2011). Organisational change: Development and Transformation (4th Ed.) South Melbourne: Cengage.
Additional Resources
Synnot, B. & Fitzgerald, R. (2007). The toolbox for change: A practical approach. Danjugah: Brisbane.
Other Resources
Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site.
No out of the ordinary costs are involved.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 11-Feb-2013
