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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Business School : Business Studies

Undergraduate Course: Managing Change (BUST10107)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaBusiness Studies Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionOrganisations, 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Organisation Studies (BUST08011)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesA 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.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
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 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 55 %, Coursework 30 %, Practical Exam 15 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
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.
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).
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list There are many good text books available on organisation change and change management. The core text for the course is:

Hughes, Mark (2010). Managing Change: A critical perspective (2nd Edition). London: CIPD.

However, this book does not cover all the topics included in the course and you will need to read more widely than this.
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsMC
Contacts
Course organiserDr Thomas Calvard
Tel: (0131 6)51 5313
Email: thomas.calvard@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Paul Kydd
Tel: (0131 6)50 3824
Email: Paul.Kydd@ed.ac.uk
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