This is not available as a Single Subject.This is a Post Graduate Diploma in Management subject.

Main Aim(s) of the Unit:

In this unit, students will identify and analyse strategic issues and their associated organisational problems. Students will critically evaluate the strategic performance of organisations, and consider a range of approaches addressing complex change decisions in organisations.

The unit will identify and evaluate current advances in strategic concepts and current strategic issues faced by organisations and consider the tensions between strategic analysis and strategic actions.

Main Topics of Study:

Concepts and theories of change

Review concepts and theories in academic literature and offer a range of resolutions addressing complex change decisions in organisations. Predictable and unpredictable change, behavioural and organisational implications, environmental and organisational triggers for change.

Challenges of change management

Evaluation of the contributions that change management and organisational development theory make to resolve the challenges of change.
Organisational structure, culture, individuals and change. Leadership and strategies of change

Research and communication

Analysis of change management decisions

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

At the end of this Module, students will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate the external forces for change that act upon organisations and those forces for change within an organisation.
2. Analyse the organisational responses to forces for change
3. Evaluate the context and choices when preparing for change
4. Identify and evaluate the range of strategies for change
5. Apply and evaluate a model for change

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Lectures will be used to introduce and discuss specific topics. The lectures will require interaction from students on how far the theory relates to their experience of an organisation, or to examine case studies. The lectures will be supported by small group work, with students working on case studies with debriefing in plenary sessions.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

Examination : 60%
Coursework : 40% (guideline : 2,000 words)
Assignments should be typed, page numbered and bound. Please find below, the accepted binding methods:

• Tape bound
• Coil bound
• Comb bound
• Spiral bound

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

Cameron, E. & Green, M. (2009) Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Techniques of Organisational Change

Alternative texts

Carnall, C. A. (2003) Managing Change in Organisations , Harlow: FT/Prentice Hall
Stacey, R.D. (2003) Strategic Management and Organisational Dynamics, Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd

Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)

50 hours: Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops
These interactive sessions will be used to discuss concepts and allow students to present findings

50 hours: Directed learning
Advance reading and preparation / Background research / individual and group preparation for seminars

100 hours: Self managed learning
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time. In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.