This course introduces students to a broad range of current change literature and with the problems and key issues relating to managing change in organisations. Key topics include metaphors for understanding change, theories of planned change, the role of the change agent, diagnosis, responses to change, the process of planned change, interventions (techno-structural, strategic, cross-cultural), managing and leading change, current issues and challenges.

The objective of this course is to understand how organisations manage change. Specifically, the course will focus on concepts, frameworks, and practical steps for managing organisational change. It will introduce students to a general model of planned change and the specific processes of planned change including contracting; diagnosing organisations, groups and jobs; collecting, analysing and feeding back diagnostic information; designing interventions; and leading and managing change. In addition, the course will focus on specific organisational development interventions at the individual, structure-team, and organisation/culture levels.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for this course, students will be able to:

• Analyse and define problems in various case situations
• Use relevant data to design interventions for problem solving
• Describe the characteristics and nature of organisation development (OD)
• Outline the critical steps for managing a successful planned change
• Comment on the core values, ethics, and skills of change agents
• Recognise the issues, problems and opportunities that may arise from planned change

• Assignment 1 : 30%
• Assignment 2 : 30%
• Final Examination : 40%

Students taking this 6 unit course are expected to commit at least 10 hours a week to completing the work.

This will include:

• attending the 3 hour seminar (lecture, case study work, activities)
• private study consisting of reading/taking notes
• preparing for case study activity including assessment tasks
• using Wattle to download and take notes on assigned readings

At least an average of 65% (or equivalent) in the final two years of an Australian undergraduate degree

For further information please refer to Course Website