Studying at York
Leading & Managing Change - SPY00149M
Module summary
This module explores the theory and practice of managing change in organisational contexts. The overall aim is to develop the students’ capacity and confidence not only in initiating and responding to change, but in taking control of change situations, thus helping students to deal more effectively with change within their own organisation.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Online Teaching Period 6 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module recognises the complexity of change and the limitations of prescriptions for managing change, which are based on the use of various tools and techniques. At the same time, it seeks to develop an understanding of the role that tools and techniques can play in managing change, as well as in an individual’s capacity to influence change.
It begins by introducing some established theories, frameworks and techniques for diagnosing, developing and evaluating approaches to managing change processes. The focus then shifts to a more practical application of these ideas. Throughout the module, there is a dual emphasis on both the organisation and the individual: how organisational contexts affect and shape change and the individual, and how the individual responds to change.
There is also a strong link between theory and practice, drawing on case studies and examples from your own experiences.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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reflect critically on change theory, identifying a range of factors that influence choice when managing change.
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demonstrate an understanding of how behaviour and actions might influence change at the individual, group and organisational levels.
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choose between different tools and techniques that can help to diagnose change requirements, develop effective change and evaluate it.
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analyse an example of change and make recommendations based on the module content in order to solve the problems that the example highlights.
Module content
Week 1
Understanding organisations: culture
Week 2
Theoretical foundations of change management
Week 3
Managing Planned change
Week 4
Managing Emergent change
Week 5
Managerial choice and decision-making
Week 6
Change and the individual
Week 7
Change agent: roles, skills and application
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay (2,500 words) |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay (2,500 words) |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Feedback on summative assessments will be provided within 20 working days, consisting of written comments and a marking matrix.
Indicative reading
Burnes, B. (2017). Managing Change. Pearson.