Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module BUSI40K15: CHANGE MANAGEMENT: THEORY AND PRACTICE (DL)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI40K15: CHANGE MANAGEMENT: THEORY AND PRACTICE (DL)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap
Tied to N1D317
Tied to N1D217
Tied to N1D314

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an in-depth understanding, at an advanced level, of the complexities of the theory and practice of change, and how shaping implementation strategies and managing change can be improved by specialist techniques such as managing the people issues. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating the types of interventions.

Content

  • Core concepts: the nature of change; organisational effectiveness and the nature of change management; process models.
  • Recognising and diagnosing the need for change: recognising the need for change; diagnostic models.
  • Managing the people issues: power, politics and stakeholder management; the role of leadership in change management; communicating change.
  • Shaping implementation strategies and managing the change: effective change strategies; maintaining control.
  • Interventions: types of interventions.
  • Sustaining change: the role of performance measures in the management of change; managing and monitoring the implementation; modes of intervening to sustain the change.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module, students should be able to:
  • critically evaluate the concepts of change and how they apply in different contexts.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module, students should:
  • be able to recognise and diagnose the need for change using appropriate models;
  • be able to shape implementation strategies using appropriate specialist techniques;
  • have a critical awareness of techniques for sustaining change interventions and for managing people during change interventions.
Key Skills:
  • Effective written communication.
  • Planning, organising and time management.
  • Problem solving and analysis.
  • Using initiative.
  • Computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module is delivered in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
  • The written assignment will test students’ understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
DL Study Units (a combination of specially written material, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading) 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 4,000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

Written assignment of 1,500 words (maximum)


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University