Outline

Overview

This unit draws a parallel between modern organisations and the broader social environment in which they operate. Multi-level influences are rapidly re-shaping modern workplaces, which require insights that anticipate the challenges and opportunities these changes present to the management of people. Students build experience in leading change in organisations and develop an understanding of the dynamics of organisational culture, power, influence and the role of diversity. Students develop this understanding by critically reflecting on their own work contexts and through immersive activities, which assist in the design and implementation of change management programs and initiatives. By the end of this unit of study, students are better equipped to manage change by developing and engaging the potential of their people to enrich organisational culture and achieve sustained competitive advantage.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Management Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	SMBA6001
Prohibitions ?	MMGT6004
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Diane Van Den Broek, diane.vandenbroek@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 20 February 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Diversity Challenge Video presentation that presents a very sticky problem in managing people that you feel is inadequately addressed thus far.	20%	Week 03 Due date: 26 Feb 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Mar 2026	2 minutes video presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Future of Work Intervention Presentation Students present their group work to the class to gain feedback in preparation for their final report.	20%	Week 05 Due date: 14 Mar 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 21 Mar 2026	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Organisational Change Report Written report supporting your group's organisational change intervention.	30%	Week 07 Due date: 23 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 Mar 2026	3500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Reflective essay Individual reflections about how you manage people in the future of work	30%	Week 08 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Apr 2026	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Diversity challenge (20%) - Record your 2-minute video outlining management/future of work challenge facing a contemporary organisation that you feel needs to be overcome.

Future of Work Intervention Presentation (20%) - As a group, deliver a 20-minute presentation outlining a change management intervention targeting a Diversity/Future of Work challenge.

Organisational Change Initiative Report 30% - Prepare a report (max 3,500 words) supporting your organisational change intervention. The aim is to devise creative approaches to problem-solving that explicitly show the processes you went through to arrive at your proposal and how/why you think your change process will be effective in overcoming the identified challenge.

Reflective Essay 30% - Prepare a report (max 2,000 words). You are required to answer questions in relation to your experiences in SMBA6007.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

According to University and Business School policies.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1 : Introduction & People Work and Culture	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 01	Module 2: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 03	Module 3: Managing People through Organisational Change	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 03	Module 4: Harnessing Knowledge Cultures & Collaboration	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 04	Module 5: All day Strategy Simulation	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 05	Module 6: Student Presentations	Seminar (7 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings and attendance: Note that in contrast to the University default text regarding class recordings on the Camperdown Campus MBA classes held at the CBD campus are not systematically recorded and 100% class attendance is expected for each unit of the MBA program. If there are extenuating circumstances as to why you are not able to attend a specific class, please contact your unit coordinator or the unit co-instructor prior to the commencement of this unit as there are some classes which are compulsory and failure to attend may require you to withdraw from the unit. A unit requirement is 90% attendance, and those who drop below this level may not pass the unit.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate an understanding of organisations as complex social environments
LO2. identify and engage with the key issues for organisations in relation to the 'future of work' and 'diversity'
LO3. design an intervention which will addresses 'future of work' and 'diversity' challenges facing organisations
LO4. work effectively as a team to design a change proposal that is relevant and urgent to an organisation
LO5. present a convincing, well-researched, and relevant diversity/future of work change proposal to an organisation's most senior leaders
LO6. demonstrate an understanding of strategies to build individual, team, and leadership engagement with a diversity/future of work change proposal
LO7. build your capacity to understand organisational dynamics, power structures, and influencing strategies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SMBA6007: Managing People and Organisations

MBA Session 1, 2026 [Block mode] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links