Outline

Overview

This unit seeks to develop diagnostic and prescriptive skills in relation to the management of organisational change while also encouraging the adoption of a critical perspective of the field. Part 1 (Organisational Change and the Nature of Organisations) introduces the fields of organisational change, explains its relevance to organisation performance and strategy and examines key change management models. Part 2 (Diagnosis and Intervention) examines the utility of key organisational change models and techniques and identifies factors that may impact on the effectiveness of the change management process. Part 3 (Key Areas of Intervention) analyses the application of organisational change practices and initiatives to a number of specific organisational issues.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Phil McDonald, phillip.mcdonald@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Written exam. Please see details of this assessment on canvas.	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Case study report: Please see details of this assessment on canvas.	30%	Week 07 Due date: 09 Apr 2023 at 23:59	Option A 1500 words/Option B 2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Team case study report: Please see details of this assessment on canvas.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1:

This assignment requires you to analyse a case study by identifying the main problems at the case study site, the causes of those problems, a description of the possible strategies for dealing with the problems and their causes, and a recommended course of action for the organisation. You may choose one of two case study options:

• Option A involves the analysis of a set case study.

• Option B involves the analysis of an organisation you work for or are familiar with.

In either case you are expected to use the concepts, theories, models, practices and interventions discussed in this unit in your analysis.

Length: Option A: 1500 words / Option B: 2000 words. The additional words for option B allow for describing the organisation you work for and the situation you use as your case. In Option A this information is provided to you.

Assignment 2:

This case study tests not only your knowledge of the concepts, theories, models, practices and interventions discussed in this unit, but also your ability to apply that knowledge to a realistic case. The scenario is that you are part of a change management team. You will work in a group to prepare and deliver a report to 'management' that identifies the root causes of problems in the case organisation and recommends action steps to be taken. You are required to diagnose the symptoms and root causes of problems in the case, to identify a suitable change methodology and make recommendations to management as to how they should best proceed with the change.

Final exam:

Exam questions may be either theory-based or case study-based. Exam questions may be drawn from any topic taught in this unit, from lectures or compulsory readings, and may include a combination of concepts, theories or models. Students will be expected to be able to explain or use concepts, theories, models practices and interventions taught in this unit, and to understand ways in which a theory or model may have limitations.

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.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to organisational change and the organisational development practitioner	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to organisational change and the organisational development practitioner	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	The nature of change and organisational development approaches	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	The nature of change and organisational development approaches	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Foundational change models	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Foundational change models	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Alternative perspectives	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Alternative perspectives	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Diagnostic Models and the Diagnostic Process	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Diagnostic Models and the Diagnostic Process	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Intervention Strategies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Reading / team work week	Independent study (1 hr)
Week 07	Reading / team work week	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 08	Intervention Strategies	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Culture change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Culture change	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Structural and System-Wide Interventions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Structural and System-Wide Interventions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Reactions and Resistance to Change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Tutorial presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Communication and the Role of the Change Agent	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Tutorial presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Team and Interpersonal Interventions (Part 1)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Managing change and overview	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Team and Interpersonal Interventions (Part 2). Conclusions and the Future of OD.	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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.

Required readings

Please see canvas for reading list

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. Describe and analyse the foundations and principles of organisational development (OD) and the dynamics of organisational change
LO2. Describe and analyse the organisational development concepts, practices and interventions and apply them to case studies, problems and questions in contemporary organisations
LO3. Critically evaluate organisational, team and individual diagnostic tools, and their potential to identify issues or gaps in organisational, team and individual performance
LO4. Critically evaluate team and organisational interventions and their potential for changing team and organisational performance
LO5. Develop skills and understanding of change initatives and the capacity to recommend appropriate organisational development interventions.

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.

The curriculum has been updated to reflect current circumstances and opportunities to bring lived experience into the assessments has been provided.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

WORK6026: Organisational Change and Development

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect