Assignment Requirements

3000 words 5day

Subject?MANAGING AND LEADING STRATEGIC CHANGE

The Phrase ‘Management of Change’ suggests that the process of change in an organisation is the result of something managers do. Some authors however point to the need for a closer focus on the beliefs and attitudes of the individual, particularly managers, in order to understand the change process.

Critically evaluate the extent to which the change process in organisations is influenced by the attitudes and beliefs of individual managers more than the dynamics within the group.

Given the ideas introduced in the paragraphs above, you are required to research, plan and write an individual 3000 word essay which, drawing on the themes of the Module.

The ability to communicate succinctly and to meet the requirements of an assignment brief is a key management skill. The word limit for the assignment is up to a maximum of 3000 words. However, in line with Faculty guidelines, there is an allowance of 10% over the word limit, where students will not be penalised.

Generating ideas for your assignment

Your focus can be shaped from ideas gathered from a range of sources including;

• Your observations and/or experience of change within organisations
• Your reading and research into current examples of organisation change discussed in the press, on the TV etc.
• Your reading of the academic literature, including the range of journals available through the Library
• Discussions with family, friends, work colleagues, managers etc. that may surface their experience and stories of change
• Themes introduced within the module such as the influence of culture, politics, power, emotions, leadership, metaphors, etc.
• Organisation case studies, including those discussed within class sessions
• Your interest, and opportunities for personal development in relation to working with and ‘managing’ change

Please note these sources should be used to generate ideas and questions to help shape your own focus, which helps to set up interesting opportunities to demonstrate analysis and critical evaluation in line with the expectations of Final Year degree programmes.

This assignment must be seen as a distinct piece assessment, and should not be based on any assignments currently or previously submitted for assessment.

Developing the essay

Your essay should have an introduction which clearly sets out your focus i.e. what questions/issues/situations you wish to critically examine within the essay

The stronger essays will identify and demonstrate an understanding of theoretical perspectives drawn from a range of academic literature.

The literature you introduce in your essay will depend on your essay’s focus, however you should consider researching from the following indicative resources:

• Module reading list
• Electronic resources available through Kenrick Library e.g. ABI, Emerald, MyiLibrary

   

  Please note this is an individual piece of assessment and you should ensure you have read and understood the University’s guidance on avoiding issues of alleged plagiarism and collusion. Advice is introduced within the Regulations pages – Knowledge of the Change Perspectives – Students should demonstrate a clear understanding of the various perspectives on the dynamics of change in organisations that have been explored in lectures. These might include sociological, historical, symbolic, political, psychological and cultural perspectives. On a broader level students will be rewarded for a concise discussion of the distinction between modernist and postmodern understandings of organisational life. Ability to critically review the material – Students should critically evaluate the perspectives they have explored. This will involve a close consideration of the points of difference between them and offer critical comment on their ability to illuminate their own experience of change within organisations. Reference to examples of Change Processes – Students should demonstrate an understanding of the extent to which theoretical work explains the change processes evident in contemporary organisations. To this end credit will be given for identifying contemporary examples and the extent of its confluence with theory. Structure and Writing Style – Writing style is important, the objective is to address the question presented in an academic but persuasive manner. This involvesmarshalling argumentsfrom academic sources as well as examples and deductive processes.                                 Total