module specification

This module introduces and explores a range of key issues related to the study of Organisational Design and Development. It draws on a broad range of theories and conceptual frameworks to develop a critical understanding of the issues involved in the analysis of contemporary organisations. The module assessment strategy has been designed to test the extent of the achievement of the module learning outcomes.

The module aims to introduce and explore a range of key topics related to Organisation Design & Development. Organisation Design involves the shaping of an organisation to maximise its effectiveness whereas Organisation Development is defined by CIPD as a “planned and systematic approach to enabling sustained organisation performance through the involvement of its people”. The module will enable students to explore and critically analyse a wide range of key issues related to the design, management and development of contemporary organisations including those related to organisation culture, structure power & control, the effective management of change and the learning organisation. A critical approach will be developed towards the use and application of relevant organisation theories and theoretical perspectives to analyse the key issues and evaluate organisational practice.

The module also aims to develop a wide range of students skills including: Academic Reading; Researching; Analysing Data; Application of Knowledge and Presenting Data; Academic Writing/literacy; Note-making; Communicating/presenting – orally and in writing, including inter-cultural communication; Critical Thinking and Writing; Problem Solving and Decision Making; Memorising; Self/Time management including self-efficacy; Self-assessment/reflection, including awareness of and management of emotions; Interpersonal, including. collaborating / working with others, cross cultural awareness, having a positive attitude, negotiation and persuasion; Digital literacy and IT skills; Numeracy/quantitative; Enterprise skills, including taking initiative, being creative, leadership, completing tasks and projects, taking calculated risks;  Commercial Awareness, including vision, corporate social responsibility and governance.

The module syllabus includes:

• Nature & Context of Organisations   
• Organisation Theories and Perspectives – classical and contemporary approaches.
• Managing Work Motivation & the Psychological Contract.
• Managing Individuals and Groups.
• Management & Organisations: Issues from an International Perspective.
• Organisation Metaphors
• Organisation Design & Structure: Implications for Organisation Strategy.
• Organisation Power & Politics.
• Misbehaviour, Control & Surveillance.
• Organisational Culture.
• Managing Organisational Change & Resistance.
• Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.

The learning and teaching strategy within the module will draw upon blended learning based upon a combination of tutor-led and tutor-facilitated approaches involving lecture based input and student class discussions. Relevant electronic media and web based resources will be utilised to support and develop student learning. In addition to regular lecture input, students will be expected to engage in guided independent study and learning. The student assessed workbook exercises which are based on the weekly seminar discussion based activities will require students to reflect upon and demonstrate the development of their learning during the module. Regular formative feedback and support will be provided by the tutor throughout the year towards the completion of the assessed components. Students will also be encouraged to share and discuss aspects of their work with their peers so as to benefit from peer feedback as well.

On completing the module students will be able to:

1. Understand the historical and theoretical basis of organisation design and development and their context in terms of the value and contribution to organisational life.
2. Understand and critically analyse key issues related to the design, management and development of contemporary organisations.
3. Apply a wide range of relevant theories, models and concepts to critically analyse the key issues related to the design, management and development of contemporary organisations.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of the issues related to organisation design and development for the effective management and performance of efficient organisations.

The assessment strategy has been designed to test the extent of the achievement of the module learning outcomes. The module assessment will consist of the following two components:

1. An individual student workbook (30%) which requires students to complete set exercises as part of a reflective log based on the weekly seminar activities. The workbook is designed so as to demonstrate the development of the students’ required learning and competences within the module in a holistic manner through attending the lectures, undertaking independent reading as advised by the tutor, reflecting upon their own work and life based experiences and learning through the discussions and experiences of their peers based on the seminar class discussion exercises. Some of the workbook exercises will require students to have undertaken advance preparation before attending the appropriate seminar session – the tutor will advise students when such advance preparation is required. The design of the student workbook exercises also facilitates the provision of regular formative feedback and tutor support.
2. A small group based presentation (70%) which requires students to undertake and present the critical analysis of relevant issue(s) within an allocated case study.  The tutor will guide/instruct each group in the selection of the appropriate issue(s) for analysis in the case study. The group presentation should not exceed 20 minutes. The assessed group presentations should demonstrate the use and application of relevant organisation theories and/or theoretical perspectives to support the analysis of the issue(s). Students will (at the end of the presentation) submit an individual 1,000 word report focused on an aspect covered within the group presentation and which elaborates and extends the analysis of the chosen issue.

Main Texts:

• Clegg S, Kornberger, M & Pitsis T (2011) Managing & Organizations, London: Sage.
• Crowther D & Green M (2004) Organisational Theory London: CIPD
• Hatch MJ with Cunliffe AL (2012) Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic and Postmodern Perspectives, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Huczynski A & Buchanan D (2013) Organizational Behaviour, Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.

*Other Recommended Texts:

• Arvinen-Muondo R & Perkins S (Eds.) (2013) Organizational Behaviour: People, Process, Work And Human Resource Management, London: Kogan Page.
• Bloisi W, Cook CW & Hunsaker PL  (2007) Management and Organisational Behaviour, Maidenhead: McGraw Hill
• Boddy, D (2011) Management – An Introduction, FT Prentice Hall.
• Burnes B (2009) Managing Change, FT Prentice Hall (e resource).
• Crowther, D & Rayman-Bacchus L (Eds.) (2004) Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility, England: Ashgate.
• Francesco AM & Gold BA (2005) International Organizational Behavior, London: Prentice Hall.
• Grey C (2013) A Very Short, Fairly Interesting And Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Organizations, London: Sage.
• Linstead S, Fulop L & Lilley S (2009) Management and Organization, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• McAuley J, Duberley J & Johnson P (2007). Organization Theory, London: FT Prentice Hall (e resource).
• Morgan G (2006) Images of Organization, London: Sage.
• Mullins LJ (2010) Management and Organisational Behaviour, Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
• Quick JC & Nelson DL (2013) Principles of Organizational Behavior, Cengage Learning South-Western.
• Robbins SP (2013) Organizational Behavior, Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.
• Rollinson, D (2008) Organisational Behaviour & Analysis, FT Prentice Hall (e resource).
• Senior B & Fleming J (2010) Organizational Change, FT Prentice Hall.
• Sims, D., Fineman, S. and Gabriel, Y (2010) Organizing and Organizations: an Introduction, London, Sage.
• Thompson P & McHugh D (2009) Work Organisations, London:  Macmillan
• Wilson F.M. (2010) Organizational Behaviour and Work: a Critical Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Selected Journals (all accessible electronically through Library Services):

• Human Relations
• International Journal of Public Sector Management
• Journal of Management Studies
• Journal of Organizational Change Management
• Organization
• Organization Studies
• Social Responsibility Journal

* Tutor will advise on which core texts to purchase