Due to the constantly increasing dynamics of today’s markets, managers are challenged with the task of initiating and managing organizational change initiatives to ensure long-term firm success. The objective of this course is to enhance students’ understanding of the fundamentals of designing and implementing change processes in organizations. We will discuss drivers, dimensions, and outcomes of change processes in international companies. The course bridges theory and practice through discussions of examples of international companies and a guest lecture.

Course content:

1. Introduction to organizational change and redesign
2. Drivers of change
3. Dimensions of change (Strategy, Structure, People, and Processes)
4. Goals and outcomes of change processes
5. Change management and change leadership
6. The practitioner’s view: guest lecture

In this course, students will learn about the role of external and internal drivers of change. They will get to know the principal goals of change processes and how they can be achieved by addressing key dimensions of organization design, such as strategy, structure, people, and processes. They will also learn to understand the role of managers in initiating and moderating change processes, common barriers to change, and communication strategies during change processes.

Managing organizational change and redesign is a complex theme, which requires the application of different analytical approaches and combining adequate tools and frameworks. The course therefore integrates many issues that students have to handle in their future careers.

After completing this course students will have the ability to:

• Systematically analyze the drivers and consequences of change in international companies
• Understand the key dimensions of change initiatives (strategy, structure, people, and processes)   
• Identify and overcome common barriers to change
• Understand the role of organization culture and communication strategies in change processes
• Study their own change project

Apart from that, completing this course will contribute to students' ability to:

• Improve their oral and written communication and presentation skills (in English)
• Learn to give and receive constructive feedback
• Learn to translate their insights to practical problems
• Work on solutions for real-life case studies

• Exam (50%)
• Team Presentation (35%)
• Final team report (15%)

Please note that students must participate in all three grading components in order to pass the course.
We expect all students to actively participate in the in-class discussions.

IOD guidelines for AI use:

1. Is the use of AI-based software for your course/exam an (un)authorized aid?

Allowed is the use of AI-based software for writing support, such as Grammarly. However, it is mandatory to indicate the use of any AI-based software in your written work. If you use  AI-based software for text and content generation such as ChatGPT in your reports, presentations, or any other written text, it is mandatory to:
a) verify the information generated and
b) add all relevant references for the text, data, and AI-based software.
During in-class discussions, we will challenge the results and insights from your presentations and written work.

2. How to indicate the permitted use of AI-based software?

You need to provide indication in a footnote for the corresponding sections AND add a detailed appendix with specific "prompts" and the responses from the text generation software.

3. What will your initial steps be for any suspected cases of unauthorized use of AI-based software?

Note that in case of suspicious cases, we will set up an additional individual oral audit interview with the student.