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:

• Introduction to organizational change and redesign
• Drivers of change
• Dimensions of change (Strategy, Structure, People, and Processes)
• Goals and outcomes of change processes
• Change management and change leadership
• 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

• Lecture with discussions
• Team Presentations
• Final Exam

The final course grade is based upon the following evaluation of assessment assignments:

• Exam (50%)
• Team Presentation (35%)
• Team Reflection Paper (15%)

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