MGT435
Organizational Change
In this course, students will study and apply alternative theories, models
and strategies for creating and managing organizational change. The
effectiveness of management tools in initiating problem-solving and
decision-making to bring about change within organizations is evaluated.
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Table of Contents
COURSE AT A GLANCE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
COURSE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4
COURSE DESIGN ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
COURSE PREREQUISITES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
LEARNING RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Required Text .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Required Websites ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Recommended Materials ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
COMPONENTS OF COURSE EVALUATION ................................................................................................................................... 7
DISCUSSIONS .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
QUIZZES ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
ASSIGNMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
FINAL PAPER .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
COURSE GRADING .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Grading Percent Breakdown ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
WEEK ONE ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
WEEK TWO .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
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WEEK THREE ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Assignments ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
WEEK FOUR ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
WEEK FIVE .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Final Paper ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
COURSE MAP ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
MGT435: Organizational Change
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Course at a Glance
Course Description
In this course, students will study and apply alternative theories, models and strategies for creating and managing
organizational change. The effectiveness of management tools in initiating problem-solving and decision-making to bring
about change within organizations is evaluated.
Course Design
This course has been designed to complement the textbook, which is proprietary to Ashford University. The flow of the
course’s five learning modules follows the flow of the textbook.
The specified learning objectives have been incorporated into the course along with weekly learning objectives gleaned
from the textbook. The course activities follow the standard Ashford format and progress up Bloom’s Taxonomy as the
course progresses.
Multimedia resources were identified to highlight the course concepts and provide material for further study.
The discussions for the first learning module can be completed without the use of the textbook, to accommodate students
who receive their textbooks late.
The Week 3 assignment provides a scenario and instructs students to select short-term and long-term change models.
They are also directed to explain their reasoning, demonstrating that they can select and apply change models, which
supports the following learning outcomes: Apply change models to short-term, small-scale, and long-term, large-scale
change and Integrate alternative organizational change concepts and theories with practice.
The final paper requires that students diagnose an organization’s need for change and apply Kotter’s 8-Step Approach.
This will demonstrate an understanding of all five learning outcomes, but most specifically Articulate the need for change
as well as the process for doing so, Apply change models to short-term, small-scale, and long-term, large-scale change,
and Integrate alternative organizational change concepts and theories with practice.
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Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for MGT435.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Assess the effects of organizational change on the people in the organization.
2. Articulate the need for change as well as the process for doing so.
3. Identify the stakeholders, contexts, and key principles associated with internal and external organizational change.
4. Apply change models to short-term, small-scale, and long-term, large-scale change.
5. Integrate alternative organizational change concepts and theories with practice.
Learning Resources
Required Text
Weiss, J.W. (2012). Organizational change. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.
Required Websites
Qualman, E. (Producer). (2011). Social media revolution 3. [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0EnhXn5boM&feature=player_embedded
Godin, S. (Speaker). (2006). Seth godin: Ideas that spread, win. [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Ch2z5ftwQ
ABCNews.com. (Producer). (2011). Steve jobs resigns as apple ceo. [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/steve-jobs-resigns-apple-ceo/story?id=14374908
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Red Tree Leadership & Development. (Producer). (n.d.). You can be good at change. [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.redtreeleadership.com/video/player.php?video=ChangeEssentialsIntro
Gladwell, M. (Speaker). (2011). Malcom gladwell on innovation . [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg0Zg8-2_Jo
Recommended Materials
Godin, S. (2001, December 31). Survival is not enough Fast Company, Retrieved from
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/54/survival.html
McNamara, C. (n.d.). Organizational change and development (managing change and change management). Retrieved
from http://managementhelp.org/organizationalchange/index.htm
Lillie, B. (2011, October 18). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blog.ted.com/2011/10/18/rethinking-normal-in-
technology-qa-with-justin-hall-tipping/
Horn, M. (Speaker). (2010). Disrupting class: How disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns. [Web
Video]. Retrieved from http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/821
Bloomberg L.P. (Producer). (2011). Bloomberg game changers: Steve jobs. [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/66625228/
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Components of Course Evaluation
Multiple measures of evaluation are used in the course, allowing students opportunities to demonstrate their learning in
more than one way, and giving consideration to individual learning styles. Course components that will be evaluated
include:
Discussions
Each week students will participate in online discussions with classmates, which are related to the week’s readings. These
discussions replace the interactive dialogue that occurs in the traditional classroom setting. Each week, students’ initial
discussion posts are due by 11:59 p.m. (of the time zone in which each student resides) on Day 3 (Thursday). Students
will have until 11:59 p.m. on Day 7 (the following Monday) to make the required minimum number of response posts to
classmates. Discussions represent 41% of the overall course grade.
Quizzes
In Weeks One through Four, students will demonstrate and reinforce their understanding of the week’s content by taking
open-book quizzes. Students have up to 12 hours to complete a quiz once they begin. The quiz must be completed in one
sitting, by Day 6 of the week in which it is due. The questions are multiple choice and true/false. Each quiz is worth five
percent. Quizzes represent 24% of the overall course grade.
Assignments
There is a written assignment due in Week Three of this course. These assignments must reflect college-level writing and
critical thinking. Assignments represent 10% of the overall course grade.
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Final Paper
The final assignment for this course is a Final Paper. The purpose of the Final Paper is for you to culminate the learning
achieved in the course by demonstrating your knowledge of organizational management by synthesizing the information
from class into work and life experience. The Final Paper represents 25% of the overall course grade.
Focus of the Final Paper
Think of an organization you have worked for or one with which you are very familiar. Diagnose the need for change and
present a plan to transform the organization, utilizing Kotter’s 8-Step Approach.
Include the following sections headings and additional sections as needed:
1. Introduction
2. Company Overview
3. Diagnosis
4. Kotter’s 8-Step Approach
5. Conclusion
The Final Paper for the course must be submitted to the instructor by 11:59 p.m. of the time zone in which you reside on
the last day of the class.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper: Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length (not counting the title page and references) and formatted
according to APA style.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
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3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least three scholarly resources.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing
Center.
Course Grading
Grading Percent Breakdown
Discussions 41%
Quizzes 24%
Assignments 10%
Final Paper 25%
Total: 100%
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Week One
Course Content To be completed during the first week of class
Overview
Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent
Post Your Introduction Day 1
Discussion 1
Examples of Organizational Change Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Implementing Organizational Change Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Week One Quiz Day 6 Quiz
6
Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
1. Identify the stakeholders, contexts, and key principles associated with internal and external organizational change.
2. Explain one of the approaches to understanding organizational change.
3. Explain one of the approaches to implementing organizational change.
Required Readings and Multimedia
1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Organizational
change:
Chapter One – Organizational Change Management: An Introduction
2. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Examples of Organizational Change,” view the following
video:
Social Media Revolution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0EnhXn5boM&feature=player_embedded)
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Discussions
Participate in the following discussions:
1. 1st Posting Due by Day 1. Post Your Introduction. Please post a brief bio on the first day of class. Respond to
at least three of your classmates' bios. Use this forum to get acquainted and for ongoing non-content related
discussions.
2. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Examples of Organizational Change. View the Social Media Revolution video. We
have all watched organizations around us change in response to technology, legislation, consumer demand, and
other factors. Provide an example of an organization that has changed for the better and how this transition
benefited its customers, employees, and investors. Review several of your peers’ posts. Discuss how and why
these changes have occurred, with at least two of your peers.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
3. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Implementing Organizational Change. This post should be at least 200 words in
length. Select one of the following approaches to understanding or implementing organizational change.
Summarize this approach. Provide an example of how this information could be useful to an organization.
Review several of your peers’ posts. Discuss any similar or opposing perspectives you have, with at least two of
your peers. Take care to be professional and polite even if your beliefs or viewpoints differ.
Dunphy and Stace’s Four Levels of Change
Balogun and Hailey’s Change Model
Proactive vs. Reactive Changes
Strategic Change versus Tactical Change
Tichy’s 3 Types of Change
Open-systems Framework
Balanced Scorecard
The Stakeholder Approach
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Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
Quiz
1. Due Day 6. Week One Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week.
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Week Two
Course Content To be completed during the second week of class
Overview
Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent
Innovation Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Change Models Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Week Two Quiz Day 6 Quiz
6
Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
1. Articulate the need for change as well as the process for doing so.
2. Assess the effects of organizational change on the people in the organization.
3. Compare the following change models: environment-industry-organization contingency, organizational life-cycle,
action research model, eight-step approach, appreciative inquiry.
Required Readings and Multimedia
1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Organizational
change:
Chapter Two – Diagnosing and Planning for Change
2. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Innovation,” view the following video:
Ideas that Spread, Win (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Ch2z5ftwQ)
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Discussions
Participate in the following discussions:
1. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Innovation. View the Seth Godin video about innovation, Ideas that Spread, Win.
Think of an innovative company and explain how its ability to adapt has enabled the organization to remain
competitive in its industry. Review several of your peers’ posts. Discuss with at least two of your peers how
these changes impacted employees or other organizational stakeholders.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
2. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Change Models. Select and compare two of the following change models:
environment-industry-organization contingency, organizational life-cycle, action research model, eight-step
approach, appreciative inquiry. Identify the pros and cons of the two models you selected. Review several of
your peers’ posts. Discuss any similar or opposing perspectives you have, with at least two of your peers. Take
care to be professional and polite even if your beliefs or viewpoints differ.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
Quiz
1. Due Day 6. Week Two Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week.
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Week Three
Course Content To be completed during the third week of class
Overview
Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent
Tools of Organizational Change Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Changes at the Top Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Week Three Quiz Day 6 Quiz
4
Change Model Assignment Day 7
Assignment 10
Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
1. Apply change models to short-term, small-scale, and long-term, large-scale change.
2. Assess the effects of organizational change on the people in the organization.
3. Identify the nine steps in Ackerman and Anderson’s roadmap for change, Cummings and Worley’s five
dimensions of leading and managing change, and the three components of organizational change.
4. Summarize the relationship between leaders and stakeholders in implementing change.
Required Readings and Multimedia
1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Organizational
change:
Chapter Three – Implementing Change
2. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Changes at the Top,” view the following video:
Steve Jobs Resigns as Apple CEO (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/steve-jobs-resigns-apple-
ceo/story?id=14374908#.Tw4YdXI8CSo)
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Discussions
Participate in the following discussions:
1. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Tools of Organizational Change. Select one of the following tools: the nine steps in
Ackerman and Anderson’s roadmap for change, Cummings and Worley’s five dimensions of leading and
managing change, or the three components of organizational change. Explain how a leader could use this tool in
guiding an organizational change. Review several of your peers’ posts. Respond to two peers who did not choose
the same tool as you. Discuss the similarities and differences between the tools.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
2. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Changes at the Top. View this video about Apple’s leadership, Steve Jobs Resigns as
Apple CEO. Explain what impact you think the loss of Steve Jobs will have on each the company’s primary
stakeholder groups: customers, employees, and investors. In what ways to you think Tim Cook’s leadership
might change Apple? Review several of your peers’ posts. Discuss any similar or opposing perspectives you
have, with at least two of your peers. Take care to be professional and polite even if your beliefs or viewpoints
differ.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
Quiz
1. Due Day 6. Week Three Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week.
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Assignments
1. Due by Day 7. Change Model Assignment. Imagine that you are an executive for XYZ, Inc., a high-end retail
chain that sells luxury watches, jewelry, and hand bags. You’ve just been put in charge of the company’s first
international expansion, opening a store in Shanghai, China. This will be a short-term, small-scale change for the
organization. After one year, you will be expected to begin opening additional stores in Brazil, Russia, India, and
China (also known as the BRIC countries). This will be a long-term, large-scale change.
In 3-5 pages, explain which change model you would follow for the short-term change and which you would
follow for the long-term change. Provide rationale for your decision and discuss the effects that these changes
would have on the employees, managers, and executives within the organization. Include at least two references
and follow standard APA formatting for your paper.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
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Week Four
Course Content To be completed during the fourth week of class
Overview
Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent
Personal Experiences Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Failures of Change Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Week Four Quiz Day 6 Quiz
4
Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
1. Assess the effects of organizational change on the people in the organization.
2. Describe the major reasons why change programs fail in organizations.
3. List the five pillars of successful, sustainable change and describe the relationship among the pillars.
4. Apply change models to short-term, small-scale, and long-term, large-scale change.
5. Summarize the relationship between leaders and stakeholders in implementing change.
Required Readings and Multimedia
1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Organizational
change:
a. Chapter Four – Shaping and Sustaining Change
2. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Personal Experiences,” view the following video:
a. You Can Be Good at Change
(http://www.redtreeleadership.com/video/player.php?video=ChangeEssentialsIntro)
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Discussions
Participate in the following discussions:
1. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Personal Experiences. View the video You Can Be Good at Change. Think of an
organizational change that you experienced. Describe how you were impacted by the change. What could the
leadership have done to make the transition more successful? Cite one or more change models to support your
assertion. Review several of your peers’ posts. Compare your experiences with at least two peers and identify
lessons you can apply to future organizational changes.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
2. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Failures of Change. Organizational change is not always successful. Identify factors
that can cause change initiatives to fail and the five pillars that can cause them to succeed. Highlight an
organization that failed to adapt and evaluate which of these factors and pillars were demonstrated by this
organization. Review several of your peers’ posts. Discuss any similar or opposing perspectives you have, with
at least two of your peers. Take care to be professional and polite even if your beliefs or viewpoints differ.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
Quiz
1. Due Day 6. Week Four Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week.
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Week Five
Course Content To be completed during the fifth week of class
Overview
Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent
Partnerships Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Organizational Learning Day 3 (1
st post)
Discussion 4
Week Five Quiz Day 6 Quiz
4
Final Paper Day 7
Final Paper 25
Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
1. Integrate alternative organizational change concepts and theories with practice.
2. Identify key traits for successful change leaders.
3. Define empowerment and its role in the change process.
4. Describe the relationship between learning and change in organizations.
5. Explain one of the approaches to implementing organizational change.
Required Readings and Multimedia
1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Organizational
change:
a. Chapter Five – Adapt & Rejuvenate: Agile, Learning Organizations
2. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Partnerships,” view the following video:
a. Malcolm Gladwell on Innovation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg0Zg8-2_Jo)
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Discussions
Participate in the following discussions:
1. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Partnerships. View the Malcolm Gladwell video, Malcolm Gladwell on Innovation,
about today’s customers desiring partnerships. How does employee empowerment aid in building partnerships
between companies and their customers? Provide an example from your experience as an employee or customer.
Construct your answer from the theories you’ve learned. Review several of your peers’ posts. Compare your
experiences with at least two peers and identify lessons you can apply in your future work.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
2. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Organizational Learning. Evaluate the importance of organizational learning.
Provide examples of how learning and change can impact one another. Review several of your peers’ posts.
Discuss any similar or opposing perspectives you have, with at least two of your peers. Take care to be
professional and polite even if your beliefs or viewpoints differ.
Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required
material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your
classmates’ posts by Day 7.
Final Paper
1. Due by Day 7. Final Paper. The complete instructions for the Final Paper can be found in Week Five of your
online course or in the “Components of Course Evaluation” section of this guide.
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Course Map
The course map illustrates the careful design of the course through which each learning objective is supported by one or
more specific learning activities in order to create integrity and pedagogical depth in the learning experience.
Learning Outcome Week Assignment
1. Assess the effects of organizational change
on the people in the organization.
2 3 3 4
Innovation Discussion Changes at the Top Change Model Assignment Personal Experiences
2. Articulate the need for change as well as the
process for doing so.
1 2 5 5
Implementing Organizational Change Innovation Partnerships Final Paper
3. Identify the stakeholders, contexts, and key
principles associated with internal and
external organizational change.
1 3 5 5
Examples of Organizational Change Changes at the Top Partnerships Organizational Learning
4. Apply change models to short-term, small-
scale, and long-term, large-scale change.
2 3 3 4 5
Change Models Tools of Organizational Change Change Model Assignment Personal Experiences Final Paper
5. Integrate alternative organizational change
concepts and theories with practice.
4 5 5
Failures of Change Organizational Learning Final Paper