Organizational Change Management Essay: A Critical Review

The assignment asks students to critically evaluate and compare different interpretations of organisational change, using ideas from Study Units 6-12. It advises against using strategic management, business, marketing, financial, or human resource approaches. The essay should provide a brief introduction, summarising the structure and approach taken, followed by an evaluation of an episode of organisational change and lessons for organisational change.

Faculty of Business and Law
ACADEMIC YEAR 2017/18
ASSESSMENT BRIEF: Coursework 2: Essay
Module Code: UMOD68-30-3, UMOD69-30-3, UMODDQ-30-3
Module Title: Managing Organisational and Individual Change
Submission Deadline: 27th February 2018
Assessment Component B (Coursework 2)
Assessment Weighting: 42 per cent of total module mark
Assessment Instructions
Critically review a specific organisational change and outline the lessons this demonstrates about
the successful management of organisational change within organisations
Marking Criteria
Tutors will mark the essay based on the following assessment criteria:
 Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories (T)
 Analysis linking theory and practice (A)
 Critical evaluation and coherent argument (C)
Meeting these assessment criteria will require the following:
T (Theory)
 Relevant theories and models are selected
 Read extensively and use a wide range of theories
 Demonstrate understanding without describing in detail
 Examples of relevant theories, perspectives, and models can be found in the core
text, module handbook, study units 6 to 12 lecture and seminar materials, and
readings on the course blackboard site. You are expected to do your own literature
search beyond the level of detail/ content that is presented in lectures.
A (Analysis and Application)
 Detailed exploration of your chosen organisational change
 Make use of theories and literature to demonstrate insight and to expose key issues.
 Illustrate your answer with a good range of relevant illustrative examples from the
organisational change to build your analysis.
C (Criticality) Demonstrate critical thinking. This means making clear arguments that
emphasise the relevance and importance of particular insights. For example:
 Maintain a focus on answering the question throughout and develop a line, or lines, of
reasoning or argument
 Introduce your main argument at the beginning of your essay and then develop the
details of how you reached this. Your introduction should also tell us how you are
answering the question and structuring your essay.
 Make points that are evidenced with details from examples from your experience and
discuss relevant aspects of your chosen theories/ approaches
 Question the applicability and usefulness of the theories and literature: did it help you
to analyse the organisational change?
 Compare and contrast the relevance of your chosen theories/ models. Are they useful
in gaining insight into the organisational change?
 Comment on the limits and relevance of different theories and models to help you
answer the question
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Later in this document you will find the mark sheet that contains further details of assessment
criteria, which will be used to mark your coursework and exam.
Guidance
Make sure you understand the question and ensure you:
 Do a critical review not a descriptive review of a specific organisational change (for
example, do not simply state what happened, but build on this by explaining why it is
important). Description should be kept to a minimum the emphasis is on discussion,
analysis and argument.
 Discuss with relevant theories/ approaches the lessons that can be learnt about the
successful management of within organisational change
Choosing the Organisational Change
2. The specific organisational change can be sourced from personal experiences of organisational
change, OR examples of change management you are familiar with, OR your own choice of case
study. You can discuss either a successful or an unsuccessful organisational change and evaluate
lessons about what (could have) made it successful NOTE: You CANNOT use the MYBANK Case
(from the core text or any other source);
3. Do not use any case study or organisation used in any other level 3 module (e.g. Strategic
Management or another module). This will help you to ensure you are analysing an organisational
change and management of change and NOT a business change case or a review of strategic
change etc. If you have any doubt, check your choice of case with your seminar tutor.
4. If you decide to use a published case study rather than your own experience you need to
ensure the analysis is your own work and not a repetition from other sources. We use Safe Assign
so assessment offences (e.g. plagiarism) will be detected.
5. You also have the option to generate your own case study from an organisation you have
access to (for example through meetings/interviews or a family member etc.). This gives you the
option to build your own case based on others’ experiences. Be careful to ensure you can obtain
sufficient details.
Remember:
1. Use your feedback on your coursework 1 to help you consider what you need to do to earn a
good mark for coursework 2.
2. Read the frequently asked questions given at the end of this document AND do attend the Q&A
lecture for this coursework.
Format
All work should be word processed in 12 point font Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial and double
spaced.
Please use the following file format(s): .doc / .docx (please note that files submitted in formats
associated with Apple Mac computers are not able to be opened, and thus, not able to be
marked. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your coursework in the appropriate
format)
Please ensure that you provide the following details on the first page of your coursework:
 Student Number
 Module Name and Number
 Word Count
 Coursework question
Word Limit
 2500 words (+/- 10% which is a minimum of 2250 words and a maximum of 2750 words).
Writing beyond this maximum limit will not be read or marked
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 Word count includes everything in the main body of the essay (including headings, tables,
citations, quotes, lists, acronyms and numbers expressed as digits or in words. etc.)
 The reference/ bibliography pages and any Appendix at the end are excluded from the
word count.
 Appendices are not expected, if you do decide to use appendices remember these will
NOT be marked. The marker may or may not refer to the Appendices: do not depend
upon material contained in Appendices to develop the discussion in the main body of your
essay.
.
Referencing:
Please ensure you adhere to the principles of good academic practice and ensure you use the
UWE Harvard system to reference your work. Failure to properly reference your work to original
source material can be grounds for the assessment offence of plagiarism and may result in failure
of the assessment or have more serious implications.
For further guidance on correct referencing go to:
Submit only your own work and do not plagiarise from other sources or students. When you
submit your assignment Safe Assign will compare your work to those of other students (current
and past) as well as other materials available on internet.
Details of what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it can be found here:
Instructions for submission
Please note that the submission deadlines are absolute and based on UWE server time, therefore
you are strongly advised to submit work well ahead of the deadline dates to avoid situations
where penalties could be incurred. If penalties are imposed it will result in late work submissions
being capped or not accepted for marking.
Make sure you submit your own work and do not plagiarise from other sources or students. All
modules within FBL, including this module, use Safe Assign software. When you submit your
assignment Safe Assign will compare you work to those of other students (current and past) as
well as other materials available on internet. UWE will take action if Safe Assign suggests your
work includes material that is ‘copied’ from other sources.
Component B:
Element 2 – Essay
27th February 2018 at 1.59 pm online via blackboard
Please upload your completed essay and any appendices as a SINGLE Word document
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to upload your script, noting that the system becomes
busier and slower as the deadline approaches. Only your final upload will be counted. Ensure all
your information is submitted at one attempt to avoid ‘overwriting’ your intended submission.
Always check and retain your receipts.
Late submission in the 24 hours following the deadline will be accepted but the assignment mark
will be capped at 40%. Submissions after 24 hours will not be accepted. For full guidance on online
submission through Blackboard, see:
Submissions of coursework by any other method (including a paper copy, on disc, by email or by
fax) are NOT permissible for this module unless specifically agreed in advance of the submission
date.
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See the module handbook for further details on UWE policies and submission information for
this assignment.
Before submitting your work, please ensure the following:
 That you have proof read you work thoroughly to ensure your work is presented
appropriately
 That your document is saved as the appropriate file extension (.doc or .docx)
 That you have addressed all the required elements of the assessment
 That you have referenced in accordance with the guidance provided
 That you have addressed each of the marking criterion
 That the submission is in the correct format
Feedback
Students will normally receive marks and feedback on their submission within 20 working days of
the submission deadline (not including any public holidays or university closure days). Any delay in
returning students’ work will be communicated by the module leader via Blackboard.
For further guidance on feedback, please refer to the module handbook.
Extenuating Circumstances
If you are experiencing difficulties in completing a piece of assessment on time due to unexpected
circumstances (for example illness, accident, bereavement), you should seek advice from a Student Support
Adviser at the earliest opportunity.
Please note the module leader cannot grant extenuating circumstances or extensions.
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Coursework 2 Essay – Marking & Feedback Sheet 2017-18
Managing Organisational and Individual Change
Student Number: …………………………………………………………….
Feedback From [Tutor’s FULL name and email address here]
Date:
Tutors have marked your essay based on the T A C assessment criteria:
Tutor overall comment/ feedback
Area/s of strength:
Two main areas for improvement:
In addition to the above, the main ways to improve this assignment are:
Other ways to improve this assignment:
Be more reflective/ analytic
To give your work greater credibility support your assertions with
references
Focus more closely on addressing the question.
Link the theory to your own experiences in/with organisations/case
study material
Define the key terms
Signpost the reader so that they know how your discussion relates to
the question
Be clear so the reader understands the point that you are making
Improve the structure and flow of arguments
Critically evaluate the material
Wider reading may have enabled you to have included more critical
evaluation
Less description of theory and/or experience, more analysis and
discussion
More specific examples from practice
Accurate and/or more consistent referencing
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Managing Organisational and Individual Change 2016 - 2017 Marking
Criteria for CW2 Essay
(All 3 criteria are equally weighted)
MAR
K
THEORY and
LITERATURE
KNOWLEDGE AND
UNDERSTANDING
ANALYSIS LINKING
THEORY & PRACTICE
CRITICAL EVALUATION,
COHERENT ARGUMENT
70
+
Demonstrates an excellent
knowledge and
understanding of theories
and concepts used.
Shows excellent evidence of
reading widely.
Extensive reference to wide
range of relevant literature
beyond the core text.
Referencing is exemplary.
Insightful analysis that
highlights and exposes key
issues.
Extensive integration of
theory with practice.
Well-chosen number and
quality of examples.
Excellent evidence of sound
judgement, critical thinking and well
supported evaluations.
Development of strong, coherent
argument.
Consistently addresses the purpose
of the assignment.
Adept handling of the material, well-
reasoned, with a clear line of
thought.
60
+
Demonstrates a good
knowledge and
understanding of theories
and concepts used.
Shows good evidence of
reading.
Reference to a good range of
relevant literature beyond
the core text.
Referencing is consistently
accurate.
Perceptive analysis that
explores important issues.
Good integration of theory
and practice.
Good number and quality
of examples used.
Good evidence of judgement, critical
thinking and support for evaluations.
Development of a coherent
argument.
Addresses the purpose of the
assignment.
Material is well-handled, with clear
evidence of reasoning and narrative
thread.
Well written with a coherent
structure.
50
+
Demonstrates an adequate
knowledge and
understanding of theories
and concepts used.
Adequate evidence of
reading.
Some reference to relevant
literature.
Core text and essential
reading only
Referencing is accurate in
the main.
Reasonable analysis but in
places lapses into
description of practice
rather than analysis.
Reasonable integration of
theory and practice.
Adequate number and
quality of examples.
Adequate evidence of sound
judgement with some attempt at
evaluation.
Has an argument but sometimes
difficult to follow.
Generally addresses the purpose of
the assignment.
Satisfactory handling of the material,
but the reader may sometimes have
to work to follow the line of thought.
Reasonable structure and written
presentation
40
+
Demonstrates a weak
knowledge and
understanding of theories
and concepts used.
Limited evidence of reading.
Few references to relevant
literature.
No more than core
text/lecture material
Some attempt at referencing
accurately.
Some analysis but tends to
be descriptive of practice.
Weak linkage between
theory and practice.
Weak or few examples.
Poor judgment and some
unsupported assertions.
Weak argument – not developed.
Does address the purpose of the
assignment in parts, but often strays
off the point.
Poor handling of the material and the
reader has to work to follow the line
of thought.
Some structure and/ or weak written
presentation
37
Margin
al Fail
Knowledge and
understanding of theories
and concepts is very weak
Little evidence of reading
Very few references to
relevant literature.
Inaccurate referencing.
No analysis and is
predominantly descriptive
of practice.
Minimal linkage between
theory and practice.
Very poor or very few
examples.
Unsupported assertions and value
judgments.
Little obvious argument.
Fails in large part to address the
purpose of the assignment.
Handling of the material is weak,
with little obvious line of thought.
No obvious structure and/ or
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inadequate written presentation.
Fail
Knowledge and
understanding of relevant
theories and concepts is non-
existent.
No evidence of relevant
reading – not even the core
text,
No references to relevant
literature.
No referencing.
No analysis and is void of
application.
No linkage between theory
and practice.
Irrelevant examples.
Unsupported assertions and value
judgments.
No obvious argument.
Fails to address the purpose of the
assignment.
Handling of material is weak, with no
obvious line of thought.
Unstructured and/ or poorly written.
MOIC Coursework 2 – Essay Frequently Asked Questions
Please read this with the question & guidance already issued
1. Q: I understand that I have to reflect on an organisational example (case) or experience but
how many organisational cases or experience should I use?
A: The assessment criteria make reference to the ‘number and quality of examples used’, to ‘analysis
that highlights and exposes key issues’, and to the ‘development of a coherent argument’. This
suggests we expect you to analyse relevant ‘aspects’ of a SPECIFIC organisational change (case or
experience) and make points using a range of theories/ models and perspectives. This can focus on
why a change was handled well or not well and what could have been done better drawing on
relevant theories / models and perspectives to support your arguments. Do not try and cover so many
‘aspects’ that you cannot develop depth in your analysis.
We recommend you choose a specific organisational change (case) or experience that has enough
depth to allow you to do this. This might be a single case/experience that has a number of different
aspects you can compare and contrast.
2. Q: What can I choose or NOT choose as a relevant case?
It is important you do NOT use MYBANK Case (from the core text or any other source); nor can you
use any case study or organisation used in any other level 3 module (e.g. for Strategy Management or
another module).
If you decide to use a case from either the core text, relevant texts, another module, or online sources
the analysis needs to be your OWN and not the analyses that is given with the case or that you find
online or from other sources. Lifting an analysis from other sources is cheating and/or plagiarism.
Equally importantly, your own analysis of the case needs to cover relevant theories, models and
perspectives. For an example of what these might be review Study Units 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Please also read the answers to questions 3 and 7 below.
The seminar within study units 6 and onwards are opportunities to discuss your possible choices with
your tutor and to work on writing the assignment and cover relevant exercises to help you improve
your work so please do attend. As well as attending the Q&A lecture
3. Q: What is the question asking, and how do I divide the word count?
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The question itself asks you to focus on reviewing an organisational change AND discuss the lessons
learnt from this review about the management of change. You can think of this as two parts and you
need to consider both within your answer. As a general guide you might use up to two-thirds of the
word count (i.e. 1650 words) reviewing an organisational change; and one-third (i.e. 825 words)
focusing on the lessons learnt from this review about the management of change.
When discussing the lessons learnt for the management of change please remember that this is NOT
solely a repetition of points you have already made when reviewing an organisational change. Some
people choose to use the same theories, models and perspectives to discuss both the organisational
change and the management of change. Other people choose to use different theories, models and
perspectives to discuss each of these. Which judgement you make is likely to depend on the points and
arguments you want to make within your essay. Your judgement might (or might not) be to briefly
review some of your earlier points from the review of an organisational change however to earn
MARKS your discussion of the management of change needs to include some additional points and
arguments.
4. Q: Do I need to use theory and theoretical perspectives and which ones are relevant?
A: You need to draw on relevant theories, concepts and models from the literature (books, journal
articles, and other online resources). If you refer to the lectures, seminars and materials for Study
Units 6, 7,8,9,10,11, and 12 you will see examples of the type and range of theory and literature that
we are expecting. This is a good starting point but we also expect you to be researching additional
literature that is relevant to the analysis and discussion of your particular experiences.
Some theories and literature you will use extensively – others you might just refer to briefly. All
references help us to assess your understanding and breadth of reading. We have seen some excellent
work with about 15 references that are used in a detailed and specific way to make precise well-
argued points.
As a general guide you can think of having one reference for every 100 words (up to 20-25
references). This means if 1,650 words are used to review your chosen organisational change (case
or experience) with at least two or three theoretical perspectives applied that draw on a range of
references for each perspective, you might have 6-7 references that support your debate and
discussion of the application of this perspective within your analyses (e.g. one perspective might be
resistance and you might decide to spend 400-800 words discussing this depending on its centrality to
your review). The additional references will then be used within the 825 words that cover the
management of change.
5. Q: Are we expected to define and explain the theories? The 2,500 word limit (+/- 10%) will
make this difficult.
A: The emphasis should NOT be on defining and explaining the theories but you will need to
demonstrate that you understand them by the manner in which you use the ideas in your analysis and
discussion.
You have the freedom to choose which theoretical concepts will best support your analysis. The
assessment criteria indicate that you should use theory and literature to contribute to an insightful
analysis. It is particularly important that when you use theory and literature that you use it well to
demonstrate a good understanding and that it contributes to your analysis and critical evaluation.
6. Q: Is it okay just to use more ‘popular’ books and literature on self-help and personal
development, which I find much more useful than more academic books and journal
articles?
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A: The popular literature can be useful and it is certainly okay to reference such work. However, we
also expect you to engage with relevant academic literature as well, demonstrating your knowledge
and understanding of material that is underpinned by rigorous research and peer review. There are
many examples of good academic literature provided in the Study Unit materials and in the core text.
7. Q: Can you explain what is meant by an analysis of organisational change and management
of change and NOT a business, strategic or sector analysis
A: An organisational change and management of change perspective focuses on the people aspects of
change WITHIN the organisation either when planning, implementing or evaluating the change. The
ideas and theories that you are asked to use as the basis of your analysis for this assignment are
covered within Study Units 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Please attend lectures and seminars and refer to the extensive materials on Blackboard. You are also
encouraged to read more widely to see what others have to say – this will develop your understanding
and improve your ability to engage in critical evaluation. Your ability to critically evaluate, compare
and contrast the different interpretations of ideas is a part of what will be assessed.
Do NOT use strategic management, business, and marketing, financial, nor human resource
approach as these will not count as relevant literature, models or perspectives.
8. Q: What structure should I use for my essay?
A: This is a judgement that you must make – there are a number of ways that you can approach this.
We would advise is that you provide a brief introduction that summarises the structure and approach
that you have taken, explaining the main thrust of your discussion and argument. This is likely to
mean that your introduction is written once you are clear about the main thrust of your argument.
The brief provided gives you a relatively free scope for discussing issues that are most pertinent to
you, as long as you review and evaluate an episode of organisational change and then go on to look
at lessons for organisational change (see Q3 above). With this in mind, it is advised that – before you
start the formal writing process and before you choose specific theories – you stop and think: What,
overall, do I want to say? What do I want this essay to do? If you do this, you will then be able to
structure your later reading, research and writing around this argument. Without doing it, you may
be more likely to produce a less focussed piece of work, one which is not linked with a clear through
line of thought.
Whilst there are no prescriptions for what makes a ‘good’ argument, and there are a multiple
possible ways of doing this, it is advised that you start thinking about the overall themes of the
module now – those that have arisen during lectures and seminars, and those that run throughout the
main textbook. Indeed, pages 620 -621 of the 2017 3rd edition (410-411 of the 2014 2nd edition) of the
core textbook concisely summarise the overall themes.
9. Q: I don’t really understand what I am supposed to do. Everyone seems to be doing, or
advising, something different. Please can you explain exactly what is required?
A: There are a number of ways to respond to the task set and meet the assessment criteria. This is a
level 3 module and students are expected to work with the complexity that this brings, exercising
critical judgement in the development of their essay. You should use the written briefings and
guidance, plus the support provided in seminars, to write a draft. If you are still confused, you are
advised to arrange to see your seminar so that specific advice can be given. Time is allocated within
seminars to enable you to do this. Please see the answers to questions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 above.
Submission
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10. Q: The assignment briefing gives the word count as 2,500 words (+/- 10%). Plus 10% gives
you a maximum word count of 2,750 words.
A: The University word count policy states the following: ‘The policy is that the coursework
instructions for all levels1 within the module handbook will clearly state a maximum word count
beyond which nothing will be marked. This maximum will include any margin for tolerance which has
been set (i.e. a word count with +10% tolerances), if your module guide
does not state that 10% tolerance will be given then it does not exist for that module.’ You are
advised to use the full word count of 2,750 words in order to gain most marks.
11. Q: The briefing tells me to submit the Essay as a single Word document. Do I need to put
the case I have used as an appendix? Am I expected to use appendices?
A: We do NOT expect an appendix or full description of your case or organisational experiences.
Therefore we do not expect you to give these in an appendix.
If you have identified a case from literature, online or other sources this should be Harvard
Referenced in your final list of references so we can trace a copy. If you are using experience you do
not need to write this up as a story or case to give as an appendix. We suggest you signal you are
analysing an organisational change experience or case in your introduction.
Within your essay please focus on discussing relevant aspects of your experience or the case with
theories, models and perspectives to make your points in the essay and not lengthy descriptions of the
experience/case itself.
We do NOT mark appendices. Therefore relevant information that ensures we can understand your
essay needs to be within the essay itself.
12. Q: In the past I have been penalised for failing to submit my essay on time, even when I had
problems with my computer/internet connection. Will you be more lenient?
A: Sadly every year we have good students who, for one reason or another, fail to upload their
assignment on time. The University policy is very clear that it is your responsibility to ensure that you
meet the deadline. On the MOIC module we cannot make any exceptions to this. You are advised not
to leave submission of your assignment to the last minute and make sure you give yourself some
leeway to cope with difficulties that you don’t anticipate. Remember that you can upload your script
at any time and then upload again before the deadline to replace it with an improved version. Please
ensure you allow sufficient time to upload your script, noting that the system becomes busier and
slower as the deadline approaches. Only your final upload will be counted. Ensure all your
information is submitted at one attempt to avoid ‘overwriting’ your intended submission. Always
check and retain your receipts. Late submission in the 24 hours following the deadline will be
accepted but the assignment mark will be capped at 40%. Submissions after 24 hours will not be
accepted. For full guidance on online submission through Blackboard, see:
http://info.uwe.ac.uk/online/Blackboard/students/guides/assignments/default.asp
Submissions of coursework by any other method (including a paper copy, on disc, by email or by fax)
are NOT permissible for this module unless specifically agreed in advance of the submission date.
See the module handbook for further details.
13. Q: Will this piece of coursework go through Safe Assign?
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A: It is FBL/UWE policy to put all coursework and assignment submissions through Safe Assign
therefore like all your other level 3 submissions (and potentially your level 2 submissions) will go
through Safe Assign.
See the module handbook for further details
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