This unit explores the issues of strategy, change management and innovation in organisations in a contemporary context. It will examine ambidextrous and adaptive models of strategy, change management, organisational knowledge and learning and how organisational leaders and managers use a combination of strategies to influence, implement and manage change programs. The unit also examines the importance of creativity and innovation in improving competitive advantage and how organisational leaders go about encouraging innovation in contemporary organisations. The underlying dynamics of power and the resistance to power within a changing environment are examined. The unit explores working in complex environments that are characterised by constant change, ambiguity, competition, diversity, values and fractions. Key topics will include: driving change; the strategy and process of change; leadership for change; human resource management; new forms of organisation; power and resistance to change; how to sustain change in today's working environment; and future implications of change.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate a range of theories and practices of strategic and change management;
2. Demonstrate ambidextrous applicability of organisational change practices in different circumstances, environments and contexts;
3. Apply models of change to a range of complex and challenging contexts, inherent in planning and managing organisational change;
4. Appraise the nature of creativity and innovation and how to design and implement it for positive change;
5. Explore modern forms of power and resistance which impact on implementation of strategic change practices; and
6. Study a number of cases of successful and unsuccessful change, and the reasons for the success or failure.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware

Skills development

The development of 21st century skills and graduate attributes are essential to the success in this unit.

Prerequisites

It is preferable that this unit be studied in the final year of the MBA program.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.