Posted: September 6th, 2023

Leading Change and Innovation Assignment

Assignment Brief

Module Title Leading Change and Innovation Assignment Number 1
Leading Change and Innovation is a module that focuses on the theories and practices of implementing organizational changes and promoting innovation. It covers a range of topics, including the role of leaders in managing change, the factors that influence organizational change, and the strategies for fostering creativity and innovation in the workplace. The module is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of how to lead change and promote innovation in different types of organizations.

The Role of Leaders in Managing Change:

One of the key themes of this module is the critical role that leaders play in managing change. Leaders are responsible for setting the vision and direction of an organization and for ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals. They need to be able to communicate effectively with their team members, inspire them to work towards the organizational goals, and motivate them to embrace change. Effective leaders are able to create a sense of urgency and make change happen.

Factors that Influence Organizational Change:

Another important aspect of this module is the examination of the factors that influence organizational change. Change can be driven by a variety of internal and external factors, including shifts in the market, changes in technology, and shifts in consumer behavior. Leaders need to be able to identify the factors that are driving change in their industry and respond to them in a timely and effective manner.

Strategies for Fostering Creativity and Innovation:

Finally, the module covers the strategies for fostering creativity and innovation in the workplace. Innovation is essential for organizations to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment. Leaders need to create a culture that encourages innovation, experimentation, and risk-taking. This involves providing employees with the resources they need to be creative, such as time and budget, and creating a safe space where they can share their ideas without fear of ridicule.

The Leading Change and Innovation module is a vital component of any business education. It provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to lead change and promote innovation in a variety of organizational settings. By understanding the role of leaders in managing change, the factors that influence organizational change, and the strategies for fostering creativity and innovation, students will be well-equipped to make a positive impact in their future careers.
Assignment Title Presentation
Assignment Weighting 20%

Assignment Release Date: 30th January, 2023
Submission Date/Time: 02nd May, 2023 at 12:00 noon

Assessment Information – What you need to do
This assignment is a group assignment – maximum 5 members per group

In seminar groups, you will plan and attempt to make an organisational change and then produce a 15-minute video, presenting, describing, critically analysing and explaining what happened, using theories covered during lectures. The exercise is designed to give you an experience of trying to make an organisational change and an opportunity to make sense of this experience using relevant theory. You might think about producing the video in, the form of, for example, a video diary, documentary or more traditional presentation or another approach of your group’s choosing.
What kind of change should you attempt to make?
The precise organisational change you attempt to make is up to your group to decide. However, it should be an organisational change that is achievable by the end of the course.

Helpful guidance:
In order to pass the group exercise, your group will need to attempt to make an organisational change and produce a video presentation about this, drawing on relevant theories discussed during the course to analyse and explain what happened and why. To create the presentation, it may be necessary to draw on newspaper articles, company reports, financial statements, academic articles, company websites, advertisements or CEO press statements.

Criteria for Assessment – How you will be marked
Marks for the group video presentations will be awarded for:
Demonstrating knowledge, understanding, accurate presentation, appropriate application and critical analysis of relevant organisational change theories (50%).

• How appropriate and interesting was the group’s choice of attempted change? (Was it
too simple or unrealistic? Did the choice of change reveal interesting issues?)
• How appropriate was the group’s choice of change concepts theories to explaining the attempted organisational change? (How well did the theories used explain what happened? How appropriate was the balance of breadth and depth of theories used?)
• How well did the group demonstrate understanding of organisational theories? (Were theories clearly explained in an accurate way?)
• How well did the group demonstrate critical analysis of the attempted change and theories used to explain it? (Did the presentation question organisational and theoretical assumptions and prevailing perspective? Did the presentation reflect on its own limitations?)
Demonstrating clear communication, using verbal and non-verbal skills to engage the audience, appropriately, presenting material in a balanced and timely way, and using visual aids effectively (50%).
• How clear and well-structured was the presentation? (Is the presentation easy to understand and follow? Does the introduction signpost what will be covered and conclude in a way highlighting points?)
• How creative and engaging was the presentation? (Will viewers be interested and want to know more about the change attempted?)
• How well did the group use visual aids to enhance the quality of the presentation? Marks will not be awarded for the effectiveness of the attempted change; i.e. the change you attempt can fail but groups can still receive high marks if you explain what happened well (reflecting the criteria above).

All criteria are equally weighted.

Havard Referencing style should be used