Syllabus for Leading and Controlling Organisational Change

Decisions and guidelines

Master's Programme in Accounting and Financial Management - specialisation Management Control.

Learning outcomes

More now than ever before, the majority of organisations, and their employees, are experiencing increased pressure to change and therefore in-depth knowledge of change is needed in today’s workplace. The aim of the course it to develop a deep understanding of the different facets and theories of change at the same time as it advances knowledge of how the change process as such can be controlled, led, and sustained. The course as such has a specific focus on change and development issues related to the management control function of companies.

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explain and apply different theoretical approaches to change and to development issues of the management control function of organisations
• Understand and compare the starting points and background of different strategies for change within organisations
• Analyse and critically discuss the extent to which change can be led, managed and controlled
• Analyse and critically discuss leading, control and management aspects of technology- and IT-driven change within the management control function of organisations
• Understand and be able to discuss how leaders can support individual change in the context of organisational change.

Content

The course primarily covers the following areas:

• theoretical perspectives of change and development issues connected to the management control function of companies
• management accounting systems change
• strategic approaches to change
• managing individual change within the frame of organisational change
• leadership aspects of change
• IT and technology-driven change within the management control function

Instruction

The course is based on a series of lectures, seminars, group work and guest lectures. The course has an emphasis on problem-based-learning and group assignments, where active participation is a requirement. Detailed information about the different specific work activities and submission deadlines are available in the study guide provided at the beginning of the course. The course is taught in English.

Assessment

The student will get one single grade, equivalent to 7.5 credits.

Examination consists of individual and group (written and oral) assignments, and some of these are compulsory. The grade for the entire course is based on an assessment of all parts of the examination.

Grading criteria are presented in the study guide that applies to the course section. The following grades will be used: pass with distinction (VG), pass (G), and fail (U). Examinations handed in late will not be assessed except under special circumstances. Any remaining supplemental work must be completed and handed in by the deadline specified in the study guide. Otherwise the entire course (all examinations included) must be retaken during subsequent course sections, pending availability of a place in the course.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating or plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, which may issue a formal warning to the student or suspend the student from studies for a certain period.

NOTE: Only completed courses can count toward a degree.