CIS-31306 Management of Change: Inter-Human Processes and Communication

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Expected knowledge on:

Introduction to Communication and Innovation Studies (English or Dutch version)

Contents:

In order to manage both internal and external changes, many organisations nowadays pay serious attention to 'communication-management'. In this respect we may think of strategies for bringing together all communication activities of an organisation. It is generally recognised that organisations, if they do not adequately communicate with their environment, sooner or later, will fall down.
Starting from the idea that organising is communicating one can wonder what communication can mean for an effective orientation on the environment that is continuously changing. In this course we will discuss relevant and topical themes with respect to communication, organisation and the management of change. These themes will be deepened with the help of a number of theoretical perspectives.

Aims:

At the end of the course students will:
1) have developed insights in several theories concerning communication in organisations, organisational development and management of change;
2) be able to use these insights to analyse real-life experiences and practices; 3) to use theory for developing research questions.

Activities:

The course consists of 12 meetings of two hours each. During these meetings students will work together in groups to review and discuss different theories and practices related to change processes. Subjects such as resistance to change, strategies for image-building, risk perceptions, group processes and leadership will be addressed. Several guest lecturers will share their experiences in change management.

Examination:

Students will write a paper in which they elaborate several theoretical concepts, and use these concepts in order to analyse a concrete problem in the field of change-management. The quality of the paper will be judged.

Literature:

Articles will be handed out.