Syllabus

Title
1013 Organizational Change and Redesign
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Kff.Dr. Patricia Klarner
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/18/25 to 09/21/25
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Monday 11/10/25 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM D5.1.003
Wednesday 11/12/25 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM EA.5.030
Monday 11/17/25 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM EA.5.040
Wednesday 11/19/25 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM D5.1.003
Monday 12/01/25 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM D5.1.003
Wednesday 12/03/25 10:00 AM - 01:30 PM D5.1.003
Tuesday 12/09/25 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM D5.1.004
Contents

Due to the constantly increasing dynamics of today’s markets, managers are challenged with the task of initiating and managing organizational change initiatives to ensure long-term firm success. The objective of this course is to enhance students’ understanding of the fundamentals of designing and implementing change processes in organizations. We will discuss drivers, dimensions, and outcomes of change processes in international companies. The course bridges theory and practice through discussions of examples of international companies and a guest lecture.

 

Course content:

  1. Introduction to organizational change and redesign
  2. Drivers of change
  3. Dimensions of change (Strategy, Structure, People, and Processes)
  4. Goals and outcomes of change processes
  5. Change management and change leadership
  6. The practitioner’s view: guest lecture
Learning outcomes

In this course, students will learn about the role of external and internal drivers of change. They will get to know the principal goals of change processes and how they can be achieved by addressing key dimensions of organization design, such as strategy, structure, people, and processes. They will also learn to understand the role of managers in initiating and moderating change processes, common barriers to change, and communication strategies during change processes.

 

Managing organizational change and redesign is a complex theme, which requires the application of different analytical approaches and combining adequate tools and frameworks. The course therefore integrates many issues that students have to handle in their future careers.

 

After completing this course students will have the ability to:

  • Systematically analyze the drivers and consequences of change in international companies
  • Understand the key dimensions of change initiatives (strategy, structure, people, and processes)   
  • Identify and overcome common barriers to change
  • Understand the role of organization culture and communication strategies in change processes
  • Study their own change project

 

Apart from that, completing this course will contribute to students' ability to:

  • Improve their oral and written communication and presentation skills (in English)
  • Learn to give and receive constructive feedback
  • Learn to translate their insights to practical problems
  • Work on solutions for real-life case studies
Attendance requirements

Full attendance at all sessions is expected. We require an attendance of minimum 80% of all sessions (both in-person and online, if applicable) in order to successfully complete the course.

If you are unable to attend a session due to unforeseeable circumstances, you need to inform your lecturer before the session takes place.

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • Lecture with discussions
  • Team Presentations
  • Final Exam

All reading materials for the course will be supplied via CANVAS.

Assessment
The final course grade is based upon the evaluation of the following assessment assignments:
  • Exam (50%)
  • Team Presentation (35%)
  • Final team report (15%)

Please note that students must participate in all three grading components in order to pass the course.
We expect all students to actively participate in the in-class discussions.

__________________

IOD guidelines for AI use:

 

1. Is the use of AI-based software in your course/exam permitted?

The use of AI-based software is permitted for writing support (e.g., Grammarly) as long as its use is referenced correctly. If you use AI-based software (e.g., ChatGPT) for text and content generation in your presentations or written work, it is mandatory to:

a) verify the information generated,

b) reference the generated content and the AI-based software correctly, and

c) be prepared for in-class discussions, where we will challenge your results and insights.

Please note that it is not permitted to upload any data to AI-based software; this concerns both:

a) licensed material accessed through WU (e.g., uploading a paper you accessed through the WU library to ChatGPT) and

b) primary or secondary data that you have or collected during the course (e.g., transcribing and analyzing interviews with ChatGPT).


2. How do you adequately reference AI-based software?

You need to provide a reference in the footnotes AND add a detailed appendix with the specific "prompts" you entered and the “responses” you received from the AI-based software.
Please find more information on how to reference the use of AI-based software here: https://library.wu.ac.at/bib/fit4research/index.php/en/fit4research-english/cite-and-organize-your-literature/citing-correctly/citing-ai/

 

3. What happens in a suspected case of unauthorized use of AI-based software?

We apply software that indicates the use of AI-based software. In the case of suspected unauthorized use of AI-based software, we will initially set up an additional individual oral audit interview with the student and then determine further steps.

Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Last edited: 2025-05-12



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