ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Change and Conflict Management
Code ULMS785
Coordinator Dr Y Chen
Work, Organisation and Management
Yaru.Chen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:

 

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12

12

      6

30
Timetable (if known) 120 mins X 1 totaling 12
 
120 mins X 1 totaling 12
 
      60 mins X 1 totaling 6
 
 
Private Study 120
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Group presentation. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment.  15    30       
Individual written assignment. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment.    70       

Aims

This module aims to:

Provide students with an understanding of how to build a case for change, including an understanding of how to engage people for that change to be effective; how to choose the right approach that supports a change culture; how to involve the right people and listen to their views; how to continuously innovate and deliver change at pace, and knowing what else needs to be in place to enable that change for the long-term;

Provide students with knowledge of the principles and current issues relevant to conflict resolution in contemporary organisations in order to support students' development of subject specific and key transferable skills necessary for employment in positions related to the management of human resources and occupational psychology;

Provide an opportunity for students to acquire a range of analytical techniques required for the effective tactical and strategic negotiation for successful employee relations development.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to understand and practically appraise key models and theories of organisational and individual conflict and change management.

(LO2) Students will know how to develop change management approaches that align with the organisation’s culture and objectives.

(LO3) Students will have a critical understanding of engaging and mobilising a range of stakeholders to enable sustained change and effective conflict management.

(LO4) Students will be able to critically appraise theoretical and practical aspects of conflict management across various levels – organisation, group and individual.

(LO5) Students will know how to apply different dispute resolution techniques to resolve workplace conflict to enable sustainable change.

(LO6) Students will be able to adapt and apply a range of innovation methods, e.g. user research, prototyping and iteration, to enable change at pace.

(LO7) Students will be able to understand and practically appraise how to drive effective working relationships through consultation, mediation and negotiation.

(LO8) Students will be able to critically evaluate the strategies used for planning, managing and delivering organisational change, identifying risks involved, those that are effective for sustaining it, and how to evaluate it.

(S1) Problem solving
Students will develop problem solving skills through development of knowledge of resolving conflict.

(S2) Teamwork and interpersonal skills
This will be developed through group work activities which are integral to weekly ‘reflexive logs’.

(S3) Organisation skills
Required for effective contribution in seminars and for completion of reflective learning log.

(S4) Communication skills
Seminars require effective communication of ideas through presentation/discussion.

(S5) IT skills
Students will develop their IT skills in preparing for the presentation and written assessment.

(S6) International awareness
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of cross cultural conflict resolution.

(S7) Lifelong learning
Students will develop the ability to demonstrate awareness of their own approach to conflict management.

(S8) Ethical awareness
Knowledge of ethics related to change and conflict management will be required.

(S9) Leadership
Knowledge of the role of managers and leaders in change and conflict management will be developed.

(S10) Critical reflection skills
Students will develop critical reflection skills through writing a weekly reflective log of their learning which forms part of their assessment.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

2 hour lecture x 6 weeks
2 hour seminar x 6 weeks
1 hour group learning x 6 weeks
120 hours self-directed learning


Syllabus

 

The syllabus will cover:

Models and theories of organisational and individual change;

Organisational change diagnosis, interventions, and effectiveness;

Organisational development methods/models of understanding and managing change;

Individual, group, cross-cultural and organisational level conflict, theories, and their management;

Change as a driver of conflict including the role of power and politics;

Psychological explanations of individual approaches to conflict management, e.g. psychological contract as a tool to understanding conflict;

Employee relations: the role of collective bargaining, negotiation and mediation skills in overcoming resistance to change, managing conflict and dispute resolution in organisational change.


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.