This module aims to:

Provide students with a critical appreciation of change management as a form of strategic human resource management, and the negotiation of multiple interests;

Enable students to engage with a range of theories and perspectives of change management and conflict management;

Provide students with analytical and practical techniques required for effective change management, conflict management and successful employee relations development.

(LE1) Internationally aware.
Students will examine the global context and drivers for change and conflict, and develop knowledge of cross-cultural issues relating to change and conflict management.

(LE2) A leader.
Students will develop knowledge of the role of leaders and managers in change management and conflict resolution, and critically reflect on their own roles within change and conflict situations.

(LO1) Students will develop a critical understanding of international and global drivers of change and conflict.

(LO2) Students will develop a critical appreciation of change management as a form of strategic human resource management and the negotiation of multiple interests.

(LO3) Students will understand and be able to critically evaluate a range of theories relating to change management, and their relevance to strategic human resource management.

(LO4) Students will gain knowledge and skills in analytical and practical techniques required for effective change management, including recognising and negotiating organisational politics and a critical awareness of the global and cultural context and implications for change management.

(LO5) Students will be able to understand and critically evaluate a range of theories relating to conflict management, including employee relations perspectives.

(LO6) Students will gain knowledge and skills in analytical and practical techniques required for effective conflict management and successful employee relations development, including interpersonal skills, negotiation and mediation and a critical awareness of the global and cultural context and implications for conflict management.

(LO7) Students will understand the importance of reflective practice in developing their understanding and application of different approaches to change and conflict management.

(LRE1) A problem solver.
Students will develop problem solving skills through gaining and applying knowledge of managing change and resolving conflict.

(LRE2) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their verbal and visual presentation skills through making a video presentation. Students will have the opportunity to develop written and oral communication skills through virtual group discussions, discussion boards, and individual assessment.

(LRE3) A lifelong learner.
Students will critically reflect on and analyse their own skills in relation to conflict management, and write a personal development plan identifying key skills they wish to develop for effective conflict management.

(LRE4) Ethically aware.
Students will critically examine and reflect on the ethics relating to managing change and conflict, including their own roles.

(LRE5) Organised and able to work under pressure.
This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and coursework and by meeting deadlines.

(LRE6) IT literate.
The nature of the module in terms of online delivery will enable students to develop skills in using a virtual learning / communications environment.

The module learning strategy is underpinned by the concepts of active, collaborative and co-produced learning. Students will apply key concepts to their own professional contexts and practice and will be encouraged to determine the direction and focus of discussions according to their own experiences and interests, both individually and through group discussions.

The module will primarily be delivered through eight weekly e-lectures, delivered through a variety of methods, covering key concepts, theories and case examples. These will be supported by individual online tasks, case studies, blogs, collaborative tasks and discussion boards, which will be used to develop and apply learning. These activities will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 10 hours
Description: The e-lectures will equate to 1.25 hours/week over 8 weeks undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Students will also participate in eight weekly e-seminars where they will engage in peer discussion of key concepts and application to their own work contexts. Seminars will be conducted via a discussion board with input from the module instructor.

Unscheduled student hours: 8 hours
Description: The e-seminars will equate to 1 hour/week over 8 weeks undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Self-directed learning hours: 132 hours
Description: This will involve directed and independent reading, and independent research change management and conflict management practices.

Change in an international context; global drivers of change.

Theories and perspectives of change management.

The role of HRM in change management.

Employment relations in a global context; global drivers of conflict; cross-cultural conflict; employment relations and change management.

Theories and perspectives on employment relations; employee voice; employee engagement; implications for the balance of power.

Conflict management; psychological explanations of conflict and approaches to conflict management; the psychological contract.

Managing conflict within and between groups.

Organisational level conflict; the role of collective bargaining, negotiation and mediation skills.