Change Management (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course alternates between independent learning assignments and interactive webinars that include group discussions. In the case study group project, course themes will be explored and analysed in a real-world work context through collaborative learning. The course concludes with an individual final assignment, completed independently, drawing on insights gained throughout the course.

Attendance will be checked three weeks after the course has started. To complete the course, students must complete an orientation assignment, attend the opening webinar and familiarize themselves with the Moodle learning environment.

Objective

The purpose of the course
The purpose of the course is that you understand the importance of sustainable change management for the organization, the work community and the individual in the constantly changing working life and that you are able to plan and implement change projects in practice.

Course competencies
Business competence: The student has a broad-based understanding of business. The student has the key knowledge of change management theories.
Learning to learn: The student also takes responsibility for the group’s learning and sharing of what has been learned.
Working in working life: The student understands the complexity of changing working life and has resilience in changing work situations.
Proactive development: The student solves problem situations creatively and renews ways of working together with others. The student can find sustainable solutions by anticipating the future.

The learning objective of the course
You acquire knowledge related to change management and recognize different theories and methods. You understand the complexity of working life and the importance of sustainable change management in the effective management of the organization. You identify the stages, perspectives and tools of change management in change situations. You can explain change management in a systemic way. You understand the importance of emotions in change and identify ways to engage staff in changes. You can find sustainable solutions by anticipating the future. You can describe your own capacity for change. You can take responsibility for your own actions and share what you have learned with others. You are able to report on the course content in an illustrative way.

Content

Different change situations
Stages and perspectives of the change process
Emotions and commitment in change
Change communication
Supervisor as a change leader
Capacity for change and resilience

Methods for implementing change in an organization

Materials

Learning materials:
Ajattele muutos. Opas esimiehille ja kehittäjille. 2008. Valtiokonttori, Kaiku-palvelut.
Laurila, M. 2017. ”Me ollaan kaikki samassa veneessä ja soudetaan yhdessä samaan suuntaan” Esimiesten ja henkilöstön käsityksiä hyvästä muutosjohtajuudesta. Väitöskirja. Acta Wasaensia 386, Liiketaloustiede, Vaasan Yliopisto.
Työhyvinvointi muutoksessa. 2007. Valtiokonttori, Kaiku-palvelut. Helsinki.
Onnistunut muutos -opas. N.d. Ilmarinen.


Literature will be used selectively in group discussions:
Arikoski, J. & Sallinen, M. 2007. Vastarinnasta vastarannalle – johda muutos taitavasti. Keuruu: Johtamistaidon opisto JTO
Ylikoski, K. & Ylikoski, M. 2009. Työyhteisö muutosmurroksessa: ihmisyys muutoksen kohtaamisessa ja johtamisessa. Mikkeli: Työturvallisuuskeskus
Heiskanen, M. & Lehikoinen, S. 2010. Muutosviestinnän voimapaperi. Helsinki: Talentum
Kotter, J. 2008. Jäävuoremme sulaa: muutos ja menestyminen kaikissa olosuhteissa. Helsinki, WSOYpro
Juuti, P & Virtanen, P. 2009. Organisaatiomuutos. Helsinki: Otava.
Mattila, P. 2009. Johdettu muutos: Avaimet organisaation hallittuun uudistumiseen. Helsinki: Talentum
Piha, K. & Sutinen, M. 2020. Muutosvoimaa: tutkimusmatka moderniin muutosjohtamiseen. Helsinki: Alma Talent.
Pirinen, H. 2014. Esimies muutoksen johtajana. Talentum.
Ponteva, K. 2012. Muutoksessa. Helsinki: Sanoma Pro.
Korhonen, H. & Bergman, T. 2019. Johtaja muutoksen ytimessä. Helsinki: Alma Talent Pro.

Teaching methods

The course employs flipped learning, case studies, and peer learning as key teaching and learning methods. It features interactive webinars, expert lectures, group discussions, a case study group project, and individual assignments.

Students receive ongoing guidance for their assignments online. Feedback is provided for the individual final assignment and the group case study project. Peer feedback is incorporated into the group work, and self-reflection is used throughout the course as a tool for learning and assessing competence.

The final grade is based on the group case study project and the individual final assignment.

Employer connections

Visiting lecturers
Case study -group project

Exam schedules

There is no exam in the course.
The individual learning assignments must be completed and returned during the course.
Group discussions must be attended to in accordance with the course timetable.
The case study -group project presentations must be given in accordance with the course timetable.
The individual final assignment must be returned in December 2025, exact date will be announced at the beginning of the course.
The retakes of the learning assignments will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Completion alternatives

Accreditation (replacement and inclusion)
Recognition of prior learning and experience acquired in other ways
Studification
More detailed instructions can be found from the Degree Regulations and the Study Guide

Student workload

Interactive webinars 10*2 h = 20 h
Reading literature and preparation for webinars 44 h
Case study -group project 35 h
The individual final assignment 35 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Adequate 1
You acquire knowledge related to change management and recognize different theories and methods. You understand the complexity of working life and the importance of sustainable change management in the effective management of the organization. You identify the stages, perspectives and tools of change management in change situations. You can explain change management in a systemic way. You understand the importance of emotions in change and identify ways to engage staff in changes. You can find sustainable solutions by anticipating the future. You can describe your own capacity for change. You can take responsibility for your own actions and share what you have learned with others. You are able to report on the course content in an illustrative way.

Satisfactory 2
You can present information, theories and methods related to change management. You understand the complexity of working life and the importance of sustainable change management in a changing working life. You can use change management perspectives and tools in change situations. You can apply change management in a systemic way. You understand the role of emotions in change and apply tools to engage staff in change. You are able to look for sustainable solutions, anticipating the future. You can explain your own capacity for change. You can take responsibility for your own actions and share your learning with others. You are able to report on the content of the course in a clear and coherent way.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
You can compare knowledge, theories and methods related to change management. You can analyse the importance of sustainable change management in a changing working life. You are able to compare perspectives and prioritise change management tools in change situations. You can structure change management in a systemic way. You are able to analyse the role of emotions in change and select ways to engage staff in change. You are able to analyse the sustainability of solutions, anticipating the future. You can analyse your own capacity for change. You can take responsibility for your own actions and share your learning with others. You are able to report on the content of the course in a coherent and justified manner and in accordance with the reporting guidelines.

Very good 4
You can evaluate knowledge, theories and methods related to change management. You can justify the importance of sustainable change management in a changing working life. You can design change management tools for change situations. You are able to evaluate change management in a systemic way. You can assess the role of emotions in change and design ways to engage staff in change. You are able to justify the sustainability of solutions, anticipating the future. You can assess your own capacity for change. You can take responsibility for your own learning and design collaborative learning in a group. You are able to report on the content of the course in a coherent, reasoned and analytical manner and in accordance with the reporting guidelines.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
You can produce new perspectives on change management based on well-chosen theories and methods. You can argue and convince about the importance of sustainable change management in a changing working life. You are able to develop change management tools for change situations. You are able to develop change management in a systemic way. You can argue and convince about the importance of emotions in change and develop ways to engage staff in change. You are able to produce sustainable solutions that anticipate the future. You can develop your own capacity for change. You can take responsibility for your own learning and develop collaborative learning in groups. You are able to report on the content of the course in a convincing and fluent manner and in accordance with the reporting guidelines.

Qualifications

Knowledge of the key concepts and theories of management and leadership

Further information

The course assessment methods include:
Assessment of own competence and learning in relation to the personal final assignment.
Self-assessment and peer assessment in relation to the group work.
The teacher’s feedback on case study -group project and individual final assignment.
Assessment of competence, feedback and course grade is based on the competence assessments, group assignments and the individual assignments.