In this course, students learn about and practice skills in inquiry, analysis, and creative thinking which can lead toward higher performance as organizational leader-managers. Students also explore communication analysis tools such as message analysis, organizational network analy-sis, climate instruments, and cultural assessments. Each student in this course negotiates a learning agreement with a professor to explore thoroughly a specific issue or practice in leadership and management. Possible activities are journal writing, directed readings, or the observation and assessment of an actual management practice. In this course, students apply a variety of models to analyze the com-plex issues surrounding organizational performance.
Emphasis is on systems and socio-technical perspectives.
MGT546 Organizational Design and Innovation Building upon the principles and tech-niques of organizational analysis, students explore the role of the leader as change agent. Students critically examine the con-cepts of change and innovation as ongoing processes for organizational renewal. Possible project topics include merging two units or functions, adding a new service, seeking support for a major capital investment, making or modi-fying a major human resource or management policy. As the course is largely individualized study, students use the Proposal Development Manual to guide their work. This capstone course examines ethical dilemmas facing lead-ers and managers in a rapidly changing work environment.