A written report that examines the developmental history of a significant change or innovation in the workplace. Students may draw on either their own workplace or an approved case study. (4,000 words) (100%) (Learning Outcomes 1-6)

This module explores the chain of actions and events that follow from pressures on an organisation to change and adapt through to developing the business case for proposals. As such it builds on earlier learning in the FdA Leadership and Management. Following a logical sequence (mirroring the process from identifying drivers for change through innovating responses and auctioning these as new products or services) to structure the breadth of content in this module, indicative content will cover:

• Analysing pressures to change
• Sources of innovation and tools for innovating
• New Product Development
• Deductive and inductive logic
• Problem solving techniques
• Decision making models
• Business risk assessment
• Presenting arguments and information
• Fundamental financial aspects of decision making, including marginal costing, beak-even analysis and investment appraisal

1. Demonstrate knowledge and evaluate the fundamental importance of leading innovation in order to achieve competitive advantage.
Knowledge & Understanding
Analysis
Reflection

2. Identify and evaluate the primary issues concerning agents for change and the value and appropriateness of change management tools to support innovation
Knowledge and Understanding
Analysis
Enquiry
Application

3. Compare potential solutions and risks when making management decisions using a range of techniques.
Knowledge & Understanding
Analysis
Problem Solving
Application

4. Understand the process of critical reasoning and apply techniques for solving problems and identifying solutions.
Application
Analysis
Problem Solving

5. Use different methods to present arguments and recommendations on management issues within your working environment
Communication
Reflection

As outlined in the indicative content, the teaching and learning on this module follows the journey from change driver through innovation and evaluation through to new product or service delivery. Using case material as well as drawing on learners own experiences, it will focus on the decision making processes that connect these elements, and use interactive tasks to explore considerations and implications as well as introducing both theoretical and pragmatic approaches to the change, innovation and decision making process.

The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 300 learning hours (including assessment). This will include 36 hours of scheduled teaching and learning and 264 hours of independent and self-directed study.

Staffordshire University electronic resources and off-campus library facilities.
Module website

A variety of web resources will support the learning of students on this module, including:
Professional body websites (especially the Chartered Institute of Marketing, The Design Council)
Government bodies, including Business, Innovation and Skills and various supported project and non-departmental bodies. (for example NHS Innovations)
Company websites, especially of firms strongly associated with innovation such as Apple. 3M etc.

Cottrell, S., (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis & Argument Palgrave

Dawson, P. & Andriopoulos, C. (2014) Managing Change, Creativity and Innovation (2nd Ed). Sage

Mayle, D. (2006) Managing Innovation and Change (3rd Edition) Open University

Moran, K. (2000) Investment Appraisal for Non-Financial Managers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Profitable Decisions Prentice Hall