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MN50187: Management consulting: data driven approaches

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Individual Assignment (CW 70%)
  • Group Presentations (CW 30%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
1. To introduce different consulting practices for intervening in the processes of enhancing organisational performance
2. To describe the processes of organization development and through different theoretical perspectives
3. To link a variety of theories on consulting organisations to the practice of improving organisational performance
4. To explore and practice the process of knowledge commodification and the role of consultancies and clients in this process

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this unit the student would be able to:
1. Gather advanced-level knowledge on the process, dynamics and underlying process in organisations which consultants may aim to influence.
2. Have knowledge and experience with client - consultant interaction Practice how knowledge may be translated effectively to practice
3. Develop a systematic understanding of the types of methods, approaches and toolsavailable to consultants for improving organisational performance, and relate these options to their theoretical underpinnings;
4. Comprehensive understanding and ability to evaluate frameworks for analysis and understanding of current thinking in consulting organisational development;
5. understanding and develop abilities of how analysis and methods can be used in various stages of the intervention, this include using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative as well as qualitative skills
6. To begin the development of reflexive practice. This includes planning, problem solving complex problems and making decisions, in a consulting intervention process in practice (role play) and understand how to interact effectively with clients in this process (including to create, identify and evaluate option as well as implement and review decision)
7. Are able to see consulting as a wider societal phenomenon
8. Understanding of some of the approaches, biases and issues concerning the consulting profession and work in consulting firms.
9. To develop a critical perspective on consultancy as a phenomenon in a society, using theory on learning and knowledge management, innovation, professions and professionalisation, identity and commitment.
10. Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management

Skills:
Analysis of case material (facilitated and assessed)
Critical reflection on theory (taught and assessed)
Application of theoretical models to organisational and consulting issues (taught and facilitated)
Learning how to recognise, select, analyse and interpret analysis of a variety of data feeding into the consulting process (facilitated and assessed)
Integration of multiple levels of analysis - short-term/long-term, individual/organisational, theory/practice (facilitated and assessed)
Interaction with professionals (facilitated)
Design, facilitation and role play of a consulting intervention developing reflexive practice (facilitated and assessed) Managing an intervention process (facilitated and assessed)
Cooperative working with other students in a team environment as well as processing information and feedback from other teams (facilitated)
Development of reflexive practice (facilitated and assessed)

Content:
Different approaches to consulting; commodification of knowledge and innovation of knowledge products; the consulting process; client-consultant interaction; Analysing organisational context during change; Use of internal and external consultants; Identifying a consulting project, and selecting the team; The role of knowledge, training and development in organisations; The process of organisational learning; Theories annd practice of individual learning; The intervention cycle, including methodologies for needs assessment, evaluation and feedback; Writing up findings and presenting back to peer group and project client; Reflection on experience and case-based role plays; Development of a critical perspective towards consultancy; Developing ideas on the basis of feedback and peer-discussion in an experience-based academic essay.
Students will also learn about other areas in ways that will vary from one role play to another depending on the objectives of the particular role play caseand the circumstances of the team.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50187 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.