Research Paper
The student selects one of the major theoretical perspectives on change discussed in the course and produces a research paper on the topic. The objective is to take the topic past where the class discussion leaves it. The student should:
1. Locate additional sources that describe varied perspectives on the topic.
2. Address how the varied perspectives related to or complement what has been discussed in class.
3. Discuss how strategic change relates to the varied perspectives and whether they are predictive or explanatory.
4. Describe how a practicing manager might make use of what you have found to better manage change.
5. Write your own model of change management based on your research.
Examples include:
- Change management models
- Leadership styles as they relate to change
- Strategic management and strategic change
- Managing resistance to change
- Communicating change
- Diagnosis
- Cultural change
Your research Course Project should focus on organizational change management and use the following format:
1. Executive Summary
a. Briefly describe the topic and how it relates to organizational change management
b. Establish an area of concern that the paper will cover
c. Provide a brief explanation of our findings and how the practicing manager can use what you found
2. Literature Review:
a. Describe how the topic has been addressed in the text and course assignments
b. Address how the varied perspectives relate to the topic and managing organizational change
c. Discuss how the topic and the varied perspectives relate to strategic change and if they are predictive or explanatory
3. Change Management Model:
a. Based on your research and with some detail describe your personal change management model. How does it work? Why do certain components exist, etc?
b. Compare and contrast your personal change model with models you found in the literature.
4. Discussion and Conclusion
a. Discuss your experience with the topic and managing organization change
b. Describe how a practicing manager might make use of what you have found to better manage change
5. References (have at least seven (7) articles from academic or business journals.
a. Utilization of documents from the text
b. Library and other resources
6. Appendix