Organizational Change

This course focuses on innovation and change in organizations in response to environmental and technological induced disruptions they bring to organizations or systems. Organizational change theories and models, futurist literature, and major world trends in innovation that impact sustainable change efforts in education, health care, social enterprises, for- profit and not-for-profit organizations, and related disciplines are examined. Topics include models and strategies in anticipating, creating, and managing change; collaboration; overcoming resistance to change; and creativity and innovations. Students will investigate applications and practices of organizational change across a diversity of fields and industries such as business, technology, government, non-profits, and education.

New venture creation, theory, strategy, and practice for organizational leaders are explored. Students begin by learning Design Thinking and Blue Ocean Strategy, adding industry-leading tools to their leadership skills, empowering them to create value through innovation and entrepreneurship. In this unique course, students will be required to eventually leave their textbooks and desks to venture into the real world to conduct ethnographic research, attempt social experiments, interact with individuals and organizations, take new risks, and stretch their Zones of Proximal Development. Design Innovation skills are emphasized and put into practice throughout the course content and assignments.

With the completion of EDOC 707, students will implement their Blue Ocean and Design Innovation strategies towards an entrepreneurial idea from formulation to fruition by forming new ventures in for-profit, not-for-profit, and philanthropic organizations. Students will work in groups towards an entrepreneurial venture project that will be presented to and evaluated by a panel of potential investors. The course is a practicum, meaning the deliverables of the course are evidence of action in a real-life setting, solving real-life problems, starting real-life enterprises.