Professional Practice Portfolio: Work Design, Organisational Change and Development

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenors: Rachel Lewis, Jo Yarker
• Tutor: Professor Almuth McDowall
• Assessment: a 5000-word learning log (100%)

This module is one of six modules within Part 1 of the Professional Doctorate in Organizational Psychology (OP), and enables you to apply your psychological knowledge in the area of work design, organisational change and development directly to the workplace. Interactive learning with peers and tutors is combined with work-based practice, with a clear focus on experiential learning and reflection on action.

Indicative module syllabus

• Psychological theories, models and critical perspectives relevant to work design, organisational change and development
• Individual, team and organisational perspectives on work design, organisational change and development
• Contextual factors impacting upon work design, organisational change and development
• The interplay between psychological and business considerations when implementing work design, organisational change and development initiatives
• Demonstration of evidence-based practice in work design, organisational change and development
• Consideration of design, tailoring and evaluation of different methodologies for work design, organisational change and development
• The role of fairness and equal objectives in professional practice in work design, organisational change and development

By the end of this module, you will:

• know about issues concerning knowledge acquisition and dissemination in OP, including the ability to critically evaluate existing research and practice in the area of work design, organisational change and development
• have both academic and practical knowledge of organisational, team/group and individual perspectives on work design, organisational change and development
• understand the complex interplay between psychological and business considerations concerned with work design, organisational change and development
• understand the contextual factors that may impact upon success of work design, organisational change and development initiatives
• be able to design, implement and evaluate your own programme of research/practice within work design, organisational change and development
• have a command of relevant knowledge at the cutting edge of OP and the capacity to apply this knowledge in practice
• be able to analyse and manage the implications of ethical dilemmas in practice, working with individuals, teams and organisations, working with legal and ethical boundaries of the profession
• be able to make informed judgements on complex issues in work and business environments, often in the absence of complex data
• have the capacity to apply professionally relevant knowledge at the cutting edge of the field of OP
• be able to identify appropriate investigative approaches for a chosen client project
• be able to conduct, direct, monitor and evaluate the implementation of applications of OP
• be able to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge in OP and practical implementation of that knowledge
• be able to act professionally and largely autonomously and with initiative in complex and unpredictable situations
• be able to critically reflect on the practical applications of theory and research findings in OP
• be able to record reflections on your own learning and development as required for future professional practice.