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Examine and investigate the strategic and operational importance of change for Miss Macaroon.

MG630 Change and Organisational Development

Module code and title:

MG630 Change and Organisational Development

Module leader:

Assignment No. and type:

PR1: 10 Minute Individual Presentation + 5 minutes for questions

Assessment weighting:

40%

Submission time and date:

Presentation: During Class Time

PPT slides to be submitted on BB before 2 pm on Friday 4 April 2025

Target feedback time and date:

3 Weeks

Assignment task

CONTEXT

Miss Macaroon is a niche bakery business based in Birmingham, specializing in high-end macaroons. The business was founded by Rosie Ginday, a trained pastry chef with a strong passion for social entrepreneurship. Miss Macaroon operates as a social enterprise, with profits reinvested to support training and employment opportunities for unemployed young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Over the past three years, Miss Macaroon has expanded its operations by opening pop-up kiosks in major shopping centres across the West Midlands, alongside its flagship shop in Birmingham. The business now operates four outlets and plans to expand to eight within the next two years.

As part of its growth strategy, Miss Macaroon is planning to launch an online customization service for macaroons, allowing customers to design bespoke gifts for nationwide delivery. This service will be supported by an investment in a dedicated e-commerce platform and new packaging facilities at its Birmingham headquarters.

The planned expansion and introduction of the online customization service will lead to restructuring within Miss Macaroon. Proposed changes include:

Appointing a regional manager to oversee operations across all kiosks.
Reducing the number of store manager roles.
Reducing the number of shop assistant roles
Increasing the number of production staff to meet the growing demand for customized macaroons.
Recruiting additional delivery drivers to support the nationwide shipping of online orders.
Hiring a digital marketing team to manage the e-commerce platform and drive online sales.

Currently, each kiosk has a store manager and a small team of customer service assistants. Under the new structure, smaller kiosks will be managed by production staff, who will also take on some managerial responsibilities. The flagship shop in Birmingham will continue to have a dedicated store manager and expanded customer service team to handle high foot traffic.

While the proposed restructuring aims to streamline operations and support growth, it has caused concerns among current employees. Many staff members feel that the reasons for the changes and their implications have not been clearly explained. This has led to feelings of uncertainty, reduced morale, and a loss of trust in senior management.

Rosie Ginday believes that regular team meetings and newsletters have adequately communicated the rationale and benefits of the proposed changes. However, feedback from staff suggests otherwise, with several employees voicing frustration over the lack of consultation and clarity about their future roles.

In addition to managing these internal challenges, Miss Macaroon faces significant upfront costs associated with its expansion plans, including:

Hiring of the e-commerce team and associated IT software
Training costs for bakers to become shop managers
Training costs for delivery driver roles.

Some long-serving employees who joined Miss Macaroon in its early days are resistant to changes in their roles, citing discomfort with new responsibilities. Rosie is committed to ensuring the success of the expansion while addressing these employee concerns. To this end, she has engaged your consultancy to help manage the restructuring process and ensure a smooth transition as the company continues to grow.

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

LO 1: Understand the strategic and operational importance of change in organisations

LO 2: Critically evaluate change management theory, strategies and tactical options including organisation development

Task requirements

You have been hired by Miss Macaroon to provide insights into how the business can navigate the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment it operates in. Before Miss Macaroon commissions a detailed report (CW1), they require a presentation on how change management strategies can assist them and what tactical options are available to ensure resilience and growth during challenging times.

You are to:

Examine and investigate the strategic and operational importance of change for Miss Macaroon.
Identify, apply, and evaluate an appropriate change management model that you would recommend Miss Macaroon to adopt.
Identify the role that Organizational Development will play in ensuring future success for Miss Macaroon.

Presentation Requirements:

Group or Individual Work:

You may work individually for this presentation

Presentation Schedule:

The presentation schedule will be available on Blackboard. Ensure you check and adhere to your allocated slot.

Time Allocation:

10 minutes for the presentation, with an additional 5 minutes for Q&A.

Participation:

Both members of the group must contribute to preparing the presentation and actively participate on the presentation day. Non-attendance will be treated as a "non-submission."
Each member should have a full understanding of the presentation`s content and be ready to handle questions.

Presentation Format:

Use PowerPoint slides for your presentation. Slides must be uploaded to Blackboard by one team member to avoid 100% Turnitin similarity for both group members.
Slide 1 must include the names and student IDs of all group members.

Groupwork Log:

Include a final slide summarizing the division of tasks, detailing responsibilities, activities, and individual contributions.

Presentation Skills:

Bring along notes or supplementary material for reference during the Q&A, but ensure that you maintain eye contact and engage with the audience during the presentation.

Recording Requirement:

All presentations will be recorded for moderation purposes.

Referencing and research requirements

Please reference your work according to the Harvard style as defined in Cite Them Right Online (http://www.citethemrightonline.com). This information is also available in book form: Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019) Cite them right: the essential reference guide. 11^th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Copies are available via the University library.

Minimum requirements:

10 references

Mixed academically credible sources for example: Core Textbooks, Journals, News Articles, Professional Bodies, Professional and Credible Videos, Professional and Credible Podcasts

References older than 10 years must be supported by a more recent reference.

How your work will be assessed

Your work will be assessed against the assessment criteria which have been provided at the end of this brief. As this is a group report, a record of individual contribution must be submitted as part of the assignment for all members of the group which details the role played in the creation of the assignment and includes a record of all communications engaged with.

These criteria have been designed specifically for this assignment and are intended to measure the extent to which you have demonstrated your achievement of its associated learning outcomes (see above). They have been aligned with the institutional grade descriptor appropriate for your level.

The assessment criteria provide a basis for fair and consistent marking and indicate what is expected of you in this assignment. It is strongly recommended that you engage with them while you are working on the assignment and use them in combination with any feedback you receive once your work has been marked to help you plan for future learning and development.

Submission details

Your presentation will take place at the time and location specified in the Announcements section of your Blackboard module shell. Please be sure to check this information carefully, as missing your scheduled time will be considered a non-submission.

You are also required to submit your presentation file electronically. Please use the relevant submission point in the Submit your work area in your Blackboard module shell at the time and date specified above.

Please ensure that your work has been saved in an appropriate file format. PowerPoint is expected and only one individual (if presenting as a pair) must submit a copy of the file.

You can submit your work as many times as you like before the submission date. If you do submit your work more than once, your earlier submission will be replaced by the most recent version.

Once you have submitted your work, you will receive a digital receipt as proof of submission, which will be sent to your forwarded e-mail address (provided you have set this up). Please keep this receipt for future reference, along with the original electronic copy of your assignment.

You are reminded of the University’s regulations on academic misconduct, which can be viewed on the University website: https://www.bucks.ac.uk/current-students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/academic-integrity-and-misconduct. In submitting your assignment, you are acknowledging that you have read and understood these regulations

Please also note that work that is submitted up to 10 working days beyond the submission date will be considered a late submission. Late submissions will be marked and the actual mark recorded, but will be capped at the pass mark (typically 40%), provided that the work is of a passing standard. Work submitted after this period will not be marked and will be treated as a non-submission.

Before you submit

Please use the provided checklist below to make sure you are ‘fit to submit’ your work
We recommend you use this checklist as soon as you get this assignment brief to help you plan your work

Fit to Submit: Assignment Checklist

This brief assignment checklist is designed to help you avoid some of the most common mistakes students make in their coursework.

Have you read the assignment brief? If not, do so now!

In it you will find details of the assessment task, word count, the assessment criteria your work is marked against, and the learning outcomes – the basis for the assessment strategy in each module.

Students often lose marks by forgetting some of the more straightforward elements of their assignments. We recommend that you “tick off” each of the points below as you prepare your work for submission. If you need any help, ask your tutor and/or visit https://bucks.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessment-and-examination

Have you read and understood the assessment criteria?

Have you met the learning outcomes? You will lose marks and your work may even be failed if you have not.

Have you demonstrated you can think and write critically in the completed work? This means you have supported your arguments/explanations appropriately e.g. using relevant academic sources and you have offered discussion points which extends your own or others’ viewpoints to make reasoned conclusions/judgements.

Have you maintained an appropriate tone throughout your work? Is your work formal, focused, developed and clear?

Have you checked that the referencing in your assignment is in line with your programme requirements?

Have you proof-read your work and used spellcheck software to check your spelling and grammar?

Have you checked the presentation of your work is as specified by your tutor, for example, are font size, colour, style, line spacing and margins as the tutor specified?

Have you kept to the word count (or equivalent)? If you are not sure, check with your tutor.

Can you confirm that the work submitted is your own and maintains academic integrity?

Fail

Pass

0-34 (F) –

Fail

35-39 E –

Marginal fail

40-49 (D)

50-59 (C)

60-69 (B)

70-79 (A)

80-100 (A+)

Not successful

Below required standard

Satisfactory

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Outstanding

Knowledge and understanding 30%

Understanding of VUCA principles and change models.
Engagement with relevant theories and frameworks.
Research into VUCA impacts on strategy.
Application of innovative solutions to VUCA challenges.

The work demonstrates a limited and/or substantially inaccurate or no understanding of key aspects of what constitutes a VUCA environment and how and where STL sits within it.

Examples of coherent and detailed knowledge around change and organisational development is missing. No consideration given to the importance of corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL. Recent research is missing to support work.

The work demonstrates insufficient understanding of key aspects of a VUCA environment and how and where STL sits within it. Some coherent and detailed knowledge around change and organisational development. Passing consideration given to the importance of corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL. Recent research is limited to support work.

The work demonstrates a basic yet systematic understanding of key aspects of a VUCA environment and how and where STL sits within it. Some coherent and detailed knowledge around change and organisational development with links to the importance of corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL. There is limited engagement with recent research to support work.

The work demonstrates a sound breadth and depth of systematic understanding of a VUCA environment and how and where STL sits within it. There is some coherent and detailed links with change and organisational development, as well as the impact these have on corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL. There is good engagement with recent research from a limited range of sources to support work.

The work demonstrates a sophisticated and critical systematic understanding of a VUCA environment and how and where STL sits within it. There are coherent and detailed links with change and organisational development. The impact on corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL well documented and supported overall by very good engagement with recent research from a good range of sources to support work.

The work demonstrates a highly accomplished systematic understanding of a VUCA environment and how and where STL sits within it. Excellent identification of change and organisational development, and demonstration of its impact on corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL, beyond what has been taught. The supported overall by very good engagement knowledge is supported by recent research from an excellent range of sources to support work.

The work demonstrates an exceptional systematic understanding of key aspects of a VUCA environment and how and STL sits within it. Outstanding identification of change and organisational development, and its impact on corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL. The work is coherent and detailed, demonstrating knowledge well beyond what has been taught, all of which is informed by recent research from an excellent range of sources to support work.

Analysis and criticality

30%

Application of critical thinking to VUCA-related challenges.
In-depth analysis of organizational impacts and strategies.
Evaluation of solutions using evidence-based reasoning.
Identification of risks and opportunities within the VUCA framework.

The work demonstrates a limited or no ability of analysis and enquiry.

Conceptual understanding of change management is limited thus the work does not:

devise and sustain arguments how corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL are affected by the current VUCA environment.
describe and comment upon aspects of current research and scholarship, with little or no appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity, and limits of knowledge;
use relevant and appropriate sources resulting in few if any scholarly reviews.

The work demonstrates an insufficient ability of analysis and enquiry.

Conceptual understanding of change management is evident and enables the work to partially demonstrate:

use of theory and corporate models to devise and sustain arguments, and solve problems around how corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL are affected by the current VUCA environment.
the ability to describe and comment upon aspects of current research and scholarship, albeit with only a developing appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity, and limits of knowledge;

There is a limited range of independently selected relevant and appropriate scholarly sources.

The work demonstrates asufficient analysis and enquiry.

A basic yet sufficient

Conceptual understanding of change management is evident that enables the work to demonstrate:

• use of theory and corporate models

to devise and sustain arguments and solve problems in relation to how corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to are affected by the current VUCA environment.

• the ability to describe

and comment upon

aspects of current

research and scholarship, with a sufficient appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity, and limits

of knowledge;

• use a sufficient range of independently selected relevant and appropriate scholarly sources.

The work

demonstrates a sound

ability of analysis and enquiry.

A sound conceptual

understanding of change management is evident that enables the work to demonstrate:

• use of theory and corporate models to devise and sustain arguments and solve problems, in relation to how corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL are affected by the current VUCA environment.

• the ability to describe

and comment upon

aspects of current research and scholarship, with a sound appreciation of

the uncertainty,

ambiguity, and limits

of knowledge;

• use of a sound range

of independently

selected relevant and

appropriate scholarly sources.

The work demonstrates

a sophisticated ability

of analysis.

A sophisticated

conceptual

understanding of change management is

evident that enables

the work to

demonstrate:

• use of theory and corporate models to devise

and sustain arguments and solve problems, in relation to how corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL are affected by the current VUCA environment.

• the ability to describe,

synthesise and

critique aspects of

current research and scholarship, with a

sophisticated appreciation of the uncertainty,

ambiguity, and limits

of knowledge

• use of a sophisticated

range of independently

selected relevant and

appropriate scholarly sources.

The work demonstrates a highly accomplished ability of analysis and enquiry.

A highly accomplished conceptual understanding of change management is evident that enables the work to demonstrate:

• the ability to describe,

synthesise and

critique all relevant aspects of current

research and

scholarship, with a nuanced appreciation

of the uncertainty,

ambiguity, and limits

of knowledge;

• use of a highly

accomplished range

of independently

selected relevant and

appropriate scholarly sources.

The work demonstrates

an exceptional ability

of analysis and enquiry.

A superior conceptual

understanding of change management is

evident that enables

the work to

demonstrate:

• use of ideas and

techniques to devise

and sustain

arguments and/or

solve problems, in relation to how corporate strategy and/or tactical options available to STL are affected by the current VUCA environment, and how this has influenced business approaches to planned and unplanned change

• the ability to describe,

synthesise and critique all relevant aspects of current

research and scholarship, with a highly nuanced appreciation of the

uncertainty,

ambiguity, and limits

of knowledge;

• use of a superior

range of independently

selected relevant and

appropriate scholarly sources.

Application and

Practice

20%

• Implementation of VUCA strategies in real-world contexts.
• Practical application of change management models.
• Use of tools and methods to address VUCA challenges.
• Development of actionable solutions and plans.

Work demonstrates a

limited or no ability to

select appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Presentation of research and findings is not clear or effective, or

interpretation of

information (i.e. statistics) ineffective

and/or incomplete.

Recommendations are missing.

Work demonstrates an

insufficient ability to

select and apply

appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Presentation of research and findings is often not clear or effective, or only in a limited range of formats, and

gathering, processing

and interpretation of

data ineffective

and/or inefficient.

Recommendations are inappropriate for STL.

Work demonstrates a

sufficient ability to

select and apply

appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Presents research and

findings in several

formats, and gathers,

processes and interpret

data efficiently.

Recommendations have been made that are somewhat appropriate but unfocused, not taking into consideration key areas of note identified within the presentation.

Work demonstrates an

ability to select and

apply in a consistent

and informed manner

appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Consistently presents research and findings

effectively and

appropriately, in

many formats, and

gathers, process and

interpret data

efficiently and

effectively, making good use of the appendices.

Recommendations have been made that are appropriate but gives limited consideration to the key areas of note identified within the presentation and no consideration given to the possible implementation challenges of these.

Work demonstrates an

ability to select and

apply in a capable and

effective manner

appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Consistently presents

thorough research and

findings perceptively

and appropriately, in a

wide range of

formats, and gathers,

process and interpret

a wide range of

complex data

efficiently and

effectively, making very good use of the appendices.

Recommendations have been made that are appropriate, take into consideration key areas of note identified within the presentation, and give good consideration to the possible implementation challenges of these.

Work demonstrates an

ability to select and

apply in a highly

accomplished manner

appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Consistently presents

thorough research and

findings perceptively,

convincingly, and

appropriately, in wide

range of formats, and

gathers, processes and

interpret a wide

range of complex

data efficiently and

effectively, making excellent use of the appendices.

Recommendations have been made that are appropriate, take into consideration key areas of note identified within the presentation, and give excellent consideration to the possible implementation challenges of these. Minimal costing considerations have been provided.

Work demonstrates an

ability to select and

apply in a highly

accomplished and

innovative manner

appropriate change management theories and corporate models to develop and apply knowledge and understanding in the context of STL’s operational situation.

Consistently presents

thorough research and

findings perceptively

authoritatively, and

appropriately, in wide

range of formats, and

gather, process and

interpret a wide

range of complex

data efficiently and

effectively, making outstanding use of the appendices. Recommendations have been made that are appropriate, take into consideration key areas of note identified within the presentation, and give excellent consideration to the possible implementation challenges of these. Detailed costing considerations have been provided.

Transferable skills

20%

This should include evidence of:

Question handling
Clarity of slides and attention to detail
Written (PowerPoint), verbal and electronic communication
Personal (Group) motivation, organisation, and time-management

Not able to respond to questions, not able to consult any supporting information

Overall sloppy presentation on slides, lacking careful spell and grammar checks.

Work demonstrates

limited or no ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills (level of written communication)

- Present to a professional standard

Fewer than 10 appropriate references present and Harvard Referencing system not followed.

Some attempt made to respond to questions, but limited understanding shown of the issues.

Patchy attention to detail.

Work demonstrates

insufficient ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills (level of written communication)

- Presents to a professional standard

Fewer than 10 appropriate references present and Harvard Referencing system not followed.

Waffle and padding evident, not familiar with the entirety of issues facing the company.

More thought needed to be given to clarity of presentation and spell and grammar checks.

Work demonstrates a

sufficient ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills (level of written communication)

- Present to a professional standard

A minimum of 10 appropriate references are present and Harvard Referencing system sometimes followed.

Some questions handled better than others but some confidence inspired.

Slides mostly clear with very few errors

Work demonstrates a

Consistent and confident ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills (level of written communication)

- Presents to a professional standard

More than 10 appropriate references present and Harvard Referencing system sometimes followed.

Mostly good question handling, some supporting evidence available to consult, inspired confidence.

Clear visuals and carefully spell and grammar checked

Work demonstrates a

Highly proficient ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills (level of written communication)

- Presents to a professional standard

More than 10 appropriate references present and Harvard Referencing system often followed.

Fluent question handling, drawing on additional supporting information; very familiar with all issues facing the company.

Very clear visuals and carefully spell and grammar checked

Work demonstrates a

Highly accomplished ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills

- Presents to a professional standard

More than 10 appropriate references present and Harvard Referencing system always followed.

Task completed with a high degree of accuracy, coordination, and proficiency.

Excellent use of English.. All responses fully backed up with evidence of wider reading and research.

Work demonstrates a

exceptional ability to:

-communicate

information, ideas,

problems and

solutions accurately

and reliably utilising

relevant communication skills (level of written communication)

- Presents to a professional standard

More than 10 appropriate references present and Harvard Referencing system always followed.

What You Must Know About MG630 Change and Organisational Development Assignment

The MG630 Change and Organisational Development module explores the theories, strategies, and practical applications of change management within organisations. It requires students to critically analyse organisational change processes, assess challenges, and evaluate development strategies that enhance business effectiveness.

Key Areas to Focus On

Theories of Organisational Change
- Lewin’s Change Management Model (Unfreeze, Change, Refreeze)
- Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model
- McKinsey 7-S Framework
- ADKAR Model (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement)
Understanding these models helps students explain how change occurs and what organisations must do to manage transitions effectively.
Types of Organisational Change
- Transformational Change: Major shifts in structure, strategy, or culture.
- Transactional Change: Smaller, process-driven modifications.
- Planned vs. Emergent Change: Whether change is deliberately implemented or occurs organically in response to external factors.
Drivers of Change
- Technological advancements
- Globalisation and competition
- Economic shifts and regulatory requirements
- Employee expectations and workplace culture changes
Resistance to Change
- Psychological barriers such as fear and uncertainty
- Structural resistance within organisational systems
- Lack of effective communication
- Strategies to overcome resistance, including leadership approaches and employee engagement
Change Implementation Strategies
- Role of leadership in managing change (transformational vs. transactional leadership)
- Importance of communication in reducing resistance
- Employee involvement and participation strategies
- Monitoring and evaluation techniques for successful change execution

Assignment Expectations

Critical Analysis: The assignment requires more than just describing theories; students must critically analyse their application in real business environments.
Use of Case Studies: Incorporate real-world examples to demonstrate how organisations have successfully or unsuccessfully managed change.
Application of Theory to Practice: Link academic theories to organisational contexts by providing well-researched arguments.
Evaluation of Change Strategies: Compare different approaches to change and justify the most suitable strategy for a given situation.
Reflection on Challenges: Identify potential pitfalls and suggest ways to mitigate risks in change initiatives.

Structure of the Assignment

Introduction
- Overview of organisational change and its importance
- Purpose of the assignment and key areas of discussion
Literature Review
- Theoretical frameworks related to change and organisational development
- Discussion of academic research and critical perspectives
Case Study Analysis (if required)
- Evaluation of a real-world organisation’s change process
- Lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful change efforts
Application of Change Strategies
- Justification of chosen models and frameworks
- How these strategies align with business goals
Challenges and Recommendations
- Analysis of resistance factors
- Strategies for managing risks and improving implementation
Conclusion
- Summary of key findings
- Final thoughts on managing organisational change effectively
References
- Cited using Harvard or APA referencing as per university guidelines