Module: Leadership & Change

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Leadership & Change
Module Code	MNA1072 (ITS: HR5135)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

To lead is to change. The purpose of this module is to explore the multi-layered, multi-faceted concept of leadership in a manner that exposes the crucial role of a leader in bringing about change. This module will examine some of the vast literature that underpins leadership theory, giving special attention to how each theoretical approach could be applied in real-world organisations. It will explore the impact of modern business environments and the nature of organisations on the leadership function. It will examine the core tasks of leaders in initiating, implementing and anchoring change. It will consider the impact of a leader on sustaining a change-ready organisation. In essence, the module is designed to explore how leadership theory can inform and direct the way leadership is practised.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the nature of leadership at the level of the individual and the organisation
2. Critique different perspectives of leadership, as well as identifying the contributions to knowledge of each.
3. Appreciate the effect of the changing world of work on leadership behaviour
4. Evaluate the probable impact of theories of leadership on implementing change.
5. Explore a case of individual leadership and examine how prevailing leadership theory helps illuminate the case
6. Develop and apply leadership skills to manage change in an effective, ethical and responsible way.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	Classroom and/or online lectures
Independent Study	80	Assigned readings and preparation for lectures
Assignment Completion	80	Critical Incident Assignment
Online activity	30	Completion of weekly online activities and discussion fora
Online activity	12	Asynchronous video material: both class based and supplementary expert videos
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20736	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Melrona Kirrane	Module Teacher	John Mcmackin

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Critical incident assignment which draws from the entire module content of leadership and change	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is leadership?
Definitions of Leadership, indicators of Leadership Effectiveness, overview of major research leadership theories.

Stratgic Leadership
How leaders influence organisational performance, conditions affecting the need for strategic leadership.

Change management
Diagnosing change, managing resistance to change, change architecture, strategies for organisational effectiveness.

Leading Change
The Challenge of organisational change, Sustaining organisational effectiveness, leadership in practice, the leadership and strategies for change

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hayes, J.: 2014, The Theory & Practice of Change Management, Palgrave,
Carnall, C. & By, R.T.: 2014, Managing change in organisations, Pearson,
Buchanan, D.A. & Badham, R.J.: 2008, Power, politics and organisational change, Sage,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None