Creativity Innovation and Organizational Development

Course Description

This course examines the concepts of the learning organization, viewing learning from an individual and an organizational perspective, and provides students with insights as to how to use organizational development (OD) methods as a tool for problem solving and organizational intervention. Topics to be covered include the underlying theory, orientation, and application of key OD methods; the design and implementation of organizational interventions to move an organization from a current to a desired future state; and talent management.

Topics and Objectives

Key Concepts of Creativity and Innovation

• Define individual and organizational learning.
• Identify the principles that promote a learning organization.
• Identify types and patterns of innovation and creative thinking.
• Identify sources of innovation and creativity in organizations
• Analyze individual and organizational behaviors that nurture creativity and innovation.

Alternative Solutions to Creativity and Innovation Problems

• Analyze the characteristics of innovative companies.
• Evaluate the relationship between change and innovation.
• Evaluate the role of technology in creativity and innovation.
• Evaluate internal and external resources to enhance the organization's creative environment.
• Analyze techniques for increasing creative thinking skills.

Critical Analysis of Creativity and Innovation Solutions

• Analyze the relationship among management practices, creativity, and innovation.
• Develop an implementation plan for organizational change to enhance creativity and innovation.
• Recommend initiatives that encourage creativity, learning, and innovation.

Key Concepts of Organizational Design

• Explain organizational design elements.
• Describe the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of various organizational structures.
• Assess the relationship among strategy, structure, and process in organizations.
• Analyze the relationship between organizational design and decision-making processes.

Alternative Solutions to Organizational Design Problems

• Assess the influence of the external environment on organizational design.
• Assess the relationship among organizational design, technology, and talent management.
• Evaluate methods used in overcoming organizational impediments to change.

Critical Analysis of Organizational Design Solutions

• Assess the readiness of organizations to adopt and develop new technologies.
• Recommend ways to align the structure of an organization to meet its strategic goals.
• Demonstrate applications of systems thinking in organizational design.
• Develop methods for lateral coordination within organizations.