AMB375 Internal Communication and Change


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:AMB375
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:72 credit points of completed study.
Equivalent:AMX375
Coordinator:Kim Johnston | kim.johnston@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Communication is central to organisational practice. Internal Communication and Change will provide theoretical and practical insights to equip students to identify, analyse, and respond to communication challenges in contemporary organisations.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Use research and theory to formulate and justify communication responses to contemporary organisational challenges. [KS 1.1, HO 2.1, 2.2]
  2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively to different audiences using a range of genres. [PC 3.1, 3.2]
  3. Demonstrates social and ethical understanding of public relations programs. [SE 5.1, 5.2]

Content

Internal Communication and Change introduces students to the practice of public relations in an organisational setting, examining and evaluating specific content areas including internal communication and change communication; stakeholder relationships; organisational culture; corporate social responsibility and ethical decision making; digital tools and evaluating practice.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgment and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

Content in this unit is delivered via a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial each week. Lectures will involve discussions of the key concepts and theories underpinning public relations practice illustrated by reference to current cases and practice. Tutorials will focus on further discussions and applications of lecture content in real world situations. Tutorial exercises will also provide support for assessment items. The combination of these teaching and learning approaches offers students the opportunity to be guided and supported in their achievement of the unit's aims and objectives.

This unit uses the Turnitin tool in Canvas. Turnitin is a text matching tool that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using Turnitin. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

Please refer to the AMB375 assessment guide for more information and marking criteria for each assignment.

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

In response to an organisational change scenario, you will identify and justify, using academic literature, a suitable internal communication strategy.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 2,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Report and portfolio

You will develop an internal communication program and associated portfolio to support a planned organisational change event.

Your portfolio will include five communication tactics:
1. 3 minute CEO speech (notes only) to a staff forum
2. 300 word article about the topic to appear in an internal digital staff newsletter
3. 2 minute video update (for staff to appear on internal website)
4. Four digital messages for staff (to reinforce key message as ie: screensavers)
5. Five Q&As about the topic (suitable for management)

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1, 3.2), SE (5.1, 5.2)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Length: 3000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Ruck, K (2017) Exploring internal communication: Towards informed employee voice. Routledge, London (ebook)
Weekly prescribed readings will be available via QUT Readings

Other

Additional resources can be found at the unit's Canvas site.

Relevant journals include the Australian Journal of Communication, Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Communication, Journal of Public Affairs, Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Inquiry, Journal of Strategic Communication, Journal of Communication Management, Management Communication Quarterly and Public Relations Review.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO1, Report and portfolio

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: Report and portfolio

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: ULO2, Report and portfolio

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO3, Report and portfolio

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Report and portfolio
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Report and portfolio
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
  5. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, Report and portfolio
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio
  7. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task
  8. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio

BS06 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Report and portfolio
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Report and portfolio
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
  5. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, Report and portfolio
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio
  7. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task
  8. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio

BS08 Bachelor of Business - International

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Report and portfolio
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Report and portfolio
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
  5. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, Report and portfolio
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio
  7. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2
  8. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

  1. Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio
  2. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
    Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio
  3. Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio
  4. Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
    Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Report and portfolio