Unit information: Organisational Creativity in 2013/14

Unit name	Organisational Creativity
Unit code	MGRCM1000
Credit points	15
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Rippin
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	MGRCM1001
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This is the introductory unit and sets the scene for the whole programme. It will be highly interactive and will cover three main aspects:

• Individual creativity - the stereotypes of the individual genius, mad inventor, organisational maverick and entrepreneur are contrasted with the students own view of creativity. Students will be expected to apply a range of tools and techniques used to encourage creative thinking and improve problem solving.
• Group creativity - an exploration of the issues of managing for creativity and the transfer of creativity from the individual to groups.
• Importance of Creativity for society – Importance of creativity for continuing prosperity of UK plc and attendant critique of this idea.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

• define creativity and what it means for them;
• discuss the links between individual, group and organisational and societal creativity;
• critique definitions of creativity, as well as allied concepts such as ‘brand you’, ‘the creative class’, institutional discourses of creativity as a panacea for organisational poor performance;
• compare and contrast a variety of models of creativity;
• apply various tools and techniques;
• begin to develop team-working skills

Teaching Information

This will be a highly interactive unit and will consist of a combination of group work, case studies and lectures, including sessions with guest speakers.

Assessment Information

The portfolio assignment will comprise group elements:

• Project proposal, project report and project presentation. This will summatively assess learning outcomes 1,2 5 and 6. (Proposal: 1000 words, report: 4000) 85% of total mark.
• And a written individual element. This will summatively assess learning outcomes 3 and 4. (500 words) 15% of total mark.

Reading and References

• Florida, R. (2003) The Rise of the Creative Class: And It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life, New York: Basic Books.

• Rickards, T. (1999) Creativity and the Management of Change, Blackwell, Oxford

• Rickards, T. (1997) Creativity and problem solving at work, Ashgate, Aldershot

• Van Oech, R. (1998) A wack on the side of the head - how you can be more creative, Warner Books, New York