Unit rationale, description and aim
Effective organisational analysis is a critical step for managers who are responsible for delivering sustainable business outcomes. If students are able to do this, they will need knowledge and understanding of how to effectively analyse organisations through different theoretical lenses and at different levels: individual, structural, systemic and social. In this unit students will develop a toolset to analyse organisations from both theoretical and practical perspectives, expand their critical reasoning skills through the application of organisational analysis frameworks and perspectives to business case studies and create ethical and socially responsible solutions to business challenges. Students will apply their knowledge in managing organisations, teams and individuals. The aim of this unit is to provide knowledge and understanding of effective analysis of complex organisational interactions and contexts, and to develop the understanding and skills necessary to create effective, ethical and socially responsible solutions to business challenges.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Analyse frameworks, concepts and theories used to ...
Learning Outcome 01
Interpret different analytical perspectives employ...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply analytical frameworks and multiple perspecti...
Learning Outcome 03
Discuss how organisational analysis can be used to...
Learning Outcome 04
Work individually or collaboratively to undertake ...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- introduction to organisational analysis
- critical frameworks for analysing organisations)
- institutional theory and resource dependency theory
- organisational culture and organisational learning
- systems approach and networks
- models of analysis for the understanding of organisational environment
- application of frameworks and models of organizational analysis to business practices and problems
- data analysis and synthesis
- understanding organisations at the individual, structural and systemic levels
- implementation and measuring the effectiveness of organisational analysis initiatives
- social, ethical and sustainability considerations in undertaking organisational analysis
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to pass this unit, students are required to achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50% and demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure students’ level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit. The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to sequentially develop their knowledge and skills of organisational analysis to the point where they can work in a group and present their solution to a real-world business challenge. To develop this level of capability, students will demonstrate their knowledge of organisational analysis through engagement-led discussions and other activities focusing on the trends related to the unit, and then apply models and tools in analysing a case study problem and then apply their knowledge and understanding by collaboratively developing and presenting a solution in the final assessment task.
Overview of assessments
Task 1: Critical Report Critical Report: T...
Task 1: Critical Report
Critical Report: This assessment task consists of a1200-word report. This task requires students to draw on their effective communication and critical thinking skills to critically analyse and evaluate frameworks and theories of organisational analysis and synthesise their preferred option.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Report
Artefact: Written Report
30%
Task 2: Organisational Analysis Oral Presentation...
Task 2: Organisational Analysis Oral Presentation (Group)This assessment task requires students to collaboratively apply their critical thinking skills as they analyse, evaluate, and diagnose what needs changing in an organisation and present findings in a 15-minute presentation with transcript. This requires the application of organisational analysis frameworks to understand the complexity and inter-relatedness of organisational components and concisely present diagnostic results to all stakeholders. Individual members to complete Peer Evaluation Tool.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Presentation
Artefact: Oral Presentation Transcript
30%
Task 3: Major Case Study Analysis This assessmen...
Task 3: Major Case Study Analysis
This assessment task consists of a 1500-word written report. This task requires students to apply and integrate the concepts, models and theories from this unit to develop and present a solution to a global organisational problem. The purpose of this assessment is to synthesize students’ knowledge and show respect to the individual dignity and human diversity while developing practical application and skills in organisational analysis that they have learned in the unit.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Case Study
Artefact: Written report
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Multi-Mode and Online Delivery
This unit uses an inquiry-based, experiential learning approach to help students develop capabilities in organisational analysis and socially responsible business solution design. In the multi-mode format, students participate in on-campus workshops that support both individual and collaborative learning through shared stories, reflections, and expert guidance. This socially grounded approach fosters critical thinking, encourages deep learning, and prepares students for dynamic business and non-business environments.
In the online mode, students engage in asynchronous learning activities that promote the construction, application, and synthesis of knowledge. Weekly discussion forums, case-based tasks, and interactive exercises allow students to apply theory to practice and bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding. Regular and timely feedback supports student progress and skill development. The online delivery provides flexibility while maintaining structured opportunities for engagement and expert support.