This module investigates organisational behaviour and human resource management. Designed for working managers, those who deputise for managers, management trainees, supervisors and team leaders, it takes a very practice-based approach to studying management concepts, focusing on your own role. It is suitable for aspiring managers provided you have experience of either paid or unpaid (voluntary) work involving leading a group or team; a project or task involving one or more others; or running/helping to run a voluntary organisation. It is not suitable if you have no previous work experience (paid or unpaid) on which to draw.
This module is offered with a combination of face-to-face and online tuition. If you would prefer entirely online tuition, see Managing 1: organisations and people - online version (BZX628). If you wish to study this module outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland you will also need to register on this online version.
What you will study
This module enables you to critically reflect on and analyse workplace situations and your own ways of managing. It is ‘solution oriented’ to help you to not only understand work situations from a manager’s perspective, but also to help you to work out what to do, given that you may not be in charge of the organisation you work for. As you work through activities, problems and solutions, you will question the idea that there are single solutions or issues or that there is ‘one best way’. You'll come to understand the constraints, choices and demands that operate and learn when to work within them and when and how you may be able to bring about change.
Vocational relevance
The teaching and learning strategy is problem-based. Through this approach, the module aims to develop the skills an effective manager needs: skills such as analysis, constructing sound arguments, critical and reflective thinking, problem identification and solving, active listening and communication, sourcing and presenting information, and report writing. Many of these are the same learning skills that any university-level learner requires and will help to equip you for study at postgraduate level.
Entry
To study this module you are required to have work experience as the activities assume you have current or prior work situations to which you can apply what you are learning. Your work experience can be as a manager, deputising for a manager, management trainee, supervisor, team leader, if you work in an informal capacity, for example in a voluntary organisation.
Managing 1: organisations and people is an undergraduate OU level 3 module. If you have no prior higher education experience pre-module preparatory work is provided (see Preparatory work below)
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Preparatory work
If you have not encountered a problem-based approach to learning before, the Module Guide and The Manager’s Good Study Guide are provided and these will be particularly useful at the start of the module. The Module Guide explains the approach and describes the skills required so that you can remedy any gaps in your knowledge. It will also provide an orientation to the module. The Manager’s Good Study Guide enables you to refresh study skills such as reading and note-taking, using logic and building arguments, written communication and report writing, and using numbers.
Qualifications
B628 is a compulsory module in our:
It is also an optional module in our:
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying B628 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
Study materials
What's included
Module books, and, via the B628 website, additional resources in digital formats.
You will need
All set books will be provided as part of the study materials pack. However, non-native English speakers, particularly those studying outside the UK, may wish to purchase The Oxford Dictionary of Business English for learners of English.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and study activities. You can ask the tutor for help and advice. The tutor will also mark and comment on your assignments. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor will be particularly concerned to help you with your study methods.
Other tutor support will be delivered primarily online as you study. In addition, day schools or online tutorials will be offered depending on the version of the module for which you register. Day schools and tutorials are not compulsory but you are strongly encouraged to attend.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with the OU before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
The TMAs consist of a report on a workplace problem and its solution; a reflection on your professional practice; and a portfolio of activities carried out as part of your studies.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) consists of a report on a workplace problem that requires the management of change and a portfolio of your module activities.
Future availability
Managing 1: organisations and people starts once a year – in April. This page describes the module that will start in April 2020 when we expect it to start for the last time.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.