Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Innovation

Business meeting in a modern office
 

Organizational Leadership and Innovation
Master of Science Degree

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Program Contact
Panagiotis Kokkalis
Chair of Business Department , Associate Professor of Business and Management
Offered within the
Department of Business and Management


Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education

Overview

Success in today’s global economy requires organizations to have visionary leadership, 360-degree view of customers, and the ability to formulate and execute strategic initiatives. The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Innovation will help prepare students to transform their organizations by using innovation to drive measurable outcomes. Our graduates anticipate the future and see opportunities to position their organizations—and themselves—to reach new levels of success in a constantly changing world. Students will be equipped with the tools to spearhead innovative projects and enable their organization to embrace the changes that come with innovation. Courses focus on technological changes and their implications for leadership, developing the ability to foresee emerging trends and technologies, creating strategies to exploit the foresight, leading teams of innovators, creating a work environment that encourages experimentation, and enabling individuals to change, adapt, and evolve.

The MS in OLI is awarded upon successful completion of 33 credit hours culminating in a final research thesis. The program is offered in a face-to-face mode of delivery in our campus at RIT Dubai. Courses are taught by distinguished RIT Dubai faculty who have knowledge and expertise in leadership, change management, innovation, strategy, foresight, ethics, negotiations, and human resource management. 

Typical Job Titles

Organizational Development Consultant Human Resources Director
Innovation Manager Change Management Specialist
Strategic Management Consultant Database Administrator
Statistician Leadership Development Trainer
Entrepreneur Project Management Director
Corporate Strategy Analyst Chief Innovation Officer
Non-Profit Organization Director Educational Program Director
Government Policy Advisor Technology Transformation Manager

Program Goals

  • Prepare leaders to analyze and diagnose organization's ability to innovate and change in the 21st century. 
  • Provide leaders with knowledge and skills needed to lead innovation and change.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

  1. Conduct strategic analysis to gain competitive advantage through innovation.
    1. Critically analyze and evaluate the impact of technological advancements on the nature, structure, and diversity of work/employment sectors in both global and local contexts
    2. Develop strategies to initiate and implement change initiatives.
  2. Examine enablers and barriers of high performing teams in change and innovation contexts.
    1. Demonstrate ability to lead teams in innovation contexts.
    2. Create personal leadership plan to improve leadership skills and behaviors in innovation contexts.

Curriculum

Typical Course Sequence

Total Credit Hours - 33

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
HRDE-726
Technology and the Future of Work
The rapid pace of progress in technology and the change in demographics of the workforce are anticipated to affect what work will look like in the future, in addition to the structure and nature of work itself. Some of these changes might be incremental and others more radical and disruptive affecting the conduct of business. The pace, nature, and magnitude of these changes demand that businesses, organizations, educators, policy makers, leaders, managers, and individual employees reimagine models of employment including the organization and functioning of the workforce. This course is intended to provide students with a global perspective of the future of work and employment, and insights into the implications on their designated professions and careers. As part of the course, students will be introduced to the UAE’s vision and strategic initiatives for reshaping the future of work and understanding the nation’s drive toward innovation and post-oil diversification. Furthermore, students will learn how the UAE positions itself as a hub for future-oriented industries and how they can align with this new narrative. Among others, this course will address the following questions: What are the skills and competencies required of the workforce for this new future of work? What skills, competencies, and job roles may become redundant? How should corporations preempt and prepare to deal with these changes? What will be the role of leaders and managers in reimagining and developing the workforce of the future?
 3
SERQ-720
Strategic Foresight and Innovation
This course introduces the concepts, principles, and practices necessary to lead into the future and avoid organizational missteps by taking an action- oriented approach to planning, implementing, evaluating, and revising competitive strategy in various firms. This course helps students to navigate the dynamic landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and harness strategic foresight and innovation to ensure sustainable organizational success. The course content will include the principles of competitive strategy, the process of developing and implementing strategy in organizations, development of robust, future-oriented strategies using learning scenarios, strategy mapping, and tools for strategy evaluation such as performance metrics, scorecards, and dashboards. By focusing on the unique characteristics of the UAE context, students will learn to develop and execute action-oriented strategies, evaluate performance, and adapt to the ever-evolving business environment.
 3
--
2 Electives
Students will have to select 2 electives (6 credits, 3 of each) from the list of electives mentioned below.
 6
MGMT-740
Leading Teams in Organizations
This course examines why people behave as they do in organizations and what managers can do to improve organizational performance by influencing people's behavior. Students will learn a number of frameworks for diagnosing and dealing with managerial challenges dynamics at the individual, group and organizational level. Topics include leadership, motivation, team building, conflict, organizational change, cultures, decision making, and ethical leadership.
 3
HRDE-742
Leading Change
In the dynamic business landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), understanding and effectively managing change initiatives are critical to an organization's success. This course is tailored to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the change process within the unique UAE business environment. Students will explore applied approaches and tools to analyze barriers for change, harness power and influence, and develop frameworks for planning and executing change initiatives. By delving into the intricacies of change management in the UAE, students will be better prepared to lead and drive transformation within organizations.
 3
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2 Electives
Students will have to select 2 electives (6 credits, 3 of each) from the list of electives mentioned below.
 6
GRCS-701
Research Methods
This is an introductory graduate-level course on research design and methods for all graduate programs within the Department of Business and Management at RITD. This course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of social research in organizational contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments.
 3
SERQ-790
Research Thesis
The purpose of this course is to complete a research thesis culminating students’ experience in the MS program. Students should be prepared to complete their theses in writing and successfully defend it in an oral examination. The thesis is an individual piece of work that is linked to a practical issue in the wider field of leadership and innovation. Students are expected to define a research problem, formulate the research objectives and research questions, describe the theoretical framework, design a suitable methodology, gather and analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and recommend realistic solutions or courses of action and/or further research. The thesis should involve primary data collection by the student and should relate to the business field, preferably within the context of UAE. Student’s investigations need to be thorough, rigorous, and well organized and involve undertaking systematic research in the context of applied research. Therefore, students must use appropriate methods to systematically collect and analyze data, argue why the results obtained are meaningful, and explain any limitations that are associated with them. The thesis should contribute to knowledge on the application of leadership and/or innovation theories in a real situation of practice, or to theory formation in the field of leadership and/or innovation. Typically, the candidate will have completed all the required courses prior to enrolling in this course and will start the thesis process by developing a thesis plan as soon as they have completed these prerequisites to allow them to finish the thesis when they have finished their coursework. The candidate must obtain the approval of their Department Chair and faculty advisor who will guide the thesis development before the student registers for this course.
 6

 

Electives

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
SERQ-740
Leading Innovation
Achieving competitive advantage in today’s world demands that organizations know how to innovate, and do so not once, but repeatedly. Creativity, rapid learning through continuous improvement, and the ability to turn ideas into action, products, processes and services are crucial. How do leaders foster and sustain a culture of innovation? What unique competencies and skills do you need as a leader and what skills do your teams need? How is managing an innovation team different than managing other kinds of teams within an organization? This course will help students to leverage and build on their growing knowledge about innovation, the individual and group skills required for innovation leadership globally and in the context of the UAE, focusing on creativity, rapid learning, and the transformation of ideas into actionable solutions. Students will also gain deeper insights into innovation leadership requirements for creating, managing and curating a thriving environment in which cutting edge ideas are encouraged, born and grown.
 3
SERQ-712
Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation
This is an introductory-level survey course on the dynamics of innovation. The course focuses on individual, team and organization human and systems dynamics that impact organizational innovation. Students gain awareness in, understanding of and important skills in fostering multi-level organizational human ecologies conducive to the creation of innovation. Issues and challenges important to leaders at all levels in an organization, entrepreneurs and talent management practitioners will be examined and explored. There is a required fee for the class to pay for the administration of the ISPI and Meyers Briggs evaluation instruments. Students will develop in their understanding of innovation, their own personal innovation capabilities and preferences and the human dynamics unique to innovation applied in an organizational context. This background is becoming increasingly critical to developing innovation capabilities in and across organizations in our increasingly competitive and complex world. This course will build awareness and improve competency in the application of overall course content and design principles particular to developing innovation competent individuals, teams and organizations.
 3
SERQ-747
Design Thinking and Creativity
Achieving competitive advantage in today’s world demands that organizations know how to innovate, and do so not once, but repeatedly. Creativity, rapid learning through continuous improvement, and the ability to turn ideas into action, products, processes and services are crucial. How do leaders foster and sustain a culture of innovation? What unique competencies and skills do you need as a leader and what skills do your teams need? How is managing an innovation team different than managing other kinds of teams within an organization? This course will help students to leverage and build on their growing knowledge about innovation, the individual and group skills required for innovation leadership globally and in the context of the UAE, focusing on creativity, rapid learning, and the transformation of ideas into actionable solutions. Students will also gain deeper insights into innovation leadership requirements for creating, managing and curating a thriving environment in which cutting edge ideas are encouraged, born and grown.
 3
HRDE-735
Leading Human Resources
The goal of this course is to develop knowledge of Human Resource Development and Management practices for the purpose of analyzing, communicating, evaluating, and leading the development of strategic human resource initiatives that react to emerging organizational concerns. Furthermore, the course integrates best practices and frameworks influenced by the UAE's cultural, legal, and economic nuances to provide insight into the UAE's HR landscape. As a result, students will gain a deeper understanding of the UAE's approach to human capital, preparing them for leadership roles in local and global HR. More precisely, this course is a foundation course for those seeking a leadership opportunity in Human Resource in which students will demonstrate their ability to analyze and lead the alignment of strategic organizational goals into HR functions.
 3
HRDE-765
Diversity in the Global Workplace
A strategic partner in global workforce development, human resource development professional guide organizations to build and maintain a diverse workforce. Diversity and inclusion exploit the natural synergies of a multicultural workforce. This course will examine dimensions of diversity beyond race, ethnicity, and gender and create opportunities to develop an understanding on how these dimensions intersect and play out in the workplace. With over 200 nationalities in the UAE and a commitment to inclusive growth, this course will highlight the country's progressive strides in embracing diversity, particularly in business. It will equip students with insights into how the UAE blends traditional values and modern inclusivity paradigms, preparing them to champion diversity initiatives on both a local and international level. The purpose of this course is to provide HRD professionals the knowledge required to manage these dynamics in an organizational setting and lead initiatives that will create and maintain an inclusive workplace. Project work will allow for the in-depth ability to assess the current state of diversity within a defined organization, conduct research and benchmarking to build a diverse workforce, and develop a diversity strategic plan with an on-going evaluation component to assess the success of diversity initiatives.
 3
MGMT-755
Negotiations
Negotiation is an essential skill in the field of business, and this course is thoughtfully designed to equip students with the art and science of negotiation, specifically tailored to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) business environment. Whether engaging in everyday interactions or addressing the diverse spectrum of negotiation challenges encountered by managers and professionals, students will develop the competencies needed to negotiate successfully within the unique UAE context. Each class session delves into the multifaceted aspects of negotiation, shedding light on the ways people perceive and practice negotiation skills and strategies within various UAE-specific contexts.
 3
MGMT-775
Ethical Decision Making and Corporate Social Performance
This course is thoughtfully tailored to provide business practitioners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with scientifically supported frameworks and methods for recognizing, analyzing, deciding on, and implementing ethical courses of action in the dynamic UAE business landscape. The course covers essential topics such as stakeholders' needs analysis, the science of decision-making, corporate social performance, ethical challenges related to emerging technologies, and the intricacies of conducting business in a global context. By delving into these topics, business practitioners will be better equipped to navigate the complex ethical dimensions of business in the UAE, fostering responsible and sustainable business practices.
 3
MGIS-650
Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
This course serves as an introduction to data analysis, including both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Contemporary data analytics and business intelligence tools will be explored through realistic problem assignments tailored to the unique challenges of the UAE's business landscape and current market conditions. Rationale: Statistical Analysis and Data Analytics provide a grounding in basic statistical techniques while introducing new analytics tools to identify patterns in large data sets.
 3

To graduate, students need to complete all the requirements as listed in the curriculum graduation policy

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Website last updated: December 5, 2024