Assignment 2. Group Project: ‘Measuring Dimensions of Organisations’, adapted from the textbook, pp. 39-40.Specific questions are listed below.This assignment is a group report in pairs with a presentation in tutorials.

Due Date:

Presentation, in class,Tuesday, 27 January, 2015, (Week 11)
Written report, Electronic submission on Moodle by 4pm Tuesday, 3 February 2015 (Week 12)

Weight: 30% Presentation: 10%; Report: 20%
Length of report: 1,300 to 1,600 words (excluding appendix and PPT printout)
Criteria for assessment: the marking guide is provided on Moodle

Groups: two students per group (pairs)

The group project is to be done in pairs: two students per group. Three students may be allowed per group but only with permission of the lecturer. Pairs need to be finalised by Week 4 or 5.

Each student should choose one organization to research, meaning that the pair will report on two organisations in total (a group of three student would do three organisations). The comparison between the organisations is the key analytical component of this assignment: don’t just present two organisations separately: you are required to compare and contrast the two organisations that you research using the nine dimensions from the textbook pp.39-40.
It is strongly recommended that, if possible you interview a person from each of the organisations using the nine dimensions shown on pp. 39-40. Such an interview is not considered to be ‘research’ and does not, in general, require ethics approval. An interview in person is preferable, but interviews by phone or email are acceptable.

Accessing the assignment: The ‘Measuring Dimensions of Organizations’ activity is adapted from the textbook, pp.134-135. Note the questions below are slightly different from those provided in the textbook – answer the questions below using your research on the nine dimensions.

Assignment 2 questions
Q1. Summarise the results of your findings from the nine dimensions on pp. 39-40 using a graphical representation: a bar chart or continuum could be good. (It doesn’t make sense to average all the dimensions because the measures are quite different in nature). Remember to contrast the findings from the two organisations.

Q2. Outline and discuss the main similarities between the results for the two organisations on the nine dimensions.

Q3. Outline and discuss the main differences between the results for the two organisations on the nine dimensions.

Q4. Choose two of the dimensions to analyse and discuss in more detail in relation to both of the organisations’ effectiveness. Do the results on the two dimensions suggest the organisations would be more or less effective? What makes you think so? Use the ‘Goal Approach’ from p. 73f. in the textbook to help structure your discussion about effectiveness.

The presentation
Your findings will be presented in a written report and in an oral presentation to your tutorial in Weeks 10 to 11.

The presentation should last 15 to 20 minutes with an additional 5 minutes set aside for questions and class interaction. Up to 5 minutes of this additional time can be used for class activities but these must be relevant to your topic.

Provide your tutor with a copy of your PowerPoint slides or other visual material at the start of your presentation when you submit your report. Your date of presentation will be negotiated with your tutor.

Sources for the report
Your report should cite at least five academic sources (books and/or journal articles). You should cite at least three sources of information about your organisation.

Appendix to the report
Your report must include an appendix consisting of examples of the organisational material sourced for the report. Suitable items include: material from the organisation’s website; an annual report; a newspaper article; an article from the business press; a case study. All items from the company website will count as one item. If an item is lengthy (such as an annual report), provide an appropriate indication of its content and coverage, such as the title page, contents page and a short segment of relevant content.

Use Report Format
· Provide a complete title page, with the full names and student numbers of each group member.
· Use report format, including a summary and a table of contents.
Fully reference your report and provide a reference list using the APA style.