Assessment Details and Submission Guidelines
Trimester T2 2020
Unit Code HI6005
Unit Title Management and Organisations in a Global Environment
Assessment Type Group Assignment
Assessment Title Group Research paper
Purpose of the assessment (with ULO
Mapping) Students are required to research a topic from a list of topics provided based on topics discussed in lectures.
The research provided will provide more in-depth evidence of individual research on the topic, not only material which is provided within the lecture content.
Weight 30% of the total assessments
Total Marks 30 marks for group research paper
Word limit Not more than 3,000 words for the group research paper
Due Date Friday of Week 10 at 5pm
Submission Guidelines • All work must be submitted on Blackboard by the due date along with a completed Assignment Cover Page.
• The assignment must be in MS Word format, no spacing, 12-pt Arial font and 2 cm margins on all four sides of your page with appropriate section headings and page numbers.
• Reference sources must be cited in the text of the report, and listed appropriately at the end in a reference list using Harvard referencing style.
Group assignment Specifications
Purpose:
This assignment aims at ensuring that students have familiarised themselves with a general framework of at least one management related topic. Students will be required to apply relevant theoretical concepts with the use of practical examples in most cases in a written research paper.
Details:
Topics and presentation schedule:
Organise yourselves into groups of 4 students.
Please choose from one of the following topics from the list (see below).
Research on the broad topic is a group activity and each student must contribute to that work. Each student in the group will then research, in depth an individual component drawn from the broad research topic.
1. Group Research paper written report – worth 30% of your final grade and must be submitted on Friday of Week 10 at 5pm. The written report should begin with the broad research topic which is then followed by each individual component identified by the individual student who prepared it.
Your report is to be written as a business report. It must include:
• Executive summary
• Table of contents
• Section headings
• Paragraphing
• Page numbers
• ‘Who did what’ section (use below table as template)
• Reference list at the end of the report
To ensure that all students participate equitably in the group assignment and that students are responsible for the academic integrity of all components of the assignment. You need to complete the following table which identifies which student/students are responsible for the various sections of the assignment.
Assignment Section Student/Students
This table needs to be completed and submitted with the assignment as it is a compulsory component required before any grading is undertaken.
List of Topics (Choose one):
TOPIC 1
Globalisation General Framework
In this topic, you are to research globalisation. The business press bombards us with ideas about ‘The shrinking world’, ‘the flat world’ and ‘the border-less world’ – all catchphrases to describe the impact of globalisation. But are the (trade) borders really collapsing or are we seeing, post GFC, a resurgence in them? What is behind the extreme demonstrations against globalisation at G7 and WTC conferences?
Individual Components
1. World 3.0: P Ghemawat’s questioning of whether the world really is as ‘global’ as we are being told it is and his ideas about how it could be globalised more effectively.
2. Anthony Giddens’ ideas on globalisation.
3. The “End of Poverty” movement and the contrary assertion that “Trade NOT aid” is the way to a more globalised world that mitigates against poverty.
TOPIC 2
Corporate or Organisational Culture General Framework
Discuss why corporate culture is such an important determinant of organisational success. Outline the dimensions commonly used in describing a particular organisation’s culture.
Individual Components
Each individual should focus on one (or two) of the dimensions and identify a specific organisation noted for its emphasis of that dimension.
Describe how that organisation stresses that particular component of organisation culture and comment on whether they have been successful [Note: Individual team members must choose different dimensions and thus outline different actual cases].
TOPIC 3
National Culture General Framework
Discuss why an understanding of national culture is important for multi-national or trans-national corporations seeking to operate in a global business environment. Outline the dimensions commonly used in describing national culture.
Individual Components
Each individual should choose a different country classifying it in terms of the commonly-used dimensions for describing national culture.
Choose the countries wisely so that differences can be highlighted.
Each member should seek to find specific examples in their country of choice to illustrate the classification they have made.
TOPIC 4
Management Decision Making: Social Model General Framework
There is little doubt that social influences have a significant impact on decision-making behaviour. Social pressures and influences may cause managers to make irrational decisions. Outline, in the general framework, a model of social influence on decision making.
Individual Components
The individual components of this topic introduce some classic studies as illustrative of the impact of social influences on decision making.
1. Solomon Asch’s classic study into the impact of social conformity on decision making.
2. Stanley Milgram’s classic study of the influence that obedience to an authority figure can have on decision making.
3. Fred Luthans’ study on the influence of information presented in a computer printout in contrast to the same information presented from an ordinary typewriter.
4. Groupthink examples.
TOPIC 5
Goal Setting and Planning General Framework
Outline the importance of goal setting in planning and the characteristics of well-defined goals.
Individual Components
1. Discuss Miles & Vergen’s landmark study into goal setting and the three conditions they identified to be satisfied to ensure best practice in goal setting.
2. Discuss Management by Objectives.
3. Discuss contingency factors which influence a manager’s approach to planning.
4. Discuss different types of plans.
TOPIC 6
The Hawthorne Studies General Framework
The Hawthorne studies had their origins in the Scientific School of Management and constituted a genuine attempt at discovery through research. By today’s standards there were deficiencies in the research which will be highlighted in the individual components of this topic.
In your introduction outline the overall context of the Hawthorne studies and in your conclusion, stress the significant outcomes from the studies notwithstanding the acknowledged defects in the research methodology.
Individual Components
1. The Illumination Studies: One member of the group chooses this phase of the studies.
2. The Relay Room Experiments: Another member of the group chooses this phase of the studies.
3. The Bank Wiring Experiments: The third member of the group choose this phase.
Apart from describing the phase you have chosen, you must identify the specific research methodological weaknesses inherent in that phase.
TOPIC 7
Stakeholder Relationship Management and its influence on Management Decision Making General Framework
Relationship management is one of the highest level managerial functions. Use an example to illustrate poor relationship management and the outcome that resulted from it. Outline the four step approach to stakeholder relationship management.
Individual Components
Construct an example to illustrate good stakeholder relationship management. Using your example:
1. Define the general external environment of your example, identifying stakeholders within it.
2. Define the specific external environment of your example, identifying stakeholders within it.
3.Discuss how the multi-advocacy approach to stakeholder relationship management would assist managers in decision making which is sensitive to managing stakeholder relationships.
TOPIC 8
Organisational Structure General Framework
Outline, six key elements commonly used to define the structure of an organisation identifying the management theorist who identified each of these elements. Then outline four factors
(contingencies) that are commonly used to define the situation (the organisational environment).
Individual Components
Each individual should select an example organisation – a real example – and suggest what you believe to be the structure of that organisation in terms of the six key elements that are used to define organisational structure. For your example organisation, you should define their organisational environment in the terms of the four contingency factors and comment on the match (or mis-match) of the organisation to its organisational environment.
TOPIC 9
Cross Cultural Teams: People Issues in Global Business General Framework
Discuss the challenges in recruiting and effectively managing cross cultural teams.
Individual Components
1. From the work of Hofstede and others, identify issues likely to face the expatriate manager.
2. Discuss the skills and abilities which have been identified in successful international managers.
3. Demonstrate how multivariate analysis might be used in recruitment of international managers.
4. Discuss acculturation issues in expatriation and repatriation of international managers
TOPIC 10
Teams General Framework
Discuss the emergence of teams as a key feature of the modern workplace and trace its origins in the context of the changes in thinking associated with the development of schools of management thought.
Individual Components
1. Outline Tuckman’s stages in team development identifying the leader’s role at each stage (Use examples).
2. Apply insights from the study of managerial decision making to decision making in teams.
3. Give examples of how the physical structures have been designed to facilitate teamwork.
4. Outline the ways in which managers might promote teamwork.
TOPIC 11
Performance Management General Framework
Discuss Performance Management in the context of the identifying the relevant School of Management Theory. Identify positives and negatives in the approaches to performance management.
Individual Components
1. MBO, Review and Agree, 360-degree Feedback.
2. Compare and contrast strengths and weaknesses of cohesive versus non-cohesive teams and the application to High Performance Organisations.
3. Performance Management from a Control Theory Perspective.
4. The Balanced Scorecard Approach.
TOPIC 12
Motivation Overview General Framework
Outline the meaning of motivation as it applies in the workplace.
Individual Components
1. Discuss this question: Can a manager instill motivation into employees or is motivation a process of drawing out something from employees? Discuss coaching.
2. Provide a map of the various theories of work motivation and explain the map.
3. Discuss John Holland theory of personality and job fit as an explanation of work motivation.
4. Describe the difference between a content theory and a process theory of motivation.
TOPIC 13
Motivation: Content Theories General Framework
Describe the difference between a content theory and a process theory of motivation citing examples of how some process theories, under criticism, have been reduced to content theories.
Individual Components
1. Discuss Maslow’s theory and detail the criticisms that have been levelled against it.
2. Discuss Hertzberg’s theory and detail the criticism that have been levelled against it.
3. Discuss McGregor’s theory of work motivation.
4. Behavioural science research expects to be scrutinized and criticism levelled against it. Summarise with examples from Hofstede’s work through to the theories of motivation.
Page
TOPIC 14
Motivation: Process Theories General Framework
Provide a map of the various theories of work motivation and explain the map distinguishing the differences between content and process theories of work motivation.
Individual Components
1. Discuss McClelland’s work and theories of work motivation.
2. Discuss Goal Setting and its role in work motivation: the ‘Review & Agree’ Process.
3. Discuss Equity Theory using examples.
4. Discuss Expectancy Theory using examples.
TOPIC 15
Change Management General Framework
Outline the “Calm-waters” and the “White-water rapids” metaphors for Change Management.
Individual Components
1. Discuss Kotter’s theory of Change Management.
2. Discuss Force-Field Analysis: giving examples.
3. Changing an organisation’s culture may be necessary as part of change management. What can a manager do to change an organisation’s culture?
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Detailed rubric for the Group
Research paper written report
Excellent Very good Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
81-100% 71-80% 61-70% 50-60% 0-.49.99%
Executive Summary (4 marks) Clear evidence of a summary which summaries the entire report Clear evidence of a summary which summarises the entire report Some evidence of a summary which summarises the entire report Limited evidence of a summary of the entire report No executive summary included
Discussion on allocated general framework
(8 marks) Demonstration of outstanding knowledge of the chosen topic and has included significant research which are beyond areas covered within the lecture Demonstration of very good knowledge of the chosen topic and has included some research beyond areas covered within the lecture notes. Demonstration of good knowledge of the chosen topic and has included minimal research beyond areas covered within the lecture notes. Demonstration of satisfactory knowledge of the chosen topic and has included no research beyond areas covered within the lecture notes. Demonstration
of little or no
knowledge of the chosen topic and discussion has little or no relevance to the topic chosen.
Application of theory on Individual
component
discussion (8 marks) Your interpretation of theory is accurate and insightful and has included significant research which goes beyond areas covered within the lecture notes.
Identification of the author has been identified. Your interpretation of theory is accurate and has some insight and included some research which goes beyond areas covered within the lecture notes. Identification of the author has been identified. Your
interpretation of theory is
somewhat accurate and has included minimal research which is beyond areas covered within the lecture notes.
Identification of the author has been identified. Your interpretation of theory is very general and has included no research which is beyond areas covered within the lecture notes. Identification of the author has been identified. Your interpretation of theory is missing or not relevant to the topic. No identification of the author had been given
Overall presentation and quality of report (6 marks) Report is exceptionally structured with
clarity, use of paragraphs and subheadings. Report is well structured with
clarity, use of paragraphs and subheadings. Report is
somewhat
structured with
clarity, use of paragraphs and subheadings. Report is structured with some clarity, and use of some paragraphs and subheadings. Poorly presented. Report is not structured with any clarity, and does not use of paragraphs and subheadings.
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Referencing (4 marks) Clear systematic referencing using Harvard style for all sources. At least 6 peerreviewed references were used from good
sources. All in text referencing done correctly and relevant. Clear systematic referencing using Harvard style for all sources. At least 5 peer-reviewed references were used from good
sources. All in text referencing done correctly and relevant Clear systematic referencing using Harvard style for all sources. At least 4 peerreviewed references were used from good sources. Most in text referencing done correctly and relevant. Limited attempt at formatting references. References largely unrelated to the topic area. At least 3 peerreviewed references were provided. Most in text referencing done correctly and relevant. Poorly presented, no apparent structure. No use of Harvard referencing style.
References were unrelated to the topic area. Only 0 r 1 relevant reference given
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