1
Department: BAL
Module assessment HRMG5064 – People, Management and
Organizations.
Type: Individual Essay 3,500 words
Date of submission: 12th January 2021
Academic Year: 2020/2021 (Semester one) Credit value: 15
Module Leader: Dr Joseph Eyong
Email: joseph.eyong@dmu.ac.uk
Room: HU6.97 (next to lift on the 6th Floor)
Team lecturers
Fatima Malik
Email: Fatima.malik@dmu.ac.uk
Room: HU6.85 (next to lift on the 6th Floor)
Module Assessment: 2020/2021
Module leader: Dr Joseph Eyong
The assessment for this module will consist of a 3500 word (+-10%) critical and
analytical essay. The task accounts for the full 100% of the mark for the entire
module. The primary focus of the task is to explore key theories, literature,
thematic debates, contemporary business events and apply the knowledge
gained in the module in the context of your role as leader of a subsidiary of a
multinational corporation (MNC) in your host country.
The task
One year after completing your post graduate study, you are assigned to take
up the leadership of a Multinational Corporation (MNC) in your country of origin.
Your company owns a leading brand competing with other global brands in
Faculty of
Business and Law
2
such items as premium quality shoes, bags, clothing and insurance policy for
protection on valued goods such as gold and diamond ornaments. The
Management of the brand takes place at your organization’s headquarters in
New York, USA (home country). As your Organization is a MNC, employees
are recruited from many countries and cultures. Specialist skill in manufacturing
and design is mostly undertaken by French and Italian nationals. Periodically
these Italian and French nationals come to live and work in your home country
where manufacturing and retail is operationalised. These French and Italian
employees, along with Americans, other third country nationals (TCNs) work
alongside employees from your country (host country).
The central office to which you have been appointed has a total number of 100
employees. Understandably, 60% of the staff are citizens of your own country,
while 40% are from ten different countries combined.
Your task is the following:
Drawing on knowledge developed within this module, your own experience and
wider reading, you are requested to write a critical, analytical and applied essay
of 3500 words where you engage and address the following aspects of your
role:
1. Explore relevant theories in leadership studies and consider applying
theories/practices/approaches best suited for leadership in this
multinational and multicultural context. (approximately 500 words)
2. Critically analyse theories and literature associated with organizational
and national culture and outline possible culture-related challenges you
may face. Further, consider how you would mitigate the dominant issues
that will be inevitable in a cross-cultural working setting as depicted in
the above scenario (500 words).
3. Communication will be another challenge to be addressed. In your
essay, critically reflect on ways in which you will manage communication
barriers between employees. Also, speculate how language difference
could enhance a close relational working environment with impact on
employee wellbeing (500 words).
4. You are advised to undertake a process of change that requires your
subsidiary to show proof of awareness and application of ethical, moral
and ecologically friendly approaches that enhance sustainability.
Consider how to implement this necessity.
3
5. At the time you are appointed, the motivation level of employees and the
working atmosphere is tensional. Critically discuss how you would raise
levels of confidence, motivation and ensure harmony and collegiality is
established (500 words).
6. Critically engage with the literature on emotional intelligence to consider
how you will draw on Goleman’s dimensions to achieve more collective
leadership practice.
7. We will expect you to write a clear introduction which clearly explains the
task, identifies key issues to be developed and presents a clear structure
explaining the sequencing of the different sections of your essay (250
words)
8. Your essay should end with a composite conclusion reminding the
reader about what the task was, how it has been accomplished, the key
points to take home as well as a reflection about the learning gained in
completing the module and the task (250 words).
Note that you have been asked to write an essay and not a report. You will
therefore avoid sub-headings and writing in the first person – ‘I’, ‘my’ or in my
opinion. These expressions are not normally allowed in academic writing.
Instead, say, this student…, this paper or author argues….recent research
examined by this student indicates…..as leader of the organisation, the
appropriate approach to adopt would be…… This student’s analysis shows that
X approach(es) would be effective. The reason(s) for this is/are……
Also, note that the reference sources you use for your essay should come from
the following list of ABS2*, 3* and 4* journals: (Seek support from a library staff
should you face any difficulty in finding these journals and the articles that you
will wish to use in your essay)
Recommended journals to select articles:
International Journal of Human Resource Management Work, Employment and Society Human Resource Management Journal European Journal of Industrial Relations Gender, Work and Organisation Employee Relations Human Relations
4 Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes Journal of Organizational Behaviour Academy of Management Perspectives Academy of Management Journal Academy of Management Review Human Resource Management Leadership quarterly Leadership journal
Note further that the articles or reference sources you bring into your essay
should not be older than 5 years. This means that you should only use reference
sources or articles published between; 2015 – 2020. The markers are more
interested in ongoing and current conversations/debates and issues around the
various topics rather than references such as: Transformational leadership
(Burns, 1978; Bass, 1985) or Maslow’s theory of motivation (Maslow, 1943).
We are interested in your reading and understanding of the manner in which
recent writers are engaging with these foundational concepts rather than in your
ability to explain what these concepts are. As much as possible, avoid
explanation and definitions of theories. Rather, engage in critical examination
about how these concepts are written about and applied in today’s business
and management context.
In your analysis, you should aim to compare/evaluate between
theories/perceptions/approaches, rather than just explain from websites or
books etc. In critical analysis process, you will consider highlighting similarities
and differences in the arguments developed, evaluate the value and
contribution and suitability of theories/approaches in your context. Avoid simple
explanation and description. Rather, seek to analyse current issues engaged in
the various streams of literature in some depth, outlining implication, limitations
and questioning assumptions drawing on your experience or alternative reallife news, events or cultural conventions.
Word limits: The word limit for each item of coursework is 3500 but can
increase or decrease by 10%. The limit includes quotations or citations inside
your text but does not include the reference list. Remember to set your wordprocessor to count the notes as well as the main text). Note that this is a limit;
it does not mean you must write that number of words. If you submit work that
5
is seriously over-length, you may find that the tutors only read and mark material
that falls within the word limit that is between 3750 and 3,150 words.
Assignment Submission
Submission is online only and must be submitted through TURNITIN which you
find on the module shell. Note that there will be two links for submission. Be
careful here to submit into the link DMU submit only.
General matters related to the assignment.
Throughout the module you will develop an understanding of the main debates,
issues, critique, contribution and some sources of reference. The expectation
is that you will benefit from this knowledge and your previous studies to
satisfactorily complete the assessment. You are warned to avoid all forms of
malpractice including plagiarism, copying and pasting previous work or
including large portions of books, articles and other sources as part of your work
without observing approved rules on assignment tasks at DMU such as not
citing correctly. Note that you may be disqualified from the programme if you
are found to have engaged in any form of academic malpractice after due
process.
Preparation of coursework
All coursework should be word-processed, unless the module tutor indicates
that hand-written work is acceptable. Please follow these guidelines when
formatting your work:
Font: minimum 12-point size, preferably Times New Roman or Arial. Do not
use ornamental fonts. Use bold for titles, bold or italics for emphasis, and italics
for book or journal titles; avoid underlining where possible. If you need special
characters, such as Greek, do not try to make do: get the right font.
Line spacing: 1.5 or double spacing.
Margins: at least 2.5 cm.
Please number the pages of your work, and include your student number
(not your name) on the first page or in the header or footer.
Referencing: This is academic writing as a result you should use relevant
literature to support your arguments using Harvard referencing style for in text
6
citations, in order to avoid accusations of plagiarism, acknowledge others work
and to provide credibility to your work. Leicester Castle Business School
students follow the Harvard referencing system:
http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Images/Selfstudy/Harvard.pdf.
This is an individual task. You are not allowed to work in groups.
Referencing:
Referencing is as important as writing. You need to be accurate in your in-text
referencing skills and make sure you have included all the reference sources
used in the essay on your reference list.
Marking criteria:
Your work will be marked in consideration of the following aspects: Execution
of task in general very important. Other aspects: research effort, application,
critical analysis, presentation, referencing, communication skills. Use current
examples and make clear the links between theory and application after
thorough analysis.
Mark grading: Use this marking scheme when writing. This grading will be
used to allocate marks.
| Mark Range |
Criteria |
| 90-100% Distinction |
Demonstrates an exceptional ability and insight, indicating the highest level of technical competence. The work has the potential to influence the forefront of the subject, and may be of publishable/exhibitable quality. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at the highest possible standard. |
| 80-89% Distinction |
Demonstrates an outstanding ability and insight based on authoritative subject knowledge and a very high level of technical competence. The work is considered to be close to the forefront of the subject, and may be close to publishable/exhibitable quality. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a very high level. |
| 70-79% Distinction |
Demonstrates an authoritative, current subject knowledge and a high level of technical competence. The work is accurate and extensively supported by appropriate evidence. It may show some originality. Clear evidence of capacity to reflect critically and deal with ambiguity in the data. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a high level. |
| 60-69% Merit |
Demonstrates a sound, current subject knowledge. No significant errors in the application of concepts or appropriate techniques. May contain some minor flaws. The work is well developed and coherent; may show some originality. Clear evidence of capacity to reflect critically. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a good level. |
7
| 50 – 59% Pass |
Demonstrates satisfactory subject knowledge. Some evident weaknesses; possibly shown by conceptual gaps, or limited use of appropriate techniques. The work is generally sound but tends toward the factual or derivative. Limited evidence of capacity to reflect critically. Relevant generic skills are generally at a satisfactory level. |
| 40 -49% Fail |
Demonstrates limited subject knowledge. Some important weaknesses; possibly shown by factual errors, conceptual gaps, or weak use of appropriate techniques. The work tends toward the factual / derivative, or lacks sound development. Little evidence of capacity to reflect critically. Relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task. |
| 30-39% | Demonstrates inadequate subject knowledge. The work lacks coherence and evidence of capacity to reflect critically. The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task. |
| 20-29% | Demonstrates seriously inadequate knowledge of the subject. The work contains minimal evidence of awareness of relevant issues or theory. The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task. |
| 10-19% | The work is almost entirely lacking in evidence of knowledge of the subject. No evidence of awareness of relevant issues or theory. The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task. |
| 0-9% | The work presents information that is irrelevant and unconnected to the task. No evident awareness of appropriate principles, theories, evidence and techniques. |
Our engagement with you
The feedback that we receive from you is vital to the student experience. We
gather this feedback through module and course surveys as well as via
meetings and engagement with student representatives. Module and
programme teams reflect on the comments that students provide and take
action accordingly. If you have any comments about the module then you
should consult the module leader in the first instance.
Further Information
Attendance: Attendance and engagement in all learning activities is expected
in all Faculty of Business and Law modules. For absences due to illness, lasting
up to six consecutive calendar days, students must inform tutors, whose
classes they are missing, of the reasons for their absence. For absences of
seven consecutive days or more due to illness a medical certificate must be
submitted to the Faculty Student Advice Centre. Student who wish the illness
to be taken into account in relation to an assessment of work must follow the
procedures relating to deferral.
Extensions: Extensions to relevant deadlines are only granted where there is
a satisfactory explanation provided in advance. Module leaders may be able to
grant a short extension of up to 14 days or they can, if appropriate or practical,
make alternative arrangements for the assessment. Remember it may not
always be possible to make alternative arrangements. In exceptional
circumstances extensions beyond 14 days can be granted by the Associate
Dean Academic or their nominee.
You may apply for an extension by completing an extension request form
available from the Student Advice Centre.
Unauthorised late submission of assessments
If an assessment is submitted later than the deadline without an approved
extension or deferral the mark received will be capped. If an assessment is
8
submitted 1-14 calendar days late the mark for the work will be capped at the
pass mark of 40 per cent for undergraduate modules. If an assessment is
submitted beyond 14 calendar days late the work will receive a mark of zero
per cent.
Deferrals
If your circumstances are such that an extension of 14 days would not be
sufficient, or if you feel that, despite being granted an extension of up to 14
days, your performance in a piece of coursework has been seriously impaired,
you may apply formally to your faculty panel for a deferral of assessment of
coursework. You will have to fill in the appropriate form that is obtainable from
the Faculty Student Advice Centre and supply supporting evidence. Forms
should be submitted to the Faculty Student Advice Centre. Further information
on the deferrals policy can be consulted at: http://dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/thestudent-gateway/academic-support-office/deferral-of-assessments.aspx
Style and Referencing: Students in the Faculty of Business and Law follow
specific referencing guides for all written work. There are separate guidelines
for Law students (https://libguides.library.dmu.ac.uk/law/referencing) and for
students in the Leicester Castle Business School
(https://libguides.library.dmu.ac.uk/business/referencing).
Law students follow the footnote referencing system:
https://libguides.library.dmu.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=26780459
Leicester Castle Business School students follow the Harvard referencing
system:
http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Images/Selfstudy/Harvard.pdf
Return of submitted work: All students will be informed via a Blackboard
announcement when their assessment is marked. You are strongly encouraged
to discuss your written or in some cases audio feedback with your module
leader if you have any questions or concerns. Modules assessed wholly or in
part by examination may have generic feedback on examination performance
made available via Blackboard.
All marks on assessed work are provisional marks only and they will not be
confirmed until the Assessment Board meets. Marks and feedback on assessed
work will be available within 20 days. The turnaround time does not include
weekends, bank holidays or university closure days
The full Assessment and Feedback policy can be consulted at:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/quality-management-and-policy/academicquality/learning-teaching-assessment/assessment-feedback-policy.aspx
Good academic conduct and discipline: All students are expected to adhere to
the University’s regulations in relation to expected standards of behaviour.
Information on student regulations can be viewed at:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-supportoffice/student-regulations.aspx
Plagiarism and bad academic practice
9
De Montfort University’s Academic Regulations describe plagiarism as:
“the significant use of other people’s work and the submission of it as though it
were one’s own in assessed coursework (such as dissertations, essays,
experiments etc)”.
This includes:
• Copying from another student’s work
• Copying text from sources such as books or journals without
acknowledgement
• Downloading information and/or text from the Internet and using it
without acknowledgement
• Submitting work which you claim to be your own when it has been
produced by a group
• Submitting group work without acknowledging all contributors.
De Montfort University describes bad academic practice as:
Low level duplication without citation for example errors made through
carelessness or misunderstanding or
Passing off ideas, data or other information as if originally discovered by the
student.
Information on academic offences can be found at:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-supportoffice/academic-offences.aspx
Further advice on academic offences can be obtained by emailing
acasupportoffice@dmu.ac.uk Full details can be found in the University
regulations http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-studentgateway/academic-support-office/student-regulations.aspx
Students are reminded that module assessment results are provisional until
ratified by the programme management boards and that results released to
students can be revised or redacted if there are concerns regarding academic
practices.
Proofreading:
If you do use a third party to proof read your work or a professional proof reading
service you must discuss this with your tutor and declare this in a written
statement accompanying your work when you submit it for assessment.
Faculty of Business and Law Grade Descriptors
This is a guide to the criteria used by staff in the Faculty of Business and Law
assigning a mark to a piece of undergraduate work. The final mark awarded to
a piece of work will be informed by its predominant correspondence to these
descriptors. The University generic descriptors as well as advice for students
can be accessed at:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/quality-management-and-policy/academicquality/learning-teaching-assessment/mark-descriptors.aspx
Modules are marked on a range of 0-100%. Mark descriptors are given in the
table above. A mark below 50% indicates a Fail grade (the shaded boxes).
10
How we support you
Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control, for example, illness or
personal problems. If things start to affect your studies, you need to let
someone know. There are processes and people to help you.
Your personal tutor is an important starting point for help. He or she will be able
to advise you about the various University procedures. Many things can be
dealt with by your Programme Leader. Academic matters within the Faculty are
led by the Associate Dean Academic in conjunction with Associate Professor
Student Experience. The staff in the Student Advice Centre are there to provide
support and guidance.
There are in addition a number of sources of help that are listed in the Useful
Links and Contacts section below, such as the Student Gateway.
USEFUL LINKS AND CONTACTS
Careers Service:
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/careers-andemployability/careers-and-employability.aspx
Counselling and Wellbeing
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/counselling-mentalhealth-and-wellbeing/counselling/counselling.aspx
Disability Advice and Support
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/disabilityadvice-and-support/disability-advice-and-support.aspx
Student Advice Centre
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/schools-and-departments/leicesterbusiness-school/contact-us.aspx
Student Finance and Welfare
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/studentfinance-and-welfare/student-finance-and-welfare.aspx
Student support
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-study/studentsupport/student-support.aspx
Students’ Union
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/welcome-to-de-montfortstudents-union/welcome-to-de-montfort-students-union.aspx
Support for Mature Students
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-study/studentsupport/advice-and-guidance-for-mature-students/advice-and-guidance-formature-students.aspx
The Student Gateway
11
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/student-andacademic-services.aspx
Other Services and Links
Academic Appeals
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-supportoffice/academic-appeals.aspx
Change in student circumstance (e.g. suspension of studies) –
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/student-financeand-welfare/changes-affecting-finances/taking-a-break.aspx
Complaints Procedure
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-supportoffice/student-complaints/student-complaints-procedure.aspx
Information Technology and Media Services (ITMS)
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/professional-services/informationtechnology-and-media-services/service-desk.aspx
Nightline
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/student-resources/it-and-media/24-hoursupport.aspx
Student Code of Conduct
https://www.dmu.ac.uk/Documents/DMU-students/Academic-SupportOffice/Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf