Management and Organisational Change

Assignment Brief

 

Part One:

 

According to Rollinson (2010), who cites Vroom, ‘task performance’ does not rely solely on motivation.

 

Required:

 

Critically evaluate the use of motivation theories in contemporary business to determine their effectiveness in improving employee task performance.

 

Part one and part two are equally weighted

 

Part Two:

 

“Soft systems approaches to change emphasize not just the content and control of change but also the process by which change comes about. They require consideration of the cultural and political aspects of organisations as much as the structure and systems”. (Senior and Fleming: 2006).

 

Required:

 

Determine in what situations it is either appropriate or inappropriate to employ soft system methodologies.

 

Part two and part one are equally weighted

 

Assignment Considerations General

 

It can be good practice in your preparations for each part to undertake a number of activities. These include:

 

§  Do not repeat the question, merely state Part A or Part B at the top of the respective response.

 

• Establishing key issues/areas raised by the question
• Defining fundamental terms
• Describing contextual information e.g. background to topic and its significance and/or interesting statistical data
• Identifying, explaining in detail and cross-comparing relevant concepts, models and theoretical approaches
• Applying concepts to contemporary issues within business settings
• Applying models/theories to workplace/organisation/industry examples and/or evaluating the practical application of models/theories
• Drawing parallels between theory and practice
• Evaluating relative merits and drawbacks of opposing academic viewpoints with a view to building independent opinions
• Formulating balanced, persuasive independent arguments based on academic evidence and judgement
• Stating a clear, overall answer to the question

 

Part One Particular consideration may be given to:

 

• Assessing the context, which may include factors such as: Industry, Organisational age, Organisational size, Et. al.
• Definitions, examples and theories surrounding motivation from a range of sources.
• Analyse at least two observable practices which have been adopted by organisations which has been designed to enhance ‘task performance’.
• Critique how the given theories may work, in practice. You should consider the practice in different workplaces, industries and reasons for change.
• Furthermore, you should explore the advantages and disadvantages of the theories presented in obtaining enhanced organisational effectiveness.
• It is important to use appropriate references for the facts given; through application of the APA 6th Ed Referencing system.

 

Part Two Particular consideration may be given to:

 

• Analyse the practice of organisational change methodology by discussion of the differences between the soft and hard systems models of change.
• Analyse how these models might work by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of the theories presented.
• Critically analyse the factors that should be taken into account when considering hard systems approaches to change.
• It is important to draw a parallel between the theory and practice and use appropriate references for the facts given through application of the APA 6th Ed Referencing system.

 

Assignment Guidance

 

Word count and presentation: You are required to submit an essay-type assignment not exceeding 4,000 words (excluding references). The essay should be divided in two parts, separating your response to Part One and Part Two. Each part should provide an introduction, a main section (with sub-sections) a conclusion and a reference list. If using tables/images provide labels and sources. Write in a suitable academic style.

 

Submission: Your individual assignment should be submitted by 11.59pm [UK time] on 21st August 2020 via the Turnitin submission link. Your file name should provide your matriculation number, taking the format of 40xxxxxx MOC. Your name should NOT appear.

 

Weighting: The assignment accounts for 90% of your overall mark on this module. Parts one and two of the assignment are weighted equally.

 

Referencing: Follow the APA 6th Ed. referencing system throughout. Provide a separate reference list for Part One and Part Two. All references provided in your list should link to a corresponding within text citation.

 

Avoid plagiarism: Always provide a reference to support your arguments, ensuring that you cite all sources you draw ideas from and that you attribute any quotes appropriately to the author.

 

Turnitin software may be used to detect plagiarism.

 

Plagiarism is considered a breach of academic conduct regulations, dealt with in accordance with the University’s Student Disciplinary Regulations and Academic Conduct: Code of Practice for

 

Staff and Students. Please see the following website for further advice and information on avoiding plagiarism. This website includes advice on how to avoid plagiarism in your work and links to pages with online tutoria

 

Marking Criteria	DISTINCTION – 75 to 100%	PASS – 50 to 74%	FAIL – 0 to 49%
Presentation 10%	Effective essay or report style and layout with neat legible presentation; correct spelling; grammar and punctuation accurate; meaning clear and fluid with an articulate academic writing style.	Effective essay or report style and lay out; neat legible presentation; occasional spelling errors; grammar and punctuation are mainly accurate; meaning coherent and generally fluent writing style.	Poor essay or report style and lay out; untidy and difficult to read; much incorrect spelling; poor grammar and punctuation; meaning unclear; language lacks fluency.
Evidence of reading and research   35%	Demonstrates considerable knowledge of relevant literature with the ability to draw on less obvious sources and go beyond these to new insights/perspectives. Effectively underpins thorough and original arguments with appropriate literature.	Demonstrates some ability to identify and link together information from a range of appropriate sources. Arguments are clearly stated and there is some evidence of knowledge of current developments.	Knowledge and understanding appears incomplete or superficial; demonstrates little ability to link and integrate knowledge from a range of areas or to develop coherent arguments.
Coherence of argument   35%	Thorough analysis of chosen topic, identifying a range of relevant issues, which includes some less obvious matters. Highly developed integration of theory with in-depth understanding of issues related to organisational practice (including from within own organisation if relevant/appropriate). Demonstrates highly developed ability to critique research findings, appreciating the importance of appropriate methodologies. Reaches conclusions which show insight into the dynamics of HRM practice and have a clear strategic focus.	Analysis of chosen topic has clearly taken place and a range of relevant issues are identified. Some evidence of integration of theory with understanding of issues related to organisational practice (including from within own organisation if relevant/appropriate). Demonstrates some ability to critique research findings, appreciating the importance of appropriate methodologies. Conclusions show general appreciation of dynamics of HRM practice and some strategic issues are addressed.	Analysis of the chosen topic is superficial and limited in scope. Limited evidence of integration of theory with little understanding of issues related to organisational practice (including from within own organisation if relevant/appropriate); inability to critique research findings, and fails to appreciate the importance of appropriate methodologies. Conclusions show little understanding of realities of HRM practice and recommendations are immediate & “short term” rather than strategic.
Conclusion 15%	Offers an excellent summation of main arguments and provides an answer to the propositions posed.	Includes a summation of key points previously assessed; attempts to include an answer to the propositions posed.	Introduces new material; fails to provide a summary of arguments; Fails to answer the propositions posed.
Bibliography 5%	Inclusion of extensive appropriate and current literature which is accurately integrated into the text; all citations acknowledged; recognised citation method used consistently.	Evidence of appropriate literature, which is accurately integrated into the text; most sources acknowledged; recognised citation method used consistently.