Hr0864 Unit 4 Assignment

Module Code:
HR0864
Module Title:
Analysing Organisations
Distributed on:
2014/15
Hand in Date:
Please do not enter a date in this box. Please advise the relevant programme office of the preferred week for hand in.

Further information about general assessment criteria, ARNA regulations, referencing and plagiarism can be found on the module’s site on the e-Learning Portal. Students are advised to read and follow this information.

Instructions on Assessment:

Analysing Organisations
The module assessment consists of a 3000 word essay which analyses a case organisation using one, or a maximum of two of the topics covered in the module, chosen by the student.

Choose an organization with which you are familiar to answer the following question:
How can organization theory be used to analyse selected practices of (your chosen) organization?

You should critically analyse authoritative sources, models and/or frameworks which you consider appropriate to chosen topic(s) and the organization.

Assessment Criteria

Approaches to understanding and researching the nature of organizations are considered. Choices amongst these approaches are made. A research paradigm is therefore chosen, explained and consistently applied throughout the piece of work.
One or a maximum of two module topics are chosen for the student to apply to an organizational setting. If two topics are chosen the assignment should explain how these topics are synthesized.
The methods of data collection which would be appropriate to the chosen paradigm are explained and justified.
There is an explanation of the ‘fit’ (or the absence of such a fit is discussed) between methods of data gathering, the analysis, the interpretation and the role of the writer of the assignment.
The data is critically analysed using relevant theories, models and frameworks from the chosen topic/s.
The assignment should be clearly expressed, legible with accurate spelling and grammar, its structure appropriate, assertions supported and all material correctly referenced using the APA guidelines.
Credit will be given for originality, creativity, fluency of argument, use of examples and illustrations.

Word limits and penalties for assignments

If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.

The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include:

Title and Contents page
Reference list
Appendices
Appropriate tables, figures and illustrations
Glossary
Bibliography
Quotes from interviews and focus groups.

Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.

If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARNA page 30 Section 3.4 this will be regarded as academic misconduct.

If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded to the assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the word limit by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.

Students are advised that they may be asked to submit an electronic version of their assignment.

Time limits and penalties for presentations

The time allocated for the presentation must be adhered to. At the end of this time, the presentation will be stopped and will be marked based on what has been delivered within the time limit.

Submission of Assessment:

All assignments must be submitted via the Postgraduate Programme Office. Each assignment must be accompanied by an Assessed Work Form which must be completed in full. The assignment will not be accepted by the Postgraduate Programme Office unless the form is completed correctly.

Marked assignments will be returned to students. It is advisable to retain a copy of your assignment for you own records. Your mark will be returned on the Assessed Work Form via the Postgraduate Programme Office.

Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:

This assessment will contribute directly to the following Postgraduate programme goals and objectives. (Insert an ‘X’ in boxes where applicable, referring to appropriate programme specification for mapping details)

Goal One: Be independent, reflective critical thinkers

X
1.
Demonstrate awareness of their personal strengths and weaknesses through critical reflective practice.

2.
Understand and challenge personal patterns of thinking and behaving.

Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware

1.
Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams.

X
2.
Reflect on their own ethical values.

Goal Three: Have developed leadership and management capability

1.
Demonstrate their personal contribution to team effectiveness.

X
2.
Communicate complex issues effectively.

3.
Demonstrate decision making and problem solving skills.

4.
Carry out presentations and lead discussions.

Goal Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management theory

x
1.
Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and organisational functions.

Goal Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities x
1.
Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a contemporary business, management or leadership topic of their choice. x 2.
Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to the exploration of contemporary business issues.

Goal Six: Have developed specialist knowledge about the theory and practice of your programme of study

1.
Demonstrate specialist functional knowledge in relation to your programme of study.

Assessment Criteria (NBS)
Module Specific Assessment Criteria
Trait
0
Fail
1 – 39
Fail
40 – 49
Fail
50 – 54
Pass
55 –
59
Pass
60 – 69
Commendation
70 – 100
Distinction
Analysis
Work not submitted OR Work giving evidence of serious academic misconduct (subject to regulations in ARNA Appendix 1) OR Work showing no evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. None of the learning outcomes are met.
Description and no discussion provided both of theories and organization with no clear links between them. Paradigm is missing.
Description rather than discussion provided. Theories and organization commentary are not clearly linked via organization examples. Lacks evidence of a knowledge or understanding of chosen paradigm.
A majority of the learning outcomes are met and others are nearly satisfied.
Theories stand apart from, and not synthesized with, relevant organizational examples to provide a comprehensive argument. Demonstrates adequate evidence and knowledge, understanding of chosen paradigm. All learning outcomes are met (or nearly met and balanced by strengths elsewhere).
Some synthesis of theory within analysis to provide a comprehensive argument. Useful organizational examples provided. Greater evidence of linkage between choices of theory for analysis. Paradigm is included and recognizes the paradigmatic presuppositions of theories used. All learning outcomes are met.
Comprehensive synthesis of theory with practice to provide a strong and detailed argument with the help of appropriate organizational examples. Good linkage between theoretical choices for analysis. Paradigm included, and recognizes and understands the implications of the paradigmatic presuppositions of theories used. Good evidence of reading beyond module references. All learning outcomes met, many are more than
satisfied.
Choices of theory and organizational examples synthesize to provide a critical and insightful evaluation of organizational practices. Includes paradigm, and critically evaluates the paradigmatic location of theories used. Demonstration of wide reading beyond module references. All learning outcomes met, many at high level.
Presentation and Structure

Failure to use professional formatting. Numerous spelling and grammatical errors. Referencing not consistent with the APA format.
Inconsistent approach to formatting work. A number of spelling and grammatical errors. Failure to cite all references in the main text according to the APA format.
Satisfactory presentation with few spelling and grammatical errors. Most references provided in the APA format.
Professionally presented with few spelling and grammatical errors. Most references provided in the APA format.
Professionally presented with few errors in referencing the work of others. References in the APA format.
Excellent presentation, spelling and grammar. APA referencing used throughout the main text.

Note: For those assessments or partial assessments based on calculation, multiple choice etc. Marks will be gained on an accumulative basis. In these cases, marks allocated to each section will be made clear.

Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment and it must be made available within 24 hours of them requesting it be submitted.