NBS New Assessment Brief 2015/16
Programme:
Core module running across Business and Law programmes.
Module Code:
HR9610
Module Title:
Critical Organisational Analysis
Distributed on:
First teaching week
Submission Time and Date:
As advised by teaching team.
Word Limit:
Total of 3000 words
Weighting
This coursework accounts for 100% of the total mark for this module
Submission of Assessment
It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment a
ives before the submission deadline stated on the eLP. See the University policy on late submission of work (the relevant extract is set out below).
Electronic Management of Assessment (EMA): Please note that the assignment is submitted electronically and will be submitted online via Turnitin by the given deadline. You will find a Turnitin link on the module’s eLP site.
Instructions on Assessment:
Submit a 3000 word structured essay, in which you critically evaluate the practices
ehaviours in an organisation of your choice. You will research the organisation to identify practices
ehaviours that are problematic and require investigation as well as recommendations to attend to the issues identified. You will write from either the symbolic or contemporary theoretical perspectives, using Organisation Theory from the most relevant theme taught in the module. The perspective needs to be ca
ied through the assignment and present through every section.
The themes that we will cover in the module are:
· Structure and Agency
· Identity
· Culture
· Organisational Learning, Tacit Knowledge and Knowledge Management
· Aesthetics, Performance and Na
ative
· Power and Control
· Gende
Guidance for writing the essay
You are encouraged to structure your essay as follows:
· Introduction to the essay and rationale for the choice of organisation [10%]
· A
ief section justifying your choice of theoretical perspective: either the symbolic or the contemporary and how this impacts on your writing approach [20%]
· A critical literature review on the one theme that you consider to have the greatest importance for that organisation, using either the symbolic or the contemporary theoretical perspective as your context [20%]
· Critical evaluation of the practices
ehaviours of the case organisation in relation to the selected theme through critical application of the reviewed theories [30%]
· Conclusions [10%]
· Reference list: Cite no fewer than 5 contemporary academic journal articles that are discussed in the essay. You should also cite additional references from books, textbooks, credible news outlets and professional journals [10%]
Guidance for choice of the organisation
You can select an organisation you are familiar with, e.g. your placement organisation or an organisation you would like to work with. You can alternatively select one of the following organisations:
· OXFAM https:
www.oxfam.org.uk
· British Cycling https:
www.
itishcycling.org.uk
· Zara https:
www.zara.com
· Tesla https:
www.tesla.com
· Tyneside Cinema https:
www.tynesidecinema.co.uk
· HSBC https:
www.hsbc.com.hk
Late submission of work
Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following penalties will apply.
For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark.
For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total available marks will have been deducted.
The Penalty does not apply to Pass/Fail Modules, i.e. there will be no penalty for late submission if assessments on Pass/Fail are submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline.
Coursework submitted more than 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval will be regarded as not having been completed. A mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment and the module will be failed, i
espective of the overall module mark.
For clarity: if the original hand-in time on working day A is 12noon the 24 hour late submission allowance will end at 12noon on working day B.
These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
Word limits and penalties
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 ARTA 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 must retain an electronic copy of this assignment (including ALL appendices) and it must be made available within 24hours of them requesting it be submitted.
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.
Academic Misconduct
The Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) contain the Regulations and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct.
The full policy is available at: http:
www.northum
ia.ac.uk/sd/central/a
qualitysupport/asspolicies
You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion and other forms of academic misconduct as refe
ed to in the Academic Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations are taken very seriously by Newcastle Business School. Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.
Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives
This assessment will contribute directly to the following Undergraduate programme goals and objectives.
1. Knowledge & Understanding:
Students will be able to:
x
1.
Assess knowledge of contemporary organisation and management practice informed by theory and research
x
Appraise knowledge of Organisation Theory to complex problems in professional practice in order to identify justifiable, sustainable and responsible solutions
2. Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
x
Be able to communicate effectively to diverse audiences utilising knowledge and understanding of the diverse range of perspectives on Organisation Theory and practice
x
Critique creative and critical thinking skills that involve independence, understanding, justification and the ability to challenge the thinking of self and others
3. Personal Values Attributes:
Students will be able to:
x
1.
Have the attitudes and skills to work constructively and sensitively in multi-cultural environments and teams and have an awareness of ethical considerations
Assessment Brief – Newcastle Business School
Page 3 of 5
Module Specific Assessment Criteria
Criteria
Scales
0-30%
Poo
30-40%
Inadequate
40-50%
Adequate
50-60%
Good
60-70%
Very Good
70-80%
Excellent
80-100%
Exceptional
Introduction and rationale for the choice of organisation
MLO1,3
10 marks
No introduction to the essay. Completely insufficient discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
The introduction is not effective. Insufficient discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
Adequately effective introduction to the essay. The discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation is adequate.
Good introduction to the essay, which includes a good discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
Very good introduction to the essay, which includes a very good discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
Excellent introduction to the essay, which includes an excellent discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
Outstandingly effective introduction to the essay, which includes an outstanding discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
Justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
MLO 1,2,3
20 marks
Completely insufficient discussion of the choice of theoretical perspective
Insufficient justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Adequate justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Good justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Very good justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Excellent justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Outstanding justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Critical Literature review on the chosen theme
MLO 1,2
20 marks
The review of the contemporary literature is completely insufficient
Insufficient review of the appropriate and contemporary literature
Adequate review of the appropriate and contemporary literature. The review could be more critical rather than descriptive
Good and critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature
A very good and critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature
The literature review reflects excellent and critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature
Outstandingly critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature
Critical evaluation of practices/ behaviours
MLO 1,2
30 marks
Little or no discussion of the chosen practices
ehaviours
Insufficient discussion of the chosen practices
ehaviours
The chosen practices
ehaviours have been adequately evaluated. The discussion could be more critical
The chosen practices
ehaviours have been critically evaluated
Very good and critical evaluation of the chosen practices
ehaviours
Excellent and critical evaluation of the chosen practices
ehaviours
Outstandingly critical evaluation of the chosen practices
ehaviours
Conclusions
MLO 1,2,3
10 marks
Little or no evidence of conclusive remarks
The conclusions are insufficient
The conclusions adequately highlight key implications for the organisation
Good conclusions which appropriately highlight the key implications for the organisation
Very well related conclusions which highlight the key implications for the organisation
Excellent and relevant conclusions which highlight key implications for the organisation, and for theory
The essay concludes with outstanding conclusions, which highlight key implications for the organisation, and for theory.
Structure, argumentation and reference quality
10 marks
Presentation is completely insufficient.
Numerous spelling and grammatical e
ors.
Failure to cite references co
ectly in the main text. No reference list. Completely insufficient quality of references
Presentation is not sufficiently professional.
Many spelling and grammatical e
ors.
Referencing throughout and in the reference list is insufficiently co
ect. Insufficient quality of references
Presentation is adequate, with few spelling and grammatical e
ors.
Most citations, and the reference list, are presented appropriately in compliance with APA style. The contemporary and academic references have been adequately discussed
Good presentation throughout.
Spelling and grammar of a good standard.
Very good APA referencing throughout the main text.
Accurate list of references. The contemporary and academic references have been discussed appropriately
Very good presentation throughout.
Spelling and grammar of a high standard.
Very good APA referencing throughout the assignment. Good discussion of the cited contemporary and academic references
Excellent professional presentation throughout. Excellent spelling and grammar.
APA referencing used throughout the main text and list of references. Excellent discussion of the cited academic and contemporary references
An outstandingly crafted piece of work which is professionally presented throughout.
APA referencing used throughout the main text and for the list of references. Outstanding discussion of the cited academic and contemporary references
Take a global company – try to take structure and agency (theme)
· Pick a any company apart from amazon or a company that your working.
· We have to take an internal problem related to the management and employees, no need stakeholder
· One main problem – under main problem there must be 3 sub problem for example, gender discrimination and under that gender pay gap – sexual harassment ---
· it has to come under the theme that they have provided on the
ief.
· The problem XXXXXXXXXXtheme
The practices and the behaviour XXXXXXXXXXperspective
1. Symbolic means the practices that they had back then in 90s 70
· They are not flexible
· They work as Individuals
· Job oriented – they will look into the experience that the person has had.
· They follow autocratic leadership – where they take the decision and ask to proceed
2 Contemporary means adaptive
· They are flexible
· They work has a team
· Skill oriented – this is where they look at the skill of the person
· They ask employees opinion before making decisions
Introduction – 300
2nd question – 600
3rd question – 600
Do not number the heading but segregate the subheadings (divide it)
1. Introduction – 300 words
· The chosen organization
· Why did you choose this organization.
· The problem identified. -> you can link these two by saying, since you have this this problem only we chose this organization to evaluate it
· Selected theme and perspective
· Assignment outline
2. Justify the choice of theoretical perspective – 600 words- no need to
ing the problem into this
· Key author for organization theory and say - modern, symbolic, contemporary – key autho
· Explain which perspective is fit for your organization (symbolic or contemporary)
· After this say why its contemporary or symbolic
· And then say why it is not symbolic or contemporary
3 a critical literature on the theme – no need to
ing the problem into this
· using either symbolic or contemporary
· say how we are going to relate justification (perspective) to the theme that we chose – it can be done by doing a theory.
COA Guidelines (Critical Organizational Analysis)
Before staring the Assignment :
· Please don’t pick Amazon or Tesla.
· When picking up an organizational always make sure that there is enough information so that it can be cited.
· Then we are supposed to come up with an issue (problematic problem or behavior within the org) Ex: Lack of customer satisfaction it can’t be chosen because it is an