Task Description Assessment item 2 - Essay on Work Design Challenges Length: 1500 words ±10% (excluding title page, reference list, appendices), presented in essay format Reference Style: Author-Date Style (APA Referencing Style) only Objectives This assessment item relates to course learning outcomes numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. Purpose The primary purpose of this assessment is to assist students develop skills in the use of HRM strategies, theories and models in the analysis of a typical business situation that has human resource consequences (e.g. work life balance, flexible working arrangements). The assignment requires you to analyse the current situation, identify and specify the business issues, and suggest a practical and probable HR solution. The secondary purpose of this assignment is to give students the opportunity to enhance their research, analysis, critical thinking and written communication skills; particularly in the areas of argument development and essay writing. Description Assessment task 2 requires the writing of an academic essay (1500 words). This essay should be an ‘argumentative/ academic essay’, and must therefore contain an argument that is used as the structuring element of the paper. The assignment is based on a case study that describes the impact of business scenario on managing human resources in organisational context. The purpose of the essay is to identify the roles of strategic HRM and other HRM challenges in managing human resources. Students are expected to engage in extensive research within the academic literature relating to strategic human resource management and other relevant areas (work life/ family balance, flexible work arrangements etc.). Details The assessment item is based on the case study provided on the Moodle site. Both the case study and the assignment requirements can be accessed through the course website (Moodle) under the Assessments tab. You should read, and carefully analyse, the case and respond to the issues presented in the case study within the context of an argumentative/academic essay. You are required to support your argument with appropriate theoretical discussion and references. The assignment should be a properly constructed academic essay. It should contain an effective introduction, discussion body and conclusion. The introduction should introduce the essay, thesis statement (main objective of the assignment) and include your argument. The main body of the assignment should present the evidence you have collected to support your arguments, and the conclusion should restate your arguments, summarise the evidence and make a conclusion regarding your arguments. The assignment should contain a coherent, but necessarily restricted review of the academic literature on the Strategic Human Resource Management topics in question. The literature review should be integrated into the assignment. A reference list formatted in the prescribed APA style is compulsory. Marking criteria for Essay on Work Design Challenges Your essay will be assessed on the extent to which it meets the following criteria (detailed main and sub criteria are provided on the Moodle site): • A thorough knowledge and critical analysis of the HRM topics/ strategies expressed in a coherent format. Appropriateness of responses to the task requirements (20%) • Persuades the reader that the point of views developed in the answers are well supported by ideas and information drawn from academic literature and reflection. (20%) • Overall application of relevant theories, models and concepts to address the topics. An in-depth knowledge, application of the linkages to different approaches to Strategic HRM (20%) • Demonstrates an understanding, application of HR challenges, issues and practices associated with various directional strategies. (20%) • Demonstration of additional research beyond the course material and textbook including use of recent and relevant peer reviewed academic journal articles, academic references (minimum of eight (8)). (10%) • Presentation, including referencing, formatting, layout and grammar. (10%)