Assignment: Group Research Project and Presentation Due date: Week 12, Thursday, 25 May 2017 Group/individual: Group assignment Word count: 1200-1500 Learning outcomes: Click or tap here to enter text. Weighting: 10% for Report and 5% for Presentation Assignment Details: Rationale Assess the student’s understanding of the theoretical learning to practical, real world situations. This is a great opportunity for the students to demonstrate their ability to: • contribute effectively to a group task; • assess an organisational issue or problem as objectively as possible; • appreciate the potential of theory in managerial decision making and problem solving, and • take managerial responsibility by designing a practical course of action (rather than merely making recommendations). Instructions Students will form groups of around four/five. Group should identify a problem situation (only one problem) in an organisation they have access to (preferably an organisation where at least one group member works or has worked recently). Do not focus on a problem that has already been solved. Also do not focus on many problems at the same time. A presentation covering the following points should be prepared: 1. Provide a brief introduction of the organisation (it is acceptable to withhold the name of the organisation). 2. Describe the problem, as much as possible in terms of the observable or measurable symptoms it manifests, for example: increased customer complaints; specific quality concerns; high staff turnover; contracts lost; decreased market share; loss of funding or loss of profit. (Do not conceptualise the problem initially as ‘a leadership problem’, ‘a communication problem’ etc.). 3. The issue/problem should then be considered and analysed in terms of material drawn from any two topics studied as part of this subject. To give some examples, your group may choose to apply a model of leadership and use strategic planning concepts to examine your problem, or use models or concepts of motivation and organisational culture, or ethics and organisational design. Try to choose the topic models/concepts that seem to offer the most useful insights into the problem. Do not try to deal with many models or concepts. For example, two models, well applied and showing a good understanding of associated concepts would likely to give optimum results. Topics outside course coverage should not be selected. 4. Design an intervention (a change program or set of activities and procedures) utilising some aspect or aspects of your analysis. The intervention should be intended to solve or improve the situation. Please note you are not merely being asked for a list of recommendations. If you intend to undertake any research, interviewing, distribution of questionnaires or other activities in your organisation, you must discuss your proposed approach with your lecturer and obtain your lecturer’s approval before you do so. Your lecturer will discuss your group’s approach with you prior to actual presentation date. Group members should present their considerations, analysis and intervention design to the class at their scheduled time. The schedule for presenting will be negotiated in class. The presentation should last not more than 15 minutes. Each member will present for more or less equal amount of time. You will be penalised for exceeding 15 minutes. An additional 10 -15 minutes is available for class discussion (questions and answers). Support your presentation with appropriate visuals such as computer slides and handouts. A report of 1200 to 1500 words summarising your presentation must be submitted on the due date. Visual material used in the presentation may be included as an appendix if you wish. Your report must have a cover page duly completed and signed, and it has to be fully referenced (only one report from each group). Group Research Project and Presentation Assessment Criteria For the group presentation, grade will be awarded based on following criteria: • Organization; • Clarity and quality of visual materials; • General presentation skills; • Quality of Discussion generated; • Dress- up (behaving in a dignified and professional way) For the research project, grade will be awarded based on final report and peer evaluation. The report will be assessed based on: • The extent to which the presentation content is effectively reported; • Quality and completeness of response to the presentation topic; • Clarity of expression; • Correct presentation. Peer evaluation should be carried out according to the following criteria: • Understanding of the task and topic; • Industry and initiative; • Dependability and integrity; • Participation as a group member; • Attendance at group activities. Submission of peer evaluation form is compulsory!