Edinburgh Napier University
MOC HRM11417 Coursework assignment Tri-mester 3 2016-2017
Management and Organisational Change HRM11417
Coursework Assignment
Tri-mester 3 2016/17
Assignment Brief
Part One:
Mr Simon has spent 12 years continuous service as a line manager in a retail organisation. In the
past three years he has twice been considered for promotion via a formal interview process and
was unsuccessful. On each occasion the successful candidate had better formal qualifications
than Mr Simon, although he had more experience.
He has very recently been rejected for promotion for a third time and is thought to be becoming
disillusioned as a result of this. On passing him in the corridor you (Mr Simon’s team leader)
overhear him saying to a colleague, ‘I can see there is absolutely no possibility of advancement in
this organisation for me, it’s time I moved on’.
Mr Simon is a very hard working and diligent worker and is highly regarded by your team members
and replacing his skills and abilities will be extremely difficult.
You are currently studying attitudes, teams and motivation theories as part of a management
qualification. Explain why the topics you are studying may be useful in analysing this particular
situation and what positive measures could be implemented to attempt to re-motivate this
employee.
Part one and part two are equally weighted
Part Two:
According to Rollinson (2010) a leadership can be defined as “a process in which leader and
followers interact in a way that enables the leader to influence the actions of the followers in a noncoercive way, towards the achievement of certain aims or objectives”.
With this in mind, critically evaluate how the leadership style adopted by a manager may either
facilitate or hinder change in organisations.
Part two and part one are equally weightedEdinburgh Napier University
MOC HRM11417 Coursework assignment Tri-mester 3 2016-2017
Assignment Considerations
General
It can be good practice in your preparations for each part to undertake a number of activities.
These include:
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 relationship between attitude, job satisfaction and commitment
Identifying the key issues influencing motivation
Explaining and comparing theoretical approaches to motivation (content and process) and
relating these to the context of employee dissatisfaction/disillusionment
Analysing the practical applicability and usefulness of motivation theories for managers/leaders
Evaluating team-working and its impact on addressing individual and to organisational needs
Part Two Particular consideration may be given to:
Defining and exemplifying organisational change
Establishing the role leadership plays in directing organisational change
Identifying leadership traits and/or styles and analysing their impact on organisational change
programmes
Explaining and comparing leadership theories and relating these to the context of
organisational change
Evaluating the practical limitations of leadership theoriesEdinburgh Napier University
MOC HRM11417 Coursework assignment Tri-mester 3 2016-2017
Assignment Guidance
Word count and presentation You are required to submit an essay-type assignment not
exceeding 4000 words (excluding references). The essay should be divided in two parts,
separating your response to Part One and Part Two. Each part should be provide an introduction,
a main section (with a number of sub-sections) and a conclusion. If using tables/images provide
labels and references. Write in a suitable academic style.
Submission Your individual assignment should be submitted by 11.59pm [UK time] on 18 August
2017 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 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.
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 tutorials and information on referencing:
http://www.ed.napier.ac.uk/plagiarism/infoStudents.htmEdinburgh Napier University
MOC HRM11417 Coursework assignment Tri-mester 3 2016-2017
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.
Literature either not consulted
or is not relevant to the
discussion; citation method
very poorly and/or not used.