Assignment Requirements
3000 words 5day
Subject:MANAGING AND LEADING STRATEGIC CHANGE
The Phrase ‘Management of Change’ suggests that the process of change in an organisation is the result of something managers do. Some authors however point to the need for a closer focus on the beliefs and attitudes of the individual, particularly managers, in order to understand the change process.
Critically evaluate the extent to which the change process in organisations is influenced by the attitudes and beliefs of individual managers more than the dynamics within the group.
Given the ideas introduced in the paragraphs above, you are required to research, plan and write an individual 3000 word essay which, drawing on the themes of the Module.
The ability to communicate succinctly and to meet the requirements of an assignment brief is a key management skill. The word limit for the assignment is up to a maximum of 3000 words. However, in line with Faculty guidelines, there is an allowance of 10% over the word limit, where students will not be penalised.
Generating ideas for your assignment
Your focus can be shaped from ideas gathered from a range of sources including;
Please note these sources should be used to generate ideas and questions to help shape your own focus, which helps to set up interesting opportunities to demonstrate analysis and critical evaluation in line with the expectations of Final Year degree programmes.
This assignment must be seen as a distinct piece assessment, and should not be based on any assignments currently or previously submitted for assessment.
Developing the essay
Your essay should have an introduction which clearly sets out your focus i.e. what questions/issues/situations you wish to critically examine within the essay
The stronger essays will identify and demonstrate an understanding of theoretical perspectives drawn from a range of academic literature.
The literature you introduce in your essay will depend on your essay’s focus, however you should consider researching from the following indicative resources:
The stronger essays will achieve an appropriate balance between theory and organisation practice. They will use literature and examples thoughtfully to work through a series of coherent phases of analysis discussion from which reasoned conclusions are drawn.
The assignment requirements and assessment guidelines will be introduced and discussed within class sessions, and posted on Moodle. These should be used to help prepare and plan the essay, and to assist in the self-evaluation of your assignment prior to submission for assessment.
In terms of formative assessment and feedback, there will be on-going opportunities within class sessions to share experience, observations and learning, and to discuss ideas you are considering for the development of drafts and the final assignment.
As with all of your assignments you should seek to make effective use all available resources to help develop the essay. These resources include those available via Moodle, including resources and tutor support from the Centre for Academic Success – see link http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/
Please note this is an individual piece of assessment and you should ensure you have read and understood the University’s guidance on avoiding issues of alleged plagiarism and collusion. Advice is introduced within the Regulations pages – http://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/academic-regs) – and on the Centre for Academic Success Moodle page. If you have any additional questions on these issues it is essential to discuss them with a Module tutor.
We reserve the right to put any assignments through our plagiarism software to detect inappropriate use of secondary sources, including books, other sources, Journals and internet sources. Where appropriate we may use a viva (‘an oral examination’) as part of the assessment process to help clarify and establish student understanding, and to examine the research undertaken for the assignment.
Marking Scheme
Knowledge of the Change Perspectives – Students should demonstrate a clear understanding of the various perspectives on the dynamics of change in organisations that have been explored in lectures. These might include sociological, historical, symbolic, political, psychological and cultural perspectives. On a broader level students will be rewarded for a concise discussion of the distinction between modernist and postmodern understandings of organisational life. | 40% |
Ability to critically review the material – Students should critically evaluate the perspectives they have explored. This will involve a close consideration of the points of difference between them and offer critical comment on their ability to illuminate their own experience of change within organisations. | 30% |
Reference to examples of Change Processes – Students should demonstrate an understanding of the extent to which theoretical work explains the change processes evident in contemporary organisations. To this end credit will be given for identifying contemporary examples and the extent of its confluence with theory. | 20% |
Structure and Writing Style – Writing style is important, the objective is to address the question presented in an academic but persuasive manner. This involvesmarshalling argumentsfrom academic sources as well as examples and deductive processes. | 10% |
Total | 100% |
Your assignment must include a cover sheet which indicates the Module Title, Tutor name, the hand in date, your student number and importantly the word count for your essay, (excluding the list of references and any appendices).
One copy of this assignment should be submitted to the Undergraduate Programmes Office (2nd floor Galton Building), with a completed and signed Business School coursework submission sheet. Please do not put your assignment in plastic wallets or folders; simply staple/attach a completed coursework submission sheet to your assignment. Students should retain an electronic copy of the assignment, which may be requested by tutors as part of the assessment/moderation process.
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