Organizational Theory /Organisational Behaviour

Organizational Theory /Organisational Behaviour

Instructions on Assessment:

Submit a 3000 word structured essay, in which you critically evaluate the practices/behaviours in an organisation of your choice. You will research the organisation to identify practices/behaviours 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 carried through the assignment and present through every section, including the summary table.

The themes that we will cover in the module are:

  • Structure and Design
  • Identity
  • Culture
  • Organisational Learning, Tacit Knowledge and Knowledge Management
  • Aesthetics, Performance and Narrative
  • Power and Control
  • Gender

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 brief section justifying your choice of theoretical perspective: either the symbolic or the contemporary and how this impacts on your writing approach [15%]
  • A summary table indicating the relevance of each of the seven themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours [15%]
  • 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 [15%]
  • Critical evaluation of the practices/behaviours of the case organisation in relation to the selected theme through critical application of the reviewed theories [25%]
  • 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:

Module Specific Assessment Criteria

 

Criteria Scales
  0-30%

Poor

 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

 

15 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
Summary table indicating the relevance of the seven themes

 

MLO 1,2,3

 

15 marks

 The essay does not establish the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Insufficient discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Adequate discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Good discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Very good discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Excellent discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Outstanding discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours
Critical Literature review on the chosen theme

 

MLO 1,2

 

15 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

 

25 marks

 Little or no discussion of the chosen practices/behaviours Insufficient discussion of the chosen practices/behaviours The chosen practices/behaviours have been adequately evaluated. The discussion could be more critical The chosen practices/behaviours have been critically evaluated Very good and critical evaluation of the chosen practices/behaviours Excellent and critical evaluation of the chosen practices/behaviours Outstandingly critical evaluation of the chosen practices/behaviours
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 errors.

Failure to cite references correctly in the main text.  No reference list. Completely insufficient quality of references

 

 Presentation is not sufficiently professional.

Many spelling and grammatical errors.

Referencing throughout and in the reference list is insufficiently correct. Insufficient quality of references

 

 Presentation is adequate, with few spelling and grammatical errors.

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