ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assignment 2 - Individual Business Report (70 percent)

Work by yourself and select an organisation in an industry sector of your choice (e.g. Aerospace, Automotive or any other manufacturing sector; chemical or petrochemical; construction or civil engineering; financial services, insurance or banking; healthcare or hospitals; information systems; hotel industry; pharmaceutical; travel industry, airlines or tour industry).

Research your chosen organisation and produce a business report for the organisation which details the change management issues including such factors as aspects of organisational structure, behaviour, culture and technology; political, social aspects as well as economic strengths and weaknesses (NOTE: You must critically analyse at least 5 HRM activities in the chosen organisation). You should comment on information technology, which has a growing impact on contemporary business. In recent years, the internet has shown prolific growth which has ramifications for global commercial organisations.

The exact format of the report is left to you but a proportion of the marks will be awarded for professionalism and clarity.

Contents of the written assignment

The report is expected to have a professionally structured presentation (10 percent) of the assignment marks) and marks will be awarded for having a suitable layout and length that is written with an acceptable use of business English. The report should be between 4,000 – 6,500 words. Any report above 6,500 words will be heavily penalised The penalty is a deduction of 10% of the mark (after internal moderation).

The report should include an abstract or executive summary that briefly summarises to aims and main conclusions of the report. The main text should be divided into a logical sequence that identifies the problems and includes correctly cited illustrations (diagrams, graphs and tables). It is essential to include correctly cited references for all text and concepts originating from other authors.

1. As part of your discussion about the organisation’s strategic plan (20 percent), your report should include the background information about the chosen organisation. Where appropriate, use supporting case studies for the industry sector or techniques.

An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) is expected to be shown and you may use other analysis methods or comparative cases studies.

You may add the organisation’s vision and mission and include any initiatives, such as those for quality management.

2. HRM issues (50 percent) relating to your chosen organisation need to be included, such as resourcing and legal issues. This should include a commentary on Leadership and management.

You should also discuss organisational structure with emphasis on grouping and teamwork. When you write about organisational culture be sure to show the part played by information systems. This is an opportunity to bring out the way your chosen organisation deals with skills; training and development as well as appraisal.

How coaching and mentoring are applied in your organisation need to be discussed in your report. Performance and motivation should also be significant features of your report.

3. In order to reach a conclusion, the future directions (20 percent) need to be considered, such as your estimation of the organisation’s change management plan and how organisational development will be implemented. Be sure to state what you believe will be the success factors against which the plan will be monitored and assessed. Show the influence of communication and influencing and, finally, state your recommendations in your conclusions.

Assessment Criteria for assignments

Assessment will be based on the factors listed below and summarised on the marking sheet, shown overleaf.

Show a thorough understanding of the purpose of the activity.

Display knowledge of the major principles, theories, methodologies, and practices involved and an ability to apply them effectively.

Provide correctly cited references to show evidence of wide reading, including academic journals.

Include supportive illustrations with correctly cited references. If the illustrations are your own show this (e.g. ‘Source, author’ – you are the author)

Demonstrate an ability to select critical points, evaluate them and communicate the conclusions effectively.

Provide approaches that are creative, practicable, and supported.

Provide a sound, supported critique of your own work.

Provided sound and supported discussions of further research that may be needed.

Marking Sheet

Below is an extract from the marking sheet that will be used to asses your marks.

Student Name: Your name Module: M22EKM – Human Resource Management

Attendance Date: Dates when you attended the lectures

Lecturer:

Excellent70 to 100

Very Good60 to 69

Good50 to 59

Satisfactory40 to 49

Inadequate0 to 39

Overall Award: The award shown is subject to confirmation by the Board of Examiners

Assignment 2 – Individual Written ReportS/No Activity Mark

1. Report Presentation (7):

Layout and length; Abstract; Illustrations; Use of business English; Clarity and quality of references

2. Strategic Plan (14):

Company background; Supporting case studies; Analysis and methodology; Vision and mission; Quality and management initiatives

3. HRM issues (35)

Leadership and management; Organisational structure; Grouping and teamwork; Organisational culture; Information systems Resourcing and legal issues; Skills; training and development; Appraisal; Coaching and mentoring; Performance and motivation

4. Future directions (14)

Change Management plan; Organisational development; Success factors; Communication and influencing; Recommendations

Assignment 2 Grade:

Comments: Comments will be added in this portion of the marking sheet to provide guidance for any future assignments.