Brunel Business School

MG5595 Organisational Behaviour

Assignment/Coursework for 2016/17

Assessment Title:

Organisational Behaviour

Module Leader:
Distribution Date:
Submission Deadline:
Feedback by :
Contribution to overall module
assessment:
Indicative student time working on
assessment:
Word or Page Limit (if applicable):
Assessment Type (individual or
group):

09/01/2017
100%
Hours
Words/Pages (not including references) 2500 words
Individual

Main Objective of the assessment

This module is designed to help you explore the main theories of management, management functions and the key issues
affecting contemporary managers. Whatever module or programme of study you are undertaking at Brunel University, there
are learning outcomes you must achieve in order to be awarded the necessary credits which comprise the module and
programme of study. In order to get A, B, C, D, E, F grade in this module, you must meet the criteria outlined below in the
learning outcomes; that is, you must provide evidence of an ability to develop and demonstrate knowledge and
understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
1. Demonstrate the understanding and ability to critique the various theories of leadership and management and
appreciate the contemporary issues facing leaders and managers.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the key functions of leadership and management and their application
3. Critically evaluate characteristics of effective management and how this differentiates from leadership. Discuss and
assess relative strengths and limitations of key approaches to developing leaders and managers in organizations
4. Demonstrate cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis, including the capability to identify and
critically evaluate theoretical and practical assumptions, evaluate empirical evidence, define terms and subjects of
enquiry adequately, generalise appropriately and analyse data.
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Description of the Assessment

Guidance Notes
ALL students MUST answer Questions 1 and 2, which should each be 500 words in Length.
Of the remaining 3 questions, students must choose ONE, and the length of this answer should be 1500 words.
COMPULSORY QUESTIONS 500 WORDS EACH
1. Metaphors provide ways of viewing organisations. Critically examine organisations using two out of the following three
metaphors machines, organisms and political systems and explain with organisational examples the strengths and
weaknesses of organisations that each metaphor highlights.
2. Setting organizational goals and targets is an essential part of strategy. From the perspective of goal theory, critically
discuss the positive and negative effects of organisational goals on ethical behaviours of leaders and provide
organisational examples to support your argument.
CHOOSE 1 FROM THE FOLLOWING THREE QUESTIONS 1500 WORDS
3. Employees often can be demotivated and dissatisfied with their job. Critically discuss the causes of poor employee
motivation and job satisfaction with reference to two motivational theories, and identify actions managers can take to
increase levels of motivation and job satisfaction.
4. Critically evaluate two traditional versus two shared styles of leadership in terms of their effects on employees
commitment to the organisation. Are these styles mutually exclusive or can they be used together? Illustrate your
arguments with organisational examples.
5. Organisational culture can help or hinder success. Critically examine types of organisational culture from two
perspectives and discuss the factors that can influence or change cultures over time.
Introduction (Q1)
Main body
Conclusion
Reference
Introduction (Q2)
.
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Please enter here the marking scheme relevant for the coursework and provide an illustration of each assessment criterion
achieved at each of the grade descriptor for UG/PG levels.
UG grades and grade point bands [Senate Regulation 2 (2009 starters onwards)] are: A++ (17), A+ (16), A (15), A- (14), B+
(13), B (12), B- (11), C+ (10), C (9), C- (8), D+ (7), D (6), D- (5), E+ (4), E (3), E- (2), F (1)
PG grades and grade point bands [Senate Regulation 3 (2013 starters onwards)] are: A++ (17), A+ (16), A (15), A- (14), B+
(13), B (12), B- (11), C+ (10), C (9), C- (8), D+ (7), D (6), D- (5), E+ (4), E (3), E- (2), F (1)
Submission Instructions
Coursework must be submitted electronically via the Universitys Blackboard Learn system. The required file format for this
report is Microsoft Word. Your student ID number must be used as the file name (e.g. 0123456.docx).
Criterion
Understand and
critique the various
concepts/theories of
leadership and
management (30%)

Grade descriptors
A++ to AClear demonstration
of a critical,
sophisticated and
thorough
understanding of
leadership and
management
concepts and theory,
and the application
of analytical skills
with excellent use of
several appropriate
references and
organizationally
based case
examples

B+ to BClear demonstration
of a well-developed,
critical and
comprehensive
understanding of
leadership and
management
concepts and theory,
and the application
of analytical skills
with very good use
of several
appropriate
references and some
organizationally
based case
examples

C+ to CDemonstration
of a critical and
substantial
review of
leadership and
management
concepts and
theory, and the
application of
analytical skills
with good use of
some
appropriate
references and
a few
organizationally
based case
examples.

D+ to DProvides
evidence of
some
understanding
of leadership
and
management
concepts and
theory, and the
application of
analytical skills
with use of
some
appropriate
references and
mention of
organizationally
based case
examples.

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E+ to EWork does
demonstrate
evidence of a
partial but
uncritical
understanding
of the role and
nature of
leadership and
management
concepts and
theory, and the
basic
application of
analytical skills
with a basic use
of appropriate
references and
some reference
to
organizationally
based case
examples.

F.
Work does not
demonstrate
understanding
of leadership
and
management
concepts and
theory, and
there is no
evidence of
application of
analytical skills
or the use of
appropriate
references.
Organizationally
based case
examples are
largely absent.

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Understand the key

functions of
leadership and
management and
their application
(30%)

A++ to AClear demonstration

of a sophisticated,
critical and thorough
understanding of the
functions of
leadership and
management and
their application
through excellent
use of several
appropriate
references and
appropriate
organizationally
based case
examples.

B+ to BClear demonstration
of a well-developed
and comprehensive
understanding of
leadership and
management
functions, and their
application through
very good use of
several appropriate
references and
relevant
organizationally
based case
examples.

C+ to CDemonstration
of a substantial
understanding
of leadership
and
management
functions, and
their application,
with a basic use
of a few
references and
organizationally
based case
examples.

Critically evaluate
and assess relative
strengths and
limitations of key
approaches to
developing leaders
and managers in
organizations (15%)

A++ to AClear demonstration

of a sophisticated,
critical and thorough
evaluation of
contemporary
leadership and
management issues
with excellent use of
several appropriate
references.

B+ to BClear demonstration
of a well-developed
and comprehensive
evaluation of
contemporary
leadership and
management issues
with very good use
of several
appropriate
references.

C+ to CDemonstration
of a substantial
evaluation of
contemporary
leadership and
management
issues, with a
basic use of a
few references.

Demonstrate
cognitive skills of
critical thinking,
analysis and
synthesis, including

A++ to AClear demonstration

of a sophisticated
level of criticality in
respect of core
concepts and

B+ to BVery good
demonstration of the
aforementioned
criteria, but lacks the
criticality required for

C+ to CThe work shows

some
demonstration
of the
aforementioned,

D.+ to DProvides
evidence of
some
understanding
of leadership
and
management
functions, and
their application
through the use
of at least one
reference or a
few
inappropriate
references.
Organizationally
based case
examples are
largely absent or
where used
inappropriate.
D+ to DProvides
evidence of
some evaluation
of contemporary
leadership and
management
issues with the
use of at least
one reference or
a few
inappropriate
references.
D+ to DThe work
provides very
occasional
evidence of
criticality and
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E+ to EWork
demonstrates
evidence of a
partial but
uncritical
understanding
of leadership
and
management
functions with
no appropriate
references or
organizationally
based case
examples.

F.
Work does not
demonstrate
understanding
of leadership
and
management
functions and
their application,
and there is an
absence of
references and
organizationally
based case
examples.

E+ to EWork
demonstrates
evidence of a
partial but
uncritical
evaluation of
contemporary
leadership and
management
issues, with no
references
used.
E+ to EThe work does
not show
evidence of
either criticality
or synthesis. It

F
Work does not
demonstrate
evaluation of
contemporary
leadership and
management
issues, and
there is an
absence of
references.
F
Work does not
demonstrate
criticality or
synthesis and
there is an

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the capability to
identify and critically
evaluate theoretical
and practical
assumptions,
evaluate empirical
evidence, and define
terms and subjects of
enquiry adequately.
(15%)

theories of
management. Clear
evidence of the
ability to synthesize
theory and practice
to draw well-argued
and logically
constructed
conclusions.

an A. Very good
demonstration of the
ability to synthesize
theory and practice
to draw well-argued
and logically
constructed
conclusions

Writing quality and

style, grammar and
punctuation; spelling
(10%)

A++ to AThe writing quality

and style is
excellent. The
grammar/punctuatio
n is error-free. There
are no spelling
mistakes or
incorrectly used
words. There are no
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which detract from
readability.

B+ to BThe writing quality

and style is very
good. The
grammar/punctuatio
n is near error-free.
There are very few, if
any, spelling
mistakes or
incorrectly used
words. There are
very few, if any, long,
confused or unwieldy
sentences which
detract from
readability.

but lacks
sustained
criticality
throughout.
Some
demonstration
of the ability to
synthesize
theory and
practice, and
some attempt at
drawing wellargued and
logicallyconstructed
conclusions.
C+ to CThe writing
quality and style
is good. The
grammar and
punctuation is
reasonable.
There are a few
spelling
mistakes,
incorrectly used
words, and/or
long, confused
or unwieldy
sentences which
detract from
readability.

synthesis. This
is more by
accident than
design and
there is little
engagement
with the material
at this level.

is overly
descriptive and
where
mentioned
theory/concepts
are described,
explained;
rather than
discussed or
analysed. Case
examples may
be provided but
these are not
synthesized
with theory.

absence of
engagement
with the
literature at this
level.

D+ to DThe writing
quality and style
is just adequate.
The grammar
and punctuation
is just adequate.
There is a
number of
spelling
mistakes,
incorrectly used
words, and/or
long, confused
or unwieldy
sentences which
detract from
readability.

E+ to EMany of the
following apply;
poor writing
quality and
style; the
grammar and
punctuation is
poor; there are
many spelling
mistakes,
incorrectly-used
words, and/or
long, confused
or unwieldy
sentences
which detract
from readability.

F
Almost all of the
following apply;
poor writing
quality and
style; grammar
and punctuation
are poor; there
are many
spelling
mistakes,
incorrectly used
words, and/or
long, confused
or unwieldy
sentences which
detract from
readability.

Academic Misconduct, Plagiarism and Collusion

Any coursework or examined submission for assessment where plagiarism, collusion or any form of cheating is suspected will
be dealt with according to the University processes which are detailed in Senate Regulation 6.
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You can access information about plagiarism here.

The University regulations on plagiarism apply to published as well as unpublished work, collusion and the plagiarism of the
work of other students.
Please ensure that you fully understand what constitutes plagiarism before you submit your work.
Late Coursework
Please refer to the Colleges Student Handbook for information on submitting late, penalties applied and procedures in the
case of mitigating circumstances.

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