Master of Business Administration

AWARDED BY NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY, UK

Learning and Changing Assignment

March 2010

Assignment (100 marks)

Awarded by Nottingham Trent University – UK Assignment

MODULE : Learning and Changing

DATE ISSUED : Week 1 – March 1, 2010
SUBMISSION DATE : Week 6 – April 11, 2010
WORD COUNT : 3000 – 3500 WORDS

Assignment Question

“Learning and more so continuous learning is significant for effecting the right
changes in an organisation”.

Critically evaluate the validity of the statement above using the organisation you are
attached to or familiar with. You could use some or all of the following pointers in
pursuing the assignment. However, you should note that the pointers are not exhaustive.
You are strongly advised to refer to relevant articles and other reading material besides
that provided for your coursework. Marks shall be given in line with the effort put in.

a. The significance of learning in change management and the various approaches to

learning
b. The factors or forces of changes in a dynamic environment
c. The strategies that could be adopted in effecting organizational learning.
d. Understanding of the learning cycle with reference to Kolb’s model
e. The motivational role that the management could play in drawing the attention of
the employees towards continuous learning.
f. The impact that employees involvement could have in attaining the desired
changes
g. The outcome of learning and changing in an organisation

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Awarded by Nottingham Trent University – UK Assignment

Answering Guide for Assignment

The answer guide for the assignment is as follows:

1. Executive Summary
2. Table of contents
3. Introduction and Background of the organization selected: Students are encouraged
to provide a synopsis of the assignment by explaining the objectives of the assignment,
highlighting the various factors of learning that could have an impact on change. A brief
outline of the business that the organisation is involved in should be included.
4. Main Body
a. Comment on the validity of the statement
b. Discuss in details how ‘Learning and more so continuous learning is significant
for effecting the right changes in an organisation.’
c. Appropriate sub-headings should be used wherever possible.
d. Among some of the pointers that could be used are:
e. The significance of learning in change management and the various approaches
to learning
f. The factors or forces of changes in a dynamic environment
g. The strategies that could be adopted in effecting organizational learning.
h. Understanding of the learning cycle with reference to Kolb’s model
i. The motivational role that the management could play in drawing the attention of
the employees towards continuous learning.
j. The impact that employees involvement could have in attaining the desired
changes
k. The outcome of learning and changing in an organisation
5. Conclusion & Recommendation
a. Summarize the main points discussed in the main body.
b. Include additional information on how the organization could supplement the
efforts to enhance nurturing the culture of continuous learning.
6. References
7. Appendices

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Awarded by Nottingham Trent University – UK Assignment

Instructions

1. The assignment MUST be submitted on-line on or before the due date.

2. Assignment has to be submitted on or before April 11, 2010 before 12.00 midnight
Malaysia & Singapore Time Zone.
3. Assignments should be word processed.
4. Your assignment should be organized under suitable headings. An analytical piece of work
is required. The use of ‘cut and paste’ approach will be penalized. It must be presented in a
structured manner, with appropriate cover page, content page, abstract page, introduction,
body (with appropriate heading / sub-headings), conclusion, references and any required
appendices.
5. The assignments shall contain a minimum of 3000 to a maximum 3500 words, presented
in text of font size 12 with 1.5 line spacing.
6. Your assignment shall reflect the depth and breadth of your original analyses in a clear and
coherent manner. Due credit shall be given for excellent illustration of points using
diagrammatic mode.
7. Any reference to authors and other writers shall be quoted with due acknowledgement in
your assignment report using the Harvard Referencing System or APA.
8. The cover page should be attached with the assignment and uploaded through SERF on-
line. Name of the student, The Programme, Module Title, Assignment Title and the
selected Topic along with on-line Signature of student and number of words must be
reflected on the cover sheet.
9. All assignments must be adhered strictly to the deadlines specified by WEC. Failure to
hand in the assignment for any reason and without prior approval of the Course Leader will
result in the participant’s work being penalized in accordance with the Academic &
Assessment Regulations governing the conduct of the Master of Business Administration
programme as follows:
• Five days late - the assessed mark will be reduced by five percentage points
• Ten days late - the assessed mark will be reduced by ten percentage points
• Over 10 days late - the module assessor can refuse to mark the piece of work and will
record a zero mark.
10. Unacknowledged use of work of others (plagiarism) is regarded as a dishonest practice and
will be dealt with severely as follows:
11. In a case of suspected plagiarism it is the right and duty of the Board of Examiners to:
a) receive all information pertinent to the case in written form or verbal evidence
including the submitted work itself;
b) seek further advice where appropriate;
c)confirm or reject the accusation of plagiarism; determine its recommendation where it
confirms the case according to the circumstances and severity of the case.
12. It may recommend that:
a) the case constitutes plagiarism and that the participant fails with or without the right of
resubmission;
b) the submitted work fail. It will then be the responsibility of the Board of Examiners to
determine whether or not this failure in assessment can be compensated for in the light
of the participant's overall performance or whether or not the participant will be
required to retake part or all of the elements for progression towards or the conferment
of the award;
c) the participant be penalized by a reduction in the mark for this assessment and/or
classification of the award. The Board of Examiners shall then agree a mark and/or
classification;
d) the participant be issued with a formal reprimand in writing and a copy of this lodged in
the participant’s file.

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Awarded by Nottingham Trent University – UK Assignment

MARKS ALLOCATION BREAKDOWN

Part 1: Technical component Level

1.1 Setting the scene /introduction/problem statement/background analysis
1.2 Structure and presentation
1.2.1 Logic sequence with section well linked and well organized
7.5 %
1.2.2 Good flow and clarity of presentation
1.2.3 Balance between text and use of charts, diagrams, headings
7.5 %
1.2.4 Use of appropriate terminology and style for professional and technical
writing
1.2.5 Proper referencing method
1.2.6 Compliance word count
Subtotal 15.0 %
Part 2: Understanding of existing body of knowledge
2.1 Use of wide range of information from a variety of sources, with appropriate
10.0 %
referencing and own style of presentation to address the issue/Literature review
2.2 Using appropriate example, case study, data and sample to clarify and support
10.0 %
exposition
10.0 %
2.3 Completeness, relevancy, accuracy and correctness of material use to support exposition
Subtotal 30.0 %
Part 3: Application of the knowledge learned
3.1 Contextualize the learning to the work place by providing and discussing real-world
situation where the concepts can be applied.
15.0 %
3.2 Making quality recommendations and conclusions with supporting ideas of why the
15.0 %
conclusions and recommendations are relevant and important to the situation, and how
the recommendations can improve the current situation. Recommendations should also
include possible implementation obstacles and problems.
3.3 Balanced discussion of issues where pro’s and con’s, costs and benefits, strength and
15.0 %
weaknesses are well considered.
3.4 Originality and creativity: proposing new and innovative ideas, creative use of existing
10.0 %
approach to new area of applications, critical analysis of existing ideas and approaches,
new insights into existing problems, improvement of existing methods,…
Subtotal 55.0 %

TOTAL MARKS FOR 100%

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