FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND LAW

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/21

Coursework Assessment Brief (20jan_1)

Module Code: UMODML-15-3

Module Title: Managing Organisational Change
Submission Deadline: 1400 on 3rd August 2021
Assessment Component: A
Assessment Weighting: 100 per cent of total module mark
Marking and feedback deadline (20 working days): 31st August 2021
[N.B. all times are 24-hour clock, current local time (at time of submission) in the UK]

Assessment Instructions

Essay Question

Critically evaluate the implementation of a specific case of organisational change. Building on

this, reflect on what you can personally learn from this case analysis about change
management and how you might benefit from these insights in the future.

General guidance for completing the assessment

This assessment is a single essay that incorporates two interrelated tasks: analysing
organisational change and reflecting on its implications. Make sure that you are critical rather
than descriptive in approach – this means evaluating implications and reaching judgements.
The emphasis should be on discussion, analysis, application and argument informed by theory
and literature.

First, critically evaluate the implementation of a specific case of organisational change.

 You should select a suitable case study for your organisational analysis. (Note: you
should not use MyBank or Glenrothes Colliery case studies or case studies you have
previously used on other modules).
 You should draw on relevant literature and academic ideas (e.g. theories, models, and
frameworks) from two or three Study Units. This should include one or more of the later
Study Units (e.g. 07, 08, 09, 10) which develop a more complex view organisational
change.
 This should equate to about two thirds of your essay.

Second, reflect on what you can learn from your critical evaluation of the case study and how
you might benefit from these insights in the future.

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  You should draw on relevant literature and academic ideas (e.g. theories, models, and
frameworks).
 You will gain more credit by drawing on additional literature and academic ideas (e.g.
theories, models, and frameworks), not merely using the same as in your critical
evaluation of the case study.
 This should equate to about one third of your essay.

The best essays have something to say. The essay is an argument that shows that you have
thought deeply about the issues. Typically, the argument is described early in the essay and
then builds throughout the essay with relevant conclusions. A strong argument clearly
addresses the two purposes of the assignment, has a clear line of thought, and demonstrates
sound judgement, critical thinking and is well-reasoned.

There are extensive materials supporting the assignment embedded in every study unit. Study
Units 11 and 12 focus on understanding the guidance and completing the assignment. Further
guidance is available within the ‘Assignments’ tab on Blackboard (LH menu).

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Understand and critically evaluate different conceptual frameworks of the management

of individual organisational change.
2. Appreciate the range of approaches to organisational change and the challenges of
working with uncertainty.
3. Systematically understand the interrelationship of organisation theory and
organisational practice.
4. Reflect critically on the ethical dilemmas and challenges of organisational change.

All the indicated outcomes are assessed in the summative assessment. For full Module
Specification use this link: UMODML-15-3.

Marking Criteria

The following criteria will be used in evaluating this assessment:

 Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories (T)

 Analysis linking theory and practice (A)
 Critical evaluation and coherent argument (C)

Meeting these assessment criteria will require the following:

T (Theory)

 Relevant theories and models are selected.

 Read extensively and use a wide range of theories.

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  Demonstrate understanding without describing in detail.
 Relevant theories are likely to be those covered within the lectures, seminars,
recommended readings. You are also expected to add to these sources from your own
reading.

A (Analysis and Application)

 Make consistent use of theories and literature to explore and explain key issues in the
case study.
 Demonstrate insight into key issues.
 Illustrate your answer with a good range of relevant examples from the organisational
change case study and your own experience.

C (Criticality)

 Demonstrate critical thinking.

 This means making clear arguments that emphasise the relevance and importance of
your learnings and insights. For example:
o Maintain a focus on answering the question throughout and develop a line, or
lines, of reasoning or argument.
o Introduce your main argument at the beginning of your essay and then develop
the details of how you reached this as your essay progresses.
o Your introduction should also tell us how you are structuring your essay.
o Make points that are evidenced with details from examples from your
experience and discuss relevant aspects of your chosen theories/ approaches.
o Question the applicability and usefulness of the theories and literature: did it
help you to evaluate the implementation of a specific case of organisational
change; and reflect on what you can personally learn from this case analysis
about change management and how you might benefit from these insights in the
future.
o Compare and contrast the relevance of your chosen theories/ models. Are they
useful in gaining insight?
o Comment on the limits and relevance of different theories and models IF they
help you answer the question.

The Marking & Feedback Sheet is reproduced at the end of this document.

Formative feedback and support during the module

Formative feedback provides opportunities to reflect on your ongoing work and preparation for
your assignment.

Every Study Unit will include some support that helps you to understand the assignment and
perform well. This will include how to answer the question, what is expected of you, assistance

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with writing, and constructing/planning your answers. You will receive formative feedback in
seminar discussions and through the formative assignment, which all provide opportunities for
you to check your progress.

Study Units 11 & 12 will have a specific focus on understanding the whole module and how to
do well in the assignment. So please:

 Attend all seminars.

 Complete the formative assignment, which gives you the opportunity to build
summative assignment skills and gain feedback on the quality of your work.
 Start your summative assignment early.
 Discuss your assignment writing plans and queries with your seminar tutor

Please note: we do not read draft essays but will discuss any issues or question you have.

Further information about this assessment is available on the Blackboard site for this module
and includes:

 Introduction to the assignment task (video)

 Guide to doing well on the MOC assignment (video)
 How to do case study analysis (video)
 Tips on how to choose the case study you will analyse (video)
 How to write academic assignments (video)
 Guide to the future of change – learnings, insights, benefits (video)

Formatting

Please use the following file format(s) (.doc and .docx). We cannot ensure that other formats
are compatible with markers’ software and cannot guarantee to mark incorrect formats.

All work should be word processed in 12-point font Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial and
double spaced.The first page of your coursework must include:

 Your student number.

 The module name and number.
 Your word count.
 The coursework question.

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Word Count

The indicative word count for this coursework is between 2,700 and 3,300 words.

In line with UWE Bristol’s Word Count Policy, anything beyond 3,300 words will not be marked.

 This word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings,
tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc.).
 The references, bibliography and footnotes (provided footnotes only include references)
are NOT included in this word count.
 Appendices are not expected and will NOT be marked.

Referencing and Assessment Offences

Please ensure you reference all sources used when developing your assessment, using the UWE
Harvard system. Failure to properly reference your work to original source material can be
grounds for the assessment offence of plagiarism and may result in failure of the assessment or
more serious implications. Further guidance on correct referencing is available on UWE’s Study
Skills referencing pages.

UWE’s Assessment Offences Policy outlines potential offences and it is your responsibility to
understand this policy and avoid potential offences. Details of what constitutes plagiarism and
how to avoid it can be found on UWE’s Study Skills pages about avoiding plagiarism.

Text-matching software (e.g. SafeAssign) is used to check every submission against other
submissions made at the same time, previous submissions to UWE and other universities, and
internet sources. We may also manually search for matches. When submitting your work, you
will be required to confirm that the work is your own.

It is an assessment offence to:

 Copy work from any source, including your own previous assessments, and present it as
your own work for this assessment, or to provide your own work to others.
 Work with others on the assessment in any way, or for anyone to make amends on your
work (including proof-readers, who may highlight issues but not edit the work).
 Change individual words but keep, essentially, the same sentences and/or structures
from other sources: this will be detected by text-matching software. Please write in your
own words and style to convey your own learning.

Instructions for submission

You must submit your assignment before the stated deadline by electronic submission
through Blackboard. Notification that the electronic submission portal is open for your
assignment is displayed (usually two weeks before the submission date) in the Coursework tab

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in myUWE, the Coursework tab in Blackboard and via an announcement in the Blackboard
course.

Please allow sufficient time to upload your assignment, as the system becomes busier and
slower as the deadline approaches. Only your final upload will be counted. Ensure all your
information is submitted at one attempt to avoid overwriting your intended submission. Always
check and retain your receipts.

Late submission in the 24 hours following the deadline will be accepted but the assignment
mark will be capped at a pass. Submissions after 24 hours will not be accepted. For full
guidance on online submission through Blackboard, see UWE’s Academic Advice pages on
Assignments.

Submissions of coursework by any other method (including a paper copy, on disk or by email)
are NOT permissible for this module unless specifically agreed in advance of the submission
date.

Before submitting your work, please ensure that:

 You have proof-read you work thoroughly to ensure your work is presented
appropriately.
 You have addressed all the required elements of the assessment.
 You have referenced in accordance with the guidance provided.
 You have addressed each of the marking criterion.
 The submission is in the correct format.

Final feedback and marks release

Students will normally receive marks and feedback on their submission within 20 working days
of the submission deadline (not including public holidays or university closure days). Any delay
in returning students’ work will be communicated by the module leader via Blackboard.

Feedback on this module is not limited to the written comments you will receive on individual
written assessment submissions.

Feedback and marks for this module will be available by 10 June 2021. For further guidance on
feedback, please refer to the module handbook.

Further guidance and support

There are a number of sources of support to improve your study skills, including:
 The UWE Library Study Skills pages – for online support and bookable workshops
 The Faculty of Business and Law’s Academic Success Centre for bookable workshops
 Guidance on using UWE’s Library.

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Specific study skills pages relating to this module include:
 How to plan and structure your writing
 Presentation skills
 Working in a group
 Writing skills
 Research skills / techniques
 Report writing
 Reflective writing
 How to write critically
 Literature reviews
 English language support

For further guidance on UWE assessment regulations and terminology see UWE’s Academic
Advice pages.

Personal Circumstances

If you are experiencing difficulties in completing a piece of assessment on time due to

unexpected circumstances (for example illness, accident, bereavement), seek advice from a
Student Support Adviser at the earliest opportunity. Appointments can be made via an
Information Point or online via the Student Support Pages.

Student Support Advisers can advise as to whether you should submit an application for
‘Personal Circumstances (PCs)’, how to do so and what evidence is required to support the
application. Further details on PCs can be found on the Student Support Pages.

The module leader cannot grant personal circumstances or extensions.