BS4S16 Leadership & Management Theories Assignment Brief
You are required to complete one assignment to test the following module learning outcomes:
1. Critically evaluate the development of leadership and management theories;
2. Critically appreciate the nature of leadership and management theories and their application
in a range of leadership and management settings.
1. Assignment Question
Critically evaluate the application of leadership theories to a leader or management theories to a
contemporary organisation.
2. Guidance
2.1 Structure
Students will decide on the appropriate structure and content but we would expect to see the
following elements:
 Introduction (explaining the purpose and structure of the report):
o the terms of reference for the report in general, the theoretical area and focus of
your report and approach taken (including method(s) used);
o setting the context (background to sector, organisation, organisational structure,
culture etc.).
o Structure of the report.
 Main body of the assignment (with subheadings for easier navigation & professionalism):
o Contextual discussion of the broader development of leadership or management
theory as appropriate to the chosen topic for critical evaluation;
o critical evaluation of leadership or management theories see
http://studyskills.southwales.ac.uk/tabs1/analysing/;
o application of critiqued theory to evidenced practice within the selected
contemporary organisation;
o evaluation and commentary on the fit (or lack of fit) between your critiqued theory
and practice as evidenced.
 Conclusions:
o Your conclusions should relate to the terms of reference for the report (in other
words you should be reaching conclusions about theory, practice and the fit
between theory and practice).
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2.2 Additional guidance
 This is an individual assessment, not a group task.
 You may use either a leader or an organisation depending on whether you are looking at
leadership theory or management theory. If you are choosing an organisation, it is a good
idea to choose one with which you are familiar. It is often advisable to use your own
organisation where possible as you will often have better access to information. Remember
you are required to present evidence not make assertions about practice.
 If you use your own organisation, then you may wish to seek a sponsor for your work who
can help you to navigate access to documentation. If you are using confidential sources then
clearly mark your work as confidential on the front cover.
 You must be ethical in your approach to your work at all times. Your document will be
entered onto a global database (Turnitin) so bear this in mind. Your sponsor/boss may ask to
read your work;
 If you are not currently working then ensure that you choose a leader or an organisation
where there is good access to information in the public domain;
 Whether you are looking at a leader or an organisation, you need to identify relevant
practice. In the case of a leader this may relate to their traits and behaviours. Things that
they have said and done. In relation to your organisation you need to be looking at the
policies and approaches of organisations. You need to provide suitable EVIDENCE (which is
normally referenced). For example, classical and human relations approaches to
management have different conceptions of motivation, incentives and rewards, ways of
organising work and tasks etc. How are these reflected in company policies? Do not fall into
the trap of making assertions. You should only be giving your personal opinion here in
exceptional circumstances and if it is your opinion, make this clear to the reader.
 Remember to use a range of sources of information from both internal and external sources
to build up the reliability of your evidence;
 In your introduction you should BRIEFLY state your methodology. This will normally involve
secondary research only but in exceptional cases, depending on your chosen theoretical
focus, you may hold interviews with relevant staff if considered appropriate. You are advised
to discuss this with your tutor. You may also use your own observations i.e. reflective
practice. Remember to reference this section of your report.
 Academic Literature should be sourced from a range of textbooks and peer reviewed journal
articles. A limited range of readings are made available. Start off with the lectures provided,
then consult text books, to give you a framework from which to build your understanding.
Do not use literature from unreliable sources like Wikipedia, Businessballs, online study
sources. It is essential that you are read peer reviewed journal articles to build your critical
evaluation;
 Use the University’s Harvard referencing system as per University regulations (see
http://studentlibrary.southwales.ac.uk/referencing/.
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Further general guidance on approaching your assignment work in the module is provided in the
Module Handbook and you are strongly advised to read this prior to commencing your
assignment work.
2.3 Presentation
Your work should:
Be presented using 12 pt Arial font and double line spacing;
Follow best practice in relation to report writing (see
http://studyskills.southwales.ac.uk/tabs1/reports/);
Use different headings and sub-headings to provide clarity to your work with a supporting
numbering system;
You are encouraged to provide different figures (tables, diagrams etc.) as appropriate. They
should be clearly numbered and included on the contents page. They should be used to
illustrate a point but NOT to make a point;
Do not include any appendices as they will NOT be read;
Be your own independent work and free from plagiarism by ensuring that work is clearly
referenced;
Use Harvard style citation and referencing using the University’s published guidelines;
Be written in appropriate academic style. You are advised NOT to discuss the theory, then
the practice and then the fit. An integrated approach whereby you critically evaluate a
section of theory, apply it to practice and then discuss the fit works best as your reader will
be able to follow your discussion more easily.
Be professionally presented. You may wish to consider writing out your practice elements in
italics so it is easily identified and use an emboldening technique to link theory and practice;
Have a good standard of written English and been spell checked and proof-read;
Have a clearly labelled front page detailing the module code and title, title of the
assignment, tutors name, your name and enrolment number and the date of submission;
.
3 Submitting Your Work
 The assignment script must be submitted electronically via ‘Turnitin’ by the last day of week
8, Sunday 2300 hours, UCT. All scripts are automatically processed via Turn-it-in upon
submissions in the VLE.
 Each submission is final and no further changes are allowed on the script’s content. There is
no multiple submissions function and therefore students cannot check the originality score
and make changes.
 Please note that tutors will not be able to pre-assess draft assessments.
 The maximum word for the assessment is 6,000 words, +/- 10%. This word count does not
include any appendices (which you should not need to any extent as all salient points should
be in the body of your report) but excludes the words in the reference list. This word count
must be adhered to.
 The University’s late submission policy will be adhered to (see xxx for details).
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 Late assignment submissions: a late submission (up to 5 days after the assessment deadline)
is capped at a grade of 40 (passing Grade). Submitting an assignment after the 5 day limit,
results to a grade of 0.
 If there are circumstances preventing you from submitting your assignment or you want to
requests an extension you should email at extenuating.circumstances@unicaf.org to
complete the extenuating circumstances form. Tutors are not responsible to grant
extensions to students.
Feedback will be available within twenty working days
4 Assessment Weightings
Element Weight %
Presentation, structure, style and referencing 10
Contextual discussion of the broader development of
leadership or management theory as appropriate to the
chosen topic for critical evaluation;
10
Critical evaluation of literature 30
Critical discussion of practice relating to leader or
organisation
30
Commentary on the fit between theory and practice 20
See the detailed assessment criteria below. Note that the Faculty of Business and Society’s
postgraduate assessment criteria (provided below) will be used to assess the quality of these aspects
of your work.
You are advised to read these criteria carefully before you start your work, whilst you complete your
work and then again before you submit your work. Remember to use the assessment weightings to
guide your effort.
5 Plagiarism
Please note that plagiarism in either examination or coursework will be dealt with in line with
University policy.
If you are in any doubt as to the difference between plagiarism and referencing the work of
someone else it is absolutely imperative that you seek guidance from the module leader or a
specialist study skills adviser (meetings can be arranged by skype). Ignorance of what constitutes
plagiarism will not be a defence. The information below should be read and fully understood.
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is when you take the ideas, thoughts, words or inventions of someone else and present
them as your own. It includes copying from fellow students as well as from books, and taking ideas
and images from others as well as their actual words. It is a very serious academic offence.
You must ensure that all work submitted for assessment is your own, and has not been previously
submitted for any other award or module even by yourself (this is call “recycling”). When you use
source material summarise or paraphrase it in your own words, and cite your source in the text or
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footnotes. The same applies to direct quotations but these should be used sparingly. If you take up
an idea from someone else, or wish to discuss someone’s critique of a particular theory, you must
again cite the source. Only your own original thoughts and evaluations should remain unreferenced.
Plagiarism is an infringement of University Regulations. If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you
may be failed in the complete stage of the award, and in extreme cases may be discontinued.

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