Introduction to Work and Organisations Module code: LIPC1170
LIPC Leicester International Pathway College
Programme title: IFY, BAL
Module Title: Introduction to Work and Organisations
Module code: LIPC1170
Owning Board: Joint Academic Board (DMU/OIEG)
Faculty: University Wide Learning (DMU)
Term/semester: Spring Term, 2020
Module Leader: Fiona Lloyd
Module tutors: Iwona Johnson, Epi …, Tim Collins
Email address: Fiona.lloyd@dmu.ac.uk
Assignment 1: Course work, Individual Essay
Weighting – 40%
Word count: 1,500 words, (guidance)
Handout date: Monday 3rd February, 2020, and available on Blackboard in the Assessment folder from 9.00am
Submission date: Wednesday 19th February, by 09.00am, via turnitin
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and theories of organisational behaviour
- Explain the principles of management built into organisational structures and the design of work in the 21st Century
- Demonstrate an awareness of current issues relating to managing organisations
The essay must contain clear evidence of research. Therefore, you will need to link your discussion to a variety of academic and factual sources of information such as recent publications (journals, books) and news.
Case study
Caduceus is a Limited liability organisation operating in the care industry in the heart of the UK, and serving the interests of a wide range of stakeholders. These groups include individuals requiring full time care, individuals who wish to live independently in a sheltered living environment with a range of support services included, the NHS and local government services for health and welfare to the wider community. With several units of operation in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, totalling 11 facilities in all, they offer services in a central regional position in the UK.
Caduceus has recently acquired Barhampton View, a care facility in Northampton, with one section providing independent living apartments through ownership to 40 clients, and another section on the same site of a fully supported care unit to meet the needs of 40 vulnerable adults all needing individual care and attention.
Services provided to full care residents at Barhampton are funded by the NHS, or private personal funds or family financial contributions. The independent living community own their own homes, pay normal Council Tax on each residential property and a set additional amount of maintenance fees added for the provision of services and facilities such as cleaners, a residents’ lounge, cinema room, lifts and grounds’ maintenance.
The acquisition of Barhampton by Caduceus has naturally raised concerns amongst staff in both areas of the Barhampton complex, as well as caused a level of instability at regional level in those employees who work for Caduceus.
Due to rising costs for staffing and a reduction in income from the NHS funded residents Caduceus is now considering offering the contract for cleaning, maintaining facilities and the estate in general to an organisation in the private sector and the process of placing tenders for the contract will begin in June 2020. However, prior to any decision being made the CEO and Senior Managers of Caduceus have invited a range of stakeholders including all employees at both local and regional level to join in a period of consultation based on improving productivity and efficiency in-house before offering the task to an outsourced private sector provider. All staff are invited to join and participate in an Employee Forum discussion group. Ideas for restructuring the organisation and the workforce to provide a better, more economical and efficient service from all individuals and teams participating in the employee forum will be given consideration as a priority over any tender from external organisations.
One team from the Leicester area has put forward some simple proposals for labour efficiency that they estimate will be able to reduce the workforce of the entire company by 20%, (and the associated wages and salary bill), but at the same time retain 80% of the current jobs and so limit the impact of job losses at local and regional level.
Tasks and questions
- Identify the management style being used by the CEO of Caduceus and explain why in the current operational climate for health sector organisations you think it may, or may not, be appropriate. In your answer you should make reference to a range of relevant theories on management and leadership styles, advantages and disadvantages of styles with regard to the scenario.
- Analyse the impact of the proposed change(s) on the motivation of the Care Services workforce. In your answer, you should make reference to a range of relevant theories of motivation, addressing their strengths and weaknesses which must be applied to the given scenario.
- Evaluate the impact of the consultation period on those participating in the employee forum. Again, use suitable theory to outline the possible benefits to those involved and evaluate them for both the short, medium and long term, making reference to possible changes in overall organisational structure resulting from the acquisition of the Barhampton complex.
Criteria | Proposed marking structure | Marks |
Research: Evidence of research Good quality sources Required range of sources |
ü Student has undertaken some research, and at least two academic sources (up to 6 marks) ü Student has undertaken research that covers a range of sources including at least one book, one webpage and one other that is appropriate to the task (up to 11 marks) ü Student has undertaken thorough research that covers a wide range of resources as above in addition to a journal or further academic source (up to 17 marks) ü Student has undertaken extensive research that covers a wide range of resources as above in addition to further current academic sources in the public domain. (up to 25 marks) |
25 |
Analytical Approach: Arguments are justified through use of supporting evidence Evidence is analysed |
ü Basic descriptive discussion with little analysis, that begins to answer the question(s) (up to 9 marks) ü Further developed discussion with analysis, using supportive statements and theories that answer the task set (up to 17 marks) ü Considerable discussion with analysis and evidence to support task answer above with application of relevant theoretical models (up to 23 marks) ü Excellent discussion with strong analysis, using a range of theoretical models and supportive evidence and which draws conclusions, evidenced with a high level of research including various sources (as detailed above. (up to 30 marks) |
30 |
Student Voice: Use of own words and style of writing; use of quotations is not excessive Critical approach: stands of evidence are compared, contrasted and questioned |
ü Own interpretation, own style developed, discussion evidence (some critical analysis within discussion can be drawn out of the evidence within the answers) up to 15 marks ü As above, with developing critical analysis, used to draw together and create contrast and comparison elements (up to 20 marks) ü As above, with excellent critique throughout, to draw strong conclusions that make sound discussion allowing an analytical and evaluative critique (up to 25 marks) |
25 |
Structure: Essay Format There is a sequential logic and clear structure to the assignment |
ü Adequate structure that has a basic element of a beginning, middle and conclusive end (up to 5 marks) ü Developed structure with a conclusive argument woven and followed through that creates an appropriate justified conclusion (up to 7 marks) ü Excellent structure with an argument drawn from the structure of the essay throughout with a final strong conclusion that is valid, relevant and appropriate to the arguments made throughout the assignment (up to 10 marks) |
10 |
Referencing: Correct use of Harvard conventions (in-text citations, reference list, cross-references) |
ü Harvard Referencing is evident, correct, alphabetised, and is appropriate (up to 5 marks) |
5 |
General presentation: Front cover Spelling, punctuation and grammar Correct use of paragraphing Text formatting (line spacing, font size, word count, fully justified text) |
ü Spelling, punctuation, grammar, appropriate use of paragraphs and a cohesive layout, which includes a front cover and a contents page, as well as page numbers as a footer (up to 5 marks) ü Text formatting (Arial 11, double line spacing) |
5 |
TOTAL: | 100 |
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