ASSIGNMENT TITLE
Research Essay
This assessment accounts for the following proportion of marks for this unit
LEARNING OUTCOMES BEING ASSESSED
1. Critically analyse management practices in the Australasian context.
2. Understand organisational behaviour and management theory.
3. Critically analyse the underlying values of these theories.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of management theories and evaluate their impact on practical management decision making in the Australasian context
(See the unit of study guide for the full list of learning outcomes for BMO1102).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
1500 word essay based upon the comprehensive essay plan submitted for assessment task 2a. This essay is to be a discussion of a specific management topic and to be presented as a review of the relevant literature (the essay requires at least a review of the relevant chapter from the prescribed text and at least three refereed management journal articles relating to the set topic: the use of additional references is also encouraged).
Your essay should include at least three in-text citations of refereed management journal articles you have drawn on, and indicate where you are using your subject textbook. The use of additional references is encouraged.
NOTE: 'Wikipedia', 'answers.com' and other non-peer reviewed online sources of information are not acceptable references.
The Harvard referencing system must be used both for your in-text citations and List of References
Essay Topics
1 Compare and contrast innovation and change. Identify something that has changed on your university campus this semester and explain if it is an example of innovation or change. (Chapter 7)
2 Briefly outline the phase model of globalisation and provide an explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of each stage. Using the phase model, defend the decision by a small business with limited resources to use "exporting" to take a new product to a global market. (Chapter 8)
3 Job Specialisation uses standardised work procedures to have workers perform repetitive; precisely defined and simplified tasks. Explain why companies use this approach to job design. Using the Job Characteristics model, describe how specialised jobs can be modified to eliminate the boredom and low job satisfaction associated with them. (Chapter 9)
4 Define motivation. Explain how expectancy theory works and how it can be used to motivate. Provide an example from your own experience when expectancy has been an effective motivator for you. (Chapter 12)
5 Describe Fiedler's contingency theory. Explain how this approach might be particularly valuable to an experienced manager in selecting among several job offers for managerial positions in different organisational situations. (Chapter 13)
6 What are the steps of the Control Process? Describe the elements of the Control Process and explain how assignment assessment works at your university in terms of the Control Process.