management ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

There are two assignments for this module as follows:

Submission Deadline
1 Mini-essays 40% 2500 words
2. Individual essay 60% 2000 words

Assessment 1– 40%

Purpose:
1.   To strengthen your familiarity with material appropriate to researching at masters level , including:
•   Vocabulary
•   The nature of argument
•   The nature of critical analysis

2. To engage in a level of critical analysis which help deepen your understanding of the module and develop your skills of critical analysis.

Task:

1.   Access the 3 journal articles listed below
2.   Read the 3 articles.
3.   Identify access and read 1 additional article from the reference list of one of the 3 articles above.

4. For each of the four articles, do the following:

4.1. Summarise the main argument that the article makes,
4.2. Explain what evidence the argument is based on.

Each of these summaries should be approximately 300 – 400 words long.

5. Write a short essay (approximately 500 words) on how these articles and the arguments in them are connected. For example, in what ways do they agree, what debates are evident? The mini essay should contain an introduction, analysis and conclusion which present your argument about how the four articles are similar and/or different; how they connect or contrast.

6. Write a brief reflection (no more than 500 words) on what you have learned through doing this assignment in terms of research, reading and understanding academic material and academic writing and how you can apply this learning in your academic work.

Initial Sources

Brocklehurst, M., C. Grey & A. Sturdy (2010), ‘Management: The work that dares not speak its name’, Management Learning, 41(1), pp. 7-19.
Carey, A. (1977). ‘The Lysenko Syndrome in Western Social Science’, Australian Psychologist, 12(1), pp. 27-38.
Ghoshal, S. (2005). ‘Bad Management Theories Are Destroying Good Management Practices’ Academy of Management Learning & Education, 4(1), pp. 75-91.
Mesny, A. (2009). ‘What do ‘we’ know that ‘they’ don’t? Sociologists’ versus nonsociologists’ knowledge’, Canadian Journal of Sociology, 34(3), pp. 671-695

Assessment criteria

1)   Clear and accurate summary of the argument and evidence in each of the articles
2)   Organised and coherent essay demonstrating a sound understanding of how the content of the articles have connections and differences
3)   Evidence of the construction of an argument leading to reasonable con   clusions
4)   Clear explanation of personal learning and achievable goals set for continuous improvement
5)   Harvard referencing throughout

Assessment 2 (60%)

Write an essay addressing the following:

1. The management literature is diverse in form but tends to be underpinned by some common assumptions. More recently a critical literature has emerged that questions some of these assumptions. What do these assumptions and the critique of them mean for the application of management theory in practice?

This essay should draw on a minimum of 10 appropriate sources; at least 6 of these must be different from those used in assessment 1.

2. Write a brief reflective account (500 words) on how you have used your learning from assessment 1 in producing this essay.

Assessment criteria:

•   Demonstrate a critical understanding of mainstream management writing
•   Present an organised and reasoned argument leading to a logical conclusion
•   Evidence of additional reading and research
•   Accurate Harvard referencing throughout the text and a full bibliography.

You are required to submit both pieces work in hard (printed) copy to my locked box in Greenbank’s café. You must also submit your assignment to Turnitin via Blackboard.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following books are essential reading:

Linstead, S., Fulop, L., Lilley, S. (2009) Management and Organization. A critical text. Palgrave.

Knights, D. and Wilmott, H. (2007) Introducing Organizational Behaviour and Management, London, Thompson

There is a full reading list online but here are some initial recommendations:

Books

Alvesson, M. & Willmott, H. (1996) Making Sense of Management. Sage.
Alvesson, M. & Willmott, H. (2003) Studying Management Critically. Sage.
Bratton, J. (2007) Work and Organizational Behaviour. Understanding the Workplace. Palgrave.
Buchanan, D. & Huczynski, A. (2009) Organisational Behaviour. Prentice Hall.
Grey C. (2009) A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Organizations. 2nd ed. London: Sage
Huczynski, A.A. (2006) Management Gurus: What Makes Them and How to Become One. Routledge
McAuley, J., Johnson, P., Duberley, J. (2007) Organization Theory: Challenges and Perspectives. Financial Times Press.
Micklethwaite, J & Woodrige, A. (1997) The Witch Doctors, Heinemann.
Parker, M. (2002) Against Management. Polity Press
Peters, J. & Waterman, R. (1982) In Search of Excellence. Harper & Row.
Thomas, A.B. (2002) Controversies in Management: Issues, Debates, Answers. Routledge
Watson, T. J. (1994) In Search of Management. Routledge.
Yukl, G.A. (2010) Leadership in Organizations. Prentice Hall.