Learning Outcomes tested
(from module syllabus)
2. Analyse critically human resource issues and initiatives deployed by contemporary managers.
TASK DESCRIPTION
To achieve the learning outcomes of the module you must complete all tasks below, use only the most important up-to-date and relevant information and submit the assignment in report format. The report should largely adhere to the ’Report format’ guidelines overleaf, and should be approximately 2,000 – 2500 words.
It is essential to demonstrate your research activities. Each report section must refer to sources that have contributed to your understanding of the topic (including relevant online sources, articles, books and journals). Give credit to respected authors on whose work your discussion is based (cite your sources); this avoids plagiarism, and reflects the breadth of your research.
Report structure:
• Title Page: Your name, course name, module name and submission date.
• Table of Contents: including section headings and page numbers.
• Executive summary:
1. A short (paragraph or two) summary of the entire report (e.g. introduction & findings).
• Contemporary HRM / HRD initiative:
2. With reference to relevant theories and case-study examples introduce and evaluate a contemporary HRM / HRD initiative currently being introduced in Organisations today.
o Refer to the purpose, benefits, limitations and alternatives associated with each approach.
3. Evaluate its effect and impact on job satisfaction and employee engagement.
4. Devise a strategy and recommend how the new initiative could be implemented into an Organisation of your choice.
• Conclusions & Recommendations:
5. Summarize and synthesize your evaluation and document the key-findings.
6. Recommend areas of interest for further study and consideration.
• References: append to your submission a ‘Reference list’ and if appropriate a ‘Bibliography’. Please refer to the ‘Report format guidelines’ below for more information.
• Appendices: relevant supplementary information.
Report format (helpful advice):
A report must convey an impression of professionalism in terms of presentation, layout and grammar. The following points outline some basic report writing considerations:
IMPORTANT Avoiding Plagiarism: It is essential in the main body of your submission to give credit to authors on whose research your work is based.
At this level of education it is ESSENTIAL you demonstrate your research activities. A good submission will cite at least 10 sources including several books and journal papers published within the last 3 years in addition to a variety of up-to-date on-line articles. Example sources:
Articles: www.google.com
Books: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/library/catalogue/ & books.google.com
Journals: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/library/catalogue/ & scholar.google.com
Citations: Include citations within your report and append to your submission a ‘References’ list that specifies the books, web sites, journals etc. that you have cited in your report using a standard referencing method e.g.
• Book example:
Main body:
Schwartz [4] states that “information is the life blood of an organisation”.
Or
Schwartz (1997, [4]) states that “information is the life blood of an organisation”.
References list:
[4] Schwartz, E I, Webonomics, London: Penguin Books Ltd, 1997.
• Web example:
Main body: Williams [6] argues that “web standards provide both interoperability”
References: [6] Williams, J (2008) http://www.internet.com/clientside/review.html
Bibliography: Append to your submission a ‘Bibliography’ section that indicates additional sources e.g. books, web sites, journals etc. that you have reviewed and contributed to your understanding of the topic. These sources are not directly cited in the main body of the report.
Title page: Including author name and affiliation (relationship with project).
Sections: Ensure a TOC ‘Table of contents’ page is provided at the beginning of the report listing all report sections.
Numbering: Each report section including main headings and sub-headings should be numbered throughout.
All pages should be numbered, Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) on all pages consecutively throughout the text, appendices, and bibliography. All preliminary pages, pages that precede the report such as the TOC should be counted and numbered using lower case roman numerals (i ii iii iv etc.). All page numerals should be centered on each page.
Consistency: A document is consistent if, for example, it always uses the same type style including face and size for document objects such as headings, sub-headings, references and content text and all lines should have the same spacing etc.
Grammar: Technical documents use `passive voice’ expressions, for example your report should avoid using the word `I’ as much as possible. Correct spelling &grammar. Word processed, strict word limit.
Submission: Please submit the assignment in a report folder or simply stapled in one corner – not in poly-pockets. The assignment brief should be the front page of your submission.
GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS
You are required to produce a correctly formatted report of approximately 2500 words in length, the main body comprising of the sections outlined in the task description page. An acceptable report format contains a Title Page, Table of Contents, Page Numbers, Numbered Sections and Headings.
It is essential that you demonstrate background research activities and knowledge gained. The report should refer to sources of information that have contributed and enhanced your knowledge and understanding (e.g. online sources, books, journals, articles). The report must include a list of references / bibliography, following the Numeric Referencing System.
You will be assessed against the five common assessment criteria as follows:
1. Research-informed Literature (20%)
Marks will be awarded based on the extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject (20%)
Marks will be allocated based on the extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with contemporary HRM / HRD initiatives.
3. Analysis (20%)
Marks will be awarded for Analysis, evaluation and synthesis of key-findings.
4. Practical Application and Deployment (30%)
Marks will be awarded based on the application of concepts and solutions to solve problems for example the effect of contemporary HRM / HRD initiatives on individual and organisational behaviour and performance.
5. Skills for Professional Practice (10%)
Skills for Professional Practice will be assessed based on the written and presentational quality of the report.