4.5.2 Task 2: The group research project and presentation,Worth 30%Presentation mark 5 (individual mark); Report mark 25 (Group mark)

Each student will be required to present for
equal amount of time of about 5-7 minutes.

Due: presentation in Week 9 & 10 (depending on
the number of groups)

Report length: 2000 words

The purpose of the task

This task is designed to develop your ability to: contribute fruitfully to a group task; assess an organisational
issue or problem as objectively as possible; appreciate the potential of theory
in managerial decision making and problem solving; apply theory to ‘real life’;
take managerial responsibility by designing a practical course of action
(rather than merely making recommendations).

Task description

Students will form groups of around four/five
during class in week 3. Groups should identify a problem situation (only one
problem) in an organisation they have access to (preferably an organisation
where at least one group member works or has worked recently). Do not focus
on a problem that has already been solved also do not focus on many problems at
the same time.

A presentation covering the following points
should be prepared:

·
Provide
a brief introduction to the organisation (it is acceptable to withhold the name
of the organisation).
·
Describe
the problem, as much as possible in terms of the observable or measurable
symptoms it manifests, for example:
high percentage of faulty products; deterioration of service quality; increased
customer complaints; high absenteeism; high staff turnover; decreased market
share; loss of profit; sabotage; unhelpful organisational culture etc.
·
The
issue/problem should then be considered and analysed in terms of concepts/models/theories
drawn from any two topics studied as part of this subject. Try to choose the
topics that seem to offer the most useful insights into the problem. Do not try
to deal with many models or concepts. Topics outside course coverage should
not be selected.
·
Design
an intervention (a change program or set of activities and procedures)
utilising some aspect or aspects of your analysis. The intervention should be
intended to solve or improve the situation. Please note you are not merely
being asked for a list of recommendations.

Group members should present
their considerations, analysis and Intervention design to the class in weeks 9
& 10. The presentation should last between 25 and 35 minutes. Each member
will present for more or less equal amount of time. You will be penalised
for exceeding 35 minutes. An additional 10 -15 minutes is available for
questions and answers.

A report of 2000

words summarising your project must
be submitted on the day of presentation.
Your report must be correctly and
adequately referenced (only one report from each group).

The group research
project and presentation: Assessment criteria

The presentation mark will be given by the Lecturer. This mark is unlikely
to be the same for all students in a group.

It will be based on:

·
Platform skill
and presentation –posture, gesture,
eye contact, flow of
speech, language proficiency, level of confidence (Poor marks for reading)

·
Demonstration of
understanding of the presentation material

·
Handling questions and
answers

• Appropriate
  introduction, conclusion and time management

Worth: 5%

The report mark will be the same for all members.
It will be based on:The presence of an appropriate
introduction to the organisation; The identification of a suitable problem for
analysis and the depth of analysis of problem; Effective use of material from
two subject topics; Appropriateness of the chosen topics; Suitable intervention
design with detailed action steps; Quality and completeness of response to the
presentation topic; Format and clarity
of expression; and Citation of sources
in the text, list of references at the end (adequate, correct and complete as per APA style).Worth: 25%