Module : Organisations & Behaviour (OB)

Assignment

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

LO1 Understand the relationship between organisational structure and culture

LO2 Understand different approaches to management and leadership

LO3 Understand ways of using motivational theories in organisations

LO4 Understand mechanisms for developing effective teamwork in organisations

Task 1 – Understand the relationship between organisational structure and culture

1a) Compare and contrast ‘geographical’ and ‘functional’ organisation structures. You should include examples of the application of these organisation structures in real businesses.

1b) Compare and contrast ‘power’ and ‘task’ cultures.

You should include examples of the application of these cultures in real businesses

1c) Explain how the relationship between the organisation structure & culture adopted by an organisation can have an impact on the organisation performance. (1.2)

1d) Discuss some of the key factors that influence individual behaviour at work in an organisation of your choice.

Task 2 – Understand different approaches to management and leadership

2a) Compare the autocratic leadership style and the democratic leadership style and comment on their effectiveness in your chosen organisation.

2b) Comment on the impact that different leadership styles may have on employee motivation during periods of change

2c) Compare the scientific management approach and the contingency management approach and evaluate their use in your chosen organisation.

Task 3 – Understand ways of using motivational theories in organisations

3a) Outline the elements of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs motivation theory and ONE OTHER motivation theory. Describe how each theory could be applied by managers in practice and evaluate the usefulness of Maslow’s theory to managers in an organisation of your choice.

Task 4 – Understand mechanisms for developing effective teamwork in organisations.

4a) Using examples from your chosen organisation explain the differences between ‘groups’ and ‘teams’.

4b) For a team that you are, or have been, a member of outline the factors that contributed to, and/or hindered the teams performance and discuss how the use of technology influenced the teams success.