2. Construct and apply appropriate conceptual frameworks to negotiate and exploit emerging opportunities and threats for contemporary organisations 3. Draw on relevant academic literature to support and clearly articulate, in written form, an idea/proposition. You will be assessed according to the following criteria: a) Evidence of an effective introduction in line with the chosen question (i.e. focus, context, scope) b) Evidence of research and reading to select appropriate theories, concepts and frameworks (with accurate referencing of sources Harvard format) c) Ability to critically evaluate and apply relevant theoretical perspectives to support the building of a theoretical framework to support an idea d) An effective closing section that pulls together key arguments within the paper e) Effective communication, presentation and use of structure f) Effective use of independent study skills to support effective self-evaluation of draft work prior to final submission for assessment The following are indicative of the threshold pass requirements for the assignment. The paper introduces the focus, scope and purpose in line with the assignment brief Evidence of research to identify and introduce appropriate academic literature (with references cited) Some use of theory to support discussion within the paper Demonstrates some understanding of management theory and practice The conclusion identifies some key arguments presented in the paper The level of communication evidences some understanding of ideas and discussion The stronger papers will clearly build on these threshold requirements to demonstrate increasing levels of originality, depth of research, criticality in terms of analysis and evaluation, and quality of writing and structure. Discussion relating to the levels of assessment will be an integral part of class sessions and seminars. The assignment: The Big Idea The nature of todays business environment means that contemporary organisations are faced with uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity. In order to be successful organisations need to find ways to work with and indeed exploit these conditions. This requires individuals to become more enterprising, resourceful, innovative and creative, and demands more critical or outside of the box thinking. Indeed, Brookfield (1987, in Thomas 2003, p6) has stated that critical thinking can be seen as the central element in improving organizational performance and should be applied to all facets of organisations including: strategic planning, effective decision making, creative problem solving, situational leadership, entrepreneurial risk-taking and team-building. This assignment requires you to – Review the list of contemporary organisational issues given in the opening class sessions. Given the ideas introduced and discussed within class sessions choose one of the contemporary issues from the list of questions set out in the opening class sessions. Through your in-depth research into competing perspectives critically challenge current thinking and approaches to organising and the nature of organisations, in relation to the chosen question, in order to propose an effective response (your BIG IDEA) to the key issues/challenges/opportunities emerging.
