Your assignment must demonstrate that you have developed a good knowledge of the main organisational behaviour theories by applying them to a case study. The ability to analyse organisational problems and recommend solutions will be demonstrated by critically engaging with existing organisational behaviour theories and practices.
Here is an indicative and straightforward process you could adopt to frame your topic:
1. Pick one theme
You could begin with the selection of the subject area. Choose one of the themes you particularly liked amongst the different lectures covered in the OB course (motivation, culture, gender studies, leadership…).
For example you find inspirational the lecture about motivation theories.
2. Select a case study
It can be an organisation (not for profit association, sport club, private company…), or a personality (Joanne Liu, Vikram Patel, Angela Merkel…), or a particular event in the news (a merger, people made redundant, sexual harassment in the workplace…).
For example your attention was drawn by the following article published in The Daily Telegraph, (15 Feb 2015) “Tesco to cut up to 10,000 jobs: Thousands of staff face the axe at Tesco offices and in stores as chief executive Dave Lewis looks to cut costs”.
3. The question
Well done you have now a theme and a case study. To connect them to each other, I advise you to raise a question which will guide your reflection and your analysis.
For example you could address the following issue: “How to sustain employee motivation in a firm facing cost cuts?”
4. Analysis of the case in the light of the literature
Since you have a question, it gives an “angle” and a “dynamic” to the subject matter. Now you can discuss the motivation literature in order to demonstrate mainly three things:
a. Your mastery of the existing knowledge about motivation;
b. Your capacity to critically analyse your topic in the light of the existing; literature/research
c. Your capacity to recommend solutions.
I want to highlight that you have a wide range of topics. I noticed over the past years that students were attracted by new technology companies, gender inequality, sport industry, inspirational leaders… Feel free to find yours. You have just to make an effort to think about what might inspire you the most. Once you find a motivating topic 3,000 words is a short distance.
Structure
Introduction
Briefly identify your question, case study and theoretical approach
Explain structure and key argument
Body of assignment
Outline your case study – why did you choose this particular case? Relation to theory?
Outline your theory- demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of relecant theroy
A theoretical reading/ analysis of your case study
Remember we are looking for your ability to engage with and apply the theory to the case sutdy
You shoud avoid large amounts of description ( some description of your chosen case study is important but this should be follpw with in depth analysis)
Recommend solutions to organizational problems
Remember to reference throughout your essay- you must demonstrate an engagement with (a core literature and b) additional literature that connects to your topice
Conclusion
Summarize main points and argument/ explain how you have answered the question
