how managers can use Expectancy Theory to motivate employees

Managing People in Organisations – Assessment

1. Assessment Details & Requirements

2. Assessment Criteria & Marking Matrix

3. Q&A – Assessment details/Assessment Criteria

4. Guidance on Essay Questions

Q&A Essay Questions • Question 1.

Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use Expectancy Theory to motivate employees. 

 

Assessment: Essay Assignment

Word limit: 3000 words (excluding references BUT including text in subheadings, tables and diagrams).

Referencing • You should the Harvard System.

• It is extremely important that your coursework includes accurate literature citations and a reference list. Citations can be from multiple sources, including course materials, core text and research articles, published reports and websites.

• When producing academic work, convention dictates that you substantiate your arguments and give credit to the published work of authors (of theories, models, ideas). Post Graduate Student Handbook and the Post Graduate Information Room on Blackboard for full details.

• You can carry out a TURNITIN checks in the Post Graduate Information Room. You must also submit a copy of your essay via TURNITIN when you submit your essay through Blackboard for the module.

Assessment Criteria • Use of knowledge – understanding and analysis of the

concepts, models, theories

• Critical response to the question – understanding of the issues and complexities posed by the question

• Construct of answer – structure and coherence of answer and material/literature used

• Management Praxis – implications for managers and management of people

A s s e s s m e n t criteria

Hard Fail (0-39)

Soft Fail (40-49)

Pass (50-59)

Merit (60-69)

Distinction (70-79)

Distinction (80+)

Use of Knowledge

No understanding or use of appropriate concepts, theories and frameworks.

Sketchy understanding and limited use of appropriate concepts, theories and frameworks.

Sound understanding or use of some appropriate concepts, theories and frameworks but includes some errors and omissions.

High standard of critical analysis using appropriate concepts theories and frameworks. Some use of evidence in analysis and to support discussion.

High standard of critical analysis using a well-judged selection of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Goes well beyond core module materials. Very strong use of evidence in analysis, and to support discussions.

Fully comprehensive and deep understanding of key concepts, theories and knowledge. Goes beyond core module materials. Comprehensive use of evidence to support analysis and discussions.

Critical Analysis

No or very little understanding of the issues raised by the essay title. No or little application of narrative to the issues raised by the title.

Some understanding of the issues raised by the essay title, but superficial and/or confused analysis.

A clear structure which deals with some of the issues raised by the title, but lacks awareness of nuances and complexities.

A clear awareness of the nuances and complexities posed by the title which cogently deals with the issues raised.

Critical and reflexive awareness of the nuances and complexities posed by the title which cogently deals with the issues raised.

Outstanding in-depth consideration of key issues with skilful interpretation and use of an extensive range of evidence

Management Praxis

No implications established for management praxis.

A few implications established for management praxis with superficial justification.

A few implications established for management praxis with systematic justification

Comprehensive analysis of implications for management praxis with systematic justification but limited to long-standing issues.

Rigorous analysis of implications for management praxis with systematic justification which includes contemporary and epistemological issues.

Superb analysis of implications for management praxis with systematic justification which includes authoritative articulation of contemporary and epistemological issues

Essay Construction

Poor/confused English with no attention to appropriate referencing of authoritative sources or empirical data. Poor understanding of lecture notes.

Clear but unsophisticated English. Haphazard referencing. No evidence of independent research with primary reliance upon lecture notes.

Sophisticated prose. Systematic referencing. Some evidence of independent research but much reliance upon lecture notes.

Incisive sophisticated prose. Consistent evidence of independent research that synthesizes and evaluates systematically referenced source material.

Incisive sophisticated prose. Substantial evidence of independent research that reflexively synthesizes and evaluates systematically referenced source material.

Outstanding ability to integrate material from a variety of sources, to deploy accurately and imaginatively established techniques of analysis and enquiry and (where applicable) to demonstrate and understanding of approaches and methods at the frontier of research.

Assessmen t criteria

Hard Fail (0-39)

Soft Fail (40-49)

Pass (50-59)

Merit (60-69)

Distinction (70-79)

Distinction (80+)

Use of Knowledge

No understanding or use of appropriate concepts, theories and frameworks.

Sketchy understanding and limited use of appropriate concepts, theories and frameworks.

Sound understanding or use of some appropriate concepts, theories and frameworks but includes some errors and omissions.

High standard of critical analysis using appropriate concepts theories and frameworks. Some use of evidence in analysis and to support discussion.

High standard of critical analysis using a well-judged selection of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Goes well beyond core module materials. Very strong use of evidence in analysis, and to support discussions.

Fully comprehensive and deep understanding of key concepts, theories and knowledge. Goes beyond core module materials. Comprehensive use of evidence to support analysis and discussions.

Critical Analysis

No or very little understanding of the issues raised by the essay title. No/little application of narrative to the issues raised by the title.

Some understanding of the issues raised by the essay title, but superficial and/or confused analysis.

A clear structure which deals with some of the issues raised by the title, but lacks awareness of nuances and complexities.

A clear awareness of the nuances and complexities posed by the title which cogently deals with the issues raised.

Critical and reflexive awareness of the nuances and complexities posed by the title which cogently deals with the issues raised.

Outstanding in-depth consideration of key issues with skilful interpretation and use of an extensive range of evidence

A s s e s s m e n t criteria

Hard Fail (0-39)

Soft Fail (40-49)

Pass (50-59)

Merit (60-69)

Distinction (70-79)

Distinction (80+)

Manage- ment Praxis

No implications established for management praxis.

A few implications established for management praxis with superficial justification.

A few implications established for management praxis with systematic justification

Comprehensive analysis of implications for management praxis with systematic justification but limited to long- standing issues.

Rigorous analysis of implications for management praxis with systematic justification which includes contemporary and epistemological issues.

Superb analysis of implications for management praxis with systematic justification which includes authoritative articulation of contemporary and epistemological issues

Essay Constructio n

Poor/confused English with no attention to appropriate referencing of authoritative sources or empirical data. Poor understanding of lecture notes.

Clear but unsophisticated English. Haphazard referencing. No evidence of independent research with primary reliance upon lecture notes.

Sophisticated prose. Systematic referencing. Some evidence of independent research but much reliance upon lecture notes.

Incisive sophisticated prose. Consistent evidence of independent research that synthesizes and evaluates systematically referenced source material.

Incisive sophisticated prose. Substantial evidence of independent research that reflexively synthesizes and evaluates systematically referenced source material.

Outstanding ability to integrate material from a variety of sources, to deploy accurately and imaginatively established techniques of analysis and enquiry and (where applicable) to demonstrate and understanding of approaches and methods at the frontier of research.

Q&A – Assignment Requirements & Marking Criteria

Essay Assignment Tips

• Introduction (1-2 paragraphs), main body (4-5 paragraphs), conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)

• Aim for more analytic writing than descriptive writing.

Study Skills 301 online tutorial on critical thinking and writing: https://xerte.shef.ac.uk/play.php?template_id=453

• When you first mention concepts from the literature – define/explain them

• Show the source of support your arguments with citations to the literature

• Say what your answer is to the essay question in the conclusion. Your answer should be based on what you have discussed and argued in the essay.

Q&A Essay Questions • Question 1.

Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use Expectancy Theory to motivate employees. 

 

Suggested Guides for Thinking Through and Planning Your Essay

Q1. Drawing from theory and research studies, critically discuss how managers can use Expectancy Theory to motivate employees. 

• Use of knowledge – what is motivation and why is it important. How does expectancy theory explain motivation at work? Why is this important?

• Critical response to the question – what does the literature say are the strengths and limitations of expectancy theory? What are the issues and complexities in applying expectancy theory in practice? Is there evidence to support its use in the work place?

• Construct of answer – what literature including research studies will you use to build your answer? Will you do your own research into the literature on this topic/issues as well as draw on material covered in the lectures and core reading?

• Management Praxis – what are the implications of the advantages/disadvantages, strengths/weaknesses. Issues and complexities of applying expectancy theories for managers and employees?