EBM

MSc in Management (MiM) MSc in Management and Corporate Sustainability (MCS)

Evidence-Based Management Module Assessment DATE DUE: 19th June 2020 @ 23.59 In order to be assessed for the EBM module, students need to write a report considering the following case: Imagine you are the HR Director of a manufacturing company based in your own Country (or the UK where LT members are from different nationalities). The company is currently considering developing a new training programme for their employees and they want to investigate the impact of new technology and automation on the skills requirement for the future world of work (up to 2040). Considering the four elements of evidence-based management (i.e. manager expertise and judgements, evidence from the local context, critical evaluation of the best available research evidence, and perspectives of those may be affected by a particular decision), write a report providing the best evidence to the company in relation to skills requirements for the future (up to 2040) including any areas that may become shortage skills. Please, note that you are asked to consider all the four elements of EBM, in particular: 1. In relation to ‘Manager expertise and judgements’:

Consider that in this case you are the HR Director. Therefore, after conducting your research and having collected evidence for the remaining three elements of EBM (i.e. from local context, from existing research, from stakeholders), you will need to make a decision about whether to develop the new training programme and in this case on which skills the programme should be focused.

2. In relation to ‘Evidence from the local context’:

In this case you need to collect evidence from the local context (i.e. your own Country or the UK where LT members are from different nationalities) to inform the decision of whether to develop the new training programme. For example, you may want to consider the current level of automation of the manufacturing industry.

3. In relation to ‘Critical evaluation of the best available research evidence’:

In this case you need to conduct an evidence review (i.e. literature review) on existing studies and research related to the impact of technology on working skills. Remember that

the evidence you provided need to be relevant to your final judgement. Therefore, a critical evaluation of what include in your literature review is fundamental.

4. In relation to ‘Perspective of those who may be affected by a particular decision

(stakeholders)’: In this case you need to collect evidence from the local stakeholders using the research methods explored during the EBM module. You are asked to collect both qualitative and quantitative evidence. In relation to the sample size, please consider the following:

o For qualitative evidence: between 8 to 10 interviews. o For survey: a minimum of 40 answers are required.

After collecting the data, you are asked to perform analysis using NVivo and SPSS software.

Structure of the report The structure and the presentation of the report needs to be professional. To this end, please use a clear typeface (12 points) with line spacing to not less than 1.15. The words limit for the report is 5,500 words, which excludes title, references, charts, tables, imagines and any form of data visualisation. The report needs to be structured as follows: o Title

Choose a title for your report. Consider that the title needs to professional and it needs to reflect the content of the report, especially the findings.

o Executive summary (max 250 words)

In the executive summary you need to briefly present the content of your report by mentioning the source of evidence used and the final recommendation for the company.

o Introduction (around 500 words – indicative)

In the introduction you need to provide background information, introducing the problem you are investigating and briefly outline the structure of the report.

o Literature review (around 1,500 words – indicative)

In the literature review you need to critically evaluate the existing research. Remember that the purpose of a literature review is to understand what is already known about the topic you have investigated. The literature review will include the evidence related to the third element of EBM (i.e. critical evaluation of the best available research evidence).

o Methodology (around 500 words – indicative)

In the methodology you need to explain the process you followed to collect the data, including the reasons for choosing the methodology you used, the development of the data collection tool (interview questions or questionnaire) and the sample selection. Participants

descriptive are also welcome to be included in this section. Please, note that interview questions or the questionnaire will need to be included in the Appendix.

o Results (around 1,000 words – indicative)

In the results section you need to present the analysis of your data related to both the second element of EBM (i.e. evidence from the local context) and the fourth (i.e. Perspective of those who may be affected by a particular decision). Given the words constrains, you may want to consider using tables and charts for this section along with brief commentaries.

o Discussion (around 1,500 words – indicative)

In this section you will need to discuss the evidence you provided in order to make a recommendation for the management. Remember that your argument needs to be supported by your findings. Therefore, in this section you need to critically evaluate all the evidence you collected and interpret them in order to inform the decision on whether to develop the new training programme and, in this case, on what skills it should be focus the attention.

o Conclusions (around 1,500 words – indicative) In this section you will need to provide your final recommendation based on the discussion you will elaborate on whether to develop the new training programme and, in this case, on what skills it should be focus the attention.

o References

Please, list all the references for your report using a Harvard reference style as shown: o Last name, First initial. (Year published). Article title. Journal, Volume (Issue),

Page(s). Example: Lucianetti, L., Battista, V. and Koufteros, X. (2019). Comprehensive Performance Management Systems Design and Organizational Effectiveness. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 39(2), pp. 326-356.

o Appendix

Please, include in the appendix the data collection tool you developed (interview questions or questionnaire) and the transcripts of your interviews.

Evaluation Criteria The evaluation will check for two elements in particular: 1. The presence of the four different evidence throughout the report as basis for writing

an evidence-based report – 80% of the assessment (80 points) • Less than 40 points: FAIL. Inadequate evidence provided to support statements. The

assignment is based only on one or two elements of EBM. No critical evaluation of the scientific research available. No appropriate design and use of the research methodology. Results are not discussed, and recommendations are not supported by evidence.

• Between 40 and 50 points: PASS. All four elements of EBM are considered. However,

the assignment is a descriptive account of the findings with no critical evaluation. Sections are presented but they are not linked. Good use of the research method. Descriptive analysis presented. Recommendations are made without outlining any implication for the business.

• Between 51 and 60 points: GOOD PASS. All four elements of EBM are considered.

The report shows a critical evaluation of the evidence provided supported by relevant reading, and accurate referencing. Multiple perspectives have been considered and presented using adequate research methods. Descriptive analysis, mostly frequency, have presented. The final recommendations are supported by the findings of the investigation conducted. Some advanced analysis may be included, and you could have included some descriptive information about your sample (e.g. age, gender, education)

• Between 61 and 80 points: EXCELLENT PASS. As (GOOD PASS) above plus clear

understanding of the phenomenon with accurate and relevant referencing. Critical evaluation of existing evidence and an in-depth investigation for each of the four EBM elements. Clear understanding of the research methodologies with adequate reference. Recommendations supported by the investigation, limitations clearly identified, and solutions may be proposed.

2. The structure of the report – 20% of the assessment (20 points) • Less than 8 points: FAIL. Poor or unprofessional presentation. No guidelines followed

for the structure. Poor referencing. No appendix included.

• Between 8 and 12 points: PASS. The report is well written. The structure is in line with the guidelines provided. All information required are included in the report. Data analysis tools used. Adequate referencing.

• Between 13 and 16 points: GOOD PASS. The report is well written. The structure is in

line with the guidelines provided. All information required is included in the report. The data are presented using a clear structure. Accurate referencing.

• You could have used some data visualisation tools (e.g. Tableaux) to present the data, but in general the report has a professional look.

• Between 17 and 20 points: EXCELLENT PASS. The report is well written. The

structure is in line with the guidelines provided. All information required are included in the report. Data analysis and data visualisation tools (e.g. Tableaux) have been used to present the data. Accurate referencing. Outstanding presentation with a very professional looking. Additional information and or analyses included in the Appendix.