Case study

Coursework Assignment Brief

Semester:	Summer 2014
Module Code:	PM108
Module Title:	Leadership and the Management of Strategic Change
Programme	MBA
Level:	Level 7HE
Awarding Body:	University of Plymouth
Module Leader	Carmelita Charles
Format:	Business Report
Presentation:	No
Any special requirements:	Eg: All work should be submitted on the Student Portal along with an acceptable Turnitin Report
Word Limit:	3,500 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway)
Deadline date for submission:	14 August 2014
Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment	· Analyse the features of effective leadership and the impact that the quality of leadership and corporate culture have on corporate success · Explain the reasons why it is frequently necessary to change management organisation in response to strategic change · Identify the management problems that arise from strategic change and how these may be overcome
Percentage of marks awarded for module:	This assignment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module
Assessment criteria	Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria	Maximum marks for each section
Content, style, relevance, originality	Clear demonstration of rigorous research from recognised authoritative sources. Audience focus.	Eg: 50%
Format, referencing, bibliography	Harvard Referencing: separate Bibliography/Refs Good and wide range of books and journal articles cited Correct grammar and syntax	Eg: 10 %
Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion	Demonstration of a clear understanding of the issues. Use of academic theories and models. Critique of a range of leadership, change, culture and management models/approaches Practical and pragmatic conclusions and recommendations	Eg: 40%

Candidates must clearly label their ID Number on additional separate reference, formula or answer sheets.

http://static.hbr.org/hbrg-main/resources/pdfs/chapters/must-read-leadership.pdf

WHAT MAKES A LEADER?

Scenario:

“Where does leadership begin? Where change begins”.

James MacGregor Burns

Marks and Spencer the iconic high street retailer went through a turbulent time at the end of the 1990s. Its UK profits fell from £1 billion in 1997 to £146 million in 2001. The dramatic fall in profits , the response of the market and the its competitive rivals gaining market share shook the company out of its complacency with the appointment of the new C.E.O Stuart Rose in 2004. By 2007 and under Rose’s helm, Marks and Spencer, gained £2 billion in value and its share price topped the previous high. Rose’s leadership is credited to have turned the company around, but there is far more to it than simply Rose’s style of leadership. New entrants, new business models , rapidly changing environment etc were all factors that Rose and his management team faced. The success of Marks and Spencer at that time was due to how the leader, his management team and staff responded to the management of strategic change.

Task

Taking the role of a management consultant, you have been requested to provide a report to help the leadership team of the organisation to improve their leadership and management of strategic change. This assessment is based upon application of course concepts and models to a contemporary case study of your choice. The selected case study should be an organisation/ business/ third sector that have gone through significant change within the last 10 years.

Firstly, your task is to analyse the leadership approaches within the specific contemporary business or organisation of your choice during the period of transformational change, or paradigm shift.

Secondly, you are required to identify important challenges faced by the leadership in the change process and to critically evaluate the outcome of the leadership style and approach in the organisation/ business. (Support your report with reference to a significant range of leadership and organisational development theories.)

Your conclusions and recommendations should provide a practical approach to the outcomes of the theories used, including specific insights into how the case study organisation could adopt new approaches to leadership and managing strategic change

The brief example of the Marks and Spencer scenario above provides the vehicle for introducing the assessment. Students will critically examine the theories and concepts covered over the course of the semester through a case study of their choice. Demonstrating the depth of their knowledge and understanding of leadership and the management of strategic change.

Total marks for assignment: 100

Marking scheme .

The assessment of this module challenges all students to translate leadership and management theory into practice

The answer should include an understanding of leadership topics such as;

· trait/ behaviour,

· contingency/ situational

· Transformational an transactional theory, including issues such as change management, organizational culture, leaders as strategic learner etc.

· Transformational change and paradigm shifts will be a particular focus of the answer.

Leadership, management style, globalisation, organisational culture, organisational structure, power and politics, leaders as strategic learners , change management are likely to be addressed. It is also important to identify and evaluate how knowledge of leadership and or and organisational development can improve a manager’s efficiency and effectiveness in managing an enterprise.

Marks will be awarded on the basis of demonstrating an understanding of the theoretical content presented on the course together with the application of relevant theory in resolving the identified organisational/ business problems. The basis for the analysis may be macro or micro and maybe retrospective and/or forward looking. A synthesis of theory and practice is essential for a good grade. Students are encouraged to be imaginative, bold and critical in their analysis

It is expected that students will draw on theory from both classical and contemporary approaches to leadership and organisational management and development. It may be possible to tie-in these ideas with aspects of strategic management, establishing managerial choice and constraints. Planned and emergent approaches might also be discussed. An analysis of organisational paradigms might also be explored together with the identification of the role of organisational design and culture in managing change and development. Pragmatic and practical recommendations are required.

Appropriate report structure and style, good grammar and syntax (composition) together with correct referencing will also be expected. In terms of presentation of the report it is important that students consider the structure and layout including the use of graphs, questionnaires, leadership tools, diagrams etc

60 + should be

In addition to above outline, answer should be of a high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks in the context of leadership and change. The answer should demonstrate excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues. It should be clearly structured with logically developed arguments. Evidence of well-executed independent research. Wide ranges of leadership theories and models are applied and critically analysed.

Leadership &MSC Assignment June 2014 Page 4