Credit value: 15 credits

Unit Aim

The aim of this unit is to give learners an understanding of individual and group behaviour in organisations and to examine current theories and their application in managing behaviour in the workplace.

Unit abstract

This unit focuses on the behaviour of individuals and groups within organisations. It explores the links between the structure and culture of organisations and how these interact and influence the behaviour of the workforce. The structure of a large multi-national company with thousands of employees worldwide will be very different from a small local business with 20 employees. The way in which an organisation structures and organises its workforce will impact on the culture that develops within the organisation. This system of shared values and beliefs will determine and shape the accepted patterns of behaviour of an organisations workforce. The culture in organisations that differ in size, for example, or are from different sectors of the economy can be very different.

The structure and culture of an organisation are key factors which contribute to motivating the workforce at all levels of the organisation. The Japanese were instrumental in developing a culture of continuous improvement through teamwork in their manufacturing industry. This culture has now been exported around the world and encapsulates the way in which structure and culture contribute to patterns of behaviour in the workplace. This unit will develop learner understanding of the behaviour of people within organisations and of the significance that organisational design has on shaping that behaviour.

Introduction

 The  aim  of  this  unit  is  to  give  learners  an  understanding  of  individual  and  group  behaviour  in organisations  and  to  examine  current  theories  and  their  application  in  managing  behaviour  in  the workplace.

This unit focuses on the behaviour of individuals and groups within organisations. It explores the links between the structure and culture of organisations and how these interact and influence the behaviour of the workforce.  The  structure  of  a  large  multi-national  company  with  thousands  of  employees worldwide  will be very different  from  a small local business  with  50  employees.  The way in which an organisation structures and organises its workforce will impact on the culture that develops within the organisation. This system of shared values and beliefs will determine and shape the accepted patterns of behaviour of an organisations workforce. The culture in organisations that differ in size, for example, or are from different sectors of the economy can be very different.

The  structure  and  culture  of  an  organisation  are  key  factors  which  contribute  to  motivating  the workforce at all levels of the organisation. The Japanese were instrumental in developing a culture of continuous improvement through teamwork in their manufacturing industry.  This culture has now been exported around the world and encapsulates the way in which structure and culture contribute to patterns of behaviour in the workplace. This unit will develop learner understanding of the behaviour of people  within  organisations  and  of  the  significance  that  organisational  design  has  on  shaping  that behaviour.

SCENARIO

You are newly appointed store manager of one of the biggest Asda supermarkets in Ireland. you have been asked to display your knowledge of a variety of organisational structures and cultures, drawing from relevant theory in a report with members of staff from different cultural and racial background, which required an organisational culture, teamwork, and participatory decision making style, in order to achieve your short-term and long-term goals.   You were recommended to the CEO and Board of Directors to take the above position based on your achievements as a Mini Asda supermarket in London. As part of your responsibilities, you are also required to apply different management styles and motivational theories, in order to achieve positive results from the company‘s activities. In order to achieve the above objectives, you have to complete the following four (4) tasks.  However, you are required to read the attached case study on Asda carefully to complete some of the tasks.  You may also need of to visit the company website www.asda.com to acquire  further information. 

Lo 1 (covered assessment criteria P1, P2, P3, M1 and D3) 

1.1 Compare and contrast two different organisational structures and cultures

1.2 Explain how the relationship between an organisation‘s structure and culture can influence on the performance of the Asda’s activities at this Irish site  

1.3 Discuss three (3) factors that can influence individual behaviour in the workplace at the Irish Asda.

Lo 2 (covered assessment criteria P4, P5, P6 and M3)

Different leadership theories affect behaviour and motivation and are therefore useful tools for managers; evaluate their impact:

2.1   Compare the effectiveness of three different leadership styles for two different business organisations

2.2   Explain how organisational theory underpins the practice of management for the Irish Asda scenario

 2.3 Evaluate four different approaches to management used by three (3) organisations

2.4 Present and justify two approaches of the four identified at Task 2.3.  (M3)

Lo 3 (covered assessment criteria P7, P8, P9 and D1)

Motivational theories are used in different ways in different organisations.  Discuss their use in a report, giving examples:       

 3.1   Discuss the impact that different leadership styles may have on motivation in organisations in periods of change

 3.2   Compare the application of different motivational theories within ASda 

3.3   Evaluate the usefulness of a motivation theory for managers at the Asda in Ireland

Lo 4 (covered assessment criteria P10, P11, P12, M2 and D2)

4.1   Explain the nature of groups and group behaviour within organisations

4.2   Discuss factors that may promote or inhibit, limit, or undermine the development of effective teamwork in organisations.

4.3   Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within such an organization as Asda’s in Ireland.

MERIT 1, 2 & 3

These questions relate to Q4.2

Assume that you are the director of HR for WLCBMS.  Write a letter to the Managing Director.  In your letter, identify the factors that inhibit the development of effective teamwork and suggest appropriate solutions to overcome these factors.

Using an appropriate model, evaluate the role types needed for effective teamwork.  Ensure you include at least one relevant quotation within your letter.

Ensure you use Harvard Referencing.

Ensure that you refer to academic textbooks as well as other sources.

DISTINCTION 1, 2 & 3

This relates to Q4.3

As HR Director, write a report to the Managing Director of WLCBMS. The report will focus on the use of new technology in the workplace to improve team performance.

Research new types of technology that can be used in the workplace to improve team performance.

Critically evaluate how new technology can be used to improve team performance.  Include some of your own suggestions of ways that new technology can be used to improve team performance.  

Justify use of at least one modern way of technology that can improve the performance of team.

Grading criteria:

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit a learner will	Assessment criteria for pass The learner can:
LO1 Understand the relationship between organisational structure and culture	1.1 compare and contrast different organisational structures and culture 1.2 explain how the relationship between an organisation’s structure and culture can impact on the performance of the business 1.3 discuss the factors which influence individual behaviour at work
LO2 Understand different approaches to management and leadership	2.1 compare the effectiveness of different leadership styles in different organisations 2.2 explain how organisational theory underpins the practice of management 2.3 evaluate the different approaches to management used by different organisations
LO3 Understand ways of using motivational theories in organisations	3.1 discuss the impact that different leadership styles may have on motivation in organisations in periods of change 3.2 compare the application of different motivational theories within the workplace 3.3 evaluate the usefulness of a motivation theory for managers
LO4 Understand mechanisms for developing effective teamwork in organisations	4.1 explain the nature of groups and group behaviour within organisations 4.2 discuss factors that may promote or inhibit the development of effective teamwork in organisations 4.3 evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within a given organisation.

For Merit and Distinction grading, student must meet all the criteria that show all the evident indicated in this grading sheet.
Merit descriptors	Evidence required	Distinction descriptors	Evidence required
M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions	Answers reflect that effective judgments have been made about the specific content and the information. The answers show that an effective approach to study and research has been applied within the scenario e.g. comparing features, theories and models comparison etc.	D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions	Proper evaluation and justification shown in all the answers and relevant conclusions have been arrived at thorough synthesis of ideas
M2 Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques	An accurate standard method has been used in defining information sources is well justified and summarized.	D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities	Use the skill of problem solution in particular subject that organisation had faced with via applying an innovation and creative thought
M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings	A clear, accurate standard for presenting information has been used in terms of diagrams, charts, tables.	D3 Demonstrate convergent, lateral and creative thinking	Ideas have been generated and proper evaluation and decisions taken based on facts gathered within the scenario

Resources

Textbooks

Brooks I – Organisational Behaviour, Individuals, Groups and Organisation 4th

Edition (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2008) ISBN: 9780273715368

Mullins J L– Essentials of Organisational Behaviour (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2008) ISBN: 9780273716464

Bloisi W, Cook Ca and Hunsaker P– Management and Organisational Behaviour (McGraw-Hill Education 2006) ISBN: 9780077111076

Journals

Personnel Review (Emerald)

Personnel Today (Reed Business Information)

Websites

www.cipd.co.uk Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development website with a range of learning resources and journals

www.incomesdata.co.uk up-to-date intelligence on employment issues (Incomes Data Services)

Submission Guideline

• Work should be referenced in accordance with Harvard referencing Style
• Sources should be acknowledged fully by referenced books, journals used and URL visited
• All work should be word processed, font size of 12 and font style of Times New Roman/Arial 
• Subtitles of the assignment should be in the font size of 14
• Pages should be numbered in the bottom right hand corner
• Spell check the document and read thoroughly for grammatical errors
• 1.5 Line spacing
• Reference list should be at the end of the assignment
• All paragraphs should be aligned in justified mode
• The guided word limit is between 2500-4000 words

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