COURSE: Master of Business Research
Master of Business Administration
Unit: Leadership Theory
Unit Code: BUS 500
Type of Assessment: Assessment 3 – Leadership Paper
Unit Learning Outcomes addressed: a) Analyse and explain historical trends in the concept of leadership
b) Analyse and explain how leadership overlaps with, yet can be distinguished from, management.
c) Demonstrate an ability to synthesise and apply knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories and practices of leadership to the analysis of case study and research data.
d) Demonstrate a critical understanding of how leadership theory informs contemporary leadership practice across a spectrum of organisational contexts.
e) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the differences between leadership influence and coercion, and other forms of power and authority.
f) Integrate biblical frameworks into a contemporary understanding of leadership theories.
g) Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the types of leadership styles and behaviours adopted by self and others, and their efficacy.
Criteria for Assessment: • Range and relevance of research undertaken
• Depth and breadth of issues covered with respect to the selected organisation
• Demonstrated level of understanding of issues, insights, including insights acquired into leadership within the selected organisation
• Professional recommendations that reflect advanced knowledge of Leadership theory and its application
Assessment Task: Each individual student will research and write a paper with analysis of leadership practices and associated issues within a selected organisation (word count: 2,500 words).
Submission Date: Week 13
Total Mark & Weighting: 40 marks | 40%
Students are advised that any submissions past the due date without an approved extension or without approved extenuating circumstances incurs a 5% penalty per calendar day,
calculated from the total mark e.g. a task marked out of 35 will incur a 1.75 mark penalty per calendar day.
ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION:
Each individual student will research and write a paper with analysis of leadership practices and associated issues within a selected organisation, aimed at synthesizing the learning experience of the unit. The paper will cover the following:
• General overview of the organisation’s activities
• A general overview of the leadership practice within the selected organisation including leadership styles, any leadership challenges identified and leadership development activities in the organisation
• Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the identified leadership practices in the organisation. This should include an analysis that the leadership practice has had on the overall organisational strategy or how the identified leadership practices have affected the performance of the organisation
• Basing on the issues identified and supporting theory, make recommendations for the organisation (focus on how the leadership practices can be optimised for maximum organisational impact).
RUBRIC:
High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail
Content / Range of research 9-10 8 7 5-6 0-4
Range and relevance of
research undertaken
Excellent articulation and sound analysis with evidence of good research. Good analysis with evidence of good research undertaken for the presentation. Some attempt at critical analysis with evidence of research. Evidence of research but it is inadequate. Limited critical analysis Limited research and poor quality sources with little indication the author tried to critically analyze material.
Depth and breadth of issues 9-10 8 7 5-6 0-4
Depth and breadth of issues covered with respect to leadership in the selected organisation Appropriate content is covered in-depth without being redundant.
Good and in-depth coverage of issues Major sections of relevant content are included but not covered with depth as expected.
Limited scope of coverage, relevant content not covered in-depth. Major sections of relevant content have been omitted.
Understanding and analysis 9-10 8 7 5-6 0-4
Demonstrated level of
understanding of issues,
including insights
acquired into leadership
Exceptional understanding of leadership issues and practices with exceptional insights on the topic. Excellent analysis of the organization’s leadership issues
Good understanding of leadership issues and practices with good insights on the topic. Competent analysis of the organization’s leadership issues
Good understanding of leadership issues and practices organization. Some insights offered. Basic analysis of the organization’s leadership issues Basic understanding of leadership issues and practices in the organization. Limited insights offered. Limited analysis of the organization’s leadership issues
Limited understanding of leadership issues and practices in the organization. Generic presentation of issues; no insights offered. Lack of analysis of the organization’s leadership issues
Lessons / Recommendations 9-10 8 7 5-6 0-4
Professional recommendations that reflect advanced knowledge of Leadership theory and its application.
Exceptional analysis with professional recommendations that demonstrate strong knowledge and applicability of leadership theory.
Very good analysis with professional recommendations that demonstrate good knowledge and applicability of leadership theory.
Good analysis with some recommendations that demonstrate knowledge and applicability of leadership theory Analysis with fair recommendations that demonstrate some knowledge and applicability of leadership theory Limited, insufficient analysis. Inappropriate recommendations; demonstrates limited knowledge and applicability of leadership theory
Total /40
GENERAL NOTES FOR ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments should usually incorporate a formal introduction, main points and conclusion, covering the key issue in the selected organisation. Rather than giving a personal account of events, students are encouraged to write a professional paper with appropriate evidence to substantiate claims and citations and references as required.
Marks will be deducted for failure to adhere to the word count of 2,500 – generally you may go over or under by 10% than the stated length of 2,500 words.
GENERAL NOTES FOR REFERENCING
Students may draw on both academic sources (books, chapters from edited books, journals etc) and non-academic sources (e.g. company website, annual reports). Your work must show evidence of that you conducted your own research.