Assessment Task: Leadership Case Study
Word limit: 1,500 words
The assessment task will be an individual report on a case study provided to the students following the completion of the lecture presentation. This is now available on Moodle.
The case study should reflect the student's major learnings during the Leadership class and incorporate their learnings in analysing the given case study. The case study will use the problem -orientated method as outlined below.
A successful case study analyses a real life situation where existing problems need to be solved. It should:
o Relate the theory to a practical situation for example applies the ideas and knowledge discussed in the coursework to the practical situation at hand in the case study.
o Identify the problems o Select the major problems in the case o Suggest solutions to these major problems o Recommend the best solution to be implemented o Detail how this solution should be implemented
NB: The case is a -real life- situation, your submission is your analysis of this situation
How to write the case study
There are usually eight sections in a case study.
1) Synopsis/Executive summary
Outline the purpose of the case study
Describe the field of research - this is usually an overview of the company Outline the issues and findings of the case study without the specific details Identify the theory that will be used.
Here, the reader should be able to get a clear picture of the essential contents of the study.
Note any assumptions made (you may not have all the information you'd like so some assumptions may be necessary eg: -It has been assumed that...-, -Assuming that it takes half an hour to read one document...-)
2) Findings
Identify the problems found in the case. Each analysis of a problem should be supported by facts given in the case together with the relevant theory and course concepts. Here, it is important to search for the underlying problems for example: cross-cultural conflict may be only a symptom of the underlying problem of inadequate policies and practices within the company.
This section is often divided into sub-sections, one for each problem.
3) Discussion
Summarise the major problem/s
Identify alternative solutions to this/these major problem/s (there is likely to be more than one solution per problem)
Briefly outline each alternative solution and then evaluate it in terms of its advantages and disadvantages
No need to refer to theory or coursework here.
4) Conclusion
Sum up the main points from the findings and discussion
5) Recommendations
Choose which of the alternative solutions should be adopted
Briefly justify your choice explaining how it will solve the major problem/s
This should be written in a forceful style as this section is intended to be persuasive Here integration of theory and coursework is appropriate
6) Implementation
Explain what should be done, by whom and by when
If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs (both financial and time).
7) References
Make sure all references are sited correctly
Appendices (if any)
Marking Criteria:
• understanding of the terms and concepts.
• demonstrated understanding of the Leadership issues; • quality and completeness of response to the topic; and
• the ability to apply learning.