Each student will prepare a paper reflecting on the role of dialogue in an organisational context. Students are encouraged to draw on their case study experience (i.e. challenges, insights and learning outcomes) as well as to further substantiate their views through reference to the relevant academic literature.
Purpose:
This paper is a small reflective essay that encourages you to reflect critically on what you have learned about organisational communication through your case study experience. Respond to the following question:
How has my view on organisation communication evolved through the case study experience and how will these insights inform my current or future work practice?
This reflective essay requires you to
a) Draw on examples and findings from your case study project to demonstrate how your knowledge of and view on organisational communication has evolved.
b) Relate existing academic theory and research to your insights. Please refer to Cottrell (2011a) as an absolute core reading before starting on the essay.
Assessment Criteria:
1. Clear purpose and introduction (5%) F P C D HD
2. Language appropriate to purpose and audience (10%) F P C D HD
3. Structure appropriate to purpose and audience (10%) F P C D HD
4. Referencing (5%) F P C D HD
5. Reflexivity and critical analysis - ability to engage reflexively with case study experience including evidence of insights/learning outcomes (40%)
6. Creative thinking - including ability to adopt creative approach to the topic and introduce novel ideas (20%)
7. Research skills - Evidence of high level research including appropriate choice of scholarly articles to support argument.
Integration of Theory
We want to hear what you have learned through your case study experience, but we also want to see you relate existing theory and research to these insights. It should become clear how both your engagement with theory and the case study research have influenced your reflections.
For instance, if your research has made you realise that dialogic communication between leaders and subordinates is a critical issue, but also constrained by existing organisational structures, show us the literature which supports that insight. Conversely, you might say that you expected a certain issue to be significant from the literature on this subject, but that it was not confirmed by your case study findings.
A reflective essay should not just be a free flow of ideas. It does require a proper structure (introduction, body, and conclusion) just like any other essay.
1) Introduction:
Present the purpose of the paper and give the reader an idea of your key insight (the position that you have arrived at) in relation to the question. One paragraph is enough, do not yet go into too much detail here.
2) Body:
The body of your paper should explain the insights that you have arrived at and why. Make sure you provide concrete details from your case study and integrate these with reflections from your reading of secondary literature. Were your initial ideas challenged or confirmed?
How would you apply this new-found understanding to other contexts? You also may want to acknowledge limitations to your view and issues that you feel require further research and exploration.
3) Conclusion:
At the end of a reflective essay, you need to stand back and draw out the key messages of what you have learned and "summarise these as conclusions or recommendations" (Cottrell 2011b, p. 228). Remind the reader of the ways in which you have grown from this experience and its value for your development as a reflective practitioner.