Assessment Task -Report
ASSESSMENT Length:
2000 words ± 10% (including executive summary [less than 100 words], table of contents, tables, figures, and appendixes, but excluding title page and reference list) Weighting: 30% 1 Reference Style: CQU Harvard Style: MS Word document ONLY (doc &docx only; pdf or other types of files are not acceptable and will be directly graded "0" without marking and feedback)
Objectives
This assessment item relates to course learning outcomes numbers 1, 2, 5 and 6 as stated in the course profile. Purpose This assessment is to assist students in developing skills in analysing organisational management practices and issues employing principles, theories, and models in relation to leadership. It provides students with the opportunity to practice and improve skills related to research, analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and academic and business writing. Before starting this assessment, please read the marking criteria (at the end of this document) and refer to the university's guide for writing reports (available on the Moodle course site). You should always check the course website for course-specific instructions, which may be updated continuously.
Description
Assessment task 1 requires the writing of a report. The report should be designed as a management document that can be used to implement recommended changes. It should include a comprehensive analysis of the current situation using theories, models and frameworks related to leadership. Students are expected to engage in extensive research within the academic literature relating to leadership. It also requires students to suggest practical solutions/recommendations based on research and analysis.
Details
The assessment item is based on the case study titled "Reed Hastings - Netflix" of the textbook: Leadership: theory, application & skill development (6th Ed.) by Lussier&Achua, Cengage Learning. You should read, and carefully analyse, the case and respond to the issues presented in, and hidden behind, the case scenario within the context of a professionally developed report. You are required to support your arguments with appropriate theoretical discussion and references. This assignment MUST be a properly constructed report. It MUST contain headings and sub-headings. The introduction should introduce the report, thesis statement (main objectives of the assignment) and include your argument. The main body of the assignment should present the evidence you have collected to support your arguments for the questions you are required to research. The conclusion section should restate your arguments, summarise the evidence and make a conclusion from all previous discussions. The assignment should contain a coherent, but necessarily restricted review of the academic literature on HRM topics in question. The literature review should be integrated into the assignment and not be a separate section. A reference list formatted in the prescribed Harvard style is compulsory. This assessment item involves researching your assigned topic to enhance your understanding of and utilisation of academic literature. Whilst you should AVOID using only textbook, the prescribed textbook for the course should be cited in regard to broad leadership principles. You will be expected to present information and evidence from, and cite, at least fifteen (15) relevant peer reviewed journal articles (absolute minimum requirement). These do not include other academic references such as books, conference papers, and book chapters and so on. Although you can cite these other academic references in your report, they will not be counted as part of the 15 journal articles. It is expected that you find fifteen (15) peer reviewed journal articles not listed in the course materials. The quality and number of citations will demonstrate the breadth and depth of the literature used to support your arguments. Your marker is interested in the analysis that how you have developed from YOUR review of the literature and how well you use the literature to discuss the topic. AVOID presenting a descriptive account ONLY of your readings. What is required in this assessment is a critical evaluation of the academic literature as it relates to the specific details of the case study. Your marker is also interested in the conclusions that you reach by evaluating the literature and the case scenario.
Tasks Case Study:
Reed Hastings - Netflix Based on the case scenario, answer the following questions in a business format.
1. How did Hasting Big Five model of personality leadership traits change from Pure Software to Netflix?
2. Which leadership styles did Hasting use at Pure Software and Netflix? How effectively were these leadership styles used? (Reflect on what you have learned in this course so far and also research relevant literature to identify and justify appropriate leadership styles for this question).
3. Explain how power, organizational politics, networking, and negotiation are, or are not, discussed in the case? What do you think Hastings should do if he wants to gain even more influence as a leader?
4. How did Hasting change his use of communications, feedback, and coaching styles from Pure Software to Netflix? Evaluate his effectiveness in these aspects at Netflix.
5. Based on this case study, propose a range of specific recommendations to potential or emerging leaders regarding how to be an effective leader? Justify your recommendations.