Organisational Behaviour: Culture, Communication and Motivation

Identifying the culture of the organization

Organisational Behaviour is a field of study which seeks to understand and improve organisational effectiveness by examining factors such as individuals, teams and organisational culture and structure, and the way they interact 

Using an organisation with which you are familiar:-

1.Identify its culture in line with a theoretical model of your choice

2.Explore how culture improves organisational effectiveness with a focus on communication

3.Evaluate the role of culture on employee motivation.

4.Evaluate how the company could use the culture of the organisation to further enhance its success.

This is a 2,500-word report and can be completed individually or in a small group of up to 4 people.  Secondary and primary research should be used.  If you are working in a group, then only one person from that group needs to upload the report onto Blackboard.

Define theories, models and concepts relating to the study of human behaviour in the workplace

Demonstrate an understanding of how these theories can explain the way that people behave and interact at work at individual, group and organisational levels

Demonstrate an understanding of the impact that organisational culture can have on the success of that organisation

This task will involve you carrying out some PRIMARY and SECONDARY research

Theories of organisational culture

Theories/models of communication

Theories of motivation

You need to find at least TEN SOURCES of information (e.g. from books, academic journals, internet etc) to define, describe and explain these theories/models in detail.

Identify and illustrate the culture of the organisation using primary research.  

The purpose of the primary research is to explore how the topic is applied in practice. You are expected to undertake some PRIMARY research into the companies, if possible, to analyse their organisational culture, their communication methods and their approach to motivating staff. This may involve interviewing some managers and employees to ascertain their views, or interviewing a friend or neighbour who works/worked for the companies.  If this is not possible, then try to identify case studies or information from the company websites which will help you to evaluate the differences between the companies.  

Once you have completed your findings you are required to create a draft of a power-point presentation based upon your findings to bring along to an interview with the Module Tutor. The informal presentation/interview will last 15 minutes and will take place during week 33 – each student group will be given a time to attend in advance. Each student group will need to bring along a hard copy of their power point presentation (3 slides to a page) which will be discussed with the Module Tutors and formative feedback will be provided to help you compile your final report. (You will not be formally presenting your slides – these will be used as the basis for a discussion with the tutors). A copy of the slides MUST be placed in the final report submitted as an appendix.

In the informal presentation / interview each student will be required to:

Describe and explain a range of models and theories appropriate to Organisation Culture, communication and motivation.  

Illustrate the findings from the organisation and how they fit with the models and theories previously explained

Draw conclusions about culture and how it could enhance the success of the organisation, based upon your findings

Answer any questions that the Module Tutors may have

Power-point produced slides must be created to support the discussion, use varying lay outs and graphics and ensure that you have spell checked everything.

You will receive formative feedback on your informal presentation/interview. It is expected that you take account of the feedback and work on areas that have been highlighted as requiring further development to enhance the report. Where this is not done valuable marks could be lost.

A section describing and explaining the theories and models found in your secondary research,

A section explaining the findings for the company linking practice in action to the models and theories outlined,

A conclusion/evaluation

References list and Bibliography stating all sources used is essential and the Harvard referencing system must be used as detailed in your student handbook.  (Remember at least ten different sources should be used)

A copy of the power point slides used in the informal presentation should be included in the appendices

A group log, if relevant.  See note below

Please ensure that all the student ID numbers for the group are included in the footer