Coursework on Economics of Organisation

Advice and Guidance

The coursework is based on your readings of three articles. Answer the two questions below. Keep in mind the following elements:

• There is a tight word constraint. Be parsimonious in your answer and carefully think about the structure of your answer. Structure of the reasoning is a major marking criterion.
• There is no obligation to use the coursebook of the module, although you can. In the second question, you are asked to formulate your own perspective of ‘Economics of Organisation’, not your teacher’s view!
• Your answers will be submitted to plagiarism detection tools. For your information, several students  fall for plagiarism in previous years.
• Be precise when you refer to these articles. Mention the page, the section and/or the paragraph you are explaining.

1) Choose one article beween Coase (1937) and Simon (1991) and convey the main ideas in less than 600 words. What are the main theses and arguments? You can for instance detail the article’s structure section by section.

2) In the light of the three articles, how would you define ‘Economics of Organisation’ in simple terms? You can illustrate your ideas with original examples. You are welcomed to cite other papers, but only if i) they are referenced in the three papers above, and ii) they are relevant for your point. Your answer must be in 600  words maximum.

It can help to think about the following subquestions: Why is it ‘interesting’ from a research perspective? Why is there something to learn? What are the problems raised by organisations? (It is not necessary to answer all of them).

Scholarship: Excellent application of a rigorous and extensive knowledge of subject matter; perceptive; demonstrates a critical appreciation of subject and extensive and detailed critical analysis of the key issues; displays independence of thought and/ or a novel and relevant approach to the subject; reveals both breadth and depth of understanding, showing insight and appreciation of argument.

Independent learning: Work draws on a wide range of relevant literature and is not confined to reading lists, textbooks or lecture notes; arguments are well supported by a variety of means.

Writing skills: Writing skills are excellent; writing is clear and precise; arguments are logical, well-structured and sustained, and demonstrate thorough understanding; conclusions are reasoned and justified by evidence.

Analysis: Work demonstrates a robust approach to analysis that is evident of a deep understanding of relevant concepts, theories, principles and techniques. For quantitative modules analysis is complete and entirely relevant to the problem.

Scholarship: Very good application of a rigorous and extensive knowledge of subject matter; demonstrates a critical appreciation of subject; displays detailed thought and consideration of the subject; reveals very good breadth and depth of understanding.

Independent learning: Work draws on a range of relevant literature and is not confined to reading lists, textbooks or lecture notes.

Writing skills: Writing skills are well-developed; writing is clear and precise; arguments are logical, well-structured and demonstrate thorough understanding; conclusions are justified by evidence.

Analysis: Analytical steps carried out carefully and correctly demonstrating that itis based on a sound understanding. Analysis is relevant to the problem and is complete and is placed in a clear context.

Scholarship: Good, broad-based understanding of subject manner; makes effective use of understanding to provide an informative, balanced argument that is focussed on the topic; reveals some attempt at creative, independent thinking; main points well covered, displaying breadth or depth but not necessarily both; broadly complete and relevant argument;

Independent learning: Sources range beyond textbooks and lecture material and are used effectively to illustrate points and justify arguments. Writing skills: Arguments are presented logically and coherently within a clear structure and are justified with appropriate supporting evidence; capably written with good use of English throughout; free from major errors; complex ideas are expressed clearly and fluently using specialist technical terminology where appropriate.

Analysis: Some minor slips in the steps of the analysis and some minor gaps in understanding of underlying principles. Analysis is relevant to the problem andmostly complete. A good interpretation which conveys most of its meaning.

Scholarship: Some but limited engagement with, and understanding of, relevant material but may lack focus, organisation, breadth, and/or depth; relatively straightforward ideas are expressed clearly and fluently though there may be little or no attempt to synthesise or evaluate more complex ideas; exhibits limited  independent creative thought; adequate analysis but some key points only mentioned in passing; arguments satisfactory but some errors and perhaps lacking completeness and relevance in parts.