Table of Contents
The assessment task for this module consists of a 3500 (+-10%) critical literature review. The primary focus of the task is to explore key debates, differences in opinion, approaches and findings from published work in selected themes within Organisational Behaviour (OB) and Human Resource Management (HRM). The articles to be reviewed must be those that were published in highly- ranked 3* and 4* academic journals within the ABS rankings as recommended below.
You are required to identify articles from the 10 selected academic journals above as sufficient for a 3500 word essay. You will then present a critically literature review in which you examine keys issues, debates, research, theories highlighted in the selected articles. In your analysis, you should aim to compare and contrast between content in the publications. In doing so, you will be required to identify the different perspectives, positions and main arguments of the articles. In the process, you will consider highlighting similarities and differences in the arguments developed, evaluate the value and contribution of the articles as well as examine the suitability of the theories, research methods, and sources of reference included by the author(s). Other aspects of the critical review should include the currency of issues/sources considered, depth/scope of exploration clarity, etc. Further, examine wider limitations, strengths, weaknesses, contribution, implication for theory and practice etc.
The Introduction
At the introduction, you need to “set the scene” for what is to follow and the introduction is a key element in the essay. As marker, I do not know what is coming and you need to lead me through your argument(s). In this paragraph you could:
In this section you need to define clearly the key concepts used. However, you should not put forward only a single definition. The selection of two or three definitions is better, and you should choose definitions so that they illustrate different aspects of the concept. Here you might also highlight any definition issues. For example, is there agreement in the literature on how the concept can be defined? Can the concept be defined? Don’t simply list your chosen definitions as you also need to comment on them. If the question has asked you to argue either for or against a statement, you also need to identify which side you are arguing for.
The Main Body
This should be the longest part of your assignment and should contain the key points that you are aiming to develop Example: in leadership there are issues about universality and contextual/cultural differences/resonance, mainstream and emergent theories, qualitative and quantitative approaches, masculinity and feminism, individual and collective, leadership as focused at top of organization and distributed leadership, etc. etc.. These main debates are found in each of the other themes or topic areas. Make sure that you spend equal time discussing different angles of an argument.
The Conclusion
The conclusion is very important, yet many students neglect it, often finishing their essay in a single sentence. In the conclusion you should reiterate and highlight the key points, perhaps emphasising what you think are the most important points. If you have been asked to discuss an issue it is here you should identify on which side of the debate you stand. You should not however introduce new material in the conclusion. It is important you check back with the introduction to ensure that you do not contradict yourself, and that you have done what you said you would do in the introduction. In this respect, perhaps the way to begin is to remind the reader what the task was. Exit on a high by suggesting a new approach, identifying an area for future studies and a reflection of what you have learnt whilst completing the task, the good, the bad and the ugly and how you would do things differently if you were to repeat the task.