Unit 20: Organisational Behaviour Management

A/618/5064

The aim of this unit is to develop knowledge and understanding of how organisational behaviour concepts, theories and techniques are applied in work and management settings in order to enhance individual, team and organisational performance. Students will be able to apply this knowledge in a variety of business situations. They will appreciate how effective application of organisational behaviour principles can be used to explain why people behave and act in particular ways and to predict how employees will respond to certain demands. The unit also develops student understanding of the influence of culture, the operation of power and politics in organisations and how these variables influence the actions and behaviour of people in an organisational context.

On successful completion of this unit, students will have developed a range of transferable skills and knowledge. This includes core people management skills used to achieve positive organisational outcomes and to create value by recognising individual difference, team working and the creation of inclusive organisational cultures.

PART A Covers LO1, LO2 and LO3

The submission is in the form of an individual portfolio of evidence in a report format. 

You are to produce a portfolio of reflective evidence and take part in a simulated group activity. The portfolio should include the following:

1. completed personality and attribute audits and a reflective statement
2. a motivational group activity
3. a reflective presentation that includes the participation and outcome of areas 2 and 3 above.

 

You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system (or an alternative system). 

You will need to provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system (or an alternative system). Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly. 

Word count is 4,500 (10%+) words, although you will not be penalised for going under or exceeding the total word limit.

• Developing the delivery of HR business solutions appropriate to the organisational context
• Analysing the facts and circumstances and determining the cause of a problem, identifying and selecting appropriate solutions
• Leading the improvement of people capability in the business or in own team
• Developing, building and motivating teams by identifying their strengths and enabling development in the workplace
• Managing talent and performance
• Reflecting on own performance and working style, and their impact on others

• Planning own development and show commitment to the job and the profession

   

The first TESCO store was established in 1929 in Burnt Oak, Edgware, North London. Nowadays, the company successfully establishes the business within multiple countries, for example England, Ireland, Hungary and Slovakia. The retailer offers the latest fashion, beauty and homeware at the best value on the high street. They keep the prices low and offer a large range of own-brand items.

They pay well and expect their staff to work hard. Managers can expect to work in a fast-paced environment but with a family feel and with good training and expertise on hand for support.

You are currently working as a Graduate Trainee Store Manager. You are responsible for leading, motivating and developing the team of store employees to ensure consistent delivery on standards, customer service and product knowledge, maximising the store's sales potential and profitability. You ensure that the delivery of the brand is in line with all visual merchandising guidelines and with creative flair; you proactively drive store performance across all departments.

As part of your graduate training, the retail company provides 'Master Class' management training sessions led by the Executive Team. In each session, you will carry out individual and group activities with your peers. You are to record what you do and use the information gathered to reflect on your contribution and make justified improvements for self and towards creating an effective workforce.

Each 'Master Class’s focuses on different aspects of leadership and management, and involves different activities.

Master Class 1 - Personality and Perceptions 

Complete a personality and attribute evaluation that audits your skills and personality traits. Discuss whether they are positive or negative in terms of management approaches. Reflect on personality and perceptions of self in terms of your own performance.

Master Class 2 - Motivation

As part of the training, you have been asked to provide solutions for addressing low morale, lack of focus and productivity of employees on the shop floor. Staff work long shifts, are often dealing with challenging customers and work can be repetitive. They often work in isolation.

You are to work in a small group of your peers to prepare, produce and deliver a short, dynamic motivational activity for the rest of the management team to take part in. You should fully participate in the creation and management of this activity. The activity should apply content and process theories of motivation.

Discuss the outcome of the activity with your peers to critically assess how successful the application of motivation theories can be.

Master Class 3 - Reflection

Following the group activity in Master Class 2 and the completion of the audits in Master Class 1, you are to present the outcome of your results and participation in the group activity. To support your improvements and recommendations, appropriate literature and additional business examples should be used. In your presentation, you should consider the following areas.

• Exploration of team and group behaviour and its relevance to an effective team.
• Assessment and reflection on the results of the audits, your participation in the group activity and the importance of personality etc. in effective workforce and managerial relationships.
• Challenge and reflect on your personal perspectives, traits and attributes, as well as your individual contribution to the group activity.
• Consideration and justification of the adaptation of self and business managers in creating an effective team and a motivated workforce.

LO1 and LO2

D1 Adapt personal
perspectives, traits and
attributes to justify
improvements that
influence and enhance
employee motivation and
create an effective
workforce.

P1  Assess own personality traits and
attributes in terms of
them having a positive or negative effect on
Management approaches and company performance.

P2 Reflect on the value
and importance of
personality and perception for effective
Managerial relationships.

P4Communicate organisational goals and objectives to effectively lead a team for a given
business situation.

P5 Explore the relevance
of group behaviour and
team theory in the creation and management of effective teamworking

 Part B Covers LO4

The submission format is in the form of an academic poster. The academic poster should be written in a concise style using an appropriate template. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system (or alternative system). Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system (or alternative system). Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly. The recommended word limit is 1,500 words, although you will not be penalised for going under or exceeding the total word limit.

• Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation
• Research skills for evidence-based decision making
• Ability to be open, approachable and authentic, and able to build trust with others
• Ability to seek the views of others and value diversity

• Ability to operate according to organisational values.

   

In your position as Graduate Trainee Store Manager, the central office has raised concerns with you that organisational power and politics are negatively influencing the culture of the business. This is preventing some stores from achieving set business goals. As a Graduate Trainee Store Manager running an operation, you must have commercial acumen and be responsible for delivering on-sales targets while dealing with customers in a professional and pleasant manner at every interaction.

You have been asked to investigate how power, politics and culture influence employee behaviour and impact customer satisfaction and sales. Your investigation will be presented as an academic poster in your next Master Class training session and will focus on driving performance and productivity.

You are to evaluate a variety of different organisational examples of how organisational power, politics and culture affect employee behaviour.

You should make recommendations on how organisational power, politics and culture could be used to encourage and guide employee behaviour to help achieve sales and target goals, improve interaction with customers, and with visual merchandising and stock presentation.

You should consider:

• different perspectives of power
• the occurrence of organisational politics
• levels of culture and how national culture can influence management and employee behavior
• the combined effect of power, politics and culture on behaviour and the accomplishment of organisational goals.

This part of the assignment, the submission format, is in the form of an academic poster. The academic poster should be written in a concise style using an appropriate template. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system (or alternative system). Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system (or alternative system). Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly.

The recommended word limit is 1,500(+ /- 10%) words, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.

Student declaration

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources and any artificial intelligence (AI) tools used in the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.