Use initiative and independence to identify, interpret and apply relevant theory, conceptual frameworks and data sources to provide evidence-based arguments

Module Title: 

Strategic People Management & Development

Module Code: 

7BUS2045

Assignment Format & Maximum Word count

Individual Report,

1,750 words (+/- 10%)

Assignment weighting

     70%

Coursework Submission:

Date: Friday 22 March 2024

Time: 23:59

Method: Canvas

Coursework return Date returned to students:

Within 4 weeks

First marker   

Internal Moderator

Approved ☐
Date:

Module Board name

HR & S

External Examiner

Approved ☐
Date:

Module Board date

Module eligible for an extension on submission date (subject to UPRs)

YES

Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding assessed in this assignment:

· Evaluate the main strategic approaches to people management

· Determine how the HR function and people professionals can create value and contribute to organisational success

· Evaluate the organisation and structure of the HR function and the role and scope of contemporary people management activities

Critically evaluate practical and ethical challenges that arise in people management

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes assessed in this assignment:

· Use initiative and independence to identify, interpret and apply relevant theory, conceptual frameworks and data sources to provide evidence-based arguments

· Analyse a range of people management issues and make relevant proposals to address these, working both individually and collaboratively

· Communicate effectively in writing and verbally through discussion, debate and presentation

· Reflect on the complexities and challenges of people management and debate the merits of different approaches to practice

Transformational Opportunities:
E.g. Use LinkedIn Learning to improve skills

· Analyse a range of people management issues and make relevant proposals to address these, working individually

· 

Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment

· Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric)

· Feedback for improvement will be given in writing via your Canvas module site within 4 weeks of submission

· Lateness Penalty: For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches the minimum pass mark (UG 40/PG 50).  Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than the minimum pass mark no lateness penalty will be applied.  If the coursework is submitted more than 5 days after the published deadline, it will not be marked and a grade of zero will be awarded. Please note: Referred coursework submitted after the published deadline will be awarded a grade of zero (0).”

· Extensions: Students do not have an automatic right to an extension.  If you require an extension, this must be requested in advance of the submission deadline.  Please give your reason(s) for needing an extension.

Detailed Brief for Individual / Team Assignment

Assignment Title: Strategy and HRM at SciNapse

Description of the assignment, task, content and structure:

Important Note: For this assignment you must read the required sections of the Marchington et al text book (see below for details), cite it and list it as one of your references. See Question 4.

Description

An individual assignment weighted at 70%. This assignment is based on Part 2 of the SciNapse case study.

Task

Write an Individual Report on the following:

1. As the newly appointed HR Director of SciNapse (see Case Study Part 2), carry out an environmental analysis to identify the main contextual factors impacting on the new strategy.

You might for example consider carrying out a PEST(LE) or SWOT analysis, or apply Porter’s Five Forces, or a combination of these. These could be presented in tabular form, but each should also have a brief description/justification in the main text as well.(25% weighting)

2. Formulate new Vision and Mission statements for SciNapse.

Use the guidance from the “Way Forward” meeting to support your proposals.(10% weighting)

3. Apply both Whittington’s quadrant (Whittington 2001) and Porter’s Competitive Advantage model (Porter 1980). Where would the new proposed strategy fit in these two models?   

These could be presented in diagrammatic form, indicating where the new strategy is best located in each model, but also with a brief description and justification in your main text. (25% weighting)

4. Using both the Life Cycle model (see Section 3.3.1 of Marchington et al text book*) and Sisson & Storey’s model of HR practices and competitive strategies (See Section 3.3.2) suggest what SciNapse’s new People Agenda should look like that would enable it to be both horizontally integrated and vertically integrated with the new strategy. Give brief examples from each of Resourcing, Development, Reward and Relations.  (40% weighting)

Along with the report, you should include a summary (maximum half a page) on what you learned from the feedback given from the first assignment and how you applied these to this referral work.This should be included as an appendix and will not be included in the total word count.

 As the newly appointed HR Director of SciNapse (see Case Study Part 2), carry out an environmental analysis to identify the main contextual factors impacting on the new strategy.

Use initiative and independence to identify, interpret and apply relevant theory, conceptual frameworks and data sources to provide evidence-based arguments

*Marchington, M; Wilkinson, A; Donnelly R. and Kynighou, A (2021) Human Resource Management At Work. CIPD/Kogan Page, London (can be accessed online via the UH Online library, or via the module Canvas site under ‘Reading).

       Whittington, R. (2001) What is Strategy – and Does it Matter? London: Thomson Learning.

       Porter, M.E. (1980) Competitive Strategy. New York: Free Press.

Format

· Informal report format

· 1,750 words (+/- 10%)order now

· Harvard referencing. Cite all sources and list at end.

· Make sure you relate your answers to Part 2 of the SciNapse case study.

· For Q2, set out clear Vision and Mission statements that will communicate the new strategy, together with a brief explanation/justification.

· For Q3, relate your answer to the Whittington and Porter models (ie where on the model does SciNapse’s new strategy primarily fit) and give an explanation/justification.

· For Q4, firstly read the required sections of the Marchington text, then locate the new strategy on the Lifecycle model and on the Sisson & Storey model. Both the models then suggest implications for HR – so combine these to suggest a new People Agenda that would support this new strategy and then give details from Resourcing, Development etc.

 Any specific instructions:
The HBS Grading Criteria (rubric) will evidence how marks are awarded for individual parts of the assignment i.e. Presentation and Structure, Intellectual Curiosity and Referencing, Content, Analysis, Discussion.our samples

Mark scheme:

Academic Integrity,  Plagiarism and Essay Mills

· You are NOT allowed to copy any information into your assignment without using quotation marks and a reference – this is ‘plagiarism’ (a type of academic misconduct). 

· You are NOT allowed to copy from other students (or allow other students to copy from you) – this is ‘collusion’. 

· You are NOT allowed to copy from your own assignments on other modules – this is ‘self-plagiarism’. 

· You must NEVER buy assignments from websites (essay mills) – this is called ‘contract cheating’ and it is now illegal in the UK. 

· If you commit academic misconduct, your mark will be reduced, and you will face disciplinary action for repeat offences. 

Contact academic-skills@herts.ac.uk if you are unsure of the rules or how to avoid academic misconduct, and you will receive help.

Student Support and Guidance

· For further help on module content and assignment details, contact your Module Leader in his or her  drop-in / office hours or by email.

· Use the Learning Outcomes and HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric) to help inform you of the expectations of the assessment.

· Use CASE (Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement) website resources: http://go.herts.ac.uk/CASE .  Attend CASE workshops and drop-ins to develop academic skills to meet HBS expectations (see timetable on CASE website homepage or drop-in to CASE in L064, in the LRC).

· Visit the Academic English for Business Programme Site for tips on developing your academic English and contact hbsacademic-english@herts.ac.uk if you have any questions.

· For help with Turnitin, look for the “Check your work (Turnitin Originality Report)” practice assignment in the Assignment section of all of your modules.  For help with understanding plagiarism and how to make changes to your assignment, contact hbsacademic-english@herts.ac.uk.

· Use the Online Library to access quality business information resources:

o Library Search will help you find books, journal articles and more.

o Use the Subject Toolkit for Business to access to industry standard databases.

o Use Library SkillUP for guidance for searching and referencing.

o Get help: use SkilIUP module chat, visit the Study Success Hub, or book an 1:1 with a librarian.