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Compensation,Part 2

Assignment 1: Discussion—The Benefits of Person-Focused Pay Programs

Although no large-scale studies have clearly demonstrated the benefits of the person-focused pay programs, case studies suggest that employees and companies enjoy advantages from person-focused pay programs.
In this assignment, you will review and apply the benefits of a person-focused pay program.
Tasks:
Respond to the following:

  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a person-focused approach for both the employer and the employee. Support your position with specific examples.

Submission Details:

  • By the due date assigned, post your responses to this Discussion Area.
  • Through the end of the Module, respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. While responding, make sure you include course content and appropriate references to support your statements.

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Do the following when responding to your peers:

  • Read your peers’ answers.
  • Provide substantive comments by
    • contributing new, relevant information from course readings, Web sites, or other sources;
    • building on the remarks or questions of others; or
    • sharing practical examples of key concepts from your professional or personal experiences
  • Respond to feedback on your posting and provide feedback to other students on their ideas.
  • Make sure your writing
    • is clear, concise, and organized;
    • demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and
    • displays accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Assignment 2: Designing Compensation Systems

Many people search for jobs on the Internet; therefore, it is important that employers provide accurate information about themselves and their philosophies, culture, and work conditions.
In this assignment, you will research what others are doing in the world of compensation. Using all that you have learned, you will critically analyze the strategies of other organizations.
Tasks:
Research the Internet and identify two company websites to critically analyze their human resources (HR) pages in a 2- to 3-page paper. In your critique:

  • Evaluate the information provided on the HR pages of the companies from the perspective of a job applicant.
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the HR pages.
  • Highlight any missing information that would benefit a prospective job applicant. Suggest strategies to improve such pages.

Support your assumptions by citing in APA format any reputable source material used for this discussion.
Submission Details:

  • By the due date assigned, save your paper as M2_A2_lastname_firstinitial.doc and submit it to the Submissions Area.
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Organisational Behavior

ASK D

BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

ESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT 1
You are asked to read the case shown below and answer all three questions given at the end of the case study


Case Study
Building a better workplace through motivation – A Kellogg’s case study
http://www.logodesignlove.com/images/handwritten/kelloggs-logo.gif
Introduction
People spend a considerable part of their lives at work, so it is not surprising that they expect to be rewarded and satisfied with the job that they do.
Motivation is concerned with why people do things as well as what drives them to behave in a particular way. Understanding what motivates individuals is important in the workplace. Research suggests that motivated employees are happier at work. They get more satisfaction from their work, are absent less often, tend to be more loyal and work with more enthusiasm. This in turn encourages them to contribute more to the development of an organisation.
This case study focuses on how Kellogg’s motivates its people. It illustrates how the use of motivational techniques helps to develop the business as a ‘great place to work’.
The Kellogg Company is the world’s leading producer of breakfast cereals. Its products are manufactured in 18 countries and sold in more than 180 countries. For more than 100 years, Kellogg’s has been a leader in health and nutrition. It has done this by providing consumers with a wide variety of food products.
Within Kellogg’s, there is a variety of functions and work roles. These include engineering operatives in the manufacturing section. Others work in finance, marketing, sales, information technology or human resources. Keeping everybody motivated no matter what their role is not easy. Kellogg’s was recently placed in the top 100 of the Best Companies to Work For list in The Sunday Times.
Values and motivation
Kellogg’s values and culture support its role as a good employer. Encouraging everyone to live by the K-Values throughout the whole business creates a culture of people that have ownership over their own projects and strive for continuous improvement and industry-leading results.
These values influence the behaviour of individuals within the workplace, making Kellogg’s a positive place to work. Employees are encouraged to speak positively about each other when apart, focusing on their strengths. This involves listening to others and accepting their right to their own views regarding the workplace.
The benefits of Kellogg’s investing in people can best be illustrated by looking at the work of some of the theorists who have worked on motivation. The remainder of the case study shows how Kellogg’s commitment to creating a ‘great place to work’ is supported by these theories.
Frederick Taylor was associated with what has become known as ‘scientific management’. Taylor believed that monetary reward was an important motivating factor. Pay could simply be used to increase rates of output. Taylor’s view of motivation applies to people who tend to work within narrow job confines such as on a production line. These are people who can be paid according to the amount of work that they do or units they produce. This is known as ‘piece work’.
For many people pay is still a prime motivator. For example, within Kellogg’s many employees are motivated by cash alternatives which include the opportunity to buy and sell their holiday days.
Taylor’s theory breaks down jobs into components or specialist tasks through the division of labour. This especially applies to production processes within large companies like Kellogg’s. These rewards can help to increase productivity and profitability. The danger with this is that individuals are simply focused on output to get rewards so quality might suffer as a result of employees rushing to do the job.
Limitations of scientific management
Scientific management is not a process that allows development of people. It limits their ability to take ownership of what they do. Kellogg’s staff are encouraged to be creative and use their imagination to contribute towards change. Consequently, Taylor’s view of monetary reward for output is not appropriate for the motivation required for this type of workplace.
Maslow’s theory relates motivation to a hierarchy of needs. At the bottom are essential physiological needs such as air, food, shelter and clothing. As individuals satisfy one level of need, their motivations change as they aspire to reach the higher order needs. Therefore, to motivate an individual Maslow suggests that it is necessary to know where within the hierarchy each employee is placed so that these factors can be taken into account.
Within Kellogg’s every employee is motivated to work through each of these levels. As they do so, this provides positive effects for each employee and the organisation. For example:
Physiological needs – Kellogg’s offers competitive salaries. This gives people the means to acquire the basic needs for living. The Kellogg’s Cornflex flexible benefits programme allows employees to choose those benefits that suit them. This includes childcare vouchers, cash alternatives to company cars and discounted life assurance schemes. These savings and competitive salaries help workers’ pay go further and so motivate them to be loyal to the company.
Safety needs – Kellogg’s values the safety of all employees. The company is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment to prevent accidents. Employees are however accountable – that means they have to take responsibility for observing the health and safety rules and practices. Kellogg’s also offers employees a range of working patterns. Some may want to work part-time, others may want career breaks or undertake homeworking. This helps employees to choose the best option for a healthy work-life balance.
Social needs – These are associated with a feeling of belonging. Kellogg’s operates weekly group ‘huddles’. These provide informal opportunities for employees to receive and request information on any part of the business, including sales data and company products. This helps strengthen teams and enhances workers’ sense of belonging. Having an open approach to communication keeps everybody focused on the company’s aims helps individuals contribute to the company’s K-Values. They include values such as being positive, seeing the best in people and recognising diversity. Kellogg’s positively recognises and rewards staff achievements.
Self-actualisation – Kellogg’s provides employees with the opportunity to take on challenging and stimulating responsibilities. For example, the business provides the opportunity for individuals to take ownership of projects. This enables them to develop and improve.
Laura Bryant joined Kellogg’s straight after university in 2002. She joined the Field Sales team initially. This involved visiting five to ten supermarkets a day to develop relationships at a local level. After two years her hard work was rewarded and she was promoted to Customer Marketing Manager at Head Office. This helped to raise her profile as she wanted to move into marketing. With support from her manager, Laura made the transition from Sales to Marketing as Assistant Brand Manager on Rice Krispies and Frosties. In 2009 she was promoted again to manage the marketing plan for Special K and she is now Brand Manager for Kellogg’s Cornflakes. The company has helped motivate her to climb the hierarchy of needs and achieve her career ambitions.
Elton Mayo was the founder of the Human Relations Movement. His experiments were conducted at the Hawthorne plant in the USA during the 1930s. His work showed that taking an interest in and caring for employees can have a positive effect on employee motivation and productivity.
He showed that employees were best motivated if they worked in teams. They were also motivated if managers communicated and consulted with them more and took a greater interest in their views and wellbeing.
Communication
Kellogg’s keeps a two-way dialogue with employees through its communication programmes. This helps to empower the workforce. For example, its open-plan lobby area with coffee bar accommodates as many as 200 people. It provides an informal venue for briefings and presentations. The WK Kellogg Values Awards programme provides special recognition for what employees do and rewards them for how they perform.
‘Here at Kellogg’s listening is a central premise of the way we work. We believe that our employees have some of the best ideas and that a successful company is one that listens to the grass roots feedback and acts on it. Any employee can raise an issue or a suggestion via their rep who will raise it at one of their monthly meetings.’ (Sue Platt, HR Director)
Generating ideas
The Kellogg’s suggestion box scheme helps to generate ideas and improve productivity. Kellogg’s has an initiative called ‘Snap, Crackle and Save’ – an employee suggestion scheme to save costs within the supply chain. Hundreds of ideas have been put forward over the last couple of years. One idea suggested that the same thickness of cardboard could be used for packaging in all manufacturing plants in Europe. This saved around £250,000 per year.
Kellogg’s also shows its commitment to making its business a great place to work. It provides personal development planning for employees which includes provisions such as secondments and study leave as part of staff development. This reinforces staff commitment and their sense of being treated well.

Herzberg felt that satisfied employees would be productive employees. Herzberg’s theory is sometimes called the two-factor theory. These factors are hygiene factors and motivators.

Hygiene factors are often referred to as ‘dissatisfiers’. These are elements in the workplace that could make employees unhappy, such as excessive company bureaucracy or an autocratic working environment.
Herzberg motivators (sometimes called ‘satisfiers’) are aspects of any workplace that give individuals job satisfaction. These include, for example, the level of responsibility of the job, promotion or recognition for effort and performance. Herzberg believed that businesses needed to ensure hygiene factors were minimised in order to enable motivators to have their full effect.
Motivating factors
Kellogg’s has developed a number of motivating factors. These are designed to ensure that Kellogg’s is perceived as a good place to work and a desirable employer of choice. For example, Kellogg’s has a ‘Fit for Life’ programme offering employees access to fitness centres, free health checks and annual fitness assessments by healthcare specialists every spring.
It also provides a ‘summer hours’ programme from May to September so if employees have worked a full week’s hours by noon on a Friday, they can finish work at that point. This means employees can adjust their working hours to balance their work against family or lifestyle commitments.
Awareness of motivating factors helps Kellogg’s to build a business that delivers consistently strong results. Other initiatives within the organisation include:
· Flexitime, home working, part-time working and job sharing
· Career breaks, parental leave, time off for dependents and maternity and paternity leave
· On-site gyms or subsidised access to local facilities.
Claire Duckworth works in the Consumer Insight team at Kellogg’s. She takes part in Latin American ballroom dancing competitively with her partner. They are ranked 7th in England in the over-35 category. Flexible working at Kellogg’s enables her to travel to events and provides her with the opportunity to pursue her hobby at a serious level. This opportunity to adjust her working life to accommodate her personal ambitions makes Claire feel respected and supported.
Motivators within the Kellogg’s company reflect the different personal aspirations of staff. The working environment provides the opportunity to move forward and take on responsibilities. There is clear recognition and reward for performance.
For example, the Kellogg’s sales team meets every Friday morning to share success stories of the week. Once a month it recognises individuals that have worked above and beyond the K-Values. Winners receive a range of awards ranging from cash prizes, vouchers or holiday entitlements.
Conclusion
This case study illustrates the range of different motivation measures in practice at Kellogg’s. It demonstrates that highly motivated employees can improve efficiency, output and quality for a business.
Motivating staff helps to make them more committed to the workplace. By understanding the effects of different motivation techniques, Kellogg’s is able to make work a more exciting and interesting experience for employees whilst creating a more productive, profitable and competitive business.
Reference:
Business Case Studies. 2014. Building a better workplace through motivation A Kellogg’s case study . [ONLINE] Available at: http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/kelloggs/building-a-better-workplace-through-motivation/. [Accessed 16 October 14].
Case Questions:
1.0 Briefly evaluate the culture of Kellogg’s company in relation to the following:
a) Rules and Policies
b) Goals and Measurements
c) Management Behaviour
d) Rewards and recognition
e) Learning and development
(Approximately 1000 Words)
2.0 Discuss the contribution of a motivated workforce to the success of an organization
(Approximately 300 Words)
3.0 Identify various motivation theories that have been discussed within the given case study. Write your own critique of each of those theories.
You may write your own arguments “For” and “Against” each of these motivation theories by emphasizing on the possibilities and difficulties in the application of them in various circumstances.
(Approximately 1200 Words)

LENGTH REQUIRED

2500 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.
Report Structure:-
· Title Page
· Table of Content
· Executive summary
· Introduction
· Question 1
· Question 2
· Question 3
· Conclusions
· References
· Bibliography

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:
1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
1. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
1. Length: 2500 words
1. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
1. Document format: Report Format
1. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
1. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing should be in Harvard style.

marking criteria and Student FEEDBACK – ASSIGNMENT 1

This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.

Common Assessment Criteria Applied Marks available Marks
Awarded
1. Research-informed Literature
Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.
The range of literature reviewed should go beyond the task requirements. Appropriate referencing has been applied 15
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject
Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.
The knowledge base and demonstration of understanding should be appropriate to the underlying principles associated with the disciplines 30
3. Analysis
Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
Appropriate levels of analysis of the case should be clearly demonstrated 25
4. Practical Application and Deployment
Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.
The case analysis should demonstrate theory/application and should offer an indication of problem solving abilities 20
5. Skills for Professional Practice
Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation.
The report should demonstrate constructions skills and be presented in a professional manner 10
TOTAL 100
Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the Exam Board. These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. ) Late Submission Penalties (tick if appropriate) %
GUIDANCE FOR Students IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria above.
1. Research-informed Literature
Your work must be informed and supported by scholarly material that is relevant to and focused on the task(s) set. You should provide evidence that you have accessed a wide range of sources, which may be academic, governmental and industrial; these sources may include academic journal articles, textbooks, current news articles, organisational documents, and websites. You should consider the credibility of your sources; academic journals are normally highly credible sources while websites require careful consideration/selection and should be used sparingly. Any sources you use should be current and up-to-date, mostly published within the last five years or so, though seminal/important works in the field may be older. You must provide evidence of your research/own reading throughout your work, using in-text citations in the main body of your work and a reference list that is alphabetical at the end of your work. Please use the Harvard referencing system.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject
Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area. Knowledge relates to the facts, information and skills you have acquired through your learning. You demonstrate your understanding by interpreting the meaning of the facts and information (knowledge). This means that you need to select and include in your work the concepts, techniques, models, theories, etc. appropriate to the task(s) set. You should be able to explain the theories, concepts, etc. meaningfully to show your understanding. Your mark/grade will also depend upon the extent to which you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding; ideally each should be complete and detailed, with comprehensive coverage.
3. Analysis
Your work must contain evidence of logical, analytical thinking, evaluation and synthesis. For example, to examine and break information down into parts, make inferences, compile, compare and contrast information. This means not just describing What! but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? At all times, you must provide justification for your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others within the subject area is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work. Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments using data and concepts. Sound, valid conclusions are necessary and must be derived from the content of your work. There should be no new information presented within your conclusion. Where relevant, alternative solutions and recommendations may be proposed.
4. Practical Application and Deployment
You should be able to demonstrate how the subject-related concepts and ideas relate to real world situations or a particular context. How do they work in practice? You will deploy models, methods, techniques, and/or theories, in that context, to assess current situations, perhaps to formulate plans or solutions to solve problems, some of which may be innovative and creative. This is likely to involve, for instance, the use of real world examples and cases, the application of a model within an organisation and/or benchmarking one organisation against others based on stated criteria. You should show awareness of the limitations of concepts and theories when applied in particular contexts.
5. Skills for Professional Practice
Your work must provide evidence of the attributes expected in professional practice. This includes demonstrating your individual initiative and/or collaborative working. You must communicate effectively in a suitable format, which may be written and/or oral, for example, essay, management report, presentation. Work should be coherent and well-structured in presentation and organisation.

UNDERGRADUATE
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VIОLЕNСЕ IN INDIGЕNОUS РОРULАТIОNS-PUBH1080

Assessment: Epidemiology of Suicide / substance abuse / violence in communities (3,000-word assignment)
ASSESSMENT TOPIC
VIOLENCE IN INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS
Explore a common health care issue in mental health.
VIOLENCE IN INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS
Students must provide evidence that they have searched the topic using SCOPUS or similar and that they have considered and managed the literature. You should look at journal articles to give you an idea of structure for this paper
 Structure of your paper
This paper is 3,000 words or up to12 pages time new roman font 12 and double line spaced.
Consider using the following main headings with sub headings for the major part of the paper.
 Introduction and Statement of Objectives
Introduce your assignment and state the objectives for the paper. Clear focused introduction with aims and definitions provided with citation
Significance of Topic
Clear statement of significance with supporting literature Why is this a significant topic for contemporary debate? Use the literature to support this claim
Definitions
Provide a section with definitions of terms used in the paper to clarify these and use the literature to support your definitions (in other words cite the literature to demonstrate where the definitions came from). Provide a section with definitions of terms used in the paper to Extensive use of the literature and citation of government or WHO statistical sources
 Provide an overview of this population and it’s unique characters
Provide an overview of the literature pertaining to this topic Clear description and critique. This section will most likely be divided into sub headings for each theme emerging from the literature. This means you need to read the literature as a whole and consider what the themes are.
Recommendations for Practice
Makes substantive recommendations and considers barriers and promoting factors. Provide a section re recommendations for practice and consider practice change.
How could this population be engaged in care?
Conclusion
Provide a conclusion to your paper
REFERENCES
Your references need to be in APA 6th edition format and your paper should be in third person past tense.
Use headings to structure your paper.
 Assignment requirements:

  1. The assignment must be typewritten in Times New Roman size 12 font.
  2. Text must be double spaced.
  3. A margin of 3 cm on the left side of each page and margins or 2.5cm each at the right side, top and bottom of each page
  4. Main headings for each section you are discussing should be bolded and left justified, one double space above the first line of text.
  5. Pages must be numbered consecutively, beginning at the Introduction i.e. page one of your text. Pagination is provided in top right-hand corner as with this course guide. See APA.
  6. The use of direct quotes should be kept to a minimum and if used need to be in “parenthesis” and indicate the page number of the source with the citation.

Marks Will be deducted for not following these requirements
Referencing and Writing
Students are to show evidence of research into the topic; reading beyond the required textbook for this course. References used must be relevant to the topic, and should be contemporary (within last 5 to 10 years). The types of references used can include textbooks, journal articles, professional organisations, and government policies.
 
Students are discouraged from using any internet information that is from an unauthorised or non-professional organisation or written for the public rather than health care professionals (such as personal Web logs, Wikipedia). Note Google Scholar has a mixture of peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed work so use with caution.
Students must reference all information, using appropriate in text referencing according to the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th edition style of referencing.
Students must also include a reference list at the end of their assignment, formatted according to APA referencing style

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Natural Disaster, Wild Fire-English 1301 Group Final Assignment Think Tank

 
ENGLISH 1301 GROUP FINAL ASSIGNMENT �THINK TANK� Your Group Assignment is as follows: *You have been contracted by a private party to work as a think- tank whose mission is to fund and help in eradicating National and/or Global problems (i.e. Deforestation, Pollution, World Hunger, Sustainability, Alternative Energy/Transportation Sources, World Debt, Education, Disease, Nation-Building, Tsunami Relief, Human Trafficking, etc.) Your group may choose a number of issues or simply one to address. *Each group should consist of a crackpot computer genius, an interpreter, a research specialist, presentation coordinator and a group dynamics liaison. International corporate and private sponsors have generously donated 500 billion dollars in cash and stock to help you in your task to complete this mission. This is what you must do. – Target a number of national and/or global issues that your group has agreed on and allocate the necessary funds toward these issues. – Create a 7-10 Pod Prezi proposal which will include statistics, charts, maps, budget, overheads and your objectives and how you will reach them. – Included in your Prezi proposal will be a one page summary translated into another language�. of your choice. FORMAT: – Table of Contents – Abstract – Issues – Objectives – Allocation of Funds – Summary – Translation – Misc. [Giveaways, Visual Aids, etc.] – Reference page [URLs -Research will be needed to decide where to allocate funds] – 1 minute PSA [Public Service Announcement] posted to Youtube imbedded in presentation discussing your Mission Statement Helpful Links: http://prezi.com/s56cx3suuil7/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copyhttp://prezi.com/-pxdbzpewyt0/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share http://prezi.com/w3ryhaqgxoly/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

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Antitrust Law

Scenario: Pyramid Printing’s controller, Pete Roberts, has been considering a proposal for a discounted sales program for new customers. Henry Russell, the company’s sales manager, is anxious to fill production capacity, which is currently lacking. Pete’s analysis indicates that the prices proposed by Henry do not provide for a positive contribution margin. As a result, Pete is concerned that the price is not supportable through a difference in cost.
Write a paper that discusses the ramifications if Pete accepts Henry’s proposal. What laws may be violated and/or ethical considerations should be taken into account? You may use the link to the Federal Trade Commission website for information on antitrust law.
2-3 pages essay, APA FORMAT, 3 scholarly references

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Assignment 2: Creating a Better Budget

Expand the scenario that you identified as the fictitious entity in W1: Assignment 3 for which you created a line-item budget. Imagine yourself a little into the future. You just got your graduate degree from South University and landed a job as the assistant budget director of your agency or organization. You learned some budgeting methods from your textbook that you would like to put into practice, but the budget director is very fixed in his ways and does not like to take risks.
Write a 3-page persuasive essay for your boss explaining the potential problems with a line-item budget trying to convince him to accept a better budget method. Your essay should include the following:

· A description of line-item budgeting.

· A description of the new method you would like to implement.

· Potential benefits of the new system compared to the old.

· Possible cost changes in implementing the new method.

· An example of an agency that implemented the new method and the results demonstrating that the theory can also be put into practice.

· Potential persuasive analysis of how the changes could save budget dollars and reduce waste and abuse.

Complete this essay in a Microsoft Word document. Cite sources in the correct APA format. Save the document as W2_A2_lastname_firstname.doc.

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Assignment 2: Human Behaviour in Organisations (Attribution theory and its relevance to organisational processes and practices)

Topic: Attribution theory and its relevance to organizational processes and
practices.
Note: This assignment is to be undertaken and submitted as a paired
assignment. Individual submission is not permitted. Submit to Urkund
only one assignment per pair.
Question: Using a minimum of 15 refereed journal articles, plus texts and business
news, discuss how an understanding of attribution theory impacts human
resource management practices and outcomes, as well as organisational
processes such as communication and change management.
You must present your work as a formal academic essay and it must
comply with high academic standards. This requires that you have an
introduction, body and conclusion (the introduction and conclusion must
be more than summaries of what is and was covered in your essay), that
you draw on a minimum of 15 referred journal articles (plus texts), that
you write using full sentences and paragraphs (no dot points), that you
fully reference your work and that you construct well developed
arguments (descriptive definitions do not attract marks). You must not
write a series of short answer questions pertaining to each theory; doing
so means you are unlikely to meet the required standard. You must
move beyond description to demonstrate skills in synthesis, analysis and
application.
Aim of the
assignment:
Notes:
1.
Students are to demonstrate a sound understanding of core concepts,
theories and research relevant to the topic identified for this assignment
and their application to contemporary management practice. A sound
understanding is demonstrated by: knowledge of the literature, a synthesis
of the various ideas found in the literature, an evaluation of the theories
and application of theoretical concepts to management practice.
As noted above, you are expected to conform to high standards of
literacy and academic practice, including literature research and full
documentation of sources. This means you must use references in your
essay and you must cite those references both in the body of your essay
and in an end reference list. Failure to do so is likely to result in a failed
paper. Be sure to express the ideas you read about in your own words,
but acknowledge their source by citing the reference. Avoid the use of
direct quotes as they do not demonstrate to the marker your
understanding of the concepts and reading material and consume many
words without attracting any marks. You are required to reference using
the author / date method. This method is explained in detail in this
18 of 39
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Companion to the Unit Outline.
Plagiarised assignments will be referred to the Faculty’s Associate Dean
(Academic) for a determination of a penalty. Work that is not written by
the person who submitted it for assessment normally receives a mark of
zero.
You should search for relevant articles via the University’s Library
electronic database, and your preferred search engine. When sourcing
material electronically or in hard copy, you must not cut and paste into
your essay. This is plagiarism and will result in a failed paper (a mark of
zero). See below for details of the required author / date method of
referencing.
Your paragraphs must be well formed with a solid topic sentence (see the
article on writing a paragraph which has been uploaded to Moodle). Your
writing style must be formal, not conversational and should not use
abbreviations.
Your introduction should identify the key problems to be addressed and
your conclusion should focus on your core findings and
recommendations. See below for more details on a guide to essay writing
and referencing. Also see the essay writing guide on Moodle.
Aim for strong synthesis and analysis, rather than simplistic definitions
and restating material from your text. Your essay should be well
integrated and holistic, not a series of short answer questions.
Do not to use direct quotes as they do not demonstrate to the marker
your understanding of the concepts and reading material. There are no
marks for direct quotes.
Urkund is a text-matching software program. When you upload an
assignment to Moodle, it is a two-step process. First, when you upload
your assignment to Moodle, Urkund will check it and provide a report on
the percentage of your assignment that has been found to match with
existing material on the internet. It will also provide details of the
passages that have been matched. If the report shows a low percentage,
for example, 10 to 20% that is mostly due to the references you have
cited, then you can proceed to the second step which is submitting your
assignment.
Please note, that the report is unlikely to be generated immediately,
especially during peak submission times. If your essay has been found
to be matched with material on the internet (other than references), to
avoid the risk of plagiarism, you will need to revise your submission so
that it is written entirely in your own words and with your sources cited.
You are advised to upload your assignment four or five days before the
due date (or after each draft) in order to make full use of the Urkund textmatching
facility on Moodle. Assignments must be submitted by the due
date. Extensions will not be granted on the basis of an Urkund report.
Submit only one assignment per pair to Urkund and in hard copy form.

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Psychology

Assignment 1: Discussion Questions
By the due date, answer one of the discussion questions listed below. Submit your responses to the appropriate Discussion Area on the next page. Start reviewing and responding to at least two of your classmates as early in the week as possible. You can ask technical questions or respond generally to the overall experience. Be sure to be honest, clear, and concise. Always use constructive language, even in criticism, to work toward the goal of positive progress.
Peer responses are due by the end of the week.
The discussion questions for this task include:

  1. Explain how twin and adoption studies help us differentiate hereditary (nature) and environmental (nurture) influences on human behavior. In looking at your own life, which aspects do you feel are mainly the result of nature and which are more influenced by nurture?
  2. Gender differences: Studies have shown a difference between the behavior of men and women. Are these differences more of a perception than a reality? What is the difference between social expectations and physical differences? Provide examples for your conclusions.
  3. Genes have a substantial influence in determining our physical and mental traits and characteristics. However, our genes only provide us with a predisposition toward any given trait or characteristic. What other factor or factors contribute to the development of our traits and characteristics?
  4. In respect to biological rhythms and sleep, humans should receive at least 8 hours of sleep every night in order for them to function “properly” on a daily basis.
    Given that in reality, this (8-hour sleep) rarely occurs, what role/s does the circadian rhythm play in the lives of individuals and how does Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep “factor” into this? How does the lack of sleep affect humans? And, what types of sleep disorders can affect individuals? Have you (or do you know of anyone who has) experienced such sleep disorders?
  5. Left-handedness: A study showed that the average right-handed person had a life expectancy of 75 years, whereas the left-handers had only 66 years. What do you think can account for these differences in life expectancies? In addition, in reviewing the findings of this study, make an objective critique of how this particular study was designed and if the findings were valid and reliable. Discuss some of the concerns of a study if it’s improperly designed.
  6. One of the oldest debates in the field of psychology is that of “nature vs. nurture.” In other words, what is the determining factor of our behavior: our genetics (nature) or our environment (nurture)? Please provide thorough arguments for both sides of this debate and then conclude with your personal thoughts on which is more of an influence on human behavior.
  7. In the “Gender and Sexuality” section of this week’s textbook readings, we learned about the biology of gender development and how cultural influences affect our perceptions of gender differences. How do these perspectives relate to the theory of “Nature vs. Nurture?” Are we like our parents because of the culture in which we are raised or because of physically inherited characteristics?
  8. In many states, juveniles who commit violent crimes can be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Opponents of these sentences argue that because the brains of adolescents are not yet fully developed, juvenile offenders are unable to fully grasp the consequences of their actions. Supporters of these sentences believe that perpetrators of violent crimes should be held responsible for their actions regardless of age and that harsh sentences can act as a deterrent for others.
    Do you believe that juveniles who commit violent crimes should be treated like adults in the criminal justice system? Use information from the textbook on brain development in your answer.
  9. Start by taking the Hand Usage Questionnaire:
    Instructions: Please indicate which hand you normally use for each activity that is identified in the chart provided. To complete this activity you will have to download the chart, PSY1010_Wk2_Chart2.
    For each item, score a 1 for right, 2 for either, and 3 for left. Scores of 13–17 indicate right-handed, 18–32 indicate bilateral, and 33–39 indicate left-handed. One theory of the cause of left-handedness is that left-handedness results from brain damage. If the right hemisphere is damaged early in life, functions shift to the left. The more extensive the damage, the greater the shift. Varying degrees of damage would produce varying degrees of handedness and lateralization. Although some left-handers seem to have pathological sinistrality (left-handedness based on brain damage), they account for only a small percentage. At the same time, it appears clear that prenatal and perinatal (about the time of birth) influences play a role in determining hand preference. For example, some research suggests that high levels of sex hormones—specifically, testosterone—during the prenatal period, are associated with the greater likelihood of left-handedness. In addition, stresses involving reduced oxygen at birth (for example, prolonged labor, being a twin, Rh incompatibilities) are quite clearly related to left-handedness.
    The right-shift theory, on the other hand, postulates a genetic explanation. While there is no gene for handedness itself, there is one that creates a left-hemisphere advantage for language and, in the process, a bias toward left-hemisphere hand control. When this gene is missing, the brain’s “natural” condition is equivalent hemispheres. Left-handed people are presumably missing a gene that in the right-handed biases the brain toward left-hemisphere control. The degree of left-handedness exhibited is then largely a matter of specific learning experiences. Much controversy surrounds genetic explanations for handedness. Data from identical twins, fraternal twins, and non-twin siblings is not supportive. If there is a genetic code that explains handedness, it is not a simple one.
    Were the results of the questionnaire accurate for you? Do you think that there is a bias in the theories about what brings about the left-handed? Are there disadvantages in being left-handed or are there advantages?

Please see the next Post Here page for specific guidance from your instructor on which question(s) you are expected to answer.
Assignment 1 Grading Criteria:Maximum PointsContentUses terminology and effectively communicates concepts introduced in the assigned reading.20Proposes logical, substantive responses to discussion questions.20ResearchJustified use of credible and relevant sources using correct APA formatting in resource citation and documentation.20ParticipationEvaluates the assignments of at least two peers by discussing reasoning, logic, and merits of their conclusions.20FormatUses correct spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation in posting and responses.10Total90
For assistance with any problems you may have when completing this assignment—OR—to offer your assistance to classmates, please use the Questions for the Professor area located on the Learning Path.

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Implementing Software Project Management Strategies

Imagine that you are employed by an organization that would like to further invest in the development of internal software applications. The organization finds it very costly to maintain vendor built and maintained software apps. It believes that the strategy of developing internal software could provide cost savings in the long run.
One of your responsibilities at this organization is to advise upper management on the latest trends and methodologies of software project management strategies. Upper management has asked you to identify and analyze the challenges and issues that the software development teams may experience if they transition to this new strategy. In addition, you are asked to provide your suggestions and solutions to mitigate the challenges and issues.
Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:

  1. Describe the latest trends of software project      management strategies and suggest at least three (3) methodologies of      software project management strategies for this project.
  2. Select the optimal software project management strategy      for this project and provide a rationale.
  3. Select three (3) typical constraints that may exist      while managing and leading software projects within this organization.      Analyze why the determination and clarification of these constraints is      essential within the planning phases of the project. Note: Please refer to      Table 1.1 in Chapter 1 of the text for information on typical constraints      on software projects.
  4. Analyze the relationship between the organizational      structure and a project manager’s level of authority and      responsibility.
  5. Suggest how a typical software engineering team could      be staffed and describe each team member’s role. Determine the skills that      are required for each team member for the success of the software project      development.
  6. Select two (2) software project management frameworks      as options for software development. Discuss how each framework provides      an opportunity for efficient project resource management. Use examples to      justify your answer.
  7. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this      assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality      resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font      (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references      must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for      any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the      assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title,      and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in      the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

  • Discuss the challenges of leading software projects.
  • Compare and contrast the frameworks, standards, and      guidelines for managing software projects.
  • Use technology and information resources to research      issues in IT Project Leadership Strategies.
  • Write clearly and concisely about topics related to IT      Project Leadership Strategies using proper writing mechanics and technical      style conventions.
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INTE2397 Knowledge Management Assessment Task 2: KM Strategy

Assessment Task 2: KM Strategy (50%)
Aims
The aim of Assessment Task 2 is to enable you to demonstrate that you have a broad
understanding of the theory and practice of knowledge management (KM). This
assessment task will provide you with an opportunity to take the theoretical concepts
covered during the course and consider how these might be applied in an
organisational setting. Specifically, Assessment Task 2 requires you to develop a KM Specifically, Assessment Task 2 requires you to develop a KM
strategy for an organisation. In order to increase your motivation and interest in
completing this assessment task, you are encouraged to select an organisation and
industry of interest to you.
The course learning outcomes (CLO) addressed in this assessment task are:
 CLO1: Analyse and explain the developments in the ‘new economy’ and in
particular the place and nature of knowledge in such developments
 CLO2: Demonstrate a broad, critical and practical understanding of KM theories
and practices in the real world.
 CLO3: Investigate the linkages between management and KM and in particular of
those between KM and strategic and human resources management
 CLO4: Examine the various human, organisational and technological components
that together combine to produce KM
 CLO5: Explore the role and place of information and communications
technologies in the practice of KM
 CLO6: Develop a KM strategy for an organisation
General guidelines
It is envisaged that this assessment task will result in the development of a
professional KM strategy. The strategy should draw upon the material studied in each
of the ten topics covered during the semester – of course depending on the
organisation selected, the emphasis on each topic is likely to vary.
You should ensure that you are able to acquire a sufficient understanding of your
chosen organisation in order to enable a meaningful KM strategy to be developed.
Such understanding might be sought from secondary sources such as case studies in
textbooks, or information provided by corporate websites. With the permission of
appropriate personnel at the selected organisation, you may also elect to conduct
interviews or surveys with key employees – a process which one would expect to
occur in developing such a strategy in a commercial situation.
The assessment task will be submitted in two (2) stages:
 KM Strategy (Stage 1) (20%)
 KM Strategy (Stage 2) (30%)
KM Strategy (Stage 1) (20%)
The purpose of the Stage 1 submission is to ensure that you obtain useful feedback to
improve your KM strategy prior to submission of the final version in Stage 2. Your
Stage 1 submission should include:
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An introduction and background to the organisation, including organisational
objectives, structure and other relevant contextual information
 An overview of the approach and methods used in developing the KM strategy
 A strategic and knowledge gap analysis for the organisation that focuses on
concepts covered within the first six topics studied in the course
 A set of recommendations that might be made to the organisation to close the
identified strategic and knowledge gaps
 References
 Appendices
As the word limit for the final KM strategy submitted in Stage 2 is a maximum of
three thousand (3000) words (excluding references but including any appendices)
your submission for Stage 1 should be less than this.
Upon receipt of feedback for Stage 1 of the assessment task, you are welcome to
make an appointment with your lecturer in order to discuss any difficulties with the
assessment task that you might have.
Stage 2: KM Strategy (30%)
The KM strategy submitted for Stage 2 should comprise a revised version of the
Stage 1 submission, which has been further developed based on the feedback received
from your lecturer. The final KM strategy submission should also include a more
comprehensive analysis and set of recommendations that integrate relevant concepts
from the remaining four topics covered in the course.
As noted above, the final KM strategy should be a maximum of three thousand
(3000) words (excluding references but including any figures, tables and appendices).
Learning to communicate comprehensive information in a concise manner is an
important skill and therefore penalties will be applied for exceeding this word limit.
Such penalties might include either a reduction in the marks awarded, or alternatively,
that only the first 3000 words will be marked.
Suggested Structure for the KM Strategy (Stage 1 and Stage 2)
The following is designed to provide general guidance as to the structure of the KM
strategy. However, this is a suggestion only and by no means should limit your
creativity when constructing your own KM strategy:
 Introduction and Background to the Organisation
 Overview of Approach and Methods used in Developing the KM Strategy
 Analysis: Strategic Gap Analysis/Knowledge Gap Analysis
o Desired State: Where the Organisation Wants to Be
 Operational Infrastructure
 Technological Infrastructure
 Cultural Infrastructure
o Current State: Where the Organisation is Now
 Operational Infrastructure
 Technological Infrastructure
 Cultural Infrastructure
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o Summary of Strategic/Knowledge Gaps
 KM Recommendations/Roadmap
 Operational Infrastructure
 Technological Infrastructure
 Cultural Infrastructure
 Closing Statement
 References
 Appendices
Marking guidelines
The marking criteria will consider your understanding of the relevant KM theories,
concepts and issues covered in the weekly topics throughout the semester, and your
ability to think about the practical implications of these theories and issues in
organisational settings.
Specific marking criteria for the KM Strategy will emphasise (i) the quality of the
analysis conducted on the current state of the organisation and its current KM
initiatives and; (ii) the quality of the recommendations you make for the
organisation’s future KM initiatives. For Stage 1 of the KM strategy the focus will be
on the extent to which you have applied the relevant theories, concepts and issues for
KM covered in the first six topics of the course to the context of the case
organisation. For Stage 2 of the KM strategy the focus will be on the extent to which
you have applied the relevant theories, concepts and issues for KM covered in all ten
topics of the course to the context of the case organisation. More information on the
marking criteria can be found in the Assessment Task 2 Folder.
See also the “Program Learning Outcomes”, “Australian Computer Society Core Body
of Knowledge (CBOK)” and “Seoul Accord” sections in this document for further
information regarding the objectives of this assessment task and thus associated
marking criteria.
Requirements for submission of assessment tasks
All assessment tasks should be submitted by the due date. The written component for
Stage 1 of this assessment task should be submitted at or before 12:00 noon on
Wednesday 30th August whereas Stage 2 of this assessment task should be submitted
at or before 12:00 noon on Monday 16th October.
Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 should be submitted through MyRMITStudies along with a
completed assignment coversheet. Your assignment will be automatically submitted
to the “turn-it-in” plagiarism detection software when you submit the assignment
through MyRMITStudies. Where you are basing the assessment task on information
not publically accessible (e.g. organisational documents, interview notes) you should
retain copies of this information. This information will not be marked but must be
made available to the course coordinator in order to verify the information included in
your KM strategy if requested.
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Late work is not normally accepted. Late submissions will be penalised 10% per day
(or part day). Work will not be marked if received more than seven (7) days late and
will receive zero (0) marks. If you think you might have a problem meeting an
assignment deadline, raise it with the course coordinator as soon as possible.
In cases of exceptional and genuine hardship (this excludes inconvenience, poor
planning, or pressure of work), limited extensions of up to seven (7) days may be
granted by the lecturer. Applications for extension must be made using an
“application for extension of time” form and should be accompanied with supporting
documentation (e.g. medical certificate). The form is available from:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz.
Academic integrity – university plagiarism statement
Plagiarism: The presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it
is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may
lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and
presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral
presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not
appropriately cited. Examples of plagiarism include:
• Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether
published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals,
reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper
citation;
• Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
• Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
• Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their
source;
• Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
• Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work;
• Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you; and
• Enabling plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or
to copy your own work.
Advice and activities are available to help you cite and quote your sources correctly,
and avoid plagiarism, see for example:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=8rwjnkcmfoeez.
Further information on academic integrity can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity.
Use of plagiarism detection software
This communication is to inform you that the software Turnitin (see www.turnitin.com)
may be used on assessments in your program. Note you must complete and sign a copy
of the RMIT coversheet and submit with your assessment which can be obtained from:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz.
Special consideration
You may apply for Special Consideration if you believe that your academic
performance has been severely affected by illness or other serious cause outside your
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control. This is done by submitting a Special Consideration form with documentary
evidence at the Student Hub no later than 48 hours after the due date or scheduled
assessment. Students will be notified via their student email account of the outcome of
the application, which, if approved, can include alternative assessment or an extension
of time.
The RMIT Special Consideration in Assessment policy is found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31.
Further advice on Special Consideration can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w.
Return of assessment tasks
Marked assignments will be returned in two parts. Results and feedback will be
returned via the Grade Centre on MyRMITStudies. You can normally expect your
result and feedback to be returned within two to three weeks of submission. Please note
that results and feedback for Stage 2 of the assessment task will be finalised during the
School of Business Information Technology and Logistics’ moderation process.
Consequently results and associated feedback for this part of the assessment task are
likely to be provided only after the release of the official course results by RMIT
University.
Program learning outcomes
The Master of Business Information Technology (MBIT) allows you to develop both
generic business and specific business information systems capabilities through
experiential learning to meet current and future expectations of employers. By applying
real and relevant knowledge, the program is aimed at developing you as a highly
skilled, “well-rounded” ICT professional. The core program learning outcomes (PLO)
of the MBIT addressed in this course include:
 PLO1: Create successful business solutions for an innovative and global enterprise
 PLO2: Critically analyse problem/opportunity situations and develop global robust
information systems using a range of tools and techniques to add value to the
business
 PLO3: Develop secure, flexible, information and communication architectures that
accommodate the uncertainty of business decision-making and changing needs of
the global business
 PLO4: Undertake project management initiatives and research concerning
information technology applications in diverse business environments.
 PLO6: Demonstrate a broad, critical and practical understanding of contemporary
issues and practices in business.
 PLO8: Apply research principles and methods to design innovative options and
solutions for, and make reasoned judgements about, problems and issues in
contemporary business practice.
For further details about the program learning outcomes please refer to the program
guide.
Australian Computer Society Core Body of Knowledge (CBOK)
The ACS expects graduates of accredited courses to be well versed in a range of
knowledge and skills. To this end this assessment task seeks to have you address
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relevant knowledge drawn from the CBOK at the following levels of Bloom’s
Taxonomy:
CBOK Detailed Capability Bloom’s Level
ICT Problem
Solving (PS)
 Problem solving using modelling and
abstraction (PS01)
3 – Applying
Professional
Knowledge (PK)
 Interpersonal communication (PK04)
 Societal and environmental issues/legal
issues/privacy/regulatory compliance (PK05)
3 – Applying
2 – Understanding
Technology
Resources (TR)
 Data and information management (TR02) 4 – Analysing
Outcomes
Management (OM)
 IT Governance (OM01)
 Change Management (OM03)
6 – Creating
6 – Creating
Other aspects of the CBOK may be touched on in less depth. Further details of the
CBOK can be found at www.acs.org.au.
Seoul Accord
The School of Business IT and Logistics embraces the intent of The Seoul Accord.
Across the world, accrediting bodies that endorse graduate qualifications if ICT are
increasingly adopting The Seoul Accord. You need to be mindful that satisfying the
spirit of The Seoul Accord involves an intellectual stretch. This is apparent in the
following account of The Seoul Accord, which is quite specific about indicating what is
expected from a graduate. It requires that graduates have knowledge and skills
appropriate to solving complex problems. An aim of INTE2397 is to assist you deal
with such situations. More about The Seoul Accord can be found at:
http://www.abeek.or.kr/accord/contents.jsp