MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Researching Contemporary Issues in Organisational Behaviour
HR328
20
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6 x
Level 7
Level 8
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
HR173 Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management or
HR280 Organisational Behaviour and HRM or equivalent OB/HRM
modules
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
x
Distance
Placement
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
Semester 2
Throughout year x
Other
Brief description of module This module is designed to enable students to research in depth into
particular issues relating to Organisational Behaviour. Students will be
content and/ or aims
encouraged to link established theory with their own research into practice
Overview (max 80 words)
in order to produce a well justified report.
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
School
Site/ campus where
delivered
Jenny Knight (Module Leader), Vicky Richards, Stephanos Avakian, Bob
Smale andSian eggert
Business School
Moulsecoomb
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BSc (Hons) Business Management
BSc (Hons) Business Management with
Economics/Finance/Marketing/HRM
BSc (Hons) Business
BSc (Hons) Business with Economics/Finance/Marketing/HRM
BSc (Hons) International Business
BSc (Hons) International Business (with
French/German/Spanish)
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
This module aims to enable students to research and develop broad
knowledge and understanding of issues of current interest in the area
of organisational behaviour. It allows students to choose an area of
interest and undertake both primary and secondary research relating
to, for example:
 The more negative side of organisational life that influences
organisational performance (including toxic or destructive
leadership behaviours)
 Response to change in organisations and how this impacts on
an organisation’s ability to develop/progress
 The impact of organisational structures on culture/behaviours
 Consultant/client relationships and their effect on outcomes
 International leadership and management, and cross cultural
working
 Positive organisational behaviour, including appreciative
enquiry, positive discourse and happiness in the workplace
 Individual employee behaviour (e.g. customer-oriented
behaviour) as a contribution to organisational performance.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students should be able to:
Subject specific:

Critically evaluate the relevant scholarly literature concerned
with organisational performance and behaviours

Critically evaluate primary and secondary material concerned
with an organisation’s performance

Identify and evaluate alternative approaches to the collection of
primary organisational behaviour data

Investigate an organisational issue, identifying root causes of
organisation issues/problems and, where possible and
appropriate, identify and evaluate possible interventions to
create possible change

Successfully make links between theoretical concepts and
practical applications

Summarise ‘best fit’ and propose solutions to the problem
and/or a worthwhile approach to the collection of primary data
(i.e. field work) as appropriate

Present their studies in a clear, concise and appropriately
structured report
Cognitive:

Identify a topic for research and frame an appropriate research
question

Conduct desk research i.e. secondary research

Review a wide range of published data (e.g. academic
literature, company, trade and government publications etc).
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Content

Analyse and synthesise relevant data

Propose an appropriate design for research suitable for
researching the topic under consideration
Understanding Organisational Behaviours: The Research
Process
-
Identification of relevant research methodology literature
Critically reviewing the appropriate literature
Identification of an appropriate research question or topic
Identification and evaluation of appropriate research
techniques
Preliminary identification of research questions
Preparing and following a research plan
Identifying obstacles in the research process and solutions to
overcome these
Gathering and recording data
Analysis of data
Drawing conclusions and writing up the final research report
Reflective practice
Potential topics include:
-
-
Change and its impact
Learned helplessness
High performing organisations
Toxic organisations
Leadership styles and impact
International approaches to leadership and management
Organisational culture/climate: manifestations of culture, subcultures, emergent culture, espoused culture and culture in
practice
Bases of power in the workplace
Organisational politics
Teams and groups and group dynamics
Negotiation and influence at work
Organisational learning, including reflection and reflective
practice
Individual employee behaviour
please note – this is not a comprehensive list – students will be guided
in the development of a research question that falls under the
‘umbrella’ of Organisational Behaviour.
Learning support
Indicative reading:
Research Methods – the most recent editions of:
Auerbach, C. F. and Silverstin, L. B. Qualitative Data: An Introduction
to Coding and Analysis.London: New YorkUniversity Press.
Bell, J. Doing your Research Project. Buckingham: Open University
Press.
Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Lowe, A. Management Research:
an Introduction. London: Sage.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Glaser,
B. and Strauss, A.
Theory.Chicago: Aldine.
The
Discovery
of
Grounded
Miles, M. and Huberman A., Qualitative Data analysis: A Sourcebook of
New Methods. BeverleyHills, CA: Sage
Saunders, N. K. Lewis, P. and A. Thornhill. Research methods for
business students. Harlow: Pearson.
Yin, R. K., Case Study Research Design and Methods. London: Sage
Please note: students will receive further more
comprehensive guidance on reading appropriate to
their research area
Journals:
Academy of Management Journal
Academy of Management Executive
Academy of Management Perspectives
Empowerment in Organizations
Human Resource Development International
Human Resource Development Review
Journal of International Business Studies
Journal of Management Development
Journal of Managerial Psychology
Journal of Organizational Behaviour
Journal of Organization Change Management
Organizational Dynamics
The Leadership and Organization Development Journal
Participation and Empowerment: An International Journal
British Journal of Industrial Relations
Industrial Relations Journal
Journal of Occupational and Organisational Psychology
Work, Employment and Society
Gender, Work and Organisation
Personnel Review
CIPD research reports
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
Introductory workshops comprising discussion of specific topic areas,
analysing the impact of various influences on the employee and their
relationship with the organisation and discussion on how this will
impact upon the students’ research. Each student will be encouraged
to develop a clear research question through a process of peer and
tutor review.
Six research workshops will provide a forum for the student to discuss
the progress of their research and to receive peer and tutor feedback.
The indicative topics are A) The research topic and design, B) The
literature review, C) The collection of the empirical data, D) The use of
qualitative methods) E) The use of quantitative methods F) Analysis of
findings and their presentation. Students to present their research for
peer and tutor comment and feedback, and also for assessment.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to
spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,
tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, and
external visits.
20
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided independent study
which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
180
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University.
It includes work-based learning and study that occurs overseas.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment on
this module
Individual research project 6,000 words
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project
output, set exercise
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set
exercise
100
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
HR/OB
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Refer to Studentcentral
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
2011
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
first version
Date of approval for this
version
July 2014
Version number
2
Modules replaced
HR373
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Yes
No
x