The purpose of this task is to provide you the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts covered throughout on topics from Part 1 of Dwyer (2016) such as self-concept, intrapersonal, interpersonal, intercultural communication, emotional intelligence, negotiation, conflict management, verbal and non-verbal communication; and Parts 3 and 4 of Dwyer (2016) such as researching, academic writing and analysis, evaluating, presenting information and communicating to different audiences. This is the written research report and analysis assessment (as published in the 2019 handbook).
Microsoft Word - T1-2020 MPM731 Assignment 1 (13Feb).docx Page 1 of 8 MPM 731 – Business Communication for Managers T1, 2020 Assessment 1: Written research report and analysis Individual Task DUE DATE (by 5.00 pm AEST): Week 4 Monday, 30th March 2020 PERCENTAGE OF FINAL GRADE: 20% 20% LENGTH: 1500 words 1500 words Learning Outcome Details Unit Learning Outcome (ULO) Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO) ULO 1: Analyse, critique and reflect on communication techniques appropriate to different audiences. GLO2: Communication GLO8: Global citizenship ULO 2: Identify, utilise and apply appropriate communication styles and channels. GLO2: Communication GLO8: Global citizenship ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of business communication theory and practice GLO1: Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities Assessment Feedback: Please refer to the Assessment 1 rubrics at the end of this document and/or on CloudDeakin for the assessment criteria and required performance levels. Students will receive their marks and feedback on CloudDeakin within 15-working days of timely submission. There will be opportunities to discuss the approach to this assessment task with teaching staff in classes and online discussion boards. Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce and MBA are internationally EPAS accredited. Deakin Business School is accredited by AACSB. Page 2 of 8 Description The purpose of this task is to provide you the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts covered throughout on topics from Part 1 of Dwyer (2016) such as self-concept, intrapersonal, interpersonal, intercultural communication, emotional intelligence, negotiation, conflict management, verbal and non-verbal communication; and Parts 3 and 4 of Dwyer (2016) such as researching, academic writing and analysis, evaluating, presenting information and communicating to different audiences. This is the written research report and analysis assessment (as published in the 2019 handbook). Assignment aim The aim of this assignment is for you to learn how to read with effective understanding, internalising key facts, analytical insights and concepts and then being able to communicate them in your own words. Remember that you are learning to draw upon sources to support your ideas and claims. Keep in mind that original thought and insightful analysis are required as you synthesise multiple sources to make your argument. Using your sources Since the very essence of synthesis is the combining of information and ideas, you must have some basis on which to combine them. There needs to be meaningful relationships between the material in your sources to make them worth synthesising. It follows that the better able you are to discover such relationships, the better able you will be to use your sources in writing syntheses. Your purpose in writing (based on your assignment) will determine how you relate your source materials to one another. Your purpose in writing determines which sources you use, which parts of them you use, at which points in your paper you use them, and in what manner you relate them to one another. Organise your report logically: 1. State your main argument clearly and make sure that it reflects the focus of your paper. 2. Make sure your main points are clearly stated (use topic sentences), and connect each point to your paper as explicitly as possible. 3. Divide paragraphs logically. 4. Provide appropriate transitions both within and between paragraphs. 5. Develop each main idea thoroughly. Use specific examples and source materials appropriately as support. This encompasses summarising, paraphrasing and referencing. In addition, you need to consider the layout and presentation of the report to ensure that it is of a professional standard. This includes (but is not limited to) aspects such as the use of professional language, spelling, grammar, formatting and the use of supporting graphics. In addition, where the words and ideas of other authors are included, these should be acknowledged with correct use of the Harvard style of referencing. Assessment requirements This assignment is designed to assess your capacity to research a management issue, identify and download appropriate refereed journal articles, read, comprehend, summarise, synthesise and critically analyse the key issues, provide recommendations, and write this up in a lucid business report in your own words. Page 3 of 8 You are a management consultant called to give recommendations to a Board of Directors of an organisation from the ASX 200 list of companies about how best to respond to issues relating to leadership and effective communication within the company workplace which, like most Australian workplaces, is cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD). You required to: i.) Choose ONLY one (1) organisation from the ASX200 list - https://www.asx200list.com. ii.) Use a minimum of two (2) peer-reviewed journal articles published in the past 5 years on the issue of leadership and the principle of clear and constructive communication to deal with managing staff within a very diverse workplace. At least one (1) of these articles must specifically deal with issues of cultural diversity. iii.) Critically analyse the key points made in these articles. iv.) Write a business report of 1,500 words to be presented to the Board of Directors. The business report must be written in your own words and must be thoroughly referenced with respect to the articles that you draw upon. The business report must deal with key principles for effective leadership and communication in a culturally diverse workplace, and provide recommendations. The report must be typed, using 12-point font and a line spacing of 1.5. Pages should be numbered. Where the words and ideas of other authors are included, these should be acknowledged with correct use of the Harvard style of referencing. Submission Instructions • Submit your assignment online via CloudDeakin site in MPM731 Assessment dropbox. • Submit your assignment in MS Word (not PDF or Pages). • Keep a backup copy of assignments you submit until the marked assignment is returned to you. Do not resave or rename the saved copy after the submission date as you may need to submit your backup copy if your assignment is lost in the Deakin system. • Any work you submit may be checked by electronic or other means for the purposes of detecting collusion and/or plagiarism. • After you submit your assignment through your Cloud site, you will receive an email to your Deakin email address confirming it has been submitted. You should check you can see your assignment in the Submissions view of the Assignment drop-box folder after upload, and check and keep, the email receipt of your submission. Page 4 of 8 Before you submit this assignment, remember to check the General Requirements and Resources for this Assessment, and the MPM731 Business Report Format (sample below). MPM731 Business Report Format (Adapted from http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/academic-skills/report-writing). Title page (not included in the word count) • Title of report (should be short to indicate what the report is about) • Name and website of organisation • Student name and Student ID number • Unit code and unit name Executive summary (not included in the word count) This is a summary of the whole report. Outline the task(s) and explain the research process used, what you found, and what your findings mean. This heading should not be listed in the Table of Contents Table of contents (not included in the word count) List the headings of the main sections and sub-sections of your report. (Use the MSWord template provided in the unit site to learn to create heading styles and an automatic Table of Contents – TOC.) Introduction (Approximately 150 words) Set the scene; give some background information about the report/organisation; state the aim/purpose of the report. Provide an outline of the main sections in the body of the report. Method (Approximately 150 words) Describe how you found the articles - i.e. the Library database(s) used, the search terms used, how you narrowed the search, and - why you chose the particular articles. Note: Attach evidence of library searches, e.g. screenshots, in the appendices. Refer to appendices in your report. Body with 3 - 4 sections (Approximately 1000 words) Organise the body of the report into sections. You should have 3 to 4 clear section headings. Your discussion and analysis should: • refer to academic theory/concepts relating to leadership and cultural diversity • relate what you have found to the organisation you selected from the ASX200 list • analyse what you found about the issue and/or the organisation • cite the selected peer reviewed academic journals. Remember to cite the two (2) peer reviewed academic journals, and your chosen organisation. NOTE: You may refer to the article provided during the seminar activities and to articles from the reading list but you MUST find two (2) additional peer reviewed academic journals. Recommendations (Approximately 200 words Make recommendations based on your findings. References (not included in the word count) A list of all (and only) the sources that you cited in the report using the Deakin Harvard referencing style. See: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study- support/referencing/harvard Appendices Evidence of library searches e.g. screenshots. One screenshot for each article. Page 5 of 8 Notes • Penalties for late submission: The following marking penalties will apply if you submit an assessment task after the due date without an approved extension: 5% will be deducted from available marks for each day up to five days, and work that is submitted more than five days after the due date will not be marked. You will receive 0% for the task. 'Day' means working day for paper submissions and calendar day for electronic submissions. The Unit Chair may refuse to accept a late submission where it is unreasonable or impracticable to assess the task after the due date. • For more information about academic misconduct, special consideration, extensions, and assessment feedback, please refer to the document Your rights and responsibilities as a student in this Unit in the first folder next to the Unit Guide of the Resources area in the CloudDeakin unit site. • Building evidence of