London Churchill College

ASSESSMENT FRONT SHEET

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BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business

Unit 3
Organisations and Behaviour
QCF Level 4
H/601/0551

Learners name and statement of authenticity

Learners Name: ..

Learners ID:

Date handed-in:

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own. Where the work of others
has been used to support my work then credit has been acknowledged.
Signature: . Date:

Key dates
Distribution date:
Submission date:
Return date:

14/09/2015
07/12/2015
4 weeks after submission

Introduction
The aims of this assignment are to measure the outcome of students learning in terms of
knowledge acquired, understanding developed and skills or abilities gained in relation to achieve
the learning outcomes. A background reading has been provided to provide a general contextual
framework to the assignment.
The assignment comprise of an essay to be written under several broad topics as the main
requirements of the assignment. Relevant areas for discussion have also been identified under
each broad topic. The beginning of each section should outline a general introduction to the
broad topic with the objective of providing a contextual background to the areas of discussion to
follow. Relevant references and academic quotes and the use of case examples are required as
evidence of broader reading and research.

Background Reading: Organizations and Behavior

Introduction
Founded just 15 years ago, Capco is a leading international provider of consulting, managed
services and technology solutions for the financial services industry. With 20 offices around the
world Capco employs over 2,000 people. In 2013 Capco ranked 27th in The Sunday Times 100
Best Companies to Work for list and is also featured as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for
Women.
One of Capcos key differentiators is that it is solely dedicated to the global financial services
sector. The financial services sector includes banking, finance and investment. This sector faces
many challenges, the main ones being:

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increased customer expectation and demand
New entrants to the market
A need for innovation
Significant regulation following the recent global financial crisis.
For Capco, its employees must be creative and think differently to provide tailored solutions in
order to meet the needs of their clients facing these challenges.
Organizational structures and culture
Organizations are established to meet a need, for example to provide goods or services.
Organizational structures can take many forms. These are influenced by factors such as its
purpose, size, and the complexity of the tasks it performs, the external environment and its
culture. Its products, services or where it is located also determine which structure is best. The
structure chosen will govern the way in which the organization operates and can have positive
and negative effects. Traditional bureaucratic organizations such as the NHS have a hierarchical
structure. This has many layers and a long chain of command from the top to the bottom layer. In
the twentieth century, as organizations grew, hierarchical organizations were popular. This type of
tall structure ensured effective command of the organization because of the narrow span of
control. (This is the number of people who report to a manager or supervisor). In contrast to a
hierarchical structure is a flat organizational structure. This structure has fewer layers or
sometimes just one layer of management. This means that the chain of command from top to
bottom of the organization is short and the span of control is wide. With fewer layers for
information to be cascaded down communication channels are clear and effective. Another
alternative is a matrix structure. This type of structure is commonly used for project based work
within an organization. The team is made up of individuals with specialist skills, such as
marketing, HR, or sometimes specialist technical skills, who work together on a specific project.
A tall hierarchical structure would not fit with Capcos innovative and entrepreneurial culture. It
has a non-hierarchical, team-driven flat structure. Within Capcos flat organizational structure
operate matrix structures for specific projects that require a variety of skills. Once the project has
been completed these employees move on to another project with a different group of
employees. This structure creates a highly motivated and empowered workforce with everyone
having access to advice and coaching. Its focus on innovation has created a bottom up
leadership approach where there is little bureaucracy. Employees are able to freely ask questions
and suggest improvements. All have open access, for example, to the UK Chief Executive Officer
who sits in the middle of the office. Capcos entrepreneurial and innovative culture supports its
structure. Its culture celebrates individuality, integrity and openness in the work environment.
Employees have freedom to realize their aspirations. Built on four key pillars the Capco culture
embraces:
Personal growth opportunities
Performance and reward
A challenging portfolio of work
Experience and learning.
Capcos structure and culture fosters flexibility, creativity and an element of risk-taking. Teamed
with a long-term vision, its employees are able to meet the changing and challenging needs of
the financial services industry.
(Adapted from Times 100 case study)

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENT:
LO1 (Task 01):
1.1 Compare and contrast different organizational structures and culture. You can choose to
cover from the following categories.

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Organization Structures
I.
Tall

Organizational Cultures
Power Culture

II.

Flat

Role Culture

III.

Hierarchical

Task Culture

IV.
Centralized and decentralized
Person Culture
1.2 explain how the relationship between an organizations structure and culture can impact on
the performance of the business
1.3 Discuss the factors which influence individual behavior at work

LO2 (Task 02):

2.1 Compare the effectiveness of different leadership styles in different organizations.
2.2 Explain how organizational theory underpins the practice of management
2.3 Evaluate the different approaches to management used by different organizations
Using the following approaches to management;
I.
scientific management approach;
II.
classical administration approach;
III.
bureaucratic approach;
IV.
human relations approach;
V.
systems approach;
VI.
contingency approach

LO3 (Task 03):

3.1 Discuss the impact that different leadership styles may have on motivation in organizations in
periods of change
3.2 Compare the application of Maslows motivational theory between two work situations
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of a motivation theory for Managers.
Herzbergs Motivation Hygiene theory;
McGregors Theory X and Y;
Vroom and Expectancy theories;

LO4 (Task 04):

4.1 Explain the nature of groups and group behavior within organizations
4.2 Discuss factors that may promote or inhibit the development of effective teamwork in
organizations
4.3 Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within a given organization
In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit
evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades
Grade Descriptor
Indicative characteristic/s
Contextualization
Effective judgments have been
M1
To achieve M1, you will need
made
Identify and apply
to Identify and apply the use
Complex problems with more
strategies
to
find
of Maslows theory in your
appropriate solutions
work motivation.
than one variable have been
explored
An effective approach to study
and research has been applied.

Relevant theories and

M2
To achieve M2, you will need
techniques have been applied

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Select / design and
apply
appropriate
methods / techniques

M3
Present
and
communicate
appropriate findings

A range of methods and

techniques have been applied
A range of source information
has been used
The selection of methods and
techniques/sources has been
justified
The design of
methods/techniques has been
justified
Complex information/data has
been synthesised and
processed
Appropriate learning
methods/techniques have been
applied.
Communication is appropriate for familiar
and
unfamiliar
audiences
and
appropriate media have been used.

D1
Use critical reflection
to evaluate own work
and
justify
valid
conclusions

D2
Take responsibility for
managing
and
organizing activities

D3
Demonstrate
convergent /lateral /
creative thinking

Conclusions have been arrived

at through synthesis of ideas
and have been justified
The validity of results has been
evaluated using defined criteria
Self-criticism of approach has
taken place realistic
improvements have
Autonomy/independence has
been demonstrated
Substantial activities, projects
or investigations have been
planned, managed and
organized
Activities have been managed
The unforeseen has been
accommodated
The importance of
interdependence has been
recognized and achieved.
Ideas have been generated and
decisions taken
Self-evaluation has taken place
Convergent and lateral thinking
has been applied
Problems have been solved
Innovation and creative through

to Select and apply suitable

techniques to explore the
nature
of
organizational
culture in two organizations
of your choice.

To achieve M3 you will need

to Present and communicate
the factors affecting your
behavior at work. Prepare a
list of the factors.
To achieve D1 you will need
to Use critical reflection to
evaluate in your workplace
using any two of the
motivational theories listed
below

To achieve D2 you will have to

Take
responsibility
for
managing
and
organizing
activities
throughout
the
assignment.
Provide
appropriate table of content,
proper
referencing
and
demonstrate
an
effective
approach
to
independent
research.

To achieve D3 you will have

to Demonstrate an example
by reference to a work group
to which you currently or
have previously belong.

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throughout
Receptiveness to new ideas is
evident
Effective thinking has taken place
in unfamiliar contexts.

Assignment submission instructions

1. Go to the following website: www.submit.ac.uk
2. Click on Create an Account
3. At the bottom of the page you will find a list: Students, Instructor, Teaching assistant. Click
on Student
4. On the new page you will have to provide this information:
Class ID
Class enrolment password
Your first name
Your last name
Email address
Your password (it must be 6-12 characters long and contain at least one letter and
one number)
Select a secret question and write down your answer
5. Click on I agree Create Profile
6. Done.
a. You are now registered and can enrol into other classes. In order to do that, click
on Enrol in a class. Enter Class ID and Enrolment password for that subject.
7. Please make sure you download and attach an assignment cover page from the elearning. Cover page can be found under Instructions tab of the student area (elearning). If you still have any questions or need any help, please visit our Academic
office.

Achievement of a pass, merit and distinction grade

A pass grade is achieved by meeting all the pass criteria defined in the assessment criteria for
each individual unit.
All the assessment criteria and merit grade descriptors need to be completed within a unit to
achieve a merit grade.
All the assessment criteria, merit and distinction grade descriptors must be completed within a
unit to achieve a distinction grade.

Plagiarism and Collusion

Any act of plagiarism and collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this
context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

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Using the work of others without acknowledging source of information or inspiration. Even if the
words are changed or sentences are put in different order, the result is still plagiarism (Cortell
2003).
Collusion describes as the submission of work produced in collaboration for an assignment based
on the assessment of individual work. When one person shares his/her work with others who
submit part or all of it as their own work.

Extension and Late Submission

If you need an extension for a valid reason, you must request one using a coursework extension
request form available from the college. Please note that the lecturers do not have the authority
to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a coursework
extension.
The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical certificate in the event
of you being sick.

Support materials
Textbooks
Armstrong M A Handbook of Human Resource Practice (Kogan Page, 2001)
ISBN: 0749433930
BPP Business Basics: Human Resource Management 2nd Edition (BPP Publishing, London,
1997) ISBN: 0751720763
Laurie J Mullins Management and Organisation Behaviour 5th Edition (Prentice Hall, 2010)
ISBN: 0273724088
Michael Armstrong Strategic Human Resource Management (Kogan Page, 2008) ISBN:
9780749453756
W. McCourt and D. Eldridge Global Human Resource Management (Edward Elgar Publishing
2003) ISBN: 1843768542
Websites
www.acas.org.uk
www.bized.ac.uk
purposes
www.cipd.co.uk

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

provides business case studies appropriate for educational

Chartered Institute of Personnel and development website with a

range of learning resources
www.compactlaw.co.uk
employment questions and answers
www.cre.org.uk
Commission for Racial Equality
www.drc-gb.org.uk
Disability Rights Commission
www.dti.gov.uk
Department of Trade and Industry
www.employment-studies.co.uk
Institute for Employment Studies
www.eoc.org.uk
Equal Opportunities Commission
www.guardian.co.uk
provides links to news items and reports
www.hse.gov.uk
Health and Safety Executive
www.ilo.org
International Labour Organisation

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www.incomesdata.co.uk
up-to-date intelligence on employment issues (Incomes
Data Services)
www.isma.org.uk
International Stress Management Association (UK)
www.peoplemanagement.co.uk
bi-monthly journal of the Chartered Institute of Personnel
and Development
www.personneltoday.com
relevant articles and statistics
www.successunlimited.co.uk
site on bullying in the workplace
www.trainingjournal.com
relevant articles on current training and development topics
www.wfpma.com
a journal with articles on international aspects of managing people
at work
www.wto.org
World Trade Organization

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