Organisational management/ behaviour
Concepts from the book: Buchanan D and Huczynski A (2019) Organizational Behaviour. 10th ed. Harlow, Pearson
The aim is to apply the concepts presented to identify, analyse and propose recommendations for action, for a management problem in a health care organisation.
Objectives The objectives are, to:
• Identify an organisational problem.
• Analyse the problem situation using concepts and theories of organisational behaviour; and
• Develop credible and feasible recommendations for change.
Task instructions
WRITE UP A CASE STUDY OF AN ORGANISATIONAL PROBLEM IN HEALTH SERVICES or remotely
health–related organisation based on your experience.
Your case study should address the following four areas:
1 The problem situation: A concrete description of the problem in the particular organisational setting.
2 The diagnosis: What the organisational management literature contributes to an understanding of the core problem, drawing on the relevant concepts and theories presented in the module.
3 The wider organisational context: An analysis, which describes how other features of the organisation and its environment relate to the problem situation.
4 Recommendations for management intervention: A clear statement of feasible
recommendations, including an analysis of why these policies may work and others not
The essay should refer to a real–life problem from your experience, which is amenable to analysis by organisational management concepts and theories. It is a good idea to anonymise the organisation(s) you refer.
Section 1: State the problem situation clearly. For example, describe signs and symptoms indicating an organisational problem that should be addressed by management. Remember, problems can arise at individual, group, inter–group and organisational levels. If you have not worked in health services, you can choose any other health related organisation. However, make sure to choose an organisational problem that can be addressed appropriately by the concepts taught in this module.
Section 2: Analyse the problem situation in terms of organisational behaviour. From the range of concepts and theories covered in the module, select those you think are most relevant and discuss what each may contribute to an understanding of the core problem. Make sure to focus on a small number of key concepts and apply them to the concrete situation you are discussing.
Section 3: Examine the wider organisational context and identify issues (internal or external to the organisation, depending on your topic) you think are important to understand the problem. Your analysis should draw on the relevant concepts and theories from the module and discuss three or four management issues that are relevant to the wider organisational context. You may also refer to the wider environment at local, regional, national or international level, if these are directly relevant. You have discretion to decide what you discuss here or in Section 2, as this depends on your analysis and the nature of the problem. However, in both sections try to focus on a small number of key aspects and provide an in–depth analysis rather than a superficial discussion of many different topics.
Section 4: Finally, you should formulate a coherent set of recommendations, which are both practical and relevant. Make sure your proposal for management intervention is based on your previous analysis, is realistic and feasible, and addresses the core problem. Also, justify your recommendations and explain why these may work and others not.
An author and date referencing; the Harvard system should be used. The word limit is 2,500 words.
The final word count should include the main text, citations, captions, titles, subtitles and footnotes and should be within the limits noted above. • Tables, figures, bibliographies/reference lists and appendices should not be included in the count, but should be used appropriately and not as a way to keep within the word limit • may include up to a maximum of 10 figures, graphs and tables combined
