LD9616 – A critical review of the meaning and importance of leadership for organisations using a range of academic definitions and references
University
Northumbria University Newcastle
Subject
Management
Module Code
LD9616
Leadership for SMEs
Instructions on Assessment:
Individual Analytical Essay (100%, 3000 words), consisting of two parts:
- Using a range of relevant literature (both academic and professional sources), you are required to identify and critically evaluate contemporary issues and challenges involved with leadership theories, competencies and functions in today’s changing business environment in the SME sector. You should also apply relevant frameworks and theories to justify your arguments.(1500 words)
This part is expected to include the following sections:
- A critical review of the meaning and importance of leadership for organisations using a range of academic definitions and references (500 words)
- A critical review of the competences required for leadership drawing on a range of academic and professional sources (500 words)
- A Critical review of the meaning and importance of ethical leadership drawing on a range of academic and professional sources (500 words)
- A critical self-appraisal of your leadership qualities drawing upon your learning on this module, and A)reflections on tasks and tests taken (e.g. Big Five Personality test, Johari Window, Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, Belbin’s Team Roles). B)This should be followed by a personal development plan to improve on the identified weaknesses following SMART objectives criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely). You should base this section on the findings of the tasks and test, the literature you have reviewed in the Part 1, and your previous relevant experience and possible future scenarios. (1500 words)
You need to provide evidence to support your claims by including in-text citations and following the APA referencing style. Make sure that in addition to academic journals and textbooks, you reference the industry publications and websites.
`
This assessment will address the following Module Learning outcomes:
| Module Learning Outcomes | Task 1 | Task 2 |
| 1 | x | |
| 2 | x | |
| 3 | x |
Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1 You will be able to critically review models and frameworks relating to leadership and the role of the leader within an SME context.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
MLO2 Evidence of self-reflection in order to assess your potential as an effective leader within an SME context
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO3 Demonstrate critical understanding of how your own cultural and ethical values may impact on your ability to engage and work ethically, constructively and sensitively in a leadership role.
| Please Note:
All trading must beappropriately insured. All business activities must comply with the University’s permitted activities.Trading activities must not be detrimental to the University’s reputation.
The following statement must be included on the front page of your Assignment:
I confirm that all trading referred to in this assignment has been appropriately insured and falls with the University’s permitted activities. |
Late submission of work
Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following penalties will apply.
For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark.
For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total available marks will have been deducted.
The Penalty does not apply to Pass/Fail Modules, i.e. there will be no penalty for late submission if assessments on Pass/Fail are submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) afterthe published hand-in deadline.
Coursework submitted more than 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval will be regarded as not having been completed. A mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment and the module will be failed, irrespective of the overall module mark.
For clarity: if the original hand-in time on working day A is 12noon the 24 hour late submission allowance will end at 12noon on working day B.
These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
Word limits and penalties
If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include:
| Title and Contents page | Reference list | Appendices | Appropriate tables, figures and illustrations |
| Glossary | Bibliography | Quotes from interviews and focus groups. |
Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.
If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA page 30 Section 3.4 this will be regarded as academic misconduct.
The marker will stop reading when they judge that the word count exceeds the recommended word count by more than 10% i.e. for a 3000 word essay, the marker will read only the first 3300 words and will indicate on the text where they stop reading.
The content following this point will not be read and a mark will be awarded only for the content up to this point.
Students must retain an electronic copy of all assignments (including ALL appendices) and they must be made available within 24hours of them requesting it be submitted.
Note: For those assessments or partial assessments based on calculation, multiple choice etc., marks will be gained on an accumulative basis. In these cases, marks allocated to each section will be made clear.
Time limits and penalties for presentations
The time allocated for the presentation is a strict limit, not a target. At the end of this time, the presentation will be stopped and will be marked based on what has been delivered within the time limit.
Submission of Assessment
- Both assignments should conform to the following specification:
- Word-processed in Arial 12pt, 1½ spacing
- Pages should be numbered
Academic Misconduct
The Academic Regulations for Taught Awards(ARTA) contain the Regulations and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct.
The full policy is available at: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/
You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion and other forms of academic misconduct as referred to in the Academic Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations are taken very seriously by Newcastle Business School. Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.
Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives
This assessment will contribute directly to the following Level 6 Programme Goals and Objectives:
Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):
6.1.2Appraise and apply knowledge of business, management, and entrepreneurship to complex problems in or related to professional practice in order to identify justifiable, sustainable and responsible solutions.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA):
6.2.1. Evaluate effective interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work in multi-cultural teams.
6.2.3 Critically self-reflect as a means of informing personal development planning.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
6.1.4. Appraise an awareness of the cultural and ethical contexts in which international business operates.
6.2.2 Critique creative and critical thinking skills that involve independence, understanding, justification and the ability to challenge the thinking of self and others.
| Marking Rubric | Scales | |||||||
| Criteria | 0-29%
Standard Not Met 1 Completely insufficient |
30-39%
Standard Not Met 2 Insufficient |
40 -49%
Meets Standard 1 Adequate |
50-59%
Meets Standard 2 Good standard |
60-69%
Meets Standard 3 Very Good |
70-79%
Exceeds Standard 1 Excellent |
80-89%
Exceeds Standard 2Outstanding |
90-100%
Exceeds Standard 3 Exemplary |
| Section A
40%
ML01
|
Standard not met 1 Completely insufficient. A significant lack of suitable references have been cited. No critical review of relevant leadership literature in written report. Very poor structure and expression |
Standard not met 2Insufficient. Poor or insufficient references have been cited Brief/limited review of relevant leadership literature in written report. Poor structure and expression. |
Standard met 1 Adequate/basic. Basic yet adequate references have been cited. Limited review of relevant leadership literature in written report. Typically descriptive. Numerous errors in structure and expression. |
Standard met 2 A good albeit limited range and use of suitable references. A good review of relevant leadership literature with some brief critical review in written report. A good albeit limited structure and expression. |
Standard met 3 Very Good range and use of suitable references. A very good review of relevant leadership literature with some appropriate critical review in written report. Very Good structure and expression. |
Standard exceeded 1 Excellent range and use of suitable references. An excellent review of relevant leadership literature with appropriate critical review in written report. Excellent structure and expression. |
Standard exceeded 2 Outstanding range and use of suitable references. An outstanding review of relevant leadership literature with appropriate critical review in written report. Outstanding structure and expression. |
Standard Exceeded 3 Exemplary range and use of suitable references. An exemplary review of relevant leadership literature with appropriate critical review in written report. Exemplary structure and expression. |
| Section B
40%
ML02
ML03 |
Completely insufficient /no reflection on self-awareness findings. No, or very limited use of example to support findings No or undeveloped PDP submitted. |
Poor/insufficient reflection on self-awareness findings Very limited use of example to support findings. Undeveloped PDP submitted. |
Adequate/basic reflection on self-awareness findings. Limited use of example to support findings. A relatively brief or superficial PDP submitted. |
A good, if limited reflection on self-awareness findings. Some good use of example to support findings. An appropriate PDP submitted although this would benefit from greater detail. |
Very Good reflection on self-awareness findings. Very Good use of example to support findings. A relevant and practical PDP submitted which will enhance future leadership practice. |
Excellent reflection on self-awareness findings Detailed/insightful use of example to support findings. A clear, detailed and practical PDP submitted which will enhance future leadership practice. |
Outstanding reflection on self-awareness findings Detailed/insightful use of example to support findings. A clear, detailed and practical PDP submitted which will enhance future leadership practice. |
Exemplary reflection on self-awareness findings Detailed/insightful use of example to support findings.
A clear, detailed and practical PDP submitted which will enhance future leadership practice. |
| Presentation, Structure, Clarity and Coherence (10%)
Excellent presentation: visually appealing including front cover, helpful table of contents, page numbers, headings, graphics and/or tables and/or illustrations, properly formatted appendices, and consistent and accurate references.
Exceptionally clear layout with logical structure and all components properly referenced and contributing to the main document.
|
Much below required standard of presentation and structure, very difficult to interpret | Below required standard of presentation and difficult to interpret | Meets the required standard of presentation but difficult to interpret in places | Meets the required standard of presentation and well structured:
front cover, helpful table of contents, page numbers, headings, graphics and/or tables and/or illustrations, properly formatted appendices, and consistent and accurate references.
Clear layout with logical structure and all components properly referenced and contributing to the main document.
|
Meets the required standard of presentation and structure:
front cover, helpful table of contents, page numbers, headings, graphics and/or tables and/or illustrations, properly formatted appendices, and consistent and accurate references.
Clear layout with logical structure and all components properly referenced and contributing to the main document.
|
Exceeds the required standard of presentation and excellent structure: front cover, helpful table of contents, page numbers, headings, graphics and/or tables and/or illustrations, properly formatted appendices, and consistent and accurate references.
Clear layout with logical structure and all components properly referenced and contributing to the main document.
|
Outstandingly presented and outstandingly structured: front cover, helpful table of contents, page numbers, headings, graphics and/or tables and/or illustrations, properly formatted appendices, and consistent and accurate references.
Clear layout with logical structure and all components properly referenced and contributing to the main document. |
Exemplary standard of presentation and structure: includes front cover, table of contents, page numbers, headings, graphics and/or tables and/or illustrations, properly formatted appendices, and accurate references.
Clear layout with logical structure, all referenced and contributing to the main document. |
| Academic writing and evidence of relevant reading (10%)
Well written academically and informed by references to academic literature. Excellent use of the module’s reading list |
Extremely poor writing style with little or no evidence of having been informed by references to academic literature | Poor writing style and very little evidence of having been informed by references to academic literature | Adequate writing style and poorly informed by references to academic literature | Satisfactory academic writing style, work informed by references to academic literature to some extent though this could be enhanced | Well written academically and informed by references to academic literature | Very well written academically and informed by references to academic literature | Exceptionally well written academically and informed by references to academic literature | Exemplary well written academically and informed by references to academic literature |
| Total mark /100 | ||||||||
| Areas of strength | ||||||||
| Areas of weaknesses | ||||||||
| Marker and date | ||||||||
Note: Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment and it must be made available within 24 hours of their being requested to submit it.
