What challenges do managers face in creating and managing a diverse workplace, and how might they respond to these challenges?
PLEASE make sure you have three arguments and sources to backup the arguments, each argument should be in a separate paragraph. PLEASE log on to UWS library to find secondary sources.
Assessment 2: Individual essay (40%)
Overview
Through completion of this assessment, students will learn how to:
- Research a contemporary issue in employment relations.
- Construct a sustained argument in response to the question.
- Utilise and conform to the principles of academic rigour in the production of an acceptable, formal response to the question.
Each student will submit an individual essay that will be assessed in accordance with the marking guide included in this learning guide. The marking guide sets out the criteria and standards against which your essay will be marked. Further assistance will be provided in lectures and any additional information will be placed on vUWS.
Details
Read the following publicised commitments to diversity in the workplace:
‘The evidence shows that a diverse workforce enhances business performance as well as fosters social justice…At Origin diversity and inclusion is imbedded in our principles and values and we are committed to creating a rewarding workplace for our people by valuing everyone’s contribution, encouraging personal development, recognising good performance and fostering equal opportunity.’
Origin Energy (2012) cited in Stone (2013:577) {unit textbook}
| Essay question | What challenges do managers face in creating and managing a diverse workplace, and how might they respond to these challenges? |
| Research | As a starting point, you will be able to use your reading from assessment 1 to provide insight into the topic. You can also use Chapter 14 from your textbook.
However, to answer this question, you will need to conduct independent research on the topic of managing diversity. Journals are the most useful source of scholarly material because they contain contemporary research that has been reviewed by experts in the field. Some examples include: D’Netto, B.; Shen, J.; Chelliah, J. and Monga, M. (2014), ‘Human resource diversity management practices in the Australian manufacturing sector’, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp.1243–1266. Houkamau, C. and Boxall, P. (2011), ‘The incidence and impacts of diversity management: A survey of New Zealand employees’, Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 440-460. Kramar, R. (2012), ‘Diversity management in Australia: a mosaic of concepts, practice and rhetoric’, Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 245-261. Kulik, C. (2014), ‘Working below and above the line: the research–practice gap in diversity management’, Human Resource Management Journal, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 129–144. Noon, M. (2007), ‘The fatal flaws of diversity and the business case for ethnic minorities‘, Work, Employment and Society, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 773-784. Do not limit your research to journal articles. Academic sources include statistics, media releases, newspaper reports and textbooks. Academic textbooks can help with definitions and many of the issues in managing people at work are found in a range of areas, including:
§ Human Resource Management and Human Resource Development § Employment Relations and Industrial Relations § Organisational Behaviour and Critical Management Studies § Psychology and Sociology It will be crucial for this assignment that you start researching the topic well before the deadline. It will take time to understand the key issues and to create a sustained and coherent argument throughout the essay.
You will not be able to analyse every possible issue, so you will need to select only a few significant issues for your discussion – this is the nature of critical analysis. |
| Guidelines for the essay | § Your essay should have a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Headings are permitted, but should be used sparingly.§ Assignments should be in Arial, 11 point font, 1.5 line spacing with appropriate margins.
§ All students must use Harvard style referencing. § The 1500 word limit must be adhered to within the acceptable range of + or – 10%. § All essays must cite at least six academic sources relevant to the topic. § You must distinguish clearly between your own words and analysis and those of your sources. You must do this by providing appropriate citations using the Harvard style referencing. § Failure to provide appropriate citations is plagiarism. See UWS academic misconduct policy. Your list of references should include only material cited in the paper. § This is an individual assessment task – if a submitted essay is assessed as not being the work of a single author then academic misconduct rules apply. |
Submission requirements
¦ Due: The essay is due in Week 12 at 9.00am Tuesday, 6 October 2015 via Turnitin.
All students must submit their assignments through Turnitin using the link on vUWS. This method of submission will typically be the only form of submission required.
Hard copies or emailed copies of assignments may be required in exceptional circumstances under instruction from the Unit Coordinator.
Marks will not be released on the vUWS gradebook unless students have submitted an electronic copy through Turnitin. Late assignments must also be submitted through Turnitin.
Marking criteria and standards
| CRITERIA | FAIL 0 – 49%Unsatisfactory performance | PASS 50 – 64%Satisfactory performance | Credit 65 – 74%Above average performance | Distinction 75 – 84%Advanced performance | High Distinction 85% +Superior performance |
| Topic | Unclear or minimal understanding of the topic under investigation. Fails to answer the set question. | Demonstrates a basic/clear understanding of the topic under investigation. | Demonstrates a developed understanding of the topic under investigation. | Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic under investigation. | Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the topic under investigation, showing reasoning, self-confidence and originality. |
| Critical analysis and research | Descriptive. Reproduces information from lectures and readings. Over-reliance on quotes and close paraphrasing. Inadequate use of source material. | Demonstrates an adequate level of integration of concepts and some consideration of alternate perspectives evident. Requires further research. | Able to identify relevant and contrasting arguments. Offers clear analysis, but may lacks consistency. Goes beyond minimum of 6 sources. | Able to accurately interpret evidence and statements. Offers analyses and evaluation of alternative points of view. Utilises a good range of sources in an original way. | Clearly demonstrates a high level of integration of readings and/or alternative perspectives into own writing. Critically analyses and evaluates alternative points of view. |
| Structure and argument | Disjointed, unfocussed, poorly structured argument. Disconnected paragraphs; no clear line of argument. | Basic line of argument is apparent, but a great deal of improvement is needed to create coherence. | Organisation of ideas is relatively clear, but structure and development of argument may require further justification. | Able to construct a coherent line of argument throughout. Introduction, body and conclusion are logically developed and integrated. | Able to construct a coherent line of argument throughout, and to effectively synthesise and integrate abstract ideas. |
| Clarity of written expression | Incomprehensible. Poor communication of ideas due to careless writing and lack of proof-reading. Unacceptable number of errors. | Some inconsistency in sentence structure. Clarity of expression could be enhanced by some revision. | A satisfactory standard of expression. Few spelling and/or grammar errors. | Consistent expression. Use of advanced language and HRM specific terminology and conventions. | Comprehension enhanced by excellent written expression and superior grammar and spelling skills. Work has a clear ‘voice’. |
| Referencing | Inadequate, inappropriate or inaccurate referencing that does not conform to the conventions of Harvard Referencing may result in the essay receiving a fail grade overall and the possibility of academic misconduct. Marks may be deducted for poor referencing technique but marks will not be awarded for appropriate referencing technique. | ||||
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