IRHR1001

Managing the Organisation

Researching and
writing your essay

2014 Learning Development, The University of Newcastle, CRICOS Provider 00109J

Assignm

ent One

How do
t

he t heo
ries pro
posed i
reading
n your c
inform y
hosen
our und
erstand
contem
ing of
porary m
anagem
ent func
employ
er-emp
tions an
loyee re
d the
lationsh
ip? D
iscuss
For the
Outline
(Part 1)
Structu
:
re: Is it
.
logica
Con
For

tent: Is
l?
i
t
r
ele
Resear
ch: Is it vant?
approp
riate?

August 23, 2015

GSBS6190: Research essay |

the Ess
ay (Part
Researc
2):
h
Structur
e
Argume
nt
Written
express
ion
Present
ation (o
f referen
www.newcastle.edu.au
c

e s)

DISCUSS

Find the available arguments and

analyses about...
(therell be many different ones, often
saying different things)

Think carefully about these

research sources. Dont just
automatically believe them.

the relevant theory

responses to the theory
management functions
employer-employee relations
What is each ones point?
Based on what evidence/logic?
Where do they agree/disagree?
Can any usefully modify each
other?

Use this critical thinking to develop What are the main issues?
and argue for your own response or What are the main points?
belief.
How are they connected?
How do they lead you
(together) to a central belief
about the original question?
August 23, 2015

GSBS6007 | www.newcastle.edu.au

Flexibility to
adapt to
conditions

Co-ordination
without control

People-centred

The moral
contract

Achieve
change via
understanding
Awareness of
priorities/aims

Autonomy
within reporting
relationships

MANAGEMENT
STRUCTURE

Inspirational
leadership

Pride in work,
membership of
team

August 23, 2015

GSBS6190: Research essay | www.newcastle.edu.au

What

conditions have emerged from

people-centred management?
When
did inspirational replace
bureaucratic management?
Where
are people-centred structures most
widely used?
Who
have been the most active
proponents of this view?
Why
does a post-bureaucratic structure
not lead to strategic chaos?
Which
companies have succeeded or
failed using this approach?
How
closely does staff self-esteem
correlate to share price?

What new questions does it raise?

Where does it agree/disagree with other sources?
Can these disagreements be resolved?
How strong is its argument/evidence?
What are the writers
interests and prejudices?
What is the writers aim?
What does it fail to mention?
Does it confirm or challenge my current argument?

August 23, 2015

IRHR1001: Essays | www.newcastle.edu.au

Read core text

Think about
core text
Research

More research

Themes/Concepts
Knowledge
Opinions
Questions

Think about
research
Think about
research

More research

August 23, 2015

IRHR1001: Essays | www.newcastle.edu.au

Understand
then plan
then write

Paragraphing

Conclusion

100

Body 4
Body 3

800

Body 2
Body 1
Introduction

100
1000

August 23, 2015

IRHR1001: Essays | www.newcastle.edu.au

Sample paragraph

Introduction
Body 1
Body 2
Body 3
Conclusion
Reference list

The influence of people-centred management has

increased rapidly as a result of the shift from productionline manufacturing to services. Even apart from frontline
providers interacting with customers, human resources
are more difficult to replace in services (Mullins, 2011),
and so the emphasis on autonomy, trust and respect in
people-centred management is of more obvious
relevance in a services-based economy. The stark
difference between Apples manufacturing outlets and
software development arms (Chen, 2010) graphically
illustrates this distinction. The more fluid and marketresponsive nature of services also results in adaptive
flexibility being more highly prized, with Stein and Eckhart
(2008) arguing that this is achieved most effectively
through an inspirational, non-bureaucratic approach to
employee relations. As economies around the world
move more heavily toward service provision, peoplecentred, non-bureaucratic management is gaining in
significance.

August 23, 2015

IRHR1001: Essays | www.newcastle.edu.au

Topic sentence

Development
(+ Evidence)

Concluding
sentence

Conclusion
Bring together topic sentences into overall position.
Briefly review main points youve made.
Show how these points lead to your thesis statement.

Introduction
Indicate your overall position (thesis statement).
Briefly list the main points youll make.
Indicate the scope of your essay define terms, and
show how big the question is.

August 23, 2015

IRHR1001: Essays | www.newcastle.edu.au

References
All sources youve referred to.
Alphabetical order.
Of the form

Name, N. (Year) Article title without capitals, Journal Title

in Italics with Capitals, Volume (Issue). P-P.
Name, N. (Year) Book Title in Italics with Capitals,
Publishers place: Publishers name.

Journal articles where possible try to avoid websites and the

IRHR1001 textbook. Your course outline has a list of sources
with good reputations.

August 23, 2015

IRHR1001: Essays | www.newcastle.edu.au

10

Also check Blackboard

Learning Development
Online Resources
Academic Essays
CRICOS Provider 00109J | www.newcastle.edu.au