Organisations, People &

Performance

PMA Briefing, Module

Wrap Up & Close
 Session agenda

Revisit module objectives

PMA overview
Module evaluation online

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 Module Objectives - Revisited
Apply the principles of Strategic Human Resource Management
contingently within a business context and critically evaluate a range of
Human Resource (HR) strategic approaches
Utilise principles and philosophies that underline an integrated and
holistic approach to people management practice as it relates to the
achievement of effective performance at both organisational and
individual level
Understand organisational culture and structure and analyse and
evaluate its importance in determining employee behaviour
Compare, contrast, and apply organisational behaviour and psychological
theories that underpin the practice of people management
Recognise the importance of your future contribution and role as leaders
as you manage yourself and others to reach your full potential

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Multiple & Dynamic Interactions & Linkages

Organisation People

Performance

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OPP: Links between the topic areas
Macro-external
level
Organisational
level
Dept/Group/team
level

Individual
level

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Post Module Assignment (PMA)
Outline
Case study approach
Academic research
Taking a critical approach
Individual PMA
– Question 1
– Question 2
– Question 3
– Question 4
General Advice

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 Case study: Why this approach?
The basis of the OPP PMA is a case approach. We choose the
case study approach:
To enable you to apply the module learning to a real
business (or businesses)
To place HRM in the context of real businesses
To illustrate the importance of HRM and its contribution to
business success
To encourage you to think deeply about that business and
how it will succeed through the strategic management of
its human resource capability
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 What does this involve?
You will research the case organisation/business as
directed by your module leader using multiple sources
Familiarising yourself with the PMA brief
Thinking about the PMA questions as you make notes
Making sure you make a note and record of all your
source material on the Case organisation and
academic material so that you can reference properly
Drawing on case evidence in your PMA

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Starting point: collecting information
on the case organisation
Organisation history and general impression of the
industry/sectors it relates to
Current business operations and strategy and level of and
history of success
Understanding of the current business environment and
level of maturity of this business
Who the main stakeholders are and what power and
influence they have
Determining the main issues and challenges facing the
case organisation

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 Academic research
Think about the evidence you will draw on to give examples
and to reference in your PMA
Concepts/theories need to be defined, discussed and applied
This involves not just including these models but applying
them. This involves a justification of what option you have
chosen and the other options you have discounted, drawing
on relevant case information as evidence to back up points
made
Critiquing and comparing and contrasting differing view
points
Lots of relevant articles are available on Moodle to get you
started…

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 A Critical Approach
It is important that a critical thinking, analysis and writing
approach is adopted. This involves, but is not limited to, the
following:
Identifying other people’s positions and arguments;
Considering and evaluating the evidence;
Identifying key positive and negative aspects that you can
comment upon;
Weighing up arguments and evidence fairly;
Drawing conclusions as to whether arguments are justified
and valid;
Drawing together your judgements of the evidence;
Presenting a clear point of view.

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 PMA Question 1

Critically assess how the case study organisation

could increase the motivation of their employees
through a better understanding of their personalities
and emotions. (1000 words approx.). 20% of module
mark.
 PMA Question 2

Critically analyse the organisational culture and

structure of the case study organisation and identify
their impact in determining employee behaviour.
Suggest and justify some recommendations for
improvement. (1000 words approx.). 20% of module
mark.
 PMA Question 3
Choose one of the areas of HR practice below and then, applying concepts
and models from the academic literature, critically assess how the case
study organisation should manage that particular area to enhance
individual and organisational performance. State clearly which area you
are addressing. (1000 words approx.). 25% of module mark.

Areas of HR Practice (choose one):

Performance Management
or
Reward
or
Talent Development
or
Employee Engagement
 PMA Question 4
Identify a specific leadership/management role in
the case study organisation (eg, CEO, project
manager, departmental manager, team leader, etc)
and imagine yourself in that role. Drawing on
relevant leadership theory, explain and justify what
you would do to maximise the performance of your
staff and your own contribution to the organisation.
(1000 words approx.). 20% of module mark.
 General Errors
Not reading through the PMA brief and adhering to the question set.
Including models/concepts and not discussing and applying them to the case
organisation.
Not providing supporting critique with evidence and sources. Company facts
and figures/web sources/media sources. USE EVIDENCE and reference sources
and not just the company’s website and their own view!
Poor academic practice and not referencing properly. Make sure you use the
Harvard system.
Describing and not using critique. Why? How? What? When? So what?
Not linking ideas and telling a coherent story.
Lack of structure that clearly relates to the PMA question.
Lack of reference to concrete examples in practice.
Lack of application of theory to practice.

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 Best of luck with
the PMA !

Any questions on the PMA, contact your OPP Module Tutor

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 Module Review

Online evaluation

Do this now PLEASE!

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