Demonstrate critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management including sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience.

Level 7 Dissertation

12000 to 16000 words.

Learning Outcomes

Module Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to:

Personal and Transferrable Skills

• Demonstrate critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management including sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience.
• Apply leadership and performance management concepts through selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations. 

Research, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills

• Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of techniques/ methodologies appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship. 
• Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of the breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline and critical awareness of current problems/ and or new insights, much of which is aimed at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline or area of professional practice. 
• Integrate and synthesise diverse knowledge, evidence, concepts, theory and practice relevant to enterprise and enterprise development.

Professional Skills

• Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of the award. 
• Recognise and address ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices. 
• Write structured business reports using a structured, rational, evidenced, coherent argument with grammatical accuracy. 
• Formulate action plans (as appropriate to discipline).  

Assessment

• Assessment Strategy

Formative assessment:

• There will be opportunity for formative feedback through meetings [which may be delivered online or on campus] with respective dissertation supervisor.

Summative assessment:

Assessment will be by end course assessment 100% (ECA) written report. The focus of assessment is the submitted dissertation. The dissertation must conform to a standard structure. The dissertation topic must be agreed by supervisor and based on a topic related to the specific programme or programme pathway. The minimum permitted length for the Body of Text is 12,000 words, normally it will be 12,000-16,000 words. The ECA will assess all learning outcomes.

Senior People Professional Learners only:

SPP learners will select a route from Human Resources (HR), Learning and Development (L&D) or Organisation Development (OD). Learners will be guided to complete the research within one of these three areas. 

SPP learners will include a one page project plan for a stage 2 project and present their dissertation and next stage plan. This project plan and presentation are to support the final stage of the apprenticeship (EPA) and are not directly related to the achievement of this module. This will therefore be formative only in relation to this module.

Assessment Criteria

In addition to the generic Level 7 University marking criteria and correct use of the required referencing format and style the specific criteria will be:

ECA 100%: 

Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline of the award

Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of the breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline and critical awareness of current problems/ and or new insights, much of which is aimed at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline or area of professional practice

• Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of techniques/ methodologies appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship
• Demonstrate critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management including sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience

Presentation and Analysis of Findings

• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Presentation and standard structure of dissertation

The dissertation will be marked by the dissertation supervisor and an independent second marker.

Example Dissertation

Exploring the Role of AI-Driven Leadership Styles in Enhancing Team Performance Across Multigenerational Workforces: A Study on UK-based SMEs

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) applications and leadership styles in fostering team performance within multigenerational workforces. With the increasing reliance on AI tools in organisational decision-making and performance tracking, this study examines how AI can inform and adapt leadership approaches to suit the diverse expectations and behaviours of Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z employees. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative insights from leader and team interviews with quantitative performance data. Key findings highlight the potential of AI to personalise leadership strategies, mitigate generational conflicts, and enhance overall team effectiveness. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating AI into leadership frameworks to maximise its benefits while addressing ethical and corporate social responsibility concerns.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

   • Research Background
   • Research Aim and Objectives
   • Justification for the Study
   • Dissertation Structure

2. Literature Review

   • Leadership Theories in the Digital Age
   • Performance Management in Multigenerational Workforces
   • AI Applications in Leadership and Decision-Making
   • Ethical and CSR Considerations in AI Use

3. Research Methodology

   • Research Philosophy and Approach
   • Data Collection Methods (Interviews and Performance Metrics)
   • Sampling Strategy
   • Data Analysis Techniques
   • Ethical Considerations

4. Findings and Analysis

   • Themes from Qualitative Data
   • Trends in Quantitative Performance Metrics
   • Comparative Analysis of Leadership Styles and AI Inputs
   • Sensitivity to Diversity Across Generations

5. Discussion

   • Integration of Findings with Existing Theories
   • Implications for Leadership Practice
   • Addressing Ethical Dilemmas and Organisational Values

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

   • Summary of Findings
   • Practical Recommendations for SMEs
   • Future Research Directions

7. References

8. Appendices

   • Interview Questions
   • Data Analysis Outputs
   • Ethics Approval Form

Introduction

The workplace is undergoing a seismic transformation driven by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and evolving employee expectations. Nowhere is this more evident than in the dynamics of multigenerational teams, where leaders must navigate diverse preferences, communication styles, and performance expectations. This dissertation explores the novel integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into leadership practices, proposing that AI tools can revolutionise how leaders adapt their styles to meet the nuanced needs of Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z employees. By bridging gaps in understanding and fostering personalised strategies, this research aims to uncover how AI-driven leadership can enhance team performance while remaining ethically responsible.

Continued...