Your task is to identify and select an issue from current affairs (i.e. a news story) that is likely to have a significant impact on the way in which organisations are managed.

Detailed description of assessment

Your task is to identify and select an issue from current affairs (i.e. a news story) that is likely to have a significant impact on the way in which organisations are managed. You should find a news item on the BBC News Website (news.bbc.co.uk) from the last six months. Examples could be business ethics, globalisation, social or industrial conflict, outsourcing, regulation and/or deregulation of business or indeed any substantive issue that impacts on managerial decision making. You should then develop and write an essay on your chosen issue (sanctioned by your tutor) using the three broad themes explored in the course:

1. Globalisation
2. Technology and networks
3. Conflict and co-operation

You are required to have developed your idea by week 22 (term week 5) and have it sanctioned by your tutor at the seminar (see the pro forma in the appendix of this document and on Moodle). Please note also that there is a space on the pro forma for the full web URL of the story you have chosen which you must also supply.

Your essay should be structured into sections as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Globalisation
3. Technology and networks
4. Conflict and co-operation
5. Synthesis / discussion
6. Conclusion
7. References

A successfully completed assignment will be consistent with the following guidelines:

·           Be appropriately structured, written, presented and referenced (using the Harvard style)

·           Feature an appropriate critical issue with sufficient currency, substance and relevance to this course and its learning outcomes (properly justified) to merit analysis and debate

·           Feature and make substantial reference to a range of theories and concepts