Leading Strategic Decision-Making
End of Module Coursework Assessment
This graded assessment accounts for 90% of your final grade and comprises two separate assessment exercises: Part A & Part B which are both weighted equally at 45% of your final grade.
Part A
In Part A, we assess learning outcomes related to units 1, 2, 3, 7 & 10 by providing you with case study information on the leadership and strategic development processes which operate within the innovative context at Google.
The purpose of this brief is to provide you:
Details of the coursework assessment: background to the case and questions
Information on presentation and submission date.
Guidelines to assist you in answering the questions
The assessment marking criteria and feedback sheet for Part A.
Case Study Background & Questions
Read carefully the case information on Google which is contained in the following two sources: 1. Johnson G, Whittington R, & Scholes K (2011) Exploring Strategy, 9th edition, FT Prentice Hall, Chapter 12 Strategic Development Processes, page 426-428: Google: who drives the strategy? Available here.
2. Grant R (2013) Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 8th edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Case Study 20 available online: Google Inc.: What’s the Corporate Strategy? Available here.
Both sources cover the strategic development of Google from start-up, to stock market listing (IPO), to market dominance in internet search. Source 2 finishes in early 2012 and updates developments beyond the end date of source 1 (2010). For example, we see in source 2 how Larry Page, one of the founders, replaces Eric Schmidt as CEO in 2011. Schmidt took up the post of Chairman of the company and would continue to act as an advisor to the founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Both sources provide insights into the leadership and management practices within Google. Source 1 places more emphasis on how this approach affects the strategic decision-making process (unit 3), whereas source 2 explores the content of its strategy, questioning its corporate level strategy (unit 1) and how it relates to its strategic direction and mission (unit 2).
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Part A of your coursework assessment requires you to answer two questions:
Questions.
1. Using the Ashridge Sense of Mission Model, analyse and interpret Google’s sense of mission taking its recent corporate diversification and strategic leadership into account.
2. Critically discuss Google’s approach to strategic decision-making and evaluate the resemblance and transferability, if any, to Grant’s (2003) findings on planned emergence in major oil companies.
Both questions are equally weighed and you should review how grading is allocated in the Coursework Feedback Sheet on page 4.
Presentation and Submission Date
The assessment in Part A is a case analysis and you should note that case analysis is not a conceptual explanation or discussion but the application of concepts and frameworks to interpret the case information, analyse key events and statements, and reach evaluative judgements. The concepts and frameworks are covered in the workshops and prescribed reading and the guidance below gives you a few pointers on how you need to use this knowledge to answer the questions. In developing your analysis and arguments, you should use supporting evidence from the information contained in the case studies.
Your answers must only be derived from the information on Google contained in the two case study sources listed above. You are not required to consult other sources on Google or go beyond the end date of the second case study. The reason for this is that your analysis and evaluation is being assessed at this point in the organisation’s development and not in the light of subsequent events. As a result you should not include references on Google from the internet or other sources.
In terms of presentation, introduce each question indicating how you will structure your answer and conclude each answer with reference to your preceding arguments and the task required by the question. Do not present your answer in rigid report format but you may wish to divide your answer into sections which reflect the major elements of your analysis. The combined word count of your answers to both questions must comply with the following guidance:
Minimum Length: 2000 words
Maximum Length: 2500 words
Submission date: Friday 21st August 2015, 11.59pm (UK time)
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The word limit excludes appendices and bibliography. Where a submission exceeds the stated word limit the maximum grade awarded will be P1. Appendices can be useful to provide additional information from your analysis but you must incorporate the key analytical arguments into the main body of your answer.
Guidance Notes
The assessment feedback sheet at the end of this section gives the marking criteria for the overall case analysis. Remember, in writing your solution to the questions you must not describe what the case says but use the concepts to analyse the information and use the evidence/facts in the case to support your analysis.
Question 1 asks you to discuss the mission and leadership approach at Google in order to evaluate how it achieves a sense of mission. The question specifically asks you to use the Ashridge Sense of Mission model which is part of your prescribed reading for unit 2. The elements of strategic leadership and the differences between transactional and transformational approaches are included in the readings and you should be able to relate these to the innovative context at Google.
Specifically you should apply and discuss the four elements of mission (Ashridge model) to Google. When considering purpose and strategy, you should evaluate the issues raised in case source 2 on questions surrounding Google’s corporate diversification (i.e. strategy) and “identity”. In doing this avoid being overly descriptive of the content of Google’s strategy as you will soon exceed the word limit. Attempt to develop arguments and, if necessary, include supporting details in appendices.
You must also address the central issue in the question of how the fifth element, a sense of mission, is achieved through the alignment of the employees’ personal values with those of the organisation. In doing this, consider the role played by the leadership and management approach at Google to integrate the elements of mission, especially the behavioural standards and values of the organisation, with those of the employee.
You need to evaluate Google’s mission based on the company’s recent expansions and strategic developments, express and justify your opinion on its relevance.
To answer question 2 you will draw on your learning on strategic decision-making and your prescribed reading from Johnson et al, chapter 12. You will need to examine the leadership of the company based on both cases and how decisions are taken then relate these to the major approaches, especially planned and incremental, to develop arguments and reach conclusions on how strategic decision-making is practised in Google. Based on your critical evaluation, you need to discuss whether you agree or/and disagree with the statement in question.
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Part A
Coursework Assessment Feedback
Matriculation No.
Date of Submission:
Module: Leading Strategic Decision-Making
Part A: Google Case Study
Cohort:
Category
Comment
Presentation of analysis, use of appropriate concepts, and depth of understanding of the issues raised in the case.
(10%)
Evaluation of Google’s mission and how it achieves a sense of mission through its approach to leadership and management.
(35%)
Critically assessment of Google’s approach to strategic decision-making practised at Google and its potential transferability to other organisations.
(35%)
Ability to reach coherent and logical arguments from the analysis, supported by case evidence.
(20%)
General Comments:
Overall Grade:
Marker:
N.B. the percentages are shown as indications of the relative importance of each section and should not be taken as a precise indication of the marking scheme.
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PART B
In Part B, we require you to write an essay on the following topic.
Essay Topic:
Leader-member exchange (LMX) theory suggests that supervisors have relatively high-quality exchange relationships with some employees and relatively low-quality relationships with others.
Critically examine the usefulness of leader-member exchange theory in explaining productive leader-follower relationships. Provide practical examples of leader-follower relationships and the outcomes they generate.
Marking schedule for Part B:
10% of marks are allocated to the presentation of the essay. The student’s work should be typed with clear use of paragraphs and headings. Typographical and spelling errors should be avoided.
10% of marks are allocated to appropriate referencing of content. Students should familiarise themselves and make use of the Harvard referencing system and should cite and reference material properly. Students should make use of a range of resources (books, journal articles etc) and the literature used should be appropriate to the arguments made.
60% of marks are allocated to the analysis presented in the essay. Students should examine appropriate theoretical concepts and frameworks. Students should demonstrate an awareness of the wider context and present an in-depth discussion of current issues. Better students will demonstrate critical analysis skills and communicate their arguments in a clear and coherent manner.
20% of marks are allocated to the conclusions drawn. The conclusions should identify the key themes or issues under consideration. Conclusions should be well supported from the analysis and highlight the significance of arguments, evidence and insights
Guidance Notes on Part B:
You must refer to relevant literature throughout the essay. This can be in the form of textbooks, journal articles, or relevant web-based material. Student are directed in particular to the following databases which they may find useful in developing their essay:
Emerald
ABI Inform Complete (Proquest)
Ingenta
Science Direct
Sage Online
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In particular, the following journals may be helpful to you in relation to the prescribed topic:
Leadership Quarterly (Available on Science Direct)
Leadership and Organisation Development Journal (Available on Emerald)
Team Performance Management (Available on Emerald)
Journal of Management Development (Available on Emerald)
Group and Organisation Management (Available on Sage Online)
You may wish to refer to relevant theory or you may wish to cite relevant research or examples to support your arguments. Remember all material cited must be referenced using the Harvard Referencing system. Also please refer to the University guidance notes on the avoidance of Plagiarism.
Please remember to structure your essay appropriate. You should use headings – and include an introduction, main body and conclusion/recommendations sections.
While we do not specify a particular number of references/citations to be included, you should include at least a minimum of 15 different citations/references from books and journal articles in your essay.
Please answer the topic posed. Your essay should NOT be a summary of leadership theories. You need to specifically address the topic and question posed.
Minimum Essay Length: 2000 words
Maximum Essay Length: 2500 words
Aside from the reference list, your essay (Part B) should not include any appendices.
Submission deadline: Friday 21st August 2015, 11.59pm (UK time)
Please note that whilst the submission deadline is Friday 21st August 2015, 11.59pm (UK time), you are free to make your submission at any time before this date. You do not need to wait until this day, or the day before or the week before.
Important Note:
Please ensure that Part A and Part B are submitted as separate documents. The documents should clearly be marked Part A and Part B and your matriculation number and module code should be clearly marked on the submission.
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Coursework Assessment Feedback
Matriculation No.
Date of Submission:
Module: Leading Strategic Decision-Making
Part B: Essay
Cohort:
Category
Comment
Presentation of the essay. Clear use of paragraphs and headings and the text is free from typographical and spelling errors.
(10%)
Referencing of content. Consistent use of Harvard Referencing throughout the essay with adequate citation support for arguments being made.
(10%)
Analysis.
Comprehensive examination of appropriate theoretical frameworks and models. Strong arguments presented with critical insights and good communication skills in evidence.
(60%)
Conclusions.
Clear identification of key themes and issues. Synthesis of core arguments and formulation of insights and recommendations as appropriate
(20%)
General Comments:
Overall Grade:
Marker:
N.B. the percentages are shown as indications of the relative importance of each section and should not be taken as a precise indication of the marking scheme.
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