course material

1. Applying the Org-Social Theories presented in this subject to this same
organisation will be part of your ongoing weekly Org Theory Journal
Assignment – Individual. Please choose an organisation Australian . Please note: 1.
Applying the Org-Social Theories presented in this subject to this same organisation will be
part of your ongoing weekly Org Theory Journal (OTJ). You may however also choose to
switch or aID your OTJ focus to the organisation your group selects for the second
assignment. Have those discussions firstly with your study group members and your tutor if
required. 2. We are expecting you to access data that is broadly speaking already available –
through media, websites, personal connections. You are NOT expected to undertake
detailed contact surveys in this first assignment. Some contact will be expected however in
the group assignment but that will be discussed later in the semester. For both the
individual and group assignment I will supply a signed introduction letter for your
organisational contacts assuring confidentiality. Your primary contact will need to also sign
agreement to be included in your assignment. AIMS of this first Assignment: 1. Develop an
understanding of the complex nature of organisations and related management issues – ie
as seen from multiple but often contested perspectives – for example, from the views of
executives, miIDle and front-line management, shareholders, employees, and broader
community. 2. Recognise that diverse and contested complexity in practical context, ie
through one organisation (irrespective of size, location or sector). 3. Develop an
appreciation of the value (together with limitations) of major Organisation Theories to
illustrate these multiple perspectives. 4. Understand the need for personal discernment
and judgement in evaluating those perspectives. 5. Recognise the need for self-awareness
(reflexivity) in arriving at and defending your insights into management and organisation
issues. 6. Demonstrate a critical capacity (ie identifying and questioning “ taken-for-
granted” assumptions) in assessing the merits and limitations of social theories in
organisation. 7. Prepare you for a major contribution in the group assignment. 2500 word
Individual Assignment: 1. Briefly describe your chosen organisation via available facts
(250 words): a. Industry (eg service, manufacturing) and location(s) (local; international)
b. Sector (business, not for profit enterprise, government agency) c. Number of
employees d. Ownership and Management structure (eg. family based, publicly owned –
shares) e. How long this organisation has existed/current level of success or failure.
2. Select two Organisation Theory frames/lens discussed in the subject to date (eg Agency

2. Theory/Contingency Theory/Economics/Sensemaking/ Critical Management
Studies). Why did you choose these lens? (250 words) 3. Summarise the relevance of
TWO seminal papers within EACH of the Organisational Theories you have nominated (400
words). That is, in 400 words summarise key points of four major papers that have helped
shape your views about these Organisation Theories (START with the seminal papers
presented by Miles, 2012 for each of your chosen lens/frames). That will take you into the
UTS library data bases and or (but ideally) a conversation with a librarian about how to
source specific reference works. 4. NOW: What management and/or organisation issues
do these two theories (you’ ve selected) now help you to see? Please describe some of those
issues. (500 words) 5. What are the limitations of each of the Organisation/Social theories
you’ ve selected in illuminating key organisation issues? (200 words) 6. Very briefly
anticipate differences in perspectives associated with those selected theories? In other
words, can you identify/of if not, imagine, how other stakeholders might describe the
management and/or organisation issues they see with this same organisation? (200 words)
7. As a manager/leader (in development) what kinds of personal knowledge and
capability do you imagine will be needed to aIDress these differences? This is an open
ended invitation to explore – there are no set texts for this question (200 words). TOTAL:
2000 words, with a licence to 2500 words. 8. AID bibliography/works cited. (word count
for this section not included). Present: Type written. Cover page with Name /Date
submitted/ Student ID/Subject/Tutor.. See UTS Online for elaboration/confirmation.