Research paper

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
This examination is worth 50% of your final grade.
There are two sections to this exam – Part A and Part B.
Students are to answer the one single Part A question.
For Part B, you must answer two (2) questions from the four options given.
All answers must appear directly under the particular question on this document.
Keep your answers concise. Approximately two to three (2-3) pages should suffice
for each answer.
Do not adjust the page formatting features (e.g. margins, font size, line spacing, etc).
Before submitting, ensure that you have saved the exam paper in your name.
Submit your completed paper through the Turnitin link on the unit BlackBoard site.
Ignore the Turnitin report data concerning this exam coversheet.

Part A

You must attempt this single question.

Question A1 (Topic 1)
Reflect on your own management qualities and capabilities. Explain how you are able to
contribute to important organisational outcomes, either now or in the future. Where
appropriate, use examples to support your claims. (20 marks)
Note: Some students might feel they will struggle to answer this question because they do
not have a great deal of management experience. This is not the case for two reasons –
1. Everyone can contribute no matter their experience level. Even as a student or part-
time worker, you have gained some management experience.
2. After studying the unit students should now have a high degree of management
knowledge which they can use to answer the question. For example, when discussing
your current management capabilities, you might acknowledge your limitations and
then explain why and how you will seek to develop them in the future.

Part B
Select and answer two of the following questions.

Question B1 (Topic 7)
Explain why political behaviour is present in the workplace? (15 marks)

Question B2 (Topic 8)
Put yourself in the position of the General Manager at a large organisation (approx. 3000
employees). At the recent monthly meeting of the Executive team (GM and 8 Senior
Managers), it was proposed that the organisation downsize by removing a layer of
‘middle-management’ from the organisational structure. Where there is currently 5 levels

of management, the proposed structure would have only four. This would involve
retrenching (laying off) approximately 100 individuals.
What factors and likely consequences should be considered when assessing the proposal?
Where possible, relate your answer to the key elements of an organisational structure. (15
marks)

Question B3 (Topic 9)
What are the dysfunctional effects of organisational culture? How might you, as a
manager, address them? (15 marks)

Question B4 (Topic 10)
Kurt Lewin’s ‘three-step’ change model was developed in the 1940s. Do you think it can
still be applied to a modern organisation like Southern Cross University? Provide strong
logic to support your view. (15 marks)