As part of the formal assessment for the Master of Business Administration you are
required to submit a Managing the Human Resource assignment. Please refer to the
Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general
information on preparing and submitting assignments.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the whole assignment learners will be able to:
Critically appraise the contribution that HRM can make to organisational
productivity
Identify and evaluate a high commitment strategy of HRM
Analyse a human resource problem and apply appropriate models to develop
solutions.
Analyse how factors concerning the management of the human resource vary
within an organisation and across situations.
Title: THE CONTAINER STORE’S CUSTOMER SERVICE: RECRUITMENT AND
TRAINING AS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Reference: 406-036-1
Assignment Task
In recent years, there has been much interest in the notion of ‘best practice’ or ‘high
commitment’ human resource management (HRM). Considering this premise provide
a reasoned and academically underpinned analysis of how the container store fits
with this ‘high commitment’ model and analyse the possible problems associated with
a manager trying to link HRM to performance?
Marking Scheme
Answers will be marked in accordance with the following scheme (marks available for
each element is shown in brackets):
1. Underpinning knowledge – demonstrates understanding of relevant
concepts, approaches and theoretical frameworks in relation to best practice
HRM. Information gathered and used is valid, relevant and of masters level
quality. All sources are have a HR focus, with a strong academic
underpinning. (30)
2. Application of knowledge – knowledge and evidence is applied to the case
study organisation in an appropriate way that demonstrates understanding of
the company and its context. Therefore, all knowledge will be integrated and
not presented in isolation to the case (20)
3. Critical analysis – shows capacity for objective review and critical
evaluation. Uses information and underpinning knowledge to provide a
balanced critique of relative strengths and weaknesses and to justify choices
and decisions. Develops coherent and justified arguments and conclusions.
Information will not be presented in a narrative or descriptive manner. (40)
4. Structure and presentation – clear and logical structure and presentation,
containing appropriate standard of Harvard referencing. (10)
Your answer must be based around the information contained in the case study but
you are also expected to show that you have researched topics beyond the case
study content, bringing into your answer other relevant information from published
academic sources. Discussions should be critical and underpinned by relevant
referenced sources. You should also ensure that your answer includes appropriate
HRM academic thinking and that this is also properly referenced.
Guidelines:
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and
wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the Harvard system
(See ‘Referencing Guide’ in the Study Skills Guide in My Resources). You must use the
Harvard referencing method in your assignment.
The Harvard Style of referencing is required for all academic assignments.
Additional notes:
Word Limit: 4,000 words (maximum)
The word count excludes the title page, executive summary, reference list and
appendices. Where assessment questions have been reprinted from the
assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL other
printed words ARE included in the word count. Printed words include those
contained within charts and tables. See ‘Word Count Policy’ in My Resources for
more information.
Assignments submitted late will be marked as a 0% fail, unless you have withdrawn your
intent to submit for this module in advance of the deadline.
Your assessment should be submitted as a single word or pdf file. For more information
please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the module
page on iLearn.
You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources
used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of
academic unfair practice. (See ‘Dealing with Plagiarism’ in the Study Skills Guide in My
Resources).
Please include a front sheet that contains your full name, student number, course
title, module name and exact word count.
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