BUS5004 : Leadership and Influence

Assessment 2: Case Study Report

Overview

In this assessment, you will be tested on whether you have successfully met the following Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs):

• ULO1: Interpret leadership concepts, theories and types of leadership to your leadership style.
• ULO2: Evaluate the role of leadership in organisational culture, organisational change and conflict resolution.
• ULO4: Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnectedness between personal accountability and responsibility and its impact on other stakeholders of the enterprise.
• ULO5: Articulate the interconnectedness of personal accountability and responsibility and its impact on other stakeholders of the enterprise.

Assessment Details

The purpose of this assessment is to enhance critical thinking and problemsolving skills through the application of leadership theories to real-world scenarios. By the end of this assessment, you will be able to interpret and apply ULO1, ULO2, ULO4 and ULO5.

In this assessment, you must choose one of the following subjects to prepare a
case study report:

a) Crisis Management: Research a company’s response to a crisis, e.g., BP’s oil spill, United Airlines. You are required to analyse the leadership decisions, identify what worked or failed, and supply alternative approaches using leadership theories, such as situational leadership, transformational leadership, etc.
b) Change Management: Research a company’s response to organisational change management, e.g. Kodak, Netflix. You will critique the leadership approach and recommend strategies for overcoming resistance to change.
c) Diversity and Inclusion: Research how a company handled diversity and inclusion, e.g., Google, Harley-Davidson. You will evaluate the leadership’s impact on the organisation culture, the outcomes and propose improvements grounded in inclusive leadership theories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

In this assessment, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is PERMITTED. You can use AI tools:

• In the initial stages of the assessment for brainstorming, generating ideas, clarifying concepts and creating structures.
• AI can be used to for editing and revision on the clarity or quality of the work you create to improve the final output.

You CANNOT use AI tools to generate your full assessment. You must take full responsibility for the content of your assessments; AI tools should only be used as a supplement to your own research and analysis rather than as a replacement. If you use AI tools in an unethical or irresponsible manner, such as copying AIgenerated output without checking it against reliable sources, you risk committing academic misconduct. Any use of AI must be appropriately acknowledged in the AI declaration on the Assessment Cover Sheet.

Refer to the Using AI page on the ECA Library and Learning Support website for further guidance. Other Import.

Summary of Assessment Requirements

Assessment Type: Case Study Report (Assessment 2)
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) Assessed:

• ULO1: Interpret leadership concepts, theories, and types of leadership relative to your own style.
• ULO2: Evaluate the role of leadership in organisational culture, change, and conflict resolution.
• ULO4 & ULO5: Demonstrate and articulate the interconnectedness of personal accountability and responsibility and its impact on other stakeholders.

Purpose of the Assessment:

The assessment aims to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills by applying leadership theories to real-world organisational scenarios. Students must select one topic area to research:

1. Crisis Management – Analyse leadership decisions during crises and propose alternatives using leadership theories.
2. Change Management – Critique leadership approaches during organisational change and recommend strategies for overcoming resistance.
3. Diversity and Inclusion – Evaluate leadership impact on organisational culture and outcomes, proposing improvements based on inclusive leadership theories.

AI Use Guidelines:

• AI tools may be used for brainstorming, idea generation, clarifying concepts, structuring content, or improving clarity and quality.
• AI cannot be used to generate the full assessment. Students must verify content accuracy and ensure originality.

Key Pointers to Cover in the Assessment:

• Introduction and background of the case/company
• Identification of the leadership style(s) applied
• Critical evaluation of leadership decisions and their impact
• Application of relevant leadership theories to assess effectiveness
• Recommendations for improvement grounded in theory
• Reflection on personal accountability and responsibility
• Clear, logical structure with supporting evidence and examples

Academic Mentor Approach

The Academic mentor guided the student through a step-by-step process to ensure thorough understanding and application of leadership concepts:

Step 1: Topic Selection and Scoping

• Guidance: Mentor helped the student select a relevant case (e.g., BP Oil Spill for Crisis Management) and define the scope of the report.
• Focus: Understanding the context, timeframe, and key stakeholders involved.

Step 2: Research and Evidence Collection

• Guidance: Mentor advised on gathering credible sources, including academic articles, case studies, and organisational reports.
• Focus: Collecting data to identify leadership actions, decisions, and outcomes.

Step 3: Leadership Theory Application

• Guidance: Mentor assisted in mapping observed leadership behaviours to relevant theories (e.g., transformational, situational, inclusive leadership).
• Focus: Analysing the effectiveness of leadership styles and identifying gaps or areas for improvement.

Step 4: Critical Evaluation and Recommendations

• Guidance: Mentor taught the student to critically evaluate leadership decisions using theoretical frameworks and organisational outcomes.
• Focus: Highlighting successes, failures, and proposing evidence-based alternative approaches.

Step 5: Reflection on Accountability and Stakeholder Impact

• Guidance: Mentor encouraged reflection on personal accountability and how leadership decisions affected employees, customers, and wider stakeholders.
• Focus: Linking ULO4 and ULO5 to the case study findings.

Step 6: Structuring and Writing the Report

• Guidance: Mentor provided advice on clear report structure: introduction, background, analysis, recommendations, conclusion, and references.
• Focus: Logical flow, clarity, and professional academic tone.

Step 7: Review, Edit, and Use of AI Tools

• Guidance: Mentor allowed AI use for improving clarity, editing grammar, or brainstorming ideas while ensuring the student maintained ownership and academic integrity.
• Focus: Final polishing and verification of accuracy against sources.

Outcome Achieved

• The student submitted a well-structured case study report with a clear analysis of leadership decisions.
• Leadership theories were correctly applied to evaluate effectiveness and propose improvements.
• Recommendations were evidence-based, feasible, and linked to organisational goals.
• Reflection on personal accountability and stakeholder impact demonstrated deep understanding of ULO4 and ULO5.
• Learning objectives covered:
  • Application of leadership theory to real-world scenarios
  • Critical evaluation of leadership decisions
  • Reflection on accountability and ethical responsibility
  • Enhancing problem-solving and analytical skills

Overall Impact: The student achieved the assessment goals while demonstrating practical application of leadership concepts and critical thinking skills.

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