Faculty of Business Studies

Arab Open University

Organizations and People

B628

Tutor Monitoring Assignment

Summer 2019
QUESTIONS

B628 TMA – Summer 2019 –LY Page 1

 Managers and Leaders: Are They Different?

An organization analysis

The TMA case is a free case study where you have to choose a local or regional organization in your country and
analyze the difference between leaders and managers.

You are required to pick a local organization in your country or regional organization that you have
access to. If you choose a very large organization, pick one department or an office (some sub-unit of the
organization) on which to focus your analysis. This company offered you an opportunity to be assigned
as a section manager in addition of being assigned to lead a team group to find new opportunities for the
company and you are asked to prepare an outline report of your views on the new job. The purpose of
the assignment is to develop your ability to use the conceptual frameworks, theories, practices, models
and tools that have are taught in B628 course and to apply them to real world organizations.

The use of the material from below three sources is expected:

1. Leadership versus Management: Business Excellence/Performance Management view; accessible
from: https://www.ep.liu.se/ecp/026/076/ecp0726076.pdf
2. Algahtani, A. (2014). Are Leadership and Management Different? A Review. Journal of
Management Policies and Practices, Vol. 2 (3), 71-82; accessible from:
https://jmppnet.com/journals/jmpp/Vol_2_No_3_September_2014/4.pdf
3. Lunenburg, F. C. (2011). Leadership versus management: A Key Distinction – At Least in Theory.
International Journal of Management, Business and Administration, Vol. 14 (1), 1-4; accessible
from:
https://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/comp3120/local_docs/readings/Lunenburg_LeadershipVersusManagement.p
df
4. Jun Hao, M. and Yazdanifard, R. (2015). How Effective Leadership can Facilitate Change in
Organizations through Improvement and Innovation. Global Journal of Management and
Business Research: A Administration and Management, Vol. 15 (9), 1-6; accessible from:
https://globaljournals.org/GJMBR_Volume15/1-How-Effective-Leadership.pdf

5. B628 course material particularly chapters 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8.

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Before you start answering to questions, clearly identify the organization you have chosen and provide a
brief description of its function and rational for choosing it. This should be highlighted in a paragraph not
exceeding 300 words before answering to questions. These 300 words are not included in the word count.
However, not providing such introduction will affect your total grade where grades will be deducted from
the presentation on the PT3 form.

Question 1 (25 marks – word limit: 600 words)

Explain why leaders and managers are different. Analyze the types of leadership skills and managerial
skills that may be needed in organizations. Explain why different work types may require different skills
and traits. Illustrate with examples.

Question 2 (25 marks – word limit: 600 words)

Critically discuss approaches to motivation you may apply as a manager /or a leader in the organization
to increase employee performance. Explain techniques that should be used to avoid employees
demotivation.

Question 3 (25 marks – word limit: 600 words)

Evaluate communication processes you may use to secure smooth running of information exchange.
Discuss the channels you think are most effective in overcoming communication barriers.

Question 4 (25 mark – word limit: 600 words)

Explain the main categories of information that you may need in the organization. Identify the
information system prevailing in your chosen organization and explain by specifying the inputs,
transformation processes and outputs. Give suggestion to improve information management in the
organization.

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 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS

1. Cut-off date: Week 6. If you feel that you are unable to meet the cut-off date of the TMA because of
unusual circumstances, please contact your tutor as soon as possible to discuss a possible extension to the
cut-off date. The exact cut-off date will be assigned in due date.

TMA weight: 20% of total course grade.

2. Course material:
- Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8.

3. Format: Write your answers in essay format. Failing to do so could result in grade deduction
from presentation marks up to 4 marks. You may, however, use bullet points, diagrams, tables, or
any graphs to support your arguments.

4. Plagiarism: It is imperative that you write your answers using your own words. Plagiarism will
be penalized depending on its severity and according to AOU plagiarism policy (Enclosed after
these instructions you will find the Arab Open University Rules of Cheating and Plagiarism).

5. Word count: Answers must be within +/-10% of the word count. Answer that fall below or
above this range can be deducted up to 4 marks.

6. Referencing: Use the Harvard referencing style for in-text referencing and make a Table of
References at the end. Failing to do so could result grade deduction of up to 4 marks.

7. Research: In addition, although text books assigned in the course may be used freely as
references, you are required to use a minimum of 2 external sources. It is recommended that you
use scholarly studies found in the E-library link at the LMS. Failing to do so could result in grade
deduction of referencing marks up to 4 marks.

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 The Arab Open University Rules about Plagiarism

The Arab Open University Definitions of cheating and plagiarism

According to the Arab Open University By-laws, “The following acts represent studies of cheating and plagiarism:

 Verbatim copying of printed material and submitting them as part of TMAs without proper
academic acknowledgement and documentation.
 Verbatim copying of material from the Internet, including tables and graphics.
 Copying other students’ notes or reports.
 Using paid or unpaid material prepared for the student by individuals or firms.
 Utilization of, or proceeding to utilize, contraband materials or devices in examinations.”

Examples of Plagiarism
Copying from a single or multiple sources, this is where the student uses one or more of the following as
the basis for the whole, or a good part, of the assignment:
1. Published or unpublished books, studies or reports
2. The Internet
3. The media (e.g.TV programmes, radio programmes or newspaper studies)
4. An essay from an essay bank
5. A piece of work previously submitted by another student
6. Copying from a text which is about to be submitted for the same assignment

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