MGMT2064 Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management.

INSTRUCTIONS

Format

• . 4. Students may use AI tools at Level 2 only (e.g., brainstorming ideas, outlining, grammar checking). AI must not replace original analysis or writing. 5. Use a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 recent academic sources published within the last seven (7) years. 6. Follow APA (7th edition) formatting for citations and references 7. Plagiarism policies apply
• therefore, students must ensure that the Similarity Index (SI) does not exceed 25%. Case Study: Leadership and Perception at Orion Manufacturing Ltd. Orion Manufacturing Ltd. is a medium-sized organization specializing in electronic components. Recently, the company has experienced declining employee morale, increased absenteeism, and reduced productivity. To address these issues, senior management appointed a new HR Manager, Ms. Dlamini, who implemented several changes to improve performance. 2 Ms. Dlamini adopted a results-driven leadership approach, setting strict performance targets and closely monitoring employee output. While some employees viewed her leadership as decisive and goal-oriented, others perceived her behaviour as controlling and unsupportive. Several team leaders reported that employees often attributed management decisions to favoritism rather than performance criteria. Additionally, misunderstandings between supervisors and employees increased, resulting in conflicts and diminished trust. Employees frequently misinterpret feedback as personal criticism rather than constructive guidance. As a result, motivation levels varied significantly across departments. Senior management now seeks to understand how perception, attribution, and leadership style may be influencing employee attitudes and behaviour, and how leadership practices can be improved to motivate employees and achieve organizational goals. Assignment Questions (Essay Format) Question 1: Using specific examples from the Orion Manufacturing Ltd. case, explain the concept of perception and identify the key factors that influence perception in organizational settings. Analyze how perceptual distortions arise in the organization and examine how these distortions, as illustrated in the case, shape the attributions, judgments, and decisions made by employees and management about each other’s behaviour. Support your analysis with attribution theory and other relevant organizational behaviour concepts, making explicit reference to the case throughout your response Question 2: With reference to the case study, define leadership and critically discuss the major leadership theories relevant to the situation at Orion Manufacturing Ltd. Identify and evaluate the leadership styles used by HRM in the case and assess their effectiveness in motivating employees. 3 Word Limit • 2,000 – 2,500 words total • Word count excludes cover page and reference list Marking Guide – Case Study Essay Total Marks: 50 This assignment is marked out of 50 and assesses three main areas: 1. Content & Understanding (Questions 1 & 2) – 40 Marks • Shows understanding of perception, attribution, leadership, and motivation theories. • Demonstrates ability to apply theory to the Orion Manufacturing case study. • Provides critical analysis and evaluation, not just description. • Marks available: 20 marks per question Tip: Use examples from the case study and explain why they relate to the theory. 2. Writing Quality & Referencing – 10 Marks • Spelling, grammar, and sentence structure • APA formatting and use of 6–8 recent academic sources (You should cite recent references published within the last 7 years) Tip: Ensure your essay is clear, concise, properly referenced, and follows APA style.

Questions

1. This is an individual assignment.
2. Read the case study provided below carefully before answering the questions.
3. Answers must be written in essay format.
4. Students may use AI tools at Level 2 only (e.g., brainstorming ideas, outlining, grammar checking). AI must not replace original analysis or writing.
5. Use a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 recent academic sources published within the last seven (7) years.
6. Follow APA (7th edition) formatting for citations and references
7. Plagiarism policies apply; therefore, students must ensure that the Similarity Index (SI) does not exceed 25%. Case Study: Leadership and Perception at Orion Manufacturing Ltd. Orion Manufacturing Ltd. is a medium-sized organization specializing in electronic components. Recently, the company has experienced declining employee morale, increased absenteeism, and reduced productivity. To address these issues, senior management appointed a new HR Manager, Ms. Dlamini, who implemented several changes to improve performance. 2 Ms. Dlamini adopted a results-driven leadership approach, setting strict performance targets and closely monitoring employee output. While some employees viewed her leadership as decisive and goal-oriented, others perceived her behaviour as controlling and unsupportive. Several team leaders reported that employees often attributed management decisions to favoritism rather than performance criteria. Additionally, misunderstandings between supervisors and employees increased, resulting in conflicts and diminished trust. Employees frequently misinterpret feedback as personal criticism rather than constructive guidance. As a result, motivation levels varied significantly across departments. Senior management now seeks to understand how perception, attribution, and leadership style may be influencing employee attitudes and behaviour, and how leadership practices can be improved to motivate employees and achieve organizational goals. Assignment Questions (Essay Format) Question 1: Using specific examples from the Orion Manufacturing Ltd. case, explain the concept of perception and identify the key factors that influence perception in organizational settings. Analyze how perceptual distortions arise in the organization and examine how these distortions, as illustrated in the case, shape the attributions, judgments, and decisions made by employees and management about each other’s behaviour. Support your analysis with attribution theory and other relevant organizational behaviour concepts, making explicit reference to the case throughout your response Question 2: With reference to the case study, define leadership and critically discuss the major leadership theories relevant to the situation at Orion Manufacturing Ltd. Identify and evaluate the leadership styles used by HRM in the case and assess their effectiveness in motivating employees. 3 Word Limit • 2,000 – 2,500 words total • Word count excludes cover page and reference list Marking Guide – Case Study Essay Total Marks: 50 This assignment is marked out of 50 and assesses three main areas:
8. Content & Understanding (Questions 1 & 2) – 40 Marks • Shows understanding of perception, attribution, leadership, and motivation theories. • Demonstrates ability to apply theory to the Orion Manufacturing case study. • Provides critical analysis and evaluation, not just description. • Marks available: 20 marks per question Tip: Use examples from the case study and explain why they relate to the theory.