Assignment: S2. Individual Essay
Word Count: 3,000 words
Contribution to Module Mark: 60%
Learning outcome assessed:
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- Critical knowledge of the key theories in the field of innovation.
- Knowledge of factors that are critical to how an organisation manages innovation, such as its culture, reward strategy and approach to measuring innovation activities
- Development of and competence at key personal transferable skills, including presentation, writing, team-working, organisational and reflective skills
- Knowledge of the local, national and global job and placement markets and your own strengths and weaknesses
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Assessment Brief
Write an essay focused on the following:
What are the barriers to innovation in the workplace?
(for example: government regulations, short term thinking, lack of capital, lack of resources, fear, cultural issues etc)
Assignment 2: Your Individual Essay needs to be submitted through, Turn-it-in
Deadline Time: 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Deadline Date: 10th February, 12.00 p.m. (noon)
Word Count: 3000 words + or – 10%. Please write between 2700 and 3300 words.
Assignment Structure: Individual Essay
New Page
Title: What are the barriers to innovation in the workplace? (3000 words)
Introduction (300 – 400 words)
Outline what the essay will discuss – complete last
In this essay, I will be discussing the barriers to innovation in the workplace. In order to examine this in
detail I will be looking at the following topics… Topic 1/ Topic 2/ Topic 3.
Define Innovation – Options to present information:
- Provide all the definitions of innovation you find.
- Provide the definitions of innovation in a table (title the table, include the individual sources).
- Innovation is defined by “Innovation is ….” (author, date), however some authors (author, date) (author, date) also include this factor in their definition. For the purposes of this assessment, I will be using the definition as outlined by X Author.
(Do not do more than 3 topics)
Topic 1: (e.g. reward / culture / resistance to innovation / strategy / networks) (700 words)
Title: Innovation Culture
– Define Innovation Culture
o Innovation Culture is defined by “Innovation Culture is ….” (author, date), however some authors (author, date) (author, date) also include this factor in their definition. For the purposes of this assessment, I will be using the definition as outlined by X Author.
– Is this a barrier or not?
o For and Against arguments
o Evidence both sides
o Ideally provide a real-world example (the most innovative companies for example: Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Tesla etc).
Topic 2: (e.g. reward / culture / resistance to innovation / strategy / networks) (700 words)
Topic 3: (e.g. reward / culture / resistance to innovation / strategy / networks) (700 words)
Consider the topics covered in the lectures and seminars when planning your essay, for example: innovation networks, resistance to innovation, rewarding innovation, innovation strategy and innovation culture. You are not limited to choosing from these topics, and are welcome to consider other relevant topics in your essay too (e.g. recruiting for innovation, training, communication). Each of these topics could be discussed as either a barrier to innovation or a way of encouraging innovation. For example, a lack of reward for innovation could be a barrier to innovation, whilst giving rewards could encourage innovation.
It is recommended that you discuss approximately 3 topics in your essay, as well as having an introduction and conclusion. Each topic should be supported with evidence and provide a real-world example which demonstrates your key points. Define key terms, use good quality sources (academic books and journal articles) to support your arguments and include critical analysis.
Conclusion (500 – 600 words)
– Summarise the key points raised in the main body of the essay.
– Remind reader of the importance of innovation (e.g. innovation is frequently mentioned by CEOs as a top strategic priority (references)
– Brief suggestions of how an organisation might improve / remove barriers / continue encouraging innovation.
– Do not introduce new information
References
Notes:
● You need to submit your individual essay to your allocated Turnitin Submission Link.
● You should upload one document only in Microsoft Word format.
References and Structure
• Your assignment should be Harvard Referenced and show a range of sources.
• Please ensure that you structure your Individual Essay appropriately and check your use of spelling, grammar and punctuation throughout.
