3CO01 Assignment Example

This unit examines the impact of external factors and how the digital and commercial environments shape businesses and the cultures in which they operate. It also explores the significance of people’s behaviour on organisational culture and its capacity to manage change effectively.

Assessment Questions

AC 1.1 Examine two key external influences impacting or likely to impact the activities of the organisation that you work for (or an organisation with which you are familiar)

Example:

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements are a significant external factor impacting Microsoft. As a leading technology company, Microsoft is profoundly influenced by these advancements (Citilci and Akbalik, 2020). The organisation must stay updated with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, augmented reality, and quantum computing. To maintain its competitive edge, Microsoft can integrate these emerging technologies through product development, innovation strategies, and the attraction and retention of talented employees, thereby driving its strategic goals.

AC 1.2 Discuss the main business goal of the organisation that you work for (or an organisation with which you are familiar) and why it is important for that organisation to plan how they will achieve the goal.

Example:

One of Microsoft Inc.’s business goals is to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more (Microsoft, 2024). By leveraging services like Azure, Microsoft aims to become a leading provider of cloud computing services. This goal is crucial for securing revenue growth and enhancing financial performance. Additionally, Microsoft seeks to gain a competitive advantage in the cloud computing market, differentiating itself from competitors such as Amazon. Achieving this will help attract and retain customers with robust, secure cloud infrastructure and services. Furthermore, Microsoft’s mission to empower customers to achieve more is vital in driving digital transformation through the modernization of information technology infrastructure.

AC 1.3 Discuss the products and/or services of the organisation that you work for (or an organisation with which you are familiar) and discuss the organisation’s main customers.

Example:

One of the key products sold by Microsoft is its flagship operating system, Microsoft Windows (Microsoft, 2023). This system caters to a wide range of customers, including businesses, specialised businesses, educational institutions, individuals, and government agencies. Additionally, Microsoft offers the Microsoft Office suite, which includes productivity applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Publisher. This suite is designed for individuals and organisations needing tools for word processing, presentation creation, email communication, collaboration, and spreadsheet management.

Furthermore, Microsoft provides Azure, a comprehensive cloud computing platform that offers hybrid solutions, software, and storage (Microsoft, 2023). Azure’s specific customers include businesses and individuals seeking flexible cloud computing infrastructure, developers building and deploying cloud-native applications, and organisations leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Technology has transformed workplaces and the people profession.

AC 1.4 Review how file sharing technology and video conferencing can be used to improve working practices and collaboration within the people profession in your organisation (or an organisation with which you are familiar).

Example:

File-sharing technologies encompass digital tools and platforms that allow users to share access and collaborate on documents and digital files. The aforementioned may include services such as Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud and Google Drive.

Notably, people professionals at Microsoft may leverage file-sharing technologies to ensure centralised document management. The aforementioned entails storing and organising employee records, policies and training materials in a centralised and secure manner. The aforementioned also improves access to key documents in the organisation particularly when employees are working from different geographical locations hence better collaboration and convenience (CIPD, 2021).

AC 2.1 Define organisational culture and explain why it is important to foster an appropriate and effective workplace culture in your organisation (or an organisation with which you are familiar).

Example:

Organisational culture can be defined as the shared values, beliefs, norms, attitudes, and behaviours that characterise an organisation and guide its members’ interactions and decisions. According to Schein’s Theory of Organisational Culture, organisational culture consists of three levels: artefacts, espoused values, and basic assumptions (Sridharan, 2022).

People professionals need to foster an appropriate and effective workplace culture within the organisation. This enhances employee engagement and motivation. A positive workplace culture helps employees develop a strong sense of purpose, belonging, and fulfilment. Additionally, employees in an organisation with a positive culture are more motivated, satisfied, and committed to the organisation and its objectives, as they feel valued, respected, and supported. Conversely, employees in an organisation with a negative culture are likely to be dissatisfied and disengaged.

AC 2.2 Explain how culture is part of a whole system and explain how people professionals’ work and actions could impact elsewhere in your organisation (or an organisation with which you are familiar).

Example:

Organisations can be viewed as whole systems where elements such as structure, systems, and culture interact. For instance, organisational structure defines the hierarchy, including roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships within the organisation (Gordon, 2021). It also determines how tasks are divided, coordinated, and executed. Organisations develop appropriate structures based on their size, industry, and priorities. For example, they may adopt hierarchical, functional, or divisional structures. Notably, organisational structure influences other areas, such as culture. A hierarchical structure, for example, may foster a culture of micromanagement but also encourage accountability.

According to the CIPD’s Change Management factsheet, one driver of organisational change is economic downturn and challenging trading conditions.

AC 3.1 Explain why it is important that organisational change driven by economic downturn and challenging trading conditions is planned, and effectively managed in your organisation (or an organisation with which you are familiar).

Example:

Organisational change should be carefully planned and managed to anticipate potential challenges and mitigate risks, thereby ensuring a smoother transition (Flach, 2023). Additionally, planning ensures that the change aligns with the organisation’s long-term objectives, including adherence to its vision and mission. Effective planning also facilitates prudent management of resources—such as time, budget, personnel, and technology—minimising waste and ensuring that allocations are based on the actual needs of the change process.

AC 3.2 Explain the importance and role that could be played by people professionals in your organisation (or an organisation with which you are familiar) within change driven by economic downturn.

Example:

Role of change Champion

People professionals serve as change champions when managing change driven by economic downturns. This role involves advocating for new practices, such as cost-cutting measures, and promoting change initiatives by emphasising their benefits to gain employee buy-in (Gordon, 2020). Additionally, people professionals lead by example, demonstrating a positive attitude toward the change to foster wider acceptance among the workforce.

AC 3.3 Discuss how organisational change, driven by economic downturn, could impact people in your organisation (or an organisation with which you are familiar) in different ways.

Example:

Changes driven by the economic downturn could affect people at Microsoft Company in different ways. For instance, it may impact employee morale and job security. The aforementioned is because of fears of the organisation raking cost-cutting measures such as workforce reduction to reduce costs. This may lead to uncertainty and increased stress ultimately lowering their morale. In addition, economic downturns may also impact employee engagement. For instance, employees’ fears of job security and increased workloads may lead to decreased engagement and loyalty to employees. This is because employees may feel undervalued and overworked by the organisation. 

The Kübler-Ross Change Curve illustrates the different stages employees go through during change, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (Lohia, 2022). For instance, when faced with layoffs driven by economic downturns, employees might initially react with denial, believing the situation is temporary and their jobs will remain unaffected. As reality sets in, this denial can turn into anger, often directed at the organisation’s leadership for making the decision to proceed with layoffs.

Reference

Gordon, J. (2020). 10 Ways To Be An Effective Change Champion – People Development. [online] Available at: https://peopledevelopmentmagazine.com/2020/01/06/change-champion/ [Accessed 24 Jul. 2024].

Lohia, S. (2022). How to apply the Kübler-Ross Change Curve^TM in the workplace. [online] The Predictive Index. Available at: https://www.predictiveindex.com/blog/how-to-apply-the-kubler-ross-change-curve-in-the-workplace/ [Accessed 24 Jul. 2024].

Flach, D. (2023). The Importance of Change Management in an Organization. [online] Bloomfire. Available at: https://bloomfire.com/blog/importance-of-change-management/ [Accessed 26 Jun. 2023].

Gordon, J. (2021). Systems Theory of Management – Explained. [online] The Business Professor, LLC. Available at: https://thebusinessprofessor.com/management-leadership-organizational-behavior/systems-theory-of-management [Accessed 24 Jul. 2024].

Citilci, T. and Akbalik, M. (2020). The Importance of PESTEL Analysis for Environmental Scanning Process. Advances in Marketing, Customer Relationship Management, and E-Services, [online] pp.336–357. doi:https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2559-3.ch016.

Microsoft (2024). About – Microsoft. [online] Microsoft.com. Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about [Accessed 7 May 2024].

Microsoft (2023). Microsoft 365 Products, Apps and Services. [online] www.microsoft.com. Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/products-apps-services [Accessed 7 May 2024].

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