Task Details: Choose one of the topic areas listed above and then choose one aspect or issue within the
topic. This is a minor assignment and the word limit is 1500 words so your analysis must necessarily be
selective. That is why it is suggested that you focus on one aspect only of the broader topic area. For
example, you might want to focus on the issue of motivation of knowledge workers within the ‘Motivation’
topic especially amongst generation X or Y. It is a good idea to check with your seminar leader that the
issue that you are going to focus on is an appropriate area for review.
Note: Given that this unit is an Australian-based unit, it is preferable that you choose an issue that is
relevant to the Australian OB environment. This does not mean that the literature chosen has to be
restricted to Australian sources – you are encouraged to select literature from a global set of academic
sources.
Once you have chosen a topic you are required to read from both the popular / professional and academic
literature and then critically analyse and compare the commentary and findings from both sources: you are
required to include at least 2 (no more than 3) popular or professional articles and 15 academic articles.
Popular and professional sources include newspapers, online reviews or magazines such as HR Leader or HR
Monthly.
The academic ‘literature’ can include a range of sources:
– Academic journal articles
– Monographs (books)
– Academic articles on the Library’s Databases
– Conference proceedings
– Empirical studies (usually reported in journal articles and monographs)
– Government reports and reports from other major bodies
– Historical records
– Statistical information
Format: Your analysis is to be a scholarly essay that surveys and critically reports on both the popular /
professional and the academic literature in your chosen topic area. It must be presented in essay format
and should be a synthesis of the literature. You must read widely and draw your literature search from a
broad range of sources from the list above. As indicated above, the reading list for this unit is a good
starting point for your literature review. The reference section at the end of the appropriate chapter in your
text similarly provides a good starting point.
Remember that although you are asked to include professional articles the main focus is on the academic
literature, that is scholarly books and articles as distinct from journalistic and industry accounts.
You should incorporate at least 15 refereed academic journal articles.