Integrate theory
Integration of theory
Integrating theory into your case study answer is vital. This allows you to:
- demonstrate how theory relates to the actual issues/problems
- demonstrate your understanding of your course content.
The following examples shows how the theory and issues have been woven together.
Example 1: Management case study
Notice how the student has integrated the different parts of the paragraph.
The Fitzgeralds’ management style demonstrated an inability to lead and develop a positive team of employees in the hotel. The Fitzgerald’s failed to communicate effectively, consult with or indeed involve the staff in management changes or decisions. According to Mullens (1994) good management and leadership helps to develop teamwork and the integration of individual and group goals. Despite significant proposed changes, the Fitzgeralds did not call a staff meeting to discuss their plans because of the cost. Instead the new managers displayed an autocratic leadership style where there were no consultative processes and management alone was involved in decision making (Mullens 1994). Clearly this management style not only failed to gain employee commitment to achieving organisational goals, but also underpinned many of the problems that have since occurred.
Legend
Notice how the student has integrated the different parts of the paragraph
- 'identify' is short for: identified issues
- 'evidence' is short for: evidence from case
- 'integration' is short for: integration of theory
Paragraph
[Identify: The Fitzgeralds’ management style demonstrated an inability to lead and develop a positive team of employees in the hotel.] [Evidence: The Fitzgerald’s failed to communicate effectively, consult with or indeed involve the staff in management changes or decisions.] [Integration: According to Mullens (1994) good management and leadership helps to develop teamwork and the integration of individual and group goal] [Evidence: Despite significant proposed changes, the Fitzgeralds did not call a staff meeting to discuss their plans because of the cost.] [Integration: Instead the new managers displayed an autocratic leadership style where there were no consultative processes and management alone was involved in decision making (Mullens 1994).] [Identify: Clearly this management style not only failed to gain employee commitment to achieving organisational goals, but also underpinned many of the problems that have since occurred.]
Activity
Try and identify the 3 examples of student analysis. Click the sentence to highlight each analysis. Correct answers will stay highlighted.
It is clear that the Fitzgeralds’ leadership style failed to communicate clear goals and visions to their employees. Both Robbins et al. (1994) and Sief (1991) suggest that leadership is the ability to guide people towards shared goals and visions, which are in the best interests of an organisation and its staff. Unfortunately the Fitzgerald’s leadership style failed to build shared objectives and visions with their employees. Management’s lack of inclusiveness in the implementation of the changes has resulted in dissatisfied clients, staff and management who blamed staff for not taking responsibility for their jobs. The Fitzgerald's communication strategy was not effective and did not build the mutual objectives necessary between the hotel staff and management to achieve organisational efficiency (Robbins et al. 1994). Rather, their style of leadership was destructive and divisive.
Well done!
Log in to leave feedback