BUS293 Organisational Theory and Behaviour Assignment 2026 | Murdoch University

BUS293 Assignment

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Topic

An organisation’s culture holds great importance for influencing how employees behave, interact within the organisation, perform tasks, and contribute towards the sustainability of the organisation. Positive organisational culture helps enhance employee well-being, communication skills, productivity levels, and ethical behaviour, whereas a bad organisational culture can cause disputes within an organisation, discrimination, low morale among other problems (Robbins et al. 2023). With changing times, organisational culture is becoming ever more relevant in modern organisations for several reasons.

Rio Tinto is among the top multinational mining corporations which works in various countries as well as industries. In spite of the corporation’s success all around the world, Rio Tinto has attracted many criticisms with regards to its workplace environment due to the existence of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and poor leadership among others (Rio Tinto 2022). This situation has led to various questions on the sustainability and ethic of Rio Tinto.

In this report, the organisational culture problems at Rio Tinto have been critically analysed through the use of organisational behaviour theories and concepts. In addition, the effects of such organisational culture problems on the organisation’s performance and sustainability have been assessed and, subsequently, some recommendations made for organisational change and realignment with UN Global Compact principles. The report specifically analyses how the company conforms to Principle 6 of the UN Global Compact, which pertains to discrimination in the field of employment and workplaces.

1.2 Limitations

The present report will rely on secondary research sources that consist of journal articles, reports from the organisations themselves, news reports, and information available through various online resources. Primary research cannot be carried out for several reasons: firstly, because this was not required by the assignment, and secondly, since it would not have been possible due to lack of access to organisational records.

1.3 Sources of Data

The report employs various secondary sources to aid the discussion. The sources used comprise scholarly articles on theories of organisational culture, company documents, sustainability reports, credible news articles, and other business-related database sources. This combination of sources ensures that both theoretical and practical aspects concerning the organisational culture and operations of Rio Tinto are considered in the report.

1.4 Report Organisation

Introduction to Rio Tinto, Organisational Culture and Concepts. This report starts with an introduction of Rio Tinto and organisational culture concepts. Next is the critical analysis of the problems that have occurred to the organisation as far as organisational culture is concerned. It then goes ahead to discuss the effects brought about by these organisational culture problems to the firm’s performance and sustainability.

2.0 Company Background & Theory

2.1 Overview of Rio Tinto

• history
• operations
• mining industry
• global presence

2.2 Organisational Culture Theories

Use:

• Schein’s model
• Toxic organisational culture
• Ethical culture
• Power distance

Apply theories directly to Rio Tinto

3.0 Organisational Culture Challenges

3.1 Workplace Bullying & Harassment

3.2 Discrimination & Diversity Issues

3.3 Leadership & Ethical Failures

3.4 Impact on Employee Wellbeing

3.5 Operational Performance & Sustainability

3.6 United Nations Global Compact Principles

4.0 Recommendations

1. strengthen ethical leadership training
2. improve employee reporting systems
3. increase diversity and inclusion initiatives
4. improve workplace mental health support
5. strengthen organisational accountability

Need:

• Recommendation
• Benefit
• Business impact

5.0 Conclusion

Summarise:

• Major findings
• Cultural issues
• Importance of recommendations
• Sustainability concerns

Heads up: pls use Chicago referencing

Group members please:

• Use headings/subheadings
• Write in third person
• Analyse instead of describing
• Use real examples/ news (NO AI EXAMPLES. Make sure they exist and are real)
• Connect theories to Rio Tinto
• Mention sustainability repeatedly – Link to UN principles clearly

Secret: every paragraph should do this:

THEORY → REAL EXAMPLE → EFFECT

Example: The organisational culture theory by Schein states that the actions of the leaders have great impact on the norms and values at work. In the case of Rio Tinto, the cases of bullying and discrimination at work may imply an organisation culture that allows unethical practises.

The report will focus on UN Global Compact Principle 6: elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation. This principle was chosen because it strongly relates to Rio Tinto’s organisational culture issues, including workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination and ethical concerns. The report will analyse how these issues affect employee wellbeing, operational performance and organisational sustainability, while evaluating Rio Tinto’s alignment with Principle 6. group members please connect EVERYTHING back to Principle 6.

Example:

Theory

Toxic organisational culture

↓

Real issue

Bullying/discrimination at Rio Tinto

↓

Effect

Poor employee wellbeing + reputational damage

↓

UN Principle link

Conflicts with Principle 6

EXAMPLES TO USE

Workplace discrimination

→ conflicts with Principle 6

Harassment allegations

→ unsafe work environment

→ poor ethical culture

→ conflicts with Principle 6

Leadership failures

→ culture not properly managed

→ allows discrimination to continue

Employee wellbeing issues

→ affects sustainability + operational performance