Strategic Leadership and Decision-Making Assignments Questions | CUM

Assignment 1  – 3000 Words

Sir Ernest Shackleton, a renowned polar explorer, embarked on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. The expedition’s ship, the Endurance, became trapped in ice in the Weddell Sea in January 1915. Over the following months, the ship was crushed by the ice, forcing the 28-man crew to abandon ship and live on the floating ice floes.

Read the article titled ‘Leadership in Crisis: Ernest Shackleton and the Epic Voyage of the Endurance and answer the questions below. Support your analysis with relevant academic theories, concepts, and research findings. Use credible sources of information, including academic journals, news articles, and other publications.

Discussion Questions:

1. Leadership in Crisis: Analyze Shackleton’s leadership style during the expedition. How did he adapt his approach when faced with unexpected challenges and life-threatening situations?

2. Decision-Making: Evaluate Shackleton’s critical decisions, such as abandoning the expedition’s original goal, the journey in the James Caird, and his persistence in organizing the rescue mission. What were the risks and potential consequences of these decisions?

3. Team Management and Motivation: How did Shackleton maintain morale and cohesion among his crew under extreme stress and prolonged hardship? What strategies did he use to motivate his men and foster a sense of shared purpose?

4. Ethical Considerations: How did Shackleton balance the overall goal of the
expedition with his responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of his crew? How did his values and principles influence his actions?

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Assignment 2

The gig economy represents a significant shift in the way work is structured and performed, with profound implications for organizational behavior. It’s characterized by short-term, project-based work arrangements facilitated by online platforms, where independent contractors or freelancers provide services to clients on demand. This model disrupts traditional employment relationships and introduces new dynamics into the workforce.

Analyse and discuss the following implications of the gig economy in the Organizational Behaviour context:

1. Motivation and Engagement

• Intrinsic Motivation: Gig workers often have higher autonomy and flexibility, allowing them to choose projects aligned with their interests and skills, potentially leading to increased intrinsic motivation. Challenge of Engagement: The lack of a traditional employer-employee relationship can make it challenging to foster a sense of belonging and commitment among gig workers.

2. Teamwork and Collaboration

• Virtual and Distributed Teams: Gig work often involves collaborating with others remotely. Organizations need to facilitate effective communication and
  coordination tools to support virtual teamwork. Transient Teams: Project-based work means teams may form and disband quickly. This requires adaptability and efficient onboarding processes to ensure smooth collaboration.

3. Leadership and Organizational Culture

• Decentralized Leadership: The gig economy often lacks traditional hierarchical structures. Building Culture in a Fluid Environment: Creating a strong organizational culture with shared values and norms can be challenging with a constantly changing workforce.

4. Employee Well-Being

• Autonomy and Work-Life Balance: Gig work can offer flexibility and control over work hours, potentially improving work-life balance. However, it also comes with the risk of overwork and blurring the boundaries between personal and professional life. Job Security and Benefits: Gig workers often lack the job security and benefits associated with traditional employment, leading to increased stress and financial insecurity.

5. Discussion and Conclusion

• Conclude by analysing the effectiveness of gig economy as a catalyst of the country’s growth.

Guidelines for report preparation:

1. Extensive and appropriate use of high-quality academic sources (peer-reviewed journals, scholarly books, reputable research reports).

2. Sources are cited correctly and consistently using a recognized citation style (e.g., APA or Harvard).

3. Avoid using Wikipedia, personal blogs, or popular press articles as primary academic sources.

As a requirement of the coursework, you are expected to prepare a 10-minute video presentation that highlights the key points from your discussion.

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