Page 1 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

HRM7005

Reward Management

Coursework Assignment

Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn

(The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission)

Page 2 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

Assignment Brief

As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit

Reward Management coursework assignment. Please refer to your Student Handbook

for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on

preparing and submitting assignments.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Analyse the relationship between the environment, strategy and systems of

reward management.

2. Explore the conceptual apparatus and theoretical debates informing reward

management.

3. Critically discuss traditional, contingent and knowledge bases for transactional

and relational rewards.

4. Design internally consistent reward structures that recognise labour market and

equity constraints.

5. Analyse executive and expatriate rewards in an international context.

6. Critically evaluate key issues in reward management.

7. Evaluate major theories relating to motivation, commitment and engagement at

work and how these are put into practice by organisations.

8. Using financial information to inform decision making

Page 3 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

Guidance

Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the

module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted

document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard systems. You

should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that

tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.

You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University

operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the

identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.

Maximum word count: 5000 words

Please refer to the full word count policy which can be found in the Student Policies section here: Arden University | Regulatory Framework

Please note the following:

Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment. The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in

text citations and references). The word count excludes numerical data in tables,

figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. ALL other printed

words ARE included in the word count.

Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a 10-percentage point

deduction.

Page 4 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

Assignment Task

This assessment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module.

You work in an insurance company. The company has always operated on a flat rate

pay scheme, for all employees. It has now been decided that there should be some

reward for performance. This reflects the feedback received from employees in a

recent employee attitude survey. Employees commented that they did not think it fair

that all employees received the same reward regardless of their level of contribution.

You are now planning the introduction of some form of performance related pay. In

doing this you need to address several different issues, and in doing so you need to

answer the following questions:

1. The reward system in an organisation is affected by both internal and external

factors.

a) Identify two internal and two external factors that need to be considered when

introducing performance related pay and evaluate their impact on strategy

and systems of reward management.

b) Critically discuss the possible relationships between the assumptions of

Human Capital theory and internal labour markets

(1,250 words)

(25 marks)

(LOs 1 & 2)

Page 5 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

2. It is likely that introducing performance related pay will have the potential to

increase the cost of reward in the insurance company. The senior management

have asked, therefore, for some way of evaluating whether the approach is

successful. Explain an approach that could be used and critically evaluate the

extent to which the pay structure considers labour market and equity constraints.

(1,250 words)

(25 marks)

(LOs 3 & 4)

3. Critically evaluate what you must consider when ensuring that the performance

related pay scheme is both ethical and demonstrates a professional approach to

an international Executive and Expatriate reward system.

(1, 250 words)

(25 marks)

(LOs 5 & 6)

4. Pay does not necessarily motivate individuals, but other aspects of reward might

motivate.

a) Critically analyse the impact that performance related pay might have on the

employees.

b) Critically assess the factors that determine the validity and reliability of market

rate data in determining pay structures?

(1,250 words)

(25 marks)

(LO 7 & 8)

Page 6 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

Formative Feedback

You have the opportunity to submit a bullet point outline of what you propose to cover in your assignment to receive formative feedback.

The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner. If you are a distance learning student, you should submit your work, by email, to your tutor,

no later than 2 weeks before the actual submission deadline. If you are a blended learning

student, your tutor will give you a deadline for formative feedback and further details.

Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date or the date

specified by your tutor – if a blended learning student.

Referencing Guidance

You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system. Follow this link to find the referencing guides for your subject: Arden Library Submission Guidance

Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail. Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more information please see the “Submitting an Assignment – Guide” document available on the A-Z key information on iLearn. You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is available on the A-Z key information on iLearn.)

Page 7 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

Assessment Criteria: Level 7 Level 7 is characterised by an expectation of students’ expertise in their specialism. Students are semi-autonomous, demonstrating independence in the negotiation of assessment tasks (including the major project) and the ability to evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to isolate and focus on the significant features of problems and to offer synthetic and coherent solutions, with some students producing original or innovative work in their specialism that is potentially worthy of publication by Arden University. A clear appreciation of ethical considerations (as appropriate) is also a prerequisite.

Grade

Mark Bands Generic Assessment Criteria

Distinction 70%+

Excellent analysis of key issues and concepts/. Excellent development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Excellent research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive / professional skills, and substantial creativity and originality. Excellent academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and demonstrates an awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Work may be considered for publication by Arden university

Merit 60-69%

Very good level of competence demonstrated. High level of theory application. Very good analysis of key issues and concepts. Development of conceptual structures and argument making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Some evidence of original thought and a general awareness of relevant ethical considerations

Pass 50-59%

A satisfactory to good performance. Basic knowledge of key issues and concepts. Generally descriptive, with restricted analysis of existing scholarly material and little argument development. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent. The work lacks original thought. Some awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Satisfactory professional skills (where appropriate).

Marginal Fail

40-49%

Limited research skills impede use of learning resources and problem solving. Significant problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. Limited use of scholarly conventions. Errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall.

Fail 39% and below A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding, underpinning theory and ethical considerations. Little evidence of research skills, use of learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/ accuracy in expression. Professional skills not present. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills.

Page 8 of 8 [242]

Arden University © reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in the learning materials and this publication. No part of any of the learning materials or this publication may be reproduced, shared (including in private social media groups), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Arden University. To find out more about the use and distribution of programme materials please see the Arden Student Terms and Conditions.

No evidence of use of scholarly conventions.