HC1052 – Organisational Behaviour

Assessment Task 1: Article Critique

Holmes Institute

Trimester 1, 2026

Weighting: 20%

Task Description

Write a 1,500-word article critique that critically evaluates a selected scholarly article in the field of organisational behaviour. The article is available on Blackboard under Assignments & Due Dates. Your critique must demonstrate understanding of key OB concepts, engage with the author’s central argument, and form an evidence-based position on the thesis or research question presented.

Requirements

1. Format the critique as a standard academic essay.
2. Use Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing.
3. Word limit: 1,500 words (±10%), excluding reference list.
4. Identify the article’s main thesis statement or central research question.
5. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the article’s argument, methodology, evidence, and conclusions in relation to the thesis.
6. State your own viewpoint: agree or disagree with the author’s position and explain your reasoning clearly.
7. Support your analysis and position with evidence from at least three additional peer-reviewed academic sources (published within the last 10 years).
8. Integrate relevant organisational behaviour concepts and theories covered in lectures and tutorials.
9. Use Harvard referencing style consistently for in-text citations and the reference list.
10. Submit electronically via Blackboard by the due date. Late submissions attract standard penalties unless an approved extension is granted.

Assessment Criteria

• Accurate identification and explanation of the article’s thesis/research question (10%)
• Balanced critical evaluation of strengths and weaknesses (20%)
• Clear, reasoned personal viewpoint supported by logical argument (20%)
• Effective use of at least three additional scholarly sources to support analysis (20%)
• Application and understanding of relevant OB concepts/theories from the unit (15%)
• Structure, academic writing quality, grammar, spelling, and coherence (10%)
• Correct and consistent Harvard referencing (5%)

Submission Guidelines

Individual assignment. No group work permitted. Plagiarism will be checked via Turnitin. Ensure all sources are appropriately acknowledged. A reference list must be included at the end of the essay.

The article argues that transformational leadership significantly enhances employee engagement in high-pressure service environments. While the study provides robust quantitative evidence from a large sample, it overlooks potential cultural moderators that influence leadership effectiveness across diverse workforces. Recent research supports the inclusion of cultural dimensions when examining leadership outcomes in multinational organisations. Leaders should therefore adapt transformational approaches to local values to maximise engagement and performance (Ng, 2019, available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.12.045). Overall the thesis holds merit but requires contextual nuance to apply reliably in global settings.

References

• Arnold, K.A., 2021. Transformational leadership and employee psychological well-being: A review and directions for future research. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26(3), pp.179-195. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000278.
• Ng, T.W.H., 2019. Transformational leadership and performance across cultures: A meta-analytic examination. Journal of Business Research, 98, pp.1-12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.12.045.
• Schyns, B. and Schilling, J., 2018. Revisiting the dark side of leadership: A meta-analysis of the relationship between destructive leadership and followers’ outcomes. Leadership Quarterly, 29(5), pp.565-581. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.03.001.
• Wang, G., Oh, I.-S., Courtright, S.H. and Colbert, A.E., 2020. Transformational leadership and performance across criteria and levels: A meta-analytic review of 25 years of research. Group & Organization Management, 45(2), pp.175-213. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601118823901.
• Zhang, Y., Guo, Y. and Newman, A., 2022. Identity leadership and employee outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(4), pp.678-697. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2589.