7CO01 Work and working lives in a changing business environment 

Assessment questions

Question 1 (AC1.1)
To what extent do you agree with the view that the trend towards greater globalisation has peaked and that its extent will decline in the next few years? Assess in what major ways a retreat from globalisation would affect employment markets in your country?

Question 2 (AC1.2)
It is commonly argued that developments in the field of information technology will soon create machines with `general artificial intelligence` that are able to do anything the human brain can do, including generating new scientific knowledge. Critically evaluate the ways in which this development will affect employment in your industry or sector? Justify your answer with at least ONE example.

Question 3 (AC1.3)
Explain why the population in most countries is ageing rapidly. Illustrating your answer with examples, evaluate how this trend is creating challenges for people professionals in organisations.

Question 4 (AC1.4)
Over time, across the world, societies are becoming more affluent, but also more unequal. To what extent do you agree with the view that employment practices are the cause of these trends? Justify your answer.

Question 5 (AC2.1)
In what ways are developments in technology currently affecting the management of people within your organisation, or one that is familiar to you, and your own work as a people professional? Illustrating your answer with TWO distinct examples, evaluate the major advantages and disadvantages of these developments.

Question 6 (AC2.2)
In recent years governments have raised the `education leaving age` and have brought in incentives to encourage employers to invest more money in training and development.
Assess the purpose of these strategies and evaluate how successful they have been. Justify your answer.

Question 7 (AC 2.3)
What are the main principles that underpin health and safety law in your country? Illustrating your answer with examples, analyse why it is in the interests of employers to comply with these requirements?

Question 8 (AC 2.4)
In most countries recent years have been ones in which unemployment levels have been low by historic standards. Critically discuss why this situation has evolved. How is it affecting the management of people in your organisation?

Question 9 (AC 3.1)
Analyse the effective management and leadership of change in organisations with reference to TWO change management models. Illustrate your answer with examples of how and when the models might help contemporary organisations to manage and lead change effectively and when the models are less relevant.

Question 10 (AC 3.2)
Examine the main causes of resistance to change amongst employees and the ways in which people professionals can address this resistance. Illustrate your answer with examples.

Question 11 (AC 3.3)
Evaluate the case for and against the introduction of a four day working week. Illustrate you answer with examples and reference to published research.

Question 12 (AC 3.4)
Assess how people management practices within your organisation, or one that is familiar to you, can promote creativity and innovation. Illustrate your answer with TWO examples of people management practices which promote creativity and innovation.

Question 13 (AC4.1)
Critically evaluate the business case for promoting ethical people practices in your own organisation, or one that is familiar to you. Illustrate your business case with examples.

Question 14 (AC 4.2)
What TWO distinct recommendations to enhance wellbeing would you make to the Senior Leadership Team in your organisation, or one that is familiar to you? Justify your recommendations with reference to research evidence and explain how you can evaluate the impact of your recommendations.

Question 15 (AC 4.3)
Critically evaluate the options for your organisation, or one that is familiar to you, to improve its record in the area of sustainability. Identify TWO distinct interventions that will not be too expensive to implement. What would you recommend and why?

Question 16 (AC 4.4)
Critically discuss how Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) efforts could be more impactful in your own organisation, or one that is familiar to you.

Marking Grid
Learners will receive a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Refer/Fail result at unit level.
Assessors must provide a mark from 1 to 4 for each Learning Outcome in the unit. Assessors should use the generic grade descriptor grid as guidance so they can provide comprehensive feedback that is developmental for learners. Please be aware that not all of the generic grade descriptors will be present in every learning outcome for all the assignments, so assessors must use their discretion in making grading decisions.