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MAN-20163 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

MAN-20163 - Leading, Managing and Decent Work
Coordinator: Carola Weissmeyer Room: DW1.27 Tel: +44 1782 7 33603
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733094

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2026/27

This module explores leadership styles and management practices that impact organisational culture and employee experience and performance. It integrates current issues such as diversity, wellbeing and mental health, and remote workforce management, offering strategies for creating supportive, healthy work environments. You will learn conflict resolution techniques and examine legal and ethical considerations to effectively handle workplace dynamics and foster an inclusive organisational atmosphere.

Aims
This module aims to explore the connections between different leadership and management styles and their impact on achieving ‘decent work’ targets and indicators as well as in contributing to the achievement of SDG 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The module focuses on promoting wellbeing, mental health, and work-life balance while addressing contemporary challenges such as remote workforce management and flexible working. Students will develop skills in conflict resolution, change management, and strategies to foster equality, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, the module emphasises the legal and ethical responsibilities of leaders in creating supportive, compliant, and inclusive work environments.

Intended Learning Outcomes

distinguish different leadership styles and management practices, and their impact on employee experience and performance, and ‘decent work’ practices by businesses.: 1,2
apply conceptual and theoretical approaches to leadership and management in developing work strategies that improve working conditions, employee well-being, conflict resolution, and addressing complex workplace challenges, including those in diverse and remote environments.: 1,2
analyse the relationship between employee wellbeing, mental health, and organisational performance and culture.: 1,2
evaluate strategies and practices for promoting work-life balance, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and effective remote working management.: 2
develop strategies for fostering an inclusive and supportive organisational culture and in addressing Sustainability Development Goal 8. : 2
evaluate the legal and ethical responsibilities of leaders and managers in ensuring employee wellbeing, health and safety, EDI, and compliance with employment law.: 2

Study hours

24 x 2 hour sessions that combine lecture style and seminar/ workshop content
100 hours assessment preparation
75 hours reading
48 hours taught session preparation and reflections
29 other individual study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 30%
Group Presentation Recording on Leadership Styles and their Impact
Working in groups of between 3-5 members, students will analyse two different leadership styles and evaluate their impact on organisational culture, and employee experience and performance. Each group will submit a 10-minute (+/-10%) pre-recorded PowerPoint or similar presentation file with voice-over presentation. There is no requirement for video capture, just an audio voice-over. Marking will be at group level, with additional peer review forms available, if needed, to address any evidence-based differences in group member contribution. Therefore, depending on the peer assessment returned, members of the same group may receive different grades, as the grades may be adjusted based on peer feedback to ensure fairness. Assessment of the group presentation will be based on quality of analysis and subject knowledge; structure of the presentation; communication and presentation skills; and collaboration and teamwork (evident from a brief group reflection submitted alongside the presentation file, outlining the role and contribution of each group member). Reasonable adjustments shall be put in place for students who are unable to contribute to group work. They will be able to record their own independent pre-recorded presentation and submit. This will in no way impact the overall group grade or the student's individual grade.

2: Options weighted 70%
Assignment 2 Options
The assessment provides a choice in the nature and topic of the assessment. Students are required to address ONE of the following four potential assignment tasks: 1. Case Study Analysis: Students will submit a case study analysis (including recommendations) on a choice of topics. (Word count: 2,000 – 2,500 words) OR 2. Policy Development and Justification: Students will develop one of a choice of HR policies for an organisation of their choice and outline how this policy will promote an inclusive organisational environment. (Word count: 2,000 – 2,500 words) OR 3. Decent Work Indicators Country Evaluation: Students will be given a choice of Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 8 indicators and a list of countries, and they will produce a research report that critically evaluates the progress of the country in the chosen indicator/s - specifically reviewing the influence of leadership and management practices on said progress. (Word count: 2,000 – 2,500 words) OR 4. Infographic/Digital Poster with accompanying 8-10-minute voice-over, exploring legal and ethical considerations in organisational leadership: Students will explore legal and ethical issues related to organisational leadership on a choice of module topics, and present this in a one-page digital poster or infographic submitted via a PowerPoint slide or similar presentation file. In an accompanying voice-over of 8-10 minutes length, students will examine how leaders navigate these issues to maintain a fair and ethical work environment. Tutor support will be available to students who may find having a choice of assessment type challenging.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026