Business Strategy

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Short answer question

Value: 10%

Due date: 22-Nov-2017

Return date: 02-Dec-2017

Length: 700 words

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Alternative submission method

Task

Your task is to answer the following questions. Please refer to the marking guide when preparing your response to see what criteria will be used to assess your work and your progress towards Learning Outcomes 1 and 3.

Questions: 1. What is the difference between strategy and strategic management? 2. Can an organisation survive without a strategy? Why?

Provide field examples to support your view.

Rationale

This exercise asks you to explain a concept covered in the first few weeks of the session and apply it practically to an organisational situation you have experienced. The situation won't necessarily neatly fit the concept - the concept is a tool to help you think clearly about the mess of the real world. DO NOT make the situation fir the theory, reflecting on the differences is the thing that triggers insight and learning.

This assessment addresses the following learning outcomes:

· LO1: be able to identify and examine underlying assumptions that underpin strategic management; and

· LO3: be able to reflect on learning, and integrate prior knowledge and skills, to develop strategic recommendations.

Marking criteria

Within the following rubric (as well as those with the other assessment items) you need to understand the difference between description and explanation. Descriptions state what is, explanations answer why it is so (which will at higher grades include answering so what and what else). Those who merely describe things will at best pass. Essentially a pass involves a description of the theories, no matter how complex and extensive, through to higher grades being an explanation, answering why and so what. There is an idea a subject guides a student through the text ! As a commentary on spouting texts alone look at the bar scene from Good Will Hunting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymsHLkB8u3s Memory as intelligence instead of wisdom in addressing the world? One may as well be a tape recorder; be loaded up and turned out.

You are required to use the APA 6th edition style of referencing and citation in all assignments - CSU's referencing tool can assist here https://apps.csu.edu.au/reftool/apa-6 .Those references that do not comply with this standard will not be considered to be part of the assignment.

Marking criteria for assignment #1
	HD (85% - 100%)	DI (75% - 84%)	CR (65% - 74%)	PS (50% - 64%)	FL (0- 49%)
Generic descriptor of what is required to attain the grade above - this also pertains to all assessment items.	Provides a sophisticated explanation of the ideas/concepts, their application and means by which those limitations may be addressed.	Provides a thorough explanation of the ideas/concepts as well as an identification of the limitations when using those ideas in the field.	Provides an adequate explanation of the ideas/concepts as well as an understanding of the application of those ideas.	Provides an adequate description of the ideas/concepts as well as an understanding of their application in the field.	An inadequate description of the concepts/theory. Lacks understanding of the application of the ideas to the field.
1. Explain ideas/concepts of the topic area (4 marks) [meets subject LO1]	Provides a sophisticated explanation of the topic area explaining the ideas/concepts as well as their application to an organisation plus their limitations and means to address those limitations.	Provides a thorough explanation of the topic area covering an explanation of the application of ideas/concepts to an organisation.	Has given an adequate conceptual explanation of the topic area covering an explanation of the application of ideas/concepts to an organisation.	Evidence of an adequate description of the topic area in its entirety, uses appropriate terminology but lacks explanation of the ideas/concepts in relation to their relevance to an organisation.	Lacks evidence of knowledge relevant to the topic and/or significantly misuses terminology/concepts.
2. Critical reflection, discussion, and examples (4 marks) [meets subject LO3]	A sophisticated explanation of agreements/ disagreement with the ideas/concepts presented providing reasoning behind those conclusions as well as a process on how to think through issues uncovered within the dynamic organisation being addressed.	A thorough explanation of agreements/disagreement with the ideas/concepts presented providing both reasoning behind those conclusions as well as an identification of options to exploit or overcome opportunities/limitations.	An explanation of agreements/disagreement with the ideas/concepts presented providing reasoning behind those conclusions.	A description of agreements/disagreements with the ideas/concepts presented that includes illustration from the field but lacking explanation of reasoning.	Lacks critical reflection in that only a description of limited scope or depth of what is agreed with or disagreed with in the ideas/concepts and their application is provided.
3.Presentation & referencing (2 marks)	The argument is logically structured, the argument flows and wording is succinct. An economy of words is achieved with minimal material that contributes little to the argument. 3+ highly relevant refereed journal articles demonstrating insightful research on this topic. A polished and imaginative approach to the topic.	The argument is structured on the basis of logic as well as generates a transparent flow of ideas within the assignment. 2+ very relevant refereed journal articles presented in perfect APA style. Articles used to very good effect in the response.	The argument is structured on the basis of a logical flow of ideas and evidence gathered. 2 relevant refereed journal articles presented in APA style. Articles used to good effect in the response. Adequate organisation and coherence.	The argument is transparently structured against the task posed. References are appropriate for an assignment (in terms of relevance or academic standing). 2 relevant resources that are appropriate.	The argument lacks structure, logic and flow. References are either inappropriate for an assignment (in terms of relevance or academic standing) or not appropriately used. <2 relevant sources - many references that are inappropriate or misused will also generate a fail here.

Number of references to use in an assignment is a constant question: Firstly, quality of references is what matters most (articles subject to critical review count, material in pure opinion pieces on the net carry no value). Secondly, a rule of thumb is divide the number of words called for by 100 (integer value alone) and that gives you a guide http://www.write.com/deciding-on-the-number-of-research-paper-sources/

Presentation

I want you to write clearly and concisely. Show me what you have discovered and what it means. If you agree with the text tell me why; if you disagree with the text tell me why - either way tell me why. If you merely "parrot" the book you may pass but will not do well.

I do not expect you to agree with the text per se. Think and conclude for yourself BUT ALWAYS answer why.