International Operations Management

Assessment 2

Individual Report

Word Limit or equivalent (e.g. time)

3,000 (+/-10%)

Weighting

75%

Learning Outcomes Assessed

2 Analyse the operations activities in an organisation and identify the critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations.

3 Demonstrate originality in application of operation management theories, concepts and frameworks to develop improvements in operations and recommend analytically sound and operationally feasible solutions both in domestic and international context.

Submission date

17th January 2020

Feedback date

14th February 2020

Module Leader

Dr. Abdulmaten Taroun

Verified by

Dr. Vessela Warren

What you need to do

Assignment task(s)

For an international organisation with which you are familiar, you are required to analyse the operations activities, identify the critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations and recommend analytically sound and operationally feasible solutions. You are required to write a 3,000-word report.

How you should present your work

Report Template

Report Template - EXAMPLE

Title Page:

Title

Student number

Submission date

Module

Assignment Title

Tutor

Insert Grading Matrix

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

Introduction

Body (structured as appropriate)

Conclusion

References

References (use the University Harvard referencing system, support is available through the library www.worc.ac.uk/library/guides/study-skills/referencing)

The report should include an Executive Summary of no more than 250 words (this does not count in the word count). All information included in appendices must be referred to in the main body of the essay. It is not necessary to include operations analysis models (either in the report or the appendices) unless these models are used specifically (i.e. customised) as part of the analysis. Academic articles and other sources of information used (including websites) should be referenced in the report and listed after the Conclusion and before any appendices.

The word count for this assignment is 3000 words. This includes everything in the main body of the text. Everything before (ie abstract, acknowledgements, contents, executive summaries etc) and after the main text (ie references, bibliographies, appendices etc) are NOT included in the word count limit.

There is no fixed penalty for exceeding the word count, but the marker will not consider any work after the +10% word count has been reached, within the allocation of marks. You may therefore be penalised for a failure to be concise and for failing to conclude the work within the word count specified.

How we’ll give you guidance

Formative assessment and feedback: You will have weekly formative assessment tasks throughout the first semester covering the lectures content, learning outcomes and material in the module. In the first semester, will include class discussions, application of tools and techniques, case analysis, video analysis and discussion and formative feedback will be provided weekly in class and/or via email, as required, based on the learning activities undertaken in class.

There will also be oral briefings for each assignment (see the schedule in the Module Outline for details).

If you want to check if your work will fall foul of plagiarism (copying someone else’s work without an appropriate attribution) check out this library guide which deals with how to use Turnitin http://libguides.worc.ac.uk/guides/study-skills/plagiarism

How and when to hand the assessment in

Work must be word-processed/typed and should clearly show your student number.  You are required to keep a copy of work handed in.  You should submit your work electronically via SOLE by the 3pm deadline on 17th January 2020. The return date for this assignment is electronically via SOLE on 14th February 2020.

See the University’s guide to uploading and submitting assessment items at the University of Worcester via SOLE in under 60 seconds on You Tube http://youtu.be/yAEnTkVchMg.

Turnitin

Additionally to your formal assignment submission via SOLE, you are required for this assignment to put your work through Turnitin. Turnitin is now available via your module Blackboard page. This assignment is set up so that you can resubmit to it, and it would not check against your previous submission(s) to this assignment. This is so that you can make modifications in the light of a report on your first draft. However, be aware that the second and subsequent reports are delayed by 24 hours to avoid students overloading the server with numerous revisions. This means that you will need to allow sufficient time in advance of hand-in date to complete Turnitin submissions.

If you have issues uploading your assessment to sole you will need to contact [email protected], if you have issues with Blackboard, Turnitin or PebblePad you will need to contact [email protected]

How the assessment will be marked

Specific criteria are in the Grading Matrix for this assignment, which can be found on page 16.

How you will get feedback

Feedback is provided in an ongoing basis over the course of the module. There will be opportunity for both formative and summative feedback. Feedback on strengths and weaknesses of assessments will also be provided for the class based on all submissions. You will also receive formative feedback on your OM workbook. This feedback should be used to improve the next assessment. You will receive written feedback on summative assessment as outlined in the table on page 4 and general feedback in class prior to this date.

If you have problems submitting work or submitting work on time:

Firstly, contact someone, your Module Leader or personal Academic Tutor.

It is essential that you submit your work, in order to be able to pass the module . Work which is submitted late will be subject to grade penalties as below.

· Students who submit course work late but within 5 days of the due date will have work marked, but the grade will be capped at the minimum pass grade unless an application for mitigating circumstances is accepted.

· Students who submit work later than 5 days but within 14 days of the due date will not have work marked unless they have submitted a valid claim of mitigating circumstances.

For full details of submission regulations see Undergraduate Regulatory Framework at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/TaughtCoursesRegulatoryFramework.pdf

If you are ill or have personal problems

The University has a system for applying for mitigating circumstances where things happen, beyond your control, which affect your assessments. Don’t suffer in silence. Speak to your Module Leader, your Personal Academic Tutor or a Programme Advisor.

Full details of Procedures for Dealing with Exceptional Mitigating Circumstances are available at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/679.htm

If you cheat or engage in academic misconduct

Do not use material from sources without acknowledging them using a recognised referencing system. Do not copy another student’s work. If you do you will be referred to the School’s Academic Integrity Tutor.

When a student is found guilty of academic misconduct (cheating), the penalties are severe.

· The assignment will be awarded a fail grade, with zero credit.

· Penalties may extend beyond the single assignment, and may affect the module grade, and even the classification of the final award.

· The academic misconduct will be mentioned in any reference given by the university. This means that graduates will find it very difficult to enter careers that involve trust, including Accountancy, Law, Computer Systems Administration, and Computer Security.

· If the course (or module) is recognised or accredited by a professional organisation, that recognition or accreditation may be withheld from the student.

For further information please go to https://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/Proceduresforinvestigationofallegedacademicmisconduct

If you don’t pass at the first attempt

DON’T PANIC. In the event you are required to take reassessment you will receive formal notification of this via a letter from Registry Services posted on the SOLE page after the meeting of the Board of Examiners. The letter will normally include a copy of the reassessment task(s). Deadlines for re-assessment can be found in the University Calendar at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/655.htm

Student Number:

Academic Year and Semester: Level 7 Sem 1, 2019- 2020

Module Code/Module Title:

BUSM4304 International Operations Management

Assignment No: 2

Occurrence:

Learning Outcomes:

· Analyse the operations activities in an organisation and identify the critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations.

· Demonstrate originality in application of operation management theories, concepts and frameworks to develop improvements in operations and recommend analytically sound and operationally feasible solutions both in domestic and international context.

Assignment Weighting:

75%

Assignment Description:

Individual Report based on a case study

CRITERIA

Analyse the OM activities in an organisation and identify the critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations

Demonstrate originality in application of operation management theories, concepts and frameworks to develop improvements in operations and recommend analytically sound and operationally feasible solutions both in domestic and international context

Breadth and depth of evidence gathering

Written Report Presentation:

· Respond to questions with clear answers, justifying any assumptions made.

· Develop and present your arguments both logically and persuasively.

· Provide evidence of relevant reading.

· Provide references to all the sources of information.

A

You have demonstrated an exceptional ability to research, analyse and evaluate the operations activities in a global environment. The key critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations are identified and thoroughly evaluated. All points made are extensively supported with reference to relevant data/evidence /examples.

You have demonstrated a thorough examination of the critical issues affecting the case organisation, using appropriate tools and techniques and a full range of operations management theories and concepts are used to support the argument.

The work demonstrates a systematic and creative ability to synthesise evidence, critique its qualities which enabled developing logical argument and convincing point of view. There is an excellent discussion of the suggested improvements in managing the operations. You have critically discussed your recommendations and highlighted their feasibility and implementation after considering various improvements options.

Excellent literature search conducted about the topic covering a wide range of reliable sources and showing deep critical analysis and evaluation of evidence and expert opinions. The sources used are accurately referenced using the UoW Harvard referencing style. The literature search shows complete understanding of the topic under analysis in its wider environment and comprehends all the factors related to it

Superb writing. Purposeful and succinct academic writing which clearly conveys key points.

Impressive use of a wide range of relevant and current sources.

Referencing (in text and reference list) and presentation conforms to Harvard style.

B

You have demonstrated considerable ability to research, analyse and evaluate the operations activities in a global environment. Most of the key critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations are identified and evaluated. Most points made are supported with reference to relevant data/evidence/examples.

You have demonstrated considerable examination of the critical issues affecting the case organisation, using appropriate tools and techniques and a range of operations management theories and concepts are used to support the argument.

There are signs of very good level of reflection and clear ability of synthesis of various sources of information which enabled developing logical argument. The discussion of the improvements in operations is very good and well supported by evidence from your research. Yet, your recommendations could have been more comprehensive and better discussed to show the feasibility and originality of them after considering various improvements options.

Very good literature search conducted about the topic covering a wide range of reliable sources and showing deep critical analysis and evaluation of evidence and expert opinions. The sources used are accurately referenced using the UoW Harvard referencing style. The literature search reflects a very good understanding of the topic under analysis in its wider environment and highlights all key factors related to it

Very good writing. Purposeful and succinct academic writing which clearly conveys key points. Very minor errors which do not affect comprehension and readability.

A range of sources used and relevant to context consistently considered.

Referencing (in text and reference list) and presentation conforms to Harvard style but may be occasional minor formatting errors.

C

Your work meets the learning outcomes for the task, demonstrating developing critical and comprehensive understanding. You have demonstrated a good ability to analyse and evaluate the OM activities in a global environment. Many of the key critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising the operations are identified and evaluated. Many points made are supported with reference to mostly relevant data/evidence; but a few points may be vague or lacking enough support.

You have demonstrated good examination of the critical issues affecting the case organisation, using appropriate tools and techniques and a range of operations management theories and concepts are used to support the argument.

There are signs of good level of reflection and clear ability of synthesis of various sources of information which enabled developing logical argument.

You could have included some additional discussions supporting the different improvements options and their implementation.

A clear evidence of sufficient literature search conducted about the topic with sound critical analysis and evaluation related to reliable sources and expert opinions. A good breadth of sources used. The sources used are accurately referenced using the UoW Harvard referencing style.

Good writing. Writing is generally academic in tone but may occasionally lack some focus. May be minor errors but overall comprehension and readability is good.

A variety of sources used effectively to support points but context not always taken into account.

Referencing (in text and reference list) and presentation mostly conforms to Harvard style but may be some errors or inconsistency.

D

Your work is relevant and meets the learning outcome for the task. Some of the key critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations are identified and there is some evaluation of the OM activities in a global environment, but this is inconsistent.

Some points made are supported by reference to data/evidence; but may be weakened by several unsupported claims, assumptions and vague statements.

You have demonstrated some examination of the critical issues affecting the case organisation, using appropriate tools and techniques but little operations management theories and concepts are used to support the argument.

Could have included many additional discussions supporting the different improvement options. Superficial consideration is given to the implementation of the operations improvement options.

There is evidence of adequate literature search conducted about the topic with signs of sound critical analysis and evaluation related some reliable sources and expert opinions. The sources used are generally accurately referenced using the UoW Harvard referencing style.

Adequate writing but ineffective use of academic tone. May be several errors which obscure meaning.

Uses sources in a limited way to support argument and relies heavily on single sources.

Referencing (in text and reference list) and presentation is recognizable as Harvard style but may be some errors or inconsistency.

E-F

Your work demonstrates basic relevance to the task and provides a limited range of responses to it. You have provided limited analysis and evaluation of the OM activities in their global environment. Very few key critical issues relating to organisations’ choices in internationalising their operations are identified and/or mostly a focus on insignificant detail. Most points made are vague and unsubstantiated.

You have demonstrated limited examination of the critical issues affecting the case organisation, using appropriate tools and techniques. Limited number of operations management theories and concepts are used. Many errors of understanding of concepts/theories evident.

Discussion unsupported and no operations improvement options identified.

No, or inadequate, literature search was conducted, no legitimate academic sources were consulted or the work was dependent upon out-dated opinion and sources

Poor to very poor writing. The degree of errors is such that is difficult to understand what the writer is trying to express.

Very narrow range of sources; barely goes beyond the recommended core text.

Referencing (in text and reference list) consistently missing essential information and/or format is not recognisable as Harvard style.

General comment:

What you can do better in future assignments:

How successful completion of this assignment helps your employability:

This process will have given you the opportunity to analyse real live international organisation and suggest recommendations for improvement. Moreover, constructing a visual presentation and preparing and delivering a verbal presentation on a technical subject are skills highly sought by the employers.

Assignment Grade:

Marker:

Moderator*: