2.22 business management

CORP3544 GLOBAL CONTEMPORARY

BUSINESS ISSUES Assessment Brief 2023

ASSESSMENTS

COMPONENT 1: 40% weighting Group Presentation- 30%

Individual Report- 70%

Group Presentation Your task is to critically analyse a chosen company and identify a case study relating to a contemporary

business issue based on the relevant theme you have been allocated by your tutor. Each group is

expected to do a 7-10 minutes presentation to staff and students in your Seminar group.

Each group will be assessed and graded based on the PowerPoint presentation: (Each group member

will receive the same grade for the group presentation).

Note: Every student is expected to submit a copy of the PowerPoint to Turnitin before the start of

the presentation.

(See the marking Criteria Sheet for allocation of marks per section)

Presentations would be delivered on the following themes:

• Globalisation THEME: The impact of Globalisation on Business performance.

• Corporate Social Responsibility THEME: The effect of contributions made by

companies to the local economy they operate in.

• Technology and its implications on Business Processes THEME:

The changing role of technology or artificial intelligence on business processes of

companies.

• Innovation THEME: The influence of innovation on firm performance.

• Corporate Governance THEME: The effect of corporate reputation on firm

performance.

Guidance for the presentation- 30%

Contemporary Business Issue analysis of an Organisation

You need to complete a contemporary business issue analysis on an organisation of your choice. The

following represents the different elements you will need to consider in this assignment:

a) Identify a key contemporary business issue in relation to your chosen theme.

Conduct a critical analysis in which you clearly identify a specific business issue relating to the theme

of your chosen organisation (considering macro-environmental and competitive factors). The

contemporary business issue may involve such matters as: technological advancements; political

pressure; changing consumer taste; new competition in the marketplace; changing legislation; etc. To

highlight the contemporary business issue, your report should apply a number of the theories and

concepts from the course, with justification for their use (10% of total marks).

b) Evaluate your organisation’s ability to respond

In relation to a), you will then need to critically analyse the impact of the contemporary business issue

on the organisation’s strategic capabilities and assess their ability to respond to the contemporary

business issue you identify. Here it is important that you consider any opportunities, challenges and

tensions the issue may cause within the organisation and industry. Examples of such impact may

include: changing/emerging stakeholder relationships; dynamics in the operating environment;

implications for the value system/resources; implications for organisational culture; etc. (10% of total

marks).

A further 5% is awarded on the basis of communication and presentation, and another 5% awarded

based on appropriate use of evidence and referencing.

Note: You should choose an organization which is currently active and for which you are able to

access publicly-available information in support of the points you make in the assignment. We will

discuss the most important considerations in choosing your organisation in the lectures and

tutorials.

Guidance for the Individual Report: 70%

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS 15th March 2023 at 11.59am.

Based on the same question delivered for the group presentation, you will write and submit an

individual report of 1500 words (±10% = 1350-1650 words). As this is an individual report, there should

be no form of collaboration in writing the report to avoid plagiarism. You are allowed to use materials

used in the group presentation.

1. Answer the question

Think carefully about how you structure your work and ensure that it explicitly meets the criteria set

out in the assignment brief. Pay attention to the themes and issues set out and check that you have

included everything that you need to when you submit the work.

2. Written presentation

Your work should take the form of a written paper of 1500 words (±10% = 1350-1650 words). You

should include a word count at the front of your paper. Use headings, diagrams, brief tables if

appropriate to illustrate points and to support your arguments. Ensure that these are relevant, based

on your reading, and their significance to your argument is clear. The assessment focuses on the

documentation of your analysis and discussion of a contemporary business issue in relation to your

chosen theme of the company. An Executive Summary, Abstract or other formal additions to the paper

are not required for this piece of work, however, a clear contents page may help you structure your

work.

3. Citation

You should demonstrate your reading in the subject area through continuous reference to or

occasional direct quotations from appropriate sources. Do not simply reproduce diagrams or extensive

general information from the textbooks or articles! You should assume that the reader is familiar with

any basic theoretical or analytical models you use and will allocate marks for the way you apply them

to the question, clearly supporting a line of argument that helps you to answer the question. Where

you use direct quotations or show diagrams, try to keep them short and ensure that they make a direct

and clear contribution to your argument. Remember: absolutely everything that is not your own idea

must be cited appropriately.

4. Style and Content

Your work summarizes your findings and evidence that is relevant to your chosen theme in relation

to the business issue of the company. You do not need to make a complete listing of all the analytical

and interpretative processes you went through. You should expect, therefore, to carry out

considerably more analysis in the process of exploring the contemporary business issue than you will

show in your presentation.

5. Combine practical information and academic theory

We will give marks for a well-supported argument and discussion of the question that draws on

evidence; applies the evidence intelligently; and shows some insight in drawing conclusions. The aim

of the assignment is to evaluate the issues embedded in your chosen theme/business issue of a

company, not to descriptively reproduce factual information on a topic area. In order to do this, you

will need to look far beyond the company accounts/websites and consider output from academic

journals and books, industry texts, business media, and competitor information. Therefore, your

evidence base should show that you have done a broad range of reading.

6. Sources of research and case development information

You will find information from a variety of sources, including academic and trade journals, press

reports and company- or industry-produced information. Remember to consider the validity of the

information and the writer's viewpoint in the sources that you use in your final text. You should

minimize the general descriptive information you include. You should focus on analysis and

interpretation of the significant issues you identify, rather than describing them in excessive detail.

Remember to credit all sources of information that you use, in your text and in the reference list,

following the university’s guidance on referencing and citation conventions.

7. Structure and development

Try to ensure that the structure of your work follows a clear pattern and that the topical headings

develop in a way that is appropriate to your line of argument. Ensure that what you write makes a

direct and clear contribution to all parts of your chosen theme/business issue of a company and try to

avoid including general or irrelevant information in your answers. We will not allocate marks to any

particular format for the written work (i.e. report style/essay style). However, please include

appropriate headings, sub-headings and other 'sign-posts' so that we can see the direction of your

thinking and analysis.

8. Appendices

You may wish to include some additional, contextual information or analysis that you have carried out

in appendices. Appendices will not be included in the word-count. They should not act as a 'dumping

ground' for information you don’t know what to do with. You cannot use appendices to get round the

word count limit e.g. saying ‘See Appendix 1 for the strategic analysis’! Remember that appendices

work well for additional supportive information which shows the work you have undertaken but

should not include anything that is essential to your arguments or main answers to the questions. You

should be able to write a sound strategic analysis within the word count advised.

COMPONENT 2: 60% weighting- MAY 2023 DIET EXAM Multiple Choice Questions- 60%

One Essay Question-40%

The May diet examination would consist of two parts: multiple choice questions and one essay

question from 3 part seen topics. More details would be provided towards the examination period.

The examination date is decided by the University. Please watch out for information on your DMU hub

closer to the examination period.

COMPONENT 1: PRESENTATION -Marking Criteria for Assessment

A (70% + ) B (60-69%) C (50-59%) D (40-49%) E (35-39%) F (0-34%) N/S Mark Awarded DEFINITION EXCELLENT

Outstanding Performance

COMMENDABLE Meritorious Performance

GOOD Competent Performance

SATISFACTORY Adequate Performance

THRESHOLD Borderline

FAIL Unsatisfactory

NON- SUBMISSION

SOURCES OF ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

IN ALL CASES WITHIN THE LIMITS APPROPRIATE TO THE LEVEL OF STUDY

IDENTIFY A KEY CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUE (10% weighting)

A clear and logical contemporary business issue is identified with excellent links made to

the theme of the chosen organisation.

A clear contemporary

business issue is identified which links

directly with the theme of the chosen

organisation.

A contemporary business issue is identified, but

lacks in clarity in places, direct

links are made to the theme of the

chosen organisation..

A contemporary business issue is identified, but

interpretation is needed in its links with the theme of

the chosen organisation..

Contemporary business issue is not expressed

clearly, and links with the theme of the chosen

organisation are tentative.

No contemporary business issue is

identified and reference to the

theme of the chosen

organisation.is neglected.

Minimal Effort

EVALUATE YOUR ORGANISATION'S ABILITY TO RESPOND (10% weighting)

Clear and critically justified assessment of

the organisation’s ability to respond, from rich

theoretical depth.

Clear and critically justified assessment

of organisation’s ability to respond,

with sufficient theoretical depth.

Clear assessment of organisation’s

ability to respond, but

lacking in theoretical

justification of stance

Clear assessment of organisation’s

ability to respond, but some

justification questionable.

Assessment of organisation’s

ability to respond unclear, with justification

lacking

Limited assessment of organisation’s

ability to respond, with no theoretical

justification provided

Minimal Effort

COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION (5% weighting)

Clarity of expression excellent, consistently

accurate use of grammar and spelling with fluent professional/academic

writing style.

Thoughts and ideas clearly expressed.

Grammar and spelling accurate and

language fluent.

Language mainly fluent. Grammar

and spelling mainly accurate. Communication of thoughts and ideas beginning to be affected.

Meaning apparent in most instances, but language not

always fluent, grammar and

spelling poor/moderate.

Often ambiguous, leading to

meaning being barely apparent.

Language, grammar and spelling poor.

Purpose and meaning of assignment

unclear. Language, grammar and spelling poor.

Minimal Effort

EVIDENCE AND REFERENCING (5% weighting)

Referencing clear, relevant and consistently

accurate. Appropriate number, all relevant.

Referencing relevant and mostly accurate. Appropriate number,

most relevant.

Minor inconsistencies

and inaccuracies in referencing.

Some shortfall in number, most

relevant.

Referencing present but had inconsistencies

and inaccuracies. Some shortfall in

number, more than half relevant.

Very limited referencing

including some inconsistencies

and inaccuracies.

Referencing inaccurate or

absent.

Minimal Effort

Comments: Final Grade:

COMPONENT 1: INDIVIDUAL REPORT -Marking Criteria for Assessment Repetition of academic theory will not attract a high grade. You should aim to identify relevant theories and use these to justify your answers to the questions posed. IN ALL CASES your answers must be applied to the coursework question.

A (70% + ) B (60-69%) C (50-59%) D (40-49%) E (35-39%) F (0-34%) N/S Mark Awarded DEFINITION EXCELLENT

Outstanding Performance

COMMENDABLE Meritorious Performance

GOOD Competent Performance

SATISFACTORY Adequate Performance

THRESHOLD Borderline FAIL open to compensation

FAIL Unsatisfactory

NON- SUBMISSION

SOURCES OF ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

IN ALL CASES WITHIN THE LIMITS APPROPRIATE TO THE LEVEL OF STUDY

IDENTIFY A KEY CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUE (20% weighting)

A clear and logical contemporary business issue is identified with excellent links made to the theme of the chosen

organisation.

A clear contemporary business issue is

identified which links directly with the

theme of the chosen organisation.

A contemporary business issue is

identified, but lacks in clarity in

places, direct links are made to the theme of the

chosen organisation..

A contemporary business issue is

identified, but interpretation is

needed in its links with the theme of

the chosen organisation..

Contemporary business issue is not expressed

clearly, and links with the theme of the chosen

organisation are tentative.

No contemporary business issue is

identified and reference to the theme

of the chosen organisation.is

neglected.

Minimal Effort

EVALUATE YOUR ORGANISATION'S ABILITY TO RESPOND (30% weighting)

Clear and critically justified assessment of

the organisation’s ability to respond, from rich

theoretical depth.

Clear and critically justified assessment

of organisation’s ability to respond,

with sufficient theoretical depth.

Clear assessment of organisation’s

ability to respond, but

lacking in theoretical

justification of stance

Clear assessment of organisation’s

ability to respond, but some

justification questionable.

Assessment of organisation’s ability to respond unclear, with

justification lacking

Limited assessment of organisation’s ability to respond, with no

theoretical justification provided

Minimal Effort

CLARITY AND PRESENTATION (10% weighting)

The report is extremely well

written, structured and presented.

Language is clear and expressive. Few

spelling or grammatical errors.

The report is very well written,

structured and presented.

Language is clear and expressive.

Minor spelling or grammatical

errors

The report is well written,

structured and presented.

Language is fairly clear and

expressive. A number of spelling or

grammatical errors..

The report is satisfactorily

written, structured

and presented. A number of lapses

in clarity and expression. A significant

number of spelling or grammatical

errors throughout.

Poorly written, structured and

presented at times. Unclear

and confusing in many places. A

large number of spelling or

grammatical errors

throughout.

Poorly written, structured and

presented. Unclear and

confusing. Very large number of

spelling or grammatical

errors throughout.

Minimal Effort

EVIDENCE AND REFERENCING (10% weighting)

Referencing clear, relevant and consistently

accurate. Appropriate number, all relevant.

Referencing relevant and mostly accurate. Appropriate number,

most relevant.

Minor inconsistencies

and inaccuracies in referencing.

Some shortfall in number, most

relevant.

Referencing present but had inconsistencies

and inaccuracies. Some shortfall in

number, more than half relevant.

Very limited referencing including some

inconsistencies and inaccuracies.

Referencing inaccurate or absent.

Minimal Effort

Comments: Final Grade:

Assessment Submission and Feedback

All assignments must be submitted on Turnitin for assessment on time. Work that is not on Turnitin

will NOT be marked. The following faculty rules apply for assignment submissions:

i. Submission through Turnitin when the system is down

• Check the module site on Learning Zone for any announcements regarding assignment

submission.

• If there are no announcements, notify your tutor, particularly if you experience problems

within 24 hours of the assessment deadline. Always, do so using your DMU email account.

• If the problems occurred during or after you submitted your work, keep the submission

receipt (and receipt number) for the Turnitin submission. Also record any possible error

messages displayed. If you are able to do so, take a picture or a screen-grab of the error

message. Please include these in your email notification to the tutor.

• If you are unable to upload your assignment due to Turnitin failure, please submit your work

via email to the assessing tutor or the Module Leader to meet the original deadline.

Students will not be penalised for the late submission of work if there is a technical failure in the

mechanism for submission (e.g Learning Zone ). If necessary, an alternative method of submission will

be made available and a new deadline set.

ii. Assessment submission deadline

The university has moved to a 12 noon Turnitin submission for all electronic assessment submissions.

This is to enable IT staff to deal with possible problems with Turnitin service during working hours.

Therefore, could you please set your Turnitin assessment deadlines for this time rather late in the

evening. Please check your assessment deadlines to be sure you have submitted BEFORE your

assessment date.

iii. Late submissions

All submissions are automatically time-stamped by the system and will indicate if the assessment is

late. Students are advised to submit their assignments or work on time.

iv. Extension and deferral process

Extensions to relevant deadlines are only granted where there is a satisfactory explanation provided

in advance of submission dates. The faculty extension process is to be followed for granting extension,

if appropriate or practical in order to make alternative arrangements for the assessment. However,

students are advised that it may not always be possible to make alternative arrangements. In

exceptional circumstances extensions beyond 14 days can be granted by the Associate Dean Academic

or their nominee. Students may apply for an extension by completing an extension request form

available from the Student Advice Centre. For the GBCI group PowerPoint project, students will need

to agree a new presentation slot with their tutors.

v. Unauthorised late submission of assessments

If an assessment is submitted later than the deadline without an approved extension or deferral the

mark received will be capped. If an assessment is submitted 1-14 calendar days late the mark for the

work will be capped at the pass mark of 40 per cent for undergraduate modules. If an assessment is

submitted beyond 14 calendar days late the work will receive a mark of zero per cent.

vi. Deferrals

If your circumstances are such that an extension of 14 days would not be sufficient, or if you feel that,

despite being granted an extension of up to 14 days, your performance in a piece of coursework has

been seriously impaired, you may apply formally to your faculty panel for a deferral of assessment of

coursework. This application should be completed before the end of the 14 day extension period.

You will have to fill in the appropriate form that is obtainable from the Faculty Student Advice Centre

and supply supporting evidence. Forms should be submitted to the Faculty Student Advice Centre.

Further information on the deferrals policy can be consulted at: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/current-

students/student-support/exams-deferrals-regulations-policies/deferral-of-assessments.aspx

vii. Feedback on Assessments

University policy states that marked work with feedback will be returned no later than 20 working

days after the submission deadline, for work that was submitted on time. This period includes

vacations when the university is open.