As a consultant, you are required to write a report about Smartville including the below points:
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LSCM_BABS_MIT_Assignment_Ass1.pdf
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Programme: BABS Module Level (3,4,5 or 6): 4
Module: Managing Information and Technology
Module code: SBLC4001
Contribution to Overall Module Assessment (%):
75% Assignment No(s): 1
Referencing: In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc. that you have read or quoted in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for books: surname of author and initials, year of publication, title of book, edition, publisher: place of publication).
Disclosure: Please include the following statement on the title page of the submitted assignment, followed by your name:
I declare that this assignment is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all materials used from the published or unpublished works of other people. All references have been duly cited.
Turnitin: All assignments must be submitted to Turnitin unless otherwise instructed by the Lecturer.
Note: the Turnitin version is the primary submission and acts as a receipt for the student. Late submission of the electronic version of the assignment will result in a late penalty mark. Penalties for late submission: Up to one weeks late, maximum mark of 50%. Over one week late, Refer. Only the Extenuating Circumstances Panel may grant an extension.
YES X
NO
UNDERGRADUATE ASSIGNMENT
SPECIFICATION
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Learning Outcomes tested (from module syllabus)
Assessment Criteria To achieve each outcome a student must demonstrate the ability to:
1. Evidence understanding of Information technology
and its application to “real life”
2. Demonstrate understanding of the relationships
between theoretical and practical applications of information technology
• Assess the importance of IT in organisations as a store for data, information and knowledge
• Discuss the different social contexts and stakeholder perspectives of IT
• Understand the relationship between IT and process change within organisations
• Explain how IT contributes to the management of knowledge within organisations
• Analyse how interactions with customers and external parties can be managed using IT
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Smartville
Assignment Type: Individual Report – 75%
Mercedes-Benz car manufacturers have plants in many countries including one in France, Hambach in a factory named Smartville. They assemble several models of Smart cars from parts imported from the head office in India and also obtained from their partner manufacturing organisations in France. Complete cars are then shipped to car dealerships; they do not sell cars to individual customers.
The Smart production site in Hambach (France) with its 2,000 workers is among the most modern automobile production plants. It has been built for 450 million Euros and has started production in 1998. In order to achieve optimized production processes the plant is arranged in the shape of a cross; in each of its four extensions different assembly works are provided. The centre, the so-called market place, serves as a test room for completed vehicles and for refinishing operations. The centre is multi-storied; thereby all the administrative, IT and changing rooms could be implemented in one central place.
Smartville, like other plants in the rest of the world, are technology based and they make full use of the relevant information/enterprise systems. The senior management at Smartville are mostly from India and the middle management consists of a mix of Indian and French managers; other staff are hired from the local community in France.
The above is a very brief description of Smartville. In this scenario, you are not required to know how Smartville operates or what their policies or decision-making processes are. However, you are required to write a report including the points provided below, based on the above broad scenario, providing your opinions based on the knowledge and research that you acquired through the study of this module using Harvard Reference Style.
As a consultant, you are required to write a report about Smartville including the below points:
• THREE (3) relevant information systems (IS) that, in your opinion, form the core of Smartville business. Provide a brief summary of the general purpose of each of these IS.
• Michael Porter suggests that two generally accepted strategies organisations often adopt are: cost leadership and differentiation. Discuss what these strategies are and make a judgement as to which of these would be more appropriate for Smartville - explain reasons for your choice.
• It is important that data kept within an organisation remains accurate, private and confidential. If any data within Smartville gets stolen or compromised, discuss whether the situation would fall under the Data Protection Act. Mention THREE (3) core aspects of the relevant Act.
TASK DESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT 1 – 75%
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Please note the following when completing your written assignment: 1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style 2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment. 3. Length: 3000 Words +/- 10% 4. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at
each edge, double spaced and pages numbered. 5. Document format: Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography
using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided. 6. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals
that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing should be in Harvard style.
FORMATTING AND LAYOUT
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This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.
Common Assessment Criteria Applied
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1. Research-informed Literature Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.
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Information Technology is ever changing field. Research here must be up-to-date. Selection of variety of sources like latest journals, books etc. are recommended.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.
15
With respect to the assignment topic, students must have a sound knowledge and understanding of different information technology concepts, which can be applied in their employment.
3. Analysis Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
40
Different collaboration technologies must be identified, their suitability for the current chosen organisation must be assessed and analysed with logical arguments and justification
4. Practical Application and Deployment Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.
25
As Information Technology is more practical based subject, examples must be provided.
5. Skills for Professional Practice Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation.
10
Report format normally includes the following sections: Executive
Summary, Introduction, Main Findings, Conclusions,
Recommendations, References and Appendices. Your report
should be written in a suitable academic writing style i.e. using the
third person.
TOTAL 100
Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the Exam Board. These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. )
Late Submission Penalties (tick if appropriate)
%
MARKING CRITERIA AND STUDENT FEEDBACK – ASSIGNMENT 1
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NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria above.
1. Research-informed Literature Your work must be informed and supported by scholarly material that is relevant to and focused on the task(s) set. You should provide evidence that you have accessed a wide range of sources, which may be academic, governmental and industrial; these sources may include academic journal articles, textbooks, current news articles, organisational documents, and websites. You should consider the credibility of your sources; academic journals are normally highly credible sources while websites require careful consideration/selection and should be used sparingly. Any sources you use should be current and up-to-date, mostly published within the last five years or so, though seminal/important works in the field may be older. You must provide evidence of your research/own reading throughout your work, using in-text citations in the main body of your work and a reference list that is alphabetical at the end of your work. Please use the Harvard referencing system.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area. Knowledge relates to the facts, information and skills you have acquired through your learning. You demonstrate your understanding by interpreting the meaning of the facts and information (knowledge). This means that you need to select and include in your work the concepts, techniques, models, theories, etc. appropriate to the task(s) set. You should be able to explain the theories, concepts, etc. meaningfully to show your understanding. Your mark/grade will also depend upon the extent to which you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding; ideally each should be complete and detailed, with comprehensive coverage.
3. Analysis Your work must contain evidence of logical, analytical thinking, evaluation and synthesis. For example, to examine and break information down into parts, make inferences, compile, compare and contrast information. This means not just describing What! but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? At all times, you must provide justification for your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others within the subject area is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work. Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments using data and concepts. Sound, valid conclusions are necessary and must be derived from the content of your work. There should be no new information presented within your conclusion. Where relevant, alternative solutions and recommendations may be proposed.
4. Practical Application and Deployment You should be able to demonstrate how the subject-related concepts and ideas relate to real world situations or a particular context. How do they work in practice? You will deploy models, methods, techniques, and/or theories, in that context, to assess current situations, perhaps to formulate plans or solutions to solve problems, some of which may be innovative and creative. This is likely to involve, for instance, the use of real world examples and cases, the application of a model within an organisation and/or benchmarking one organisation against others based on stated criteria. You should show awareness of the limitations of concepts and theories when applied in particular contexts.
5. Skills for Professional Practice Your work must provide evidence of the attributes expected in professional practice. This includes demonstrating your individual initiative and/or collaborative working. You must communicate effectively in a suitable format, which may be written and/or oral, for example, essay, management report, presentation. Work should be coherent and well- structured in presentation and organisation.
GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS
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UNDERGRADUATE - COMMON ASSESSMENT AND MARKING CRITERIA
Assessment Criteria
OUTRIGHT FAIL UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
0-29%
30-39%*
40-49%
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
1. Research-informed Literature Extent of research
Little or no evidence of reading. Views and findings unsupported and non-authoritative. Referencing conventions largely ignored.
Poor evidence of reading and/or of reliance on inappropriate sources, and/or indiscriminate use of sources. Referencing conventions used inconsistently.
References to a limited range of mostly relevant sources. Some omissions and minor errors. Referencing conventions evident though not always applied consistently.
Inclusion of a range of research- informed literature, including sources retrieved independently. Referencing conventions mostly consistently applied.
Inclusion of a wide range of research- informed literature, including sources retrieved independently. Selection of relevant and credible sources. Very good use of referencing conventions, consistently applied.
A comprehensive range of research informed literature embedded in the work. Excellent selection of relevant and credible sources. High-level referencing skills, consistently applied.
Outstanding knowledge of research- informed
and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of
literature embedded in the work. Outstanding
appropriate referencing conventions
selection of relevant and credible
sources. High- level referencing skills consistently and professionally applied.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject
Major gaps in knowledge and understanding of material at this level. Substantial inaccuracies.
Gaps in knowledge, with only superficial understanding. Some significant
Evidence of basic knowledge and understanding of the relevant
Knowledge is accurate with a good understanding of the field of study.
Knowledge is extensive. Exhibits understanding of the breadth and
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and key
Highly detailed knowledge and understanding of the main
Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
inaccuracies. concepts and underlying principles.
depth of established views.
theories. Clear awareness of challenges to established views
theories/concep ts, and a critical awareness of the ambiguities
principles associated with the discipline.
and the limitations of the knowledge base.
and limitations of knowledge.
3. Analysis Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic,
Unsubstantiated generalisations, made without use of any credible
Some evidence of analytical intellectual skills, but for the most
Evidence of some logical, analytical thinking and some attempts to
Evidence of some logical, analytical thinking and synthesis. Can
Sound, logical, analytical thinking; synthesis and evaluation. Ability
Thoroughly logical work, supported by evaluated evidence. High quality
Exceptional work; judiciously selected and evaluated
argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation
evidence. Lack of logic, leading to unsupportable/ missing conclusions.
part descriptive. Ideas/findings sometimes illogical and contradictory.
synthesise, albeit with some weaknesses. Some evidence to
analyse new and/or abstract data and situations without guidance.
to devise and sustain persuasive arguments, and to review the
analysis, developed independently or through effective collaboration.
evidence. Very high quality analysis, developed
of ideas and evidence Lack of any attempt to analyse,
Generalised statements made
support findings/ views, but evidence
An emerging awareness of
reliability, validity & significance of
Ability to investigate contradictory
independently or through
synthesise or with scant evidence. not consistently different stances evidence. Ability to information and effective evaluate. Conclusions lack interpreted. and ability to use communicate ideas identify reasons for collaboration. relevance. Some relevant evidence to support and evidence contradictions. Ability to conclusions and the argument. accurately and Strong, persuasive, investigate recommendations, Valid conclusions convincingly. conclusions, contradictory where relevant and Sound, convincing justifiable information and recommendations, conclusions / recommendations. identify reasons where relevant recommendations. for contradictions. Highly persuasive conclusions
4. Practical Application Limited or no use of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Little or no appreciation of the context of the application.
Rudimentary application of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques but without consideration and competence. Flawed appreciation of the context of the application.
An adequate awareness and mostly appropriate application of well established methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Basic appreciation of the context of the application.
A good and appropriate application of standard methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Good appreciation of the context of the application, with some use of examples, where relevant.
A very good application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Very good consideration of the context of the application, with perceptive use of examples, where relevant. Evidence of some innovation and creativity.
An advanced application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. The context of the application is well considered, with extensive use of relevant examples. Application and deployment extend beyond established conventions. Innovation and creativity evident throughout.
Outstanding levels of application and deployment skills. Assimilation and development of cutting edge processes and techniques.
and Deployment Effective deployment of appropriate methods, materials, tools and techniques; extent of skill demonstrated in the application of concepts to a variety of processes and/or contexts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to
solve problems.
5. Skills for Professional Communication media is inappropriate or misapplied. Little or no evidence of autonomy in the completion of tasks. Work is poorly structured and/or largely incoherent.
Media is poorly designed and/or not suitable for the audience. Poor independent or collaborative initiative. Work lacks structure, organisation, and/or coherence
Can communicate in a suitable format but with some room for improvement. Can work as part of a team, but with limited involvement in group activities. Work lacks coherence in places and could be better structured.
Can communicate effectively in a suitable format, but may have minor errors. Can work effectively as part of a team, with clear contribution to group activities. Mostly coherent work and is in a suitable structure.
Can communicate well, confidently and consistently in a suitable format. Can work very well as part of a team, with very good contribution to group activities. Work is coherent and fluent and is well structured and organised.
Can communicate professionally and, confidently in a suitable format. Can work professionally within a team, showing leadership skills as appropriate, managing conflict and meeting obligations. Work is coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally.
Can communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism. Can work exceptionally well and professionally within a team, showing advanced leadership skills. Work is exceptionally coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally.
Practice Demonstrates attributes expected in professional practice including: individual initiative and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media to communicate (including written and oral); clarity and effectiveness in presentation and
organisation.
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Student Self Evaluation Form Student name:
Student number:
Programme:
Year of programme
Assignment Title:
This section repeats in brief the common assessment criteria detailed on previous pages. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. Using these criteria, tick the box that best indicates the level of achievement you feel you have achieved with regard to each of them. Please note that this self-assessment is used as a developmental tool only and has no impact on the way in which your work will be marked.
Common Assessment Criteria Applied
Level of Achievement
REFER
3rd
2:2
2:1
1st
1st
OUTRIGHT FAIL UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
1. Research-informed Literature
0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject
0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%
3. Analysis 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%
4. Practical Application and Deployment
0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%
5. Skills for Professional Practice
0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%
PLEASE COMMENT ON AREAS IN WHICH YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE PERFORMED WELL
PLEASE COMMENT ON AREAS YOU FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO DEVELOP
Student’s Name
Date
Student’s Signature
