PM206: Logistics and Operations Management

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Semester:	Autumn 2014
Module Code:	PM206
Module Title:	Logistics and Operations Management
Programme:	BSc (Hons) Business Management
Level:	Level 5
Awarding Body:	Plymouth University
Module Leader:	Martin Gilbert
Format:	An individual assignment consisting of a written report of 2,000 words.
Presentation:	No
Any special requirements:	All work should be submitted on the Student Portal along with an acceptable Turnitin Report
Word Limit:	2,000 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway)
Deadline date for submission:	The deadline date for submission is 5.00 pm on 5th December 2014.
Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment (please note that this is not the assessment task)	· Critically evaluate methods of planning and organising efficient operations and networking. · Analyse the problems of controlling component activities and of controlling quality. Development of knowledge and understanding: Detailed knowledge of techniques and an awareness of methods used in the correct context. Cognitive/intellectual skills: Research an organisation; analyse and evaluate a range of information; evaluation of techniques; critically discuss and apply key elements to the organisation and draw conclusions Key/Transferable skills: Independent learning and research; management and analysis of information; critical evaluation; production of a coherent report Practical skills: application of a range of techniques and methods
Percentage of marks awarded for module:	This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for the module.
Assessment Task:	Individual Report Your task is to critically discuss and evaluate the effect of process technology and e-business on an organisation of your choice. You should evaluate the effect on their logistical and operational capacity and capability. Your answer should include the initial impact on the chosen company and how, if relevant, this is likely to develop in future years.
Assessment criteria	Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria	Maximum marks for each section
Content, style, relevance and originality	· Relevant, accurate content, demonstrating research, as required by the assessment task. · Clearly evaluates the effect of process technology and e-business. · Specific to an organisation. · Emphasis will be placed on originality – work that is clearly student’s own.	40%
Constructive critical analysis	· Demonstrates the ability to critically analyse and/or evaluate the use of process technology and e-business. · Demonstrates that you have consulted widely – using appropriate sources and examples to substantiate your arguments. · Application of relevant academic models should be evident but not necessarily explicit. · Draws conclusions and/or provides alternative views on the usefulness of process technology and e-business.	30%
Overall structure	· Coherent structure, presented in a report format, utilising headings and sub-headings; includes a title page and clear table of content.	10%
Introduction and conclusion	· Clear triangulation of introduction, discussions and conclusion. · Introduces issue(s) for further exploration.	10%
Referencing style	· Full in-text referencing using the Harvard citation style. · Structured reference list or bibliography using the Harvard referencing method.	10%

Assignment outline

This is an individual assignment and must be presented in a report format (2,000 words). It is important that your report is properly structured. Also, as this is an academic paper, you should draw on contemporary literature to support your paper. Remember that this individual report accounts for 50% of your module assessment. Hence, bad performance will have a big impact on this module. An executive summary is not necessary in a report of this size.

Your report should include references to appropriate process technology and e-business literature (textbooks, journals and websites). Care should be taken when consulting websites as they are not all equally authoritative (for example Wikipedia is not peer-reviewed; therefore is not considered an academic reference website). A minimum of 5 different academic references must be cited, but a well-researched report is likely to cite many more.

You are advised to keep a backup copy of the report until you receive your grade and regularly back-up your work in the cloud (OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox and GoogleDrive are good examples). A disk crash is not an acceptable reason for late submission.

Below is an indicative structure for your report:

Title Page

Assignment title, module code, full name and student code, as well as submission date.

A list of all the chapters, sections, headings and sub-headings with their respective page numbers. Appendices and Figures should be provided as well as all page numbers as clearly as possible.

Introduction

This should show that you have fully understood the brief and that you are going to cover everything required.

Findings and Analysis

· This is the substance of your report. The structure will vary depending on the material being presented. Headings and sub-headings should be used to indicate clearly the different sections.

· The following headings may help to add structure: situation; problem; solution; evaluation. It is not sufficient simply to describe a situation. Analysis and a critical approach are essential.

· Charts, diagrams and tables can be used to reinforce your arguments, although it may be better to include the more complex ones as an appendix.

Conclusions

These draw out the implications of your findings. Deductions are based on the facts described in the findings and analysis. Remember not to include any new material here.

Reference List / Bibliography

The terms reference list and bibliography are sometimes used interchangeably, but here we define the terms as:

· Bibliography - a list of consulted readings, for example a list of textbook sources, that you have studied while composing your essay, but not specifically cited in the text

· Reference list - a list of cited sources.

Appendices

Detailed documentation of points made in the findings. Examples include: technical data, questionnaires, letters sent, tables, charts or leaflets. An appendix contains supplementary information that you consider to be too long, complicated or not quite relevant to include in the main section of the report, but is still relevant to your reader. Each appendix should be referred to in your text. You should not include something as an appendix if it is not discussed in the report.

Marking Criteria

Indicative Grade	UK% marks	Characteristics.
Distinction	70%+	Very high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed arguments. Good awareness of nuances and complexities. Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research. Excellent evaluation and synthesis of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.
Merit	69-60%	High standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Clear awareness and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed argument. Awareness of nuances and complexities. Evidence of independent research. Good evaluation and synthesis of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.
Pass	59-50%	Uses appropriate conceptual frameworks. Attempts analysis but includes some errors and /or omissions. Shows awareness of issues but no more than to be expected room attendance at classes. Arguments reasonably clear but underdeveloped. Insufficient evidence of independent research. Insufficient evaluation of source material. Some good use of relevant data and examples but incompletely referenced.
Pass	49-40%	Adequate understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Answer too descriptive and or any attempt at analysis is superficial containing errors and omission. Shows limited awareness of issues but also some confusion. Arguments not particularly clear. Limited evidence of independent research and reliance on a superficial repeat of class notes. Relatively superficial use of relevant data sources and examples and poorly referenced.
	PASS MARK=40%
E	39-30%	Weak understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Weak analysis and several errors and omissions. Establishes a few relevant points but superficial and confused exposition of issues. No evidence of independent research and poor understanding of class notes or no use of relevant data, sources and examples and no references.

It is recommended that you review the requirements of the assignment before submitting your work.

Students should conform to the conventions of the above assessment format in the preparation of their assignments. The relevant assessment criteria have been stated to enable and guide students in the preparation of their work. Achievement of the learning outcomes and the application of relevant theories to the assessment task should be demonstrated.

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