Individual Business Report

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MCD2170- Foundations of Finance Assignment 1: Individual Business Report

Status: Individual Weighting: 10% Word Limit: 1000 words approx. Due Date: Week 11, Monday 5th September, 9am. _____________________________________________________________________

Instructions to Students

1. The word limit is 1000 words with +/-10% allowance. The maximum number of words (without reference list and appendixes) is 1100 words. The assignment must be submitted typed, 12 font, one-sided, and 1.5 spaced on white A4 paper.

2. Work submitted for assessment must be accompanied by a completed copy of the Cover Sheet (available on Moodle). No assignment will be accepted or marked if it is not accompanied by a signed Cover Sheet with your name, I.D. number, the tutorial day/time, and the name of the tutor on the Cover Sheet. An electronic copy will not be accepted. You should retain a copy of the work submitted.

3. A marking rubric has been uploaded on Moodle (given with your assignment). You need to structure your assignment accordingly. You are required to write this as a business report, however due to the word limit you may choose to structure the report including only the following: Executive Summary, Introduction, Body (use headings here to clearly identify issues/arguments you will discuss within the body of your report), Conclusion and References. You may choose to add tables, diagrams etc.in an Appendix.

4. Be very careful with the source of information from the web. Make sure you only cite reliable sources (newspaper articles, government reports, journal articles for example). Sources of information such as Wikipedia should not be used.

5. Applications for extension of time – All applications for an extension of the time allocated to an assessment task must be made in writing to the Team Leader (see special consideration for within trimester assessment on Moodle). Approval, if granted, will be communicated in writing.

6. Assignments will be returned in your last workshop of week 12 by a name call.

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Assignment Details: The role of financial institutions in promoting corporate social responsibility “Banks are the backbone of the global economy, providing capital for innovation, infrastructure, job creation and overall prosperity. Banks also play an integral role in society, affecting not only spending by individual consumers, but also the growth of entire industries.” (Cogan, Dougly G. Corporate Governance and Climate Change: The Banking Sector. Ceres, January 2008). In light of the comment given above, discuss the role that financial institutions can play in promoting corporate social responsibility. You are required to write a short report in business format, approximately 1000 words (12 font, 1.5 lines spaced), discussing above question. You will be required to define corporate social responsibility (CSR), review the role financial institutions have played in promoting CSR to date and critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges ahead for financial institutions to lead by example as socially responsible entities. You can focus on the role of financial institutions in promoting/improving: financial literacy, sustainable development (be it economic, social, environmental), and/or developing an understanding of the importance of ethics in finance.

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Marking Rubric: Criteria Description Mark Presentation Professional presentation, correct grammar and spelling,

structure of report has an introduction, body and conclusion.

20

Introduction Briefly and clearly explains what issue is investigated in the report.

20

Discussion (body of report)

Arguments are logical, and are supported by relevant data/references/examples. Intelligent, focused and relevant discussion on topic.

20

Conclusion Conclusion follows from discussion and provides brief mention of limitations and/or further research topics.

20

References The report is well researched. References are relevant to the topic. Referencing in-text and in the reference section is correct following Q-manual style guide.

20

Total 100 Introduction: Does the report capture the reader's attention? Does it provide a brief explanation of what problem/issue/topic is being investigated in the report? Does it provide definition of terms when needed? Does it provide background history if necessary? Discussion: the facts or evidence are presented; sections /arguments follow a logical order; headings can be used to sub divide content if necessary (all related ideas grouped together under a sub heading), succinct and focused discussion (only strictly relevant material is discussed). Conclusion: clearly follows from discussion and provides implications from the content of the report; limitations may be discussed and recommendations may me provided (eg. further research, future implications).