SIM337 Contemporary Developments in Business and Management Assessment

2019

Module Leader: Tatah Amenonyoh

th
Canvas & JIRA Deadline: Tuesday 14 May 2019 at 14.00pm
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Critically appraise the different frameworks within which organisational decisions are made.
2. Evaluate how organizations might respond to external global forces.

Skills

3. Analyse a range of theoretical concepts and apply them to practical business problems or
issues.
4. Assess the factors affecting business performance in international markets.

Assessment weighted at 100% assessing all module learning outcomes.

Activity:

Prepare a management report of 3,500 words* on an organization within one of the

following industry-sectors**:

1. Online /Ecommerce/ Digital Marketing sector

2. Telecommunications

3. Oil / Gas production companies

4. Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers

5. Airline / Sea Transport (Any airline, Sea Transport and Freights etc.)

1. Note: [An organization profile must be included in your submission as “Appendix 1”.]

2. Note that the use of retail organisations is not allowed. E.g. Tesco, McDonalds, Sainsbury’s,
Waitrose, ASDA, LIDL and other retail organisations are not. The use of any of the retail
organisation above will lead to 20 % loss of the final marks on the module.

This report should assess the impact of external business environmental factors on the
organization and evaluate the organization’s position and responses. In the case of a large
 organization it is permissible to confine your report to part of the organization. An organization’s
activities may range beyond the designated industrial sector in which case the focus of your
report must be on the organization’s activities within the designated sector.

* You are advised to write 3500 words . This word limit does not include the title page, the
executive summary, the contents page, the organization profile, tables, diagrams, appendices or
references. You must include an accurate word count on your title page.

** According to the “International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic

Activities”

Task 1
Give a brief overview of the primary external influences to which the organization is subject and
briefly explain the particular importance of each to the organization.

This first task should contribute no more than one third of your overall report.

Task 2
Choose one of the following themes:

1. Management Information Systems

2. Marketing Communications Mix
3. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
4. Knowledge management
5. Customer Relationship Management

In relation to your chosen theme:

i. Analyse its relevance to your chosen organization and how it influences policies
and decision-making within your chosen organization or industry-sector.
ii. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s response.

iii. (If possible and appropriate) demonstrate some areas for improvement in the response
of the organization.
Guidance notes:
Whatever organization you choose and whichever theme you chose, you must clearly
demonstrate knowledge and understanding from research and reading wider than that
contained in the module pack and core textbook. This is a REPORT and so must be presented
in business report format and style. You must also structure your report to cover the tasks
including points 2.i to 2.iii above. This is an academic piece of work therefore you are
expected to link theory and practice. You should take care to ensure that the work you
submit has a high standard of presentation. This is an individual assignment. You must
acknowledge your sources of information and evidence using the Harvard referencing
system. All assignments are subject to the University’s regulations on collusion and
plagiarism and must be submitted in electronic form for checking on Canvas for Turnitin and
the Turnitin report must be submitted to JIRA along with your assignment.

Summary Assessment Criteria

1. Relevance: Directly relevant to the requirements of the assessment. (10%)
2. Knowledge: A substantial knowledge of relevant material, showing a clear grasp
of themes, questions and issues therein. (20%)
3. Analysis: Good analysis, clear and orderly (20%)
4. Argument and structure: Coherent and logically structured, using an appropriate mode
of argument and/or theoretical model(s). (20%)

5. Critical evaluation: Contains distinctive or independent thinking; may formulate

an independent position in relation to theory and/or practice. (10%)

6. Presentation: Well written, with standard spelling and grammar, in a readable style
with an acceptable format. (10%)

7. Reference to literature: Critical appraisal of up-to-date and/or appropriate literature.

Recognition of different perspectives. Good use of a range of sources.
(10%)

(See marking scheme below for more detailed guidance)

SIM337 Marking Scheme and Generic Assessment Criteria

These will be interpreted according to the assignment tasks and the module assessment criteria.

Grade Relevance (10%) Knowledge (20%) Analysis (20%) Argument and Critical Evaluation Presentation Reference to
Structure (20%) (10%) (10%) Literature (10%)
The work examined is exemplary and provides clear evidence of a complete grasp of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to SIM337. There is also unequivocal evidence
86 – showing that all the learning outcomes of SIM337 have been fully satisfied. At this level it is
100% expected that the work will be exemplary in all the categories cited above. It will demonstrate a particularly compelling evaluation, originality, and elegance of argument,
interpretation or discourse.
The work examined is excellent and demonstrates comprehensive knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to SIM337. There is also excellent evidence showing that all the
76- learning outcomes of SIM337 have been fully satisfied. At this level it is expected that thework will be excellent in the majority of the categories cited above or by demonstrating particularly
85% compelling evaluation and elegance of
argument, interpretation or discourse.
The work examined is of a high standard and there is evidence of comprehensive knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to SIM337. There is clearly articulated evidence
70 – demonstrating that all the learning outcomes of SIM337 have been satisfied At this level it is
75% expected that the standard of the work will be high in the majority of the categories cited above or by demonstrating particularly compelling evaluation and elegance of
argument, interpretation or discourse.
Directly relevant to A substantial Good analysis, clear Generally coherent and (May) contain some Well written, with Critical appraisal of up- to-date
60 – the knowledge of relevant and orderly logically structured, using distinctive or standard spelling and and/or appropriate literature.
69% requirements of the material, showing a an appropriate mode of independent thinking; grammar, in a readable Recognition of
assessment clear grasp of themes, argument and/or (may) begin to formulate style with acceptable different perspectives. Very
questions and theoretical model(s) an independent position format good use of
issues therein. (12 (12 – 14) in relation to theory (6 – 7) source material. Uses a range
(6 – 7) – 14) (12 – 14) and/or of sources. (6
practice. (6 – 7) – 7)

Some attempt to Adequate Some analytical Some attempt to construct a Sound work which Competently Uses a variety of literature
50 – address the knowledge of a fair treatment, but coherent argument, but expresses a coherent written, with only which includes some recent
59% requirements of the range of relevant (may be) prone to (may) lose focus and position and evaluation minor lapses from texts and/or appropriate
assessment: (may material, with description, or to consistency, with issues at only in broad terms and standard grammar, literature, though not
drift away from this in intermittent narrative, which stake stated only vaguely, in uncritical conformity with acceptable necessarily including a
less focused evidence of an lacks clear or theoretical model(s) to one or more format substantive amount beyond
passages) appreciation of its analytical purpose. couched in simplistic terms. standard views of the library texts. Competent use
significance. (10 – (10 – (10 topic. (5 – 6) of
(5 – 6) 12) 12) – 12) (5 – 6) source material. (5 – 6)
 Some correlation with Basic understanding Largely descriptive A basic argument is evident, Some evidence of a A simple basic style Some up-to-date and/or
40 – the requirements of of the subject but or narrative, with but mainly supported by view and a very basic but with significant appropriate literature used.
49% the assessment but addressing a limited little evidence of assertion and (there may evaluation starting to be deficiencies in Goes beyond the material
there are instances of range of material analysis be) a lack of clarity and formed but mainly expression or format tutor has provided/main
irrelevance. coherence derivative. (4 – 5) that (may) pose text. Limited use of sources
(8 – 10) obstacles for the to support a point. (4 – 5)
(4 – 5) (8 – 10) (8 – 10) reader. (4 – 5)

Relevance to the A limited Heavy Little evidence of coherent Almost wholly Numerous Barely adequate use of
35 – requirements of the understanding of a dependence on argument: acks development derivative: the writer’s deficiencies in literature. Over
39% assessment (may be) narrow range description, and/or and (may be) repetitive contribution rarely goes expression and reliance on material provided
very intermittent, of material on paraphrase or thin beyond simplifying presentation; the by the tutor/main text.
and/or (may be) paraphrase writer (may) achieve
reduced to its vaguest clarity (if at all) only
and least challenging by using a simplistic or (3.5 – 4)
terms. (3.5 – 4) (7 – 8) (7 – 8) (7 – 8) (3.5 – 4) repetitious style.
(3.5 – 4)

The evidence provided shows that the majority of the learning outcomes of SIM337 have been satisfied - For Compensation consideration
30 – The work examined provides insufficient evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to SIM337. The evidence provided shows that some of the learning
34% outcomes of SIM337 have been satisfied.
15- The work examined is unacceptable and provides little evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to SIM337. The evidence provided shows that few of the
29% learning outcomes of SIM337 have been satisfied.
0-14% The work examined is unacceptable and provides almost no evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to SIM337. The evidence provided fails to show that any
of the learning outcomes of SIM337 have been satisfied.

Please note that all work must to be referenced correctly according to the Harvard system. Marks will be subtracted for poor referencing and more serious cases of plagiarism or collusion will be
reported to the University of Sunderland Faculty of Business and Law Infringement Panel.
Guidance on the Assessment Criteria and Marking Scheme

Relevance (weighting: 10%)

“Directly relevant to the requirements of the assessment”

You need to do what the assignment requires. Read the question or task carefully and do what
it asks rather that what you would prefer to do. Keep focused on the task and avoid irrelevant
material. In particular, you must base your report on an appropriate company and on one of
the designated themes.

Task one is to “Give a brief overview of the primary external influences to which the
organization is subject and explain the particular importance of each to the organization.”
Task two is in relation to a chosen theme to:

i. “analyse its relevance to your chosen organization how it influences policies and
decision-making within your chosen organization or industry-sector.”

ii. “critically evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s response.”

iii. “(if possible and appropriate) demonstrate some areas for improvement
in the response of the organization.”

In task one you need to cover a range of external business environment factors but
emphasis should vary according to the degree of relevance. In task two more in-depth
analysis and evaluation are required and, if possible and appropriate, recommendations.

Knowledge (weighting 20%)

“A substantial knowledge of relevant material, showing a clear grasp of themes, questions
and issues..”

You need to demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant material. Demonstrate to your reader
that you really understand the material and that you are not merely paraphrasing. A good use
of applications and examples will be essential in doing this.
“Under this criterion we are looking to see that you understand what is meant by the range
of external business environmental factors and understand in some depth the relevance of
the chosen theme. ‘There will be a tendency to give facts and definitions either as direct
quotations or paraphrased but students need to demonstrate a real understanding by
applying and illustrating the concepts. For example ” All of this must be relevant to an
appropriate choice of company
and theme!
Analysis (weighting 20%)
“Good analysis, clear and orderly.”

You need to give a good analysis (explanation) and avoid too much description. Description is
relatively superficial whereas analysis gives a deeper explanation. “Students will tend to describe
what is meant by ...................................................................... and so on. What is needed here is

analysis (explanation). For example, if considering the potential impact of food-safety

regulations it is not sufficient to merely say that the regulations will impact on a firm’s
operations we need some explanation of how they could impact on such a firm.” This applies
to task one but even more so to task two.
All of this must be relevant to an appropriate choice of company and theme!

Argument and Structure (weighting: 20%)

“Generally coherent and logically structured, using an appropriate mode of argument and/or
theoretical model(s)”

Your argument needs to be clear, coherent and logical and you should use relevant
theoretical models and evidence in support of your argument. Avoid mere assertion.
Make sure that you understand what your argument is and avoid merely stringing
together a series of points.

“Assertions need to be substantiated either by reference to authoritative sources or by evidence

and logical argument. For example, a statement about a firm’s competitive advantage would
need to be substantiated by a reference to an authoritative source or evidence and argument,
e.g. “This could give it a competitive advantage over rivals because
.................................. ”

Weaknesses in this area would be indicated by marking comments such

as ‘Substantiate!’, ‘Why?’, ‘How? and so on..”
All of this must be relevant to an appropriate choice of company and theme!

Critical Evaluation (weighting 10%)

“Should contain some distinctive or independent thinking; should begin to formulate an
independent position in relation to theory and/or practice.”

This is particularly relevant to task two where any recommendations should be based on
and should flow from the analysis and evaluation.

To gain these marks you need to be demonstrating your own judgement rather than just
relying on the judgements of others. For example, “‘A’ considers that ................................... ‘B’
considers that……. On balance this report reaches the following conclusion ........................ ……..”

The requirement of this assignment cannot be completed relying on the work of others so a
good paper must have a fairly high level of originality.
All of this must be relevant to an appropriate choice of company and theme!

Presentation (weighting 10%)

“Well written, with standard spelling and grammar, in a readable style with acceptable
format.”

An “acceptable format” for a report will be relatively formal in style with headings and
sub-headings
(See “A Simple Guide to Report Writing”.)

Reference to Literature (weighting: 10%)

“Critical appraisal of up-to-date and/or appropriate literature. Recognition of different
perspectives. Very good use of source material. Uses a range of sources.” You need to
demonstrate a good use of a range and quality of up-to-date materials. Literature use
limited to the main text and/or superficial or out-of-date sources will score badly. All of this
must be relevant to an appropriate choice of company and theme!

In addition, all work must be referenced correctly using the Harvard style. Marks will be
subtracted for poor referencing and more serious cases of plagiarism or collusion will be
reported to the University of Sunderland Faculty of Business and Law Infringement Panel. (See
a guide to Harvard referencing)
Assessment Regulations
For further information regarding Assessment Regulations, extenuating circumstances or extensions
and academic integrity, please refer to your Programme Handbook on the University of Sunderland
in London information page on Canvas.

Reading List
Please access your reading list from the library website. To access it, please go to
https://moduleresources.sunderland.ac.uk/ and search for your module.

Submission guidelines
There are currently two steps that you need to follow to ensure that you successfully
submit your work for marking. Your submission links will become available approximately 3
weeks prior to your submission deadline, along with detailed instructions on how to submit
your assignment, but in the meantime please feel free to also watch this Assignment
Submission Instructions video.

Grading
You will be marked in accordance to the University of Sunderland assessment criteria
attached below. The assessment criteria covers; Relevance, Knowledge, Analysis, Argument
and Structure, Critical Evaluation, Presentation, Reference to Literature.