Examine critical issues related to business and management

1. Practical and Written Assessment

Task Description 

This is an individual assessment task in which students will examine critical issues related to business and management context. The objective is to gain greater understanding of the contextual factors internal to a business that impact on a business or organisation and its business decision making.  

Further details are available on the Moodle site for this course. 

Assessment Criteria Assessment Criteria 

Students are to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter by: 

• Defining key terms and utilising the theories and concepts presented in weeks 1-5 
• Ability to explain major domestic and international contextual factors and how they affect business structures and strategy 
• Demonstrating a breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 12 academic sources 
• Correctly using of the APA in text referencing system to correctly citing academic sources 

These are the minimum requirements. Students should note that satisfactorily meeting the minimum requirements will typically result in the minimum pass grade being awarded. 

As Masters students you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered. 1. Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice, and 2. Students must 

demonstrate "knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”. 

Each unit in the MBA has a number of required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF. In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications. As Masters students you are expected to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies to demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research. 

Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE (a full list of references must be submitted as part of the assessment). 

2. Practical and Written Assessment 

Task Description 

This is an individual assessment that extends on the first assignment. Taking the perspective of the organisation examined in assignment one students are to select one of the following: 

1. Governance 
2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
3. Knowledge Management and eCommerce 

Assessment Criteria 

Students are to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter by: 

• Defining relevant terms, theories and concepts presented in weeks 6-8 
• Ability to utilise the specific contextual factor chosen, explain key details and assess its impact on the relevant firm or organisation 
• Ability to explain major domestic and international contextual factors and how they affect business structures and strategy 
• Demonstrating a breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 12 academic sources
• Correctly using of the APA in text referencing system to correctly citing academic sources 

These are the minimum requirements. Students should note that satisfactorily meeting the minimum requirements will typically result in the minimum pass grade being awarded. 

As Masters students you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered. 1. Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice, and 2. Students must demonstrate "knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”. 

Each unit in the MBA has a number of required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF. In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications. As Masters students you are expected to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies to demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research. 

Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE (a full list of references must be submitted as part of the assessment). 

3. Presentation and Written Assessment 

Task Description 

Students will form groups and will be allocated an organisation by their lecturer. 

The group will utilise the content of the unit addressed in weeks 1-5 to classify the nature of the firm and the key contextual factors. 

Students are then to select one of the following factors to be the primary focus of their presentation and report: 

1. Regional Economic Issues
2. Globalisation 
3. Cross Cultural Management. 

Groups are to assess the impact of the chosen contextual factor, identify the critical issues and generate a series of appropriate recommendations that will enhance organisational performance. 

Students must to refer to the Moodle site for the requirements for each of the specific context chosen. 

This is a group task that requires a formal presentation in class, to be delivered in week 12. Each Group will have 20 minutes (plus time for questions) to present their findings using appropriate support materials. Students should adopt the perspective of a group of professional consultants providing strategic advice to the CEO or Board of Directors of the firm. 

In addition, an Executive Business Report (of no more than 2000 words) is to be submitted, which summarises key literature, issues, identified problems and recommendations. 

Students must to refer to the Moodle site for the requirements of the written report. 

Assessment Criteria 

Students are to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter by: 

• Defining relevant terms, theories and concepts presented in topics 1-11 
• Ability to utilise the specific regional or international contextual factor chosen, explain key details and assess its impact on the relevant firm or organisation 
• Demonstrating a breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 12 academic sources Correctly using the APA in text referencing system to cite academic sources 
• Concise and structured presentation with introduction, main presentation and conclusion 
• Effective use of audio visuals and verbal communication delivered within the time allocation (20 mins per group)
• Ability to present key findings in a business presentation to expected professional standards
• Ability to work in a collaborative and effective manner as a team