lefttopAPPENDIX GAxxLEVEL 6 ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
lefttopAPPENDIX GAxxLEVEL 6 ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
Student name: FORMTEXT Student ID number: Programme: BA (Hons) Leadership and Management Skills for the Workplace
Module: Strategic Management
Module code: BMSW6104_Swansea Weighting 100%
Lecturer: Maria Heffernan Internal Verifier: Brynach Heffernan
Assignment Title: Is the Strategy working? Word count (or equivalent): Individual
report -4500 words
Submission deadline: .
Report 7th July 2023 by 3pm
Return date of provisional marks & written feedback: 4th August 3pm
2023
Submission method: All written assessments, where practical and possible, must be submitted via Turnitin unless otherwise instructed by the Lecturer. (Please DO NOT put this assessment specification into Turnitin or it will match many similarities with other students submissions.)
Alternative submission method (if applicable):
Late submission of the assessment will result in a late penalty mark. Penalties for late submission: Up to one week late, maximum mark of 40%. Over one week late, 0%. Only the Extenuating Circumstances Panel may approve a change to submission dates.
Academic honesty / referencing: Academic honesty is required. In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research and ideas your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc. that you have used, cited or quoted in order to complete this assessment.
Module Learning Outcomes
(from module syllabus)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
critically appraise an organisations strategic direction;critically analyse the components of an organisations internal and external environment;
critically evaluate stakeholder expectations;formulate and verify new strategies for sustainable growth.
.
TASK DESCRIPTION
Introduction
Within all sectors today competition has become fierce with profit margins, market share and stakeholders becoming difficult to maintain and manage. Organisations that employ Strategic masterminds demonstrate their ability to often shape and control the environment their organisation operates within whilst others battle to survive against the internal and external forces that threaten the organisations survival. Constantly changing situations have forced organisations to look at expanding, diversifying or contracting their portfolios to best offer them a chance at annihilating competitors .and moving towards a period of growth and stability. Leaders and investors recognise the constant change within the environment and the need for a strategy that is flexible, adaptable and has a strategic and operational fit with its environment whilst aiding the achievement of its mission.
This assignment requires you to undertake a strategic analysis and evaluation of your selected organisation. It should critically discuss how and why it has reached its current strategic performance and produce a conclusion which outlines the areas of strength and future areas for improvement within the organisations strategy.
The assignment is to be undertaken on an individual basis and contains one formal report of 4500 words
Assignment Tasks
Report Tasks
The student must choose one of the following organisations on which to base their report.
Microsoft
Coca Cola
Nike
Task 1
Provide background information on your chosen organisation which should critically review its development over the past 5 years. Within the critical review discuss how the vision/mission of this organisation has changed and explain why this has occurred.
Task 2
Using the strategic models and theories studied within the module analyse the organisation and discuss the strategy currently in operation within the organisation.
Task 3
Using your previous analysis of the organisation critically discuss the advantages and dis-advantages to the organisation and its stakeholders of pursuing this strategy/mission/vision.
Task 4
Draw a conclusion based on the evidence researched and discussed outline which areas of the organisation strategy is the most successful in todays environment. Within this discussion highlight the main areas within the organisations strategy that require further improvement.
GUIDANCE FOR Students IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS
NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five generic assessment criteria overleaf.
Engagement with Literature Skills
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 an appropriate 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 a suitable referencing system, including in-text citations in the main body of your work and a reference list at the end of your work.
Guidance specific to this assessment: The work should contain at least 30 academic references in support of your work from a variety of current, valid and reliable sources. A reference list should be provided using Harvard referencing conventions.
Knowledge and Understanding Skills
At level 6, you should be able to demonstrate: sound knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established concepts and principles of the subject area and the way in which those principles have developed; knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in the discipline. 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.
Guidance specific to this assessment: You should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theories/models associated with Strategic Management. that influence the organisation in its i.e Planning, Implementation and its choice of Strategy.
Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
You should be able to critically analyse information, and propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis, including the critical evaluation of the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. 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 what cost? At all times, you must provide justification/evidence 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, with an understanding of the limits of knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations. Sound, valid conclusions are necessary and must be derived from the content of your work. Where relevant, alternative solutions and recommendations may be proposed.
Guidance specific to this assessment: You should critically evaluate your sources, synthesis of information from your research and academic theories/ models and draw an appropriate conclusion.
Practical Skills
At level 6, you should be able to use/deploy a range of established techniques within the discipline, and apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context. You should be able to demonstrate how the subject-related concepts and ideas relate to real world situations and/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, or to create artefacts, some of which may be creative. This is likely to involve, for instance, the use of real world artefacts, examples and cases, the application of a model within an organisation and/or benchmarking one theory or organisation against others based on stated criteria. You should show awareness of the limitations of concepts and theories when applied in particular contexts.
Guidance specific to this assessment: The report should include a critical evaluation of the success or failure of the strategy in operation at the organisation. This should be undertaken by the application of strategic models and theories to aid analysis and evaluation of the organisation.
Transferable Skills for Life and Professional Practice
Your work must provide evidence of the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. This includes demonstrating: professional development to advance existing skills and acquire new competences that will enable you to assume significant responsibility within organisations; that you can initiate and complete tasks and procedures, whether individually and/or collaboratively; that you can use appropriate media to effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences; fluency of expression; clarity and effectiveness in presentation and organisation. Work should be coherent and well-structured in presentation and organisation.
Guidance specific to this assessment: The report should be presented using a formal business report as demonstrated within the assignment guidance notes. The content should be of a professional standard with correct spelling, grammar and a logical flow to your discussion. The work needs to be supported with citations which should be referenced using the Harvard method.
Student FEEDBACK FORM
This section details the extent to which the assessment criteria are demonstrated by you, which in turn determines your mark. The marks available for each category of skill are shown. Lecturers will use the space provided 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.
Generic Assessment Criteria Marks available Marks
awarded
1. Engagement with Literature Skills
. 20 2. Knowledge and Understanding Skills
20 3. Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
25 4. Practical Application Skills
25 5. Transferable Skills for Life and Professional Practice
10 Assessment 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) %
Up to 1 week late (40% Max) Over 1 week late (0%) GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Level 6
In accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, at the end of Level 6 students should have coherent and detailed knowledge and a systematic understanding of their subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline. They will be able to accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline, using their conceptual understanding to devise and sustain arguments and/or to solve problems. They should be aware of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge. They should be able to critically evaluate evidence, arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions. They will apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects. They will have the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline). They will demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts; the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.
Level 6 FAIL MARGINAL FAIL SATISFACTORY
(3rd / Pass) GOOD
(2.2 / Pass) VERY GOOD
(2.1 / Merit) EXCELLENT
(1st / Distinction) EXCEPTIONAL
(1st / Distinction)
Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
Engagement with literature (including reading, referencing,
academic conventions and
academic honesty) Little or no evidence of reading and/or reliance on inappropriate sources.
Views and findings mostly unsupported and non-authoritative.
Referencing conventions used incoherently or largely absent. Poor engagement with essential reading. No evidence of wider reading. Reliance on inappropriate sources, and/or indiscriminate use of sources. Heavily reliant on information gained through class contact. Inconsistent and weak use of referencing. Engagement with a limited range of mostly relevant and credible sources. Some omissions and minor errors.
Referencing conventions evident though not always applied accurately or consistently. Engagement with an appropriate range of research-informed literature, including sources retrieved independently. Some over-reliance on texts. Referencing may show minor inaccuracies or inconsistencies. Engagement with a wide range of research-informed literature, including sources retrieved independently.
Selection of relevant and credible sources. Very good use of referencing, with no/very few inaccuracies or inconsistencies. Engagement with an extensive range of relevant and credible literature, informed by the latest research. Consistently accurate application of referencing. Exceptional engagement with an extensive range of relevant and credible literature, informed by the latest research. High-level referencing skills consistently and professionally applied.
Knowledge and understanding (Coherent and detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.)
Major gaps in knowledge and systematic understanding of the subject matter. Substantial inaccuracies. No awareness of knowledge of the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.
Gaps in knowledge, with only superficial systematic understanding. Some significant inaccuracies and/or irrelevant material. No awareness of knowledge of the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline. Limited knowledge and systematic understanding of the relevant concepts and principles within the subject area which to some limited extent, is informed by current research and scholarship. Knowledge is reasonably detailed, accurate with a good systematic understanding of the field of study and to some extent, current research and scholarship. Knowledge is reasonably extensive coherent and detailed. Exhibits very good understanding of the breadth and depth of established views, and the work is, at least in part, well-informed by current research and scholarship. Excellent coherent and detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the principles and theories of current research and scholarship. Clear awareness of challenges to established views and the limitations of the knowledge base. Exceptionally coherent and detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the principles and theories of the subject, well-informed by current research and scholarship. A critical, sophisticated and nuanced awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge.
Cognitive and intellectual skills
(Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of research, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete); logic, argument and judgement.) Wholly or almost wholly descriptive work. Little or no analysis, synthesis or evaluation.
Failure to develop arguments, leading to illogical or invalid judgements. Unsubstantiated generalisations, made without use of any credible evidence.
Largely descriptive work, with superficial use of critical evaluation. Weak development of arguments and judgements. Information accepted uncritically, uses generalised statements made with scant evidence and unsubstantiated opinions. Ideas sometimes illogical and contradictory. Limited attempt at critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation, tending towards description.
Some evidence to support emerging arguments and judgements but these may be underdeveloped or with a little inconsistency / mis-interpretation.
Asserts rather than argues a case.
Some critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Can analyse new and/or abstract concepts and data without guidance.
An emerging awareness of different stances and ability to use evidence (that may be incomplete) to support the argument.
Mostly valid arguments and logical judgements. Some tendency to assert/state opinion rather than argue on the basis of reason and evidence. Sound critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation demonstrating critical thinking. Ability to devise and sustain persuasive arguments, and to review the reliability, validity and significance of evidence (that may be incomplete) to make mostly appropriate and valid judgements.
Excellent critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Ability to investigate contradictory or incomplete information and make strong, persuasive, arguments and sophisticated judgements. Some evidence of independent thought and ability to see beyond the question, suggesting a grasp of the broader field and wider concepts.
Exceptional critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation based on judiciously selected evidence.
Ability to investigate contradictory or incomplete information and make strong, persuasive, arguments and sophisticated, nuanced, judgements. Evidence of independent thought and ability to see beyond the question, suggesting an outstanding grasp of the broader field and wider concepts.
Practical skills
(Apply/deploy accurately established tools and techniques; initiate and carry out projects; formulate solutions to solve problems in complex and unpredictable contexts.) Limited or no use of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.
Little or no appreciation of the context of the application.
Limited understanding of the application of theory to practice or making appropriate links between the two.
Very weak problem-solving skills in complex and unpredictable contexts. Rudimentary application of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques but without consideration and competence. Flawed appreciation of the context of the application.
Weak understanding of the application of theory to practice, with only occasional evidence of making appropriate links between the two. Weak problem-solving skills in complex and unpredictable contexts.
An adequate awareness and mostly appropriate application of well-established methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.
Basic appreciation of the context of the application. Theoretical knowledge and understanding applied in practice, but not always making logical links between the two.
Can identify problems and propose basic solutions in complex and unpredictable contexts without fully appreciating the complexity. A good and appropriate application of standard methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.
Clear appreciation of the context of the application. Mainly consistent, accurate and logical application of theory to practice, making appropriate links between the twoCan identify problems and propose mostly appropriate solutions in complex and unpredictable contexts. 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 insights. Can identify problems and propose appropriate solutions in complex and unpredictable contexts.
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, and insightful.
Application and deployment extend beyond established conventions. Can identify complex problems and propose excellent solutions. Innovation and creativity evident. Exceptional levels of application and deployment skills in unpredictable, practical contexts, drawing skilfully on the latest research within the discipline. Can identify complex problems and propose sophisticated solutions. Assimilation and development of cutting edge processes and techniques.
Transferable skills for life and professional practice
(Exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; professional development; initiate and complete tasks and procedures: individually and/or collaboratively; use appropriate media to communicate effectively; fluency of expression; clarity and effectiveness in presentation and organisation.) Communication medium is inappropriate or misapplied.
Work is poorly structured, disorganised and/or confusingly expressed. Very weak use of language and/or very inappropriate style. Little or no evidence of autonomy (or collaboration, where relevant) in the completion of tasks. Little or no evidence of the skills required in graduate employment.
Communication medium is poorly designed and/or not suitable for the audience.
Work is poorly presented in a disjointed manner. It is loosely, and at times incoherently, structured, with information and ideas often poorly expressed. Weak use of language and/or inappropriate style. Weak independent initiative (or collaboration, if relevant). Limited evidence of the skills required in graduate employment. Can communicate in a suitable medium but with some room for improvement.
Mostly ordered presentation and structure in which relevant ideas / concepts are reasonably expressed. Work may lack coherence in places. Can work as part of a team, but with limited involvement in group activities.
Demonstrates the basic skills required in graduate employment, with some areas of minor weakness. Can communicate effectively in a suitable format, but may have minor errors.
Mostly coherent, organised work, in a suitable structure and is for the most part clearly expressed. Can work effectively independently and/or as part of a team, with clear contribution to group activities.
Demonstrates the skills required in graduate employment, with some areas of strength and some of minor weakness. Can communicate well, confidently and consistently in a suitable format.
Work is coherent, fluent, well-structured and organised. Can work very well autonomously and/or as part of a team, with very good contribution to group activities.
Demonstrates very good graduate employment skills, with just occasional minor weakness. Can communicate professionally confidently and consistently in a suitable format.
Work is coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally. Can work autonomously with initiative. Where relevant can work professionally within a team, showing leadership skills as appropriate, managing conflict and meeting obligations. Demonstrates excellent graduate employment skills and an appetite for further development. Can communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism.
Work is exceptionally coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally. Can work exceptionally well and professionally within a team, showing advanced leadership skills. Demonstrates exceptional graduate employment skills and an appetite for further development.
Level 6 BA Leadership and Management Skills for the Workplace
Strategy for SMes
Key Dates
Assignment
DRAFT 23rd June 2023
FINAL Submission 7th July 2023
Week Number DATE W/CActivity
1 24/04/2023 Module Introduction/Lecture 1- Introduction to Strategy/Lecture 2- Strategy Formulation/ Assignment/Guidance
2 01/05/2023 Bank Holiday
3 8/05/2023 Bank Holiday
4 15/05/2023 Lecture 3- Positioning Schools
5 22/05/2023 Lecture 4- Strategic Frameworks
6 29/05/2023 Reading Week
7 05/06/2023 Lecture 5- Strategic Models
8 12/06/2023 Lecture 6- Mergers/Acquisitions Overview
9 19/06/2023 Small Group Tutorials
10 26/06/2023 One to One Tutorials
