Strategic Planning - Portfolio 70% MBA7061
- Subject Code :
MBA7061
Assessment Brief - AS1
|
Assessment Type: |
Portfolio (3000 Words) |
|
Assessment Title (weighting): |
Assessment 1 Strategic Planning - Portfolio 70% (Group and Individual) |
|
Word Count |
3000 Words |
|
Learning Outcomes: |
2,3,4 |
|
Submission Date: |
27thApril 2025 (via Turnitin @23:59hrs) |
Learning Outcomes Assessed
|
LO2 |
Critically examine the complex challenges faced in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic choices |
|
LO3 |
Critically evaluate and synthesise information and data from appropriate sources and use these to make informed judgments in relation to strategic options within contemporary global commercial and non-commercial contexts. |
|
LO4 |
Formulate and justify innovative, evidenced-based strategic proposals and solutions. |
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Applications in this Assessment
|
AI Status |
Application |
Notes |
|
Category A |
No GAI tool is permitted. |
While grammar and/or spell checkers may be used to correct individual words and sentences, the use of GAI is not allowed. This is because the learning outcomes require you to produce original assessment work without any GAI assistance Any GAI generated content which is presented as your own original work and is not acknowledged will be assessed for academic misconduct. |
Background
Throughout the module we will be examining a variety of strategy issues using a variety of research materials. Strategy in the context of contemporary business world will be explored, which includes an examination of global economic systems, instability, circular economy, new business practices, disruption, and business model innovation. Traditional and contemporary approaches to strategy, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement will be touched upon. Corporate, business, functional and network strategies will also be considered.
Description of the assessment
This assignment will allow the students to apply the learning from the module to a topic and will be submitted in the form of a portfolio with both group and individual components.
Task:Students are required to form a group ofmaximum four membersto undertake this assignment. The group is expected to execute a strategy analysis for a self-selectedSmall and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) from any industry. This then leads to developing a strategic plan, with justification and evidence-based strategic recommendation for organisation improvements.
Group Area -
Executive Summary covering all the areas of the assignment (250 words)
Letter of Recommendation (250 words)
Supporting annexures
Individual Area
Section A: Strategic Challenges
Choose one of the three main theoretical schools of strategic managementBusiness School, Positioning School or Resource-Based View (RBV)to focus on throughout this assessment. In this section, address the following:
Discuss how your understanding of the chosen theory has developed during the module and why you selected this theory over the other two.
Reflect on how your knowledge of the history of strategic management has evolved in relation to your chosen school of thought. (600 words)
Section B: Strategic Choices
Based on your analysis of current industry trends, evaluate the strategic options/choices potentially available for your organisation,providing theoretical supportto frame your discussion, propose a 3-year strategic plan that will help the company achieve asustainable competitive advantage. Address the following:
Provide a strategic vision and mission.
Outline key strategic goals for the next three years.
Develop an implementation plan to achieve these goals. (600 words)
Section C:Strategic Evaluation
Usingthe strategic management theory you selected in Section A,critically evaluatethe current strategic position of your chosen organisation from Section B. Assess thecomplex challenges faced in development, implementation and evaluation. Applying your theoretical knowledge to assess the strategic options available to the company. (600 words)
Section D:Strategy Selection and Conclusion
Reflecton your own understanding of the theory and consider the limitations of your chosen approach. Additionally, evaluate howgovernance, ethics, and corporate social responsibility are impacted by your strategic recommendations. (500 words and 200 for conclusion)
Important Information for the Portfolio
Students are asked to form into groups themselves at the start ofWeek two and by the end of Week two confirm the groups with the Lecturer. Once formed, students are required to self- allocate themselves into a group in Canvas so they can start online group collaboration in Canvas. (they can also use any other platform for team collaboration)
Those students who still have not joined a group by the end of Week two will be randomly allocated to a group by their lecturer.
Students are required to collaborate with their group members using tools such as group discussion forum in Canvas. 5% marks are allocated to online collaboration. Evidence to demonstrate their online group collaboration in Canvas or any other platform are to be added in the Appendix section of the portfolio (no word limits on this).
Provide the full Harvard reference within the reference page for each item used, and the correct Harvard shortened reference within the portfolio.
Include both direct and indirect citations from a wide variety of sources. Include betweenfifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include four refereed academic journals and five academic books.
Make use of relevant core texts and research items from within the module.
Your cover page would be the first page of your group portfolio. Ensure in your cover page, the names and IDs of all members are included as well as the module name, tutor name, academic year/cohort/group.
The assignment will be submitted as a single file.
Only one person (team lead) in the group will make summative submission via Turnitin. The other students upload the cover sheet individually with the details added as point 7.
Structure and Format for Assignment 2
|
Format and Structure |
Weightage |
|
Title Page |
|
|
Contents |
|
|
GAI Declaration |
|
|
Executive Summary |
5% |
|
Letter of Recommendation |
5% |
|
Strategic Challenges |
20% |
|
Strategic Choices |
20% |
|
Strategic Evaluations |
20% |
|
Strategy Selection and Conclusion |
20% |
|
References and Appendices and supporting annexures |
5% |
|
Proof of participation of Online Collaboration |
5% |
Declaration: At the end of the assessment, you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications that you used in developing and completing the assessment.
Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements for both assignments:
Level HE7- It is expected that the Reference List will contain betweenfifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should includefour refereed academic journals and five academic books.
Citations and references should the Harvard Referencing System: seehttps://leaponline.bolton.ac.uk/My-Academic-Development/My-Writing-Techniques/Referencing/Level-2/Harvard-Referencing.aspx
Important and helpful information
Late work will be subject to the penalties:
Up to 7 calendar days late = 10 marks subtracted but if the assignment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assignment.
More than 7 calendar days late=This will be counted as non-submission and no marks will be recorded.
Late submission of assessments on refer and those which are graded Pass/Fail only, is not permitted. Students may request an extension to the original published deadline date as described below.
Please refer to the Module Guide for information regarding indicative reading, guidelinesfor the preparation and submission of assignments, and the assessment criteria.
Submission, Assessment & Feedback
Electronic copies of assignments should be submitted via Turnitin. Please ensure youfollow the instructions provided by your module tutor and on the assessment brief.Written feedback in the form of annotations onto your electronic submission and summarycomments will be provided within three working weeks of the submission deadline,together with your internally moderated grade for the assignment.
This assessment satisfies the learning outcomes as specified in your module guide.The pass mark for this assignment is 50%.
Guidelines for Written AssessmentsLevel HE7
|
|
|
% |
Executive Summary Letter of Recommendation |
Strategic Challenges Strategic Choices
|
Strategic Evaluations Strategy Selection and Conclusion
|
Structure |
Presentation |
Written English |
Research/Referencing |
|
DISTINCTION |
Exceptional Quality |
85-100% |
Directly relevant to title/brief. Expertly addresses the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief. |
Demonstrates an exceptional knowledge of theory and practice for this level. Insightfully interprets appropriate concepts and theoretical models. Demonstrates originality in conceptual understanding. |
Presents an exceptional critique of key research material resulting in clear, original and illuminating conclusions. Demonstrates distinctive, insightful and creative solutions to complex problems. Produces exceptional work that makes a contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding in the subject area. |
Coherently articulated and logically structured. An appropriate format is used. |
Exceptional presentational style & layout, appropriate to the type of assignment. Effective inclusion of figures, tables, plates (FTP). |
Exceptionally well written answer with standard spelling and grammar. Style is clear, resourceful and academic. |
Sources accurately cited in the text. An extensive range of contemporary and relevant references cited in the reference list in the correct style. |
|
Excellent Quality |
70-84% |
Directly relevant to title/brief. Expertly addresses the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief. |
Demonstrates an excellent knowledge of theory and practice for this level. Expertly interprets appropriate concepts and theoretical models. Demonstrates originality in conceptual understanding. |
Presents an excellent critique of key research material resulting in clear, original and illuminating conclusions. Demonstrates insightful and creative thinking solutions to complex problems. Produces excellent work that makes a contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding in the subject area. |
Coherently articulated and logically structured. An appropriate format is used. |
Excellent presentational style & layout, appropriate to the type of assignment. Effective inclusion of figures, tables, plates (FTP). |
Excellently written answer with standard spelling and grammar. Style is clear, resourceful and academic. |
Sources accurately cited in the text. A wide range of contemporary and relevant references cited in the reference list in the correct style. |
|
|
MERIT |
Good Quality |
60-69% |
Directly relevant to title/brief. Addresses the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief well. |
Demonstrates a sound knowledge of theory and practice for this level. Comprehensively interprets appropriate concepts and theoretical models. Demonstrates originality in conceptual understanding |
Presents a cohesive critique of key research material resulting in clear and original conclusions. Demonstrates creative solutions to complex problems. Produces superior work that makes a contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding in the subject area |
For the most part coherently articulated and logically constructed. An appropriate format is used. |
Very good presentational style & layout, appropriate to the type of assignment. Effective inclusion of FTP. |
Well written with standard spelling and grammar. Style is clear and academic. |
Sources accurately cited in the text. A range of contemporary and relevant references cited in the reference list in the correct style. |
|
PASS |
Satisfactory Quality |
50-59% |
Generally addresses the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief. Minor irrelevance in places. |
Demonstrates an adequate knowledge of theory and practice for this level. Some minor omissions. Satisfactorily interprets some appropriate concepts and theoretical models. Demonstrates some originality in conceptual understanding. |
Presents some critique of key research material resulting in original conclusions. Loss of focus in places. Demonstrates some creativity in solving complex problems. Produces satisfactory work that makes some contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding in the subject area. |
Adequate attempt at articulation and logical structure. An acceptable format is used. |
The presentational style & layout is largely correct for the type of assignment. Inclusion of FTP but lacks selectivity. |
Competently written with minor lapses in spelling and grammar. Style is legible and mainly academic. |
Key contemporary and relevant academic sources are drawn upon. Most sources are accurately cited in the text and reference list/bibliography. Minor weaknesses evident. |
|
FAIL |
Borderline Fail |
45-49% |
Some implications of issues explored. Some irrelevant and/or superficial arguments. |
Some omissions evident in knowledge of theory and practice at this level. Insufficient understanding of appropriate concepts and theoretical models. Demonstrates some conceptual understanding in places. |
A limited amount of critique of key research material with description in places. Lacks creativity. Some original conclusions. |
Limited attempt at articulation and problems with structure. Some formatting errors. |
Some weaknesses in the presentational style & layout. Some inappropriate use of FTP. |
Intermittent lapses in grammar and spelling. Style hinders clarity in places and is not academic throughout. |
Limited number of contemporary and relevant sources cited. Weaknesses in referencing technique. |
|
Fail |
30-44% |
Significant degree of irrelevance to the title and/or brief. Issues are addressed at a superficial level and in unchallenging terms. |
Demonstrates weaknesses in knowledge of theory and practice for this level. Limited understanding and application of concepts. |
A basic argument is presented, but too descriptive or narrative in style. Limited originality and creativity. Conclusions are not clearly stated. |
Poorly structured. Lack of articulation. Format deficient. |
For the type of assignment the presentational style &/or layout is lacking. FTP ignored in text or not used where clearly needed. |
Deficiencies in spelling and grammar make reading difficult in places. Simplistic or repetitious style impairs clarity. |
Inappropriate sources and poor referencing technique. |
