Assessment Overview
Assessment Task
Type
Weight
Length
Due
ULOs
Assessed
Assessment 1: In Class Test
Submit responses to questions for 3 quizzes from Week 3 to Week 9
Individual
Invigilated
30%
(3 x 10%)
30 minutes per quiz
Week 3
Week 6
Week 9
ULO1
ULO2
for all
Online
quizzes
Assessment 2: Case Study –
Company Case Analysis
Review and analyse the selected company using a contemporary methodology to identify issues with the company’s strategies.
Recommend strategies that would better achieve corporate objectives.
Group
30%
4000 words
Week 9
ULO2
ULO3
ULO4
Assessment 3: Report of a Business Marketing Strategy Case Part A, Report
Working individually students are required to (a) select a business case, (b) design and implement communication and marketing strategies, (c) reflect on the role of leadership in formulating,
communicating, and implementing marketing business strategy and ethical issues.
Individual
25%
2000 words report
Week
12
ULO1
ULO2
ULO3
ULO4
Assessment 4: Verbal Presentation Part B
Present the report from Assignment 3 in a verbal presentation.
Individual
Invigilated
15%
10 minutes 1500 words equivalent
Week
12
ULO1
ULO2
ULO3
ULO4
Assessment 1: In Class test
Due date:
From Week 3 to Week 9
Group/individual:
Individual
Word count/Time provided:
30 minutes
Weighting:
10% x 3 quizzes =30%
Unit Learning Outcomes:
ULO1 ULO2
Assessment 1 Detail
The 3 online quizzes will assess your knowledge of key content areas (Week 2 & 9 lecture slides, tutorials, and reading materials) and to identify further support needs. For successful completion of the quizzes, you are required to study the material provided (lecture slides, tutorials, and reading materials) and to engage in the unit activities, and in the discussion forums. The prescribed textbook is the main reference along with the recommended reading material. By completing this assessment successfully, you will be able to identify key aspects of business strategy management as per best application of strategy in business.
Assessment 1 Marking Criteria and Rubric
The assessment will be marked out of 100 and will be weighted 30% of the total unit mark (10% X3 quizzes=30%). The marking criteria and rubric are shown on the following page.
Assessment 1 Marking Criteria and Rubric
Marking Criteria
Not Satisfactory
(0-49% of the criterion
mark)
Satisfactory
(50-64% of the criterion mark)
Good
(65-74% of the criterion mark)
Very Good
(75-84% of the criterion mark)
Excellent
(85-100% of the criterion mark)
Questions are answered accurately based on
accuracy of theoretical
concepts. (40 marks)
Answers to questions are poor and not relevant.
Answers to questions are appropriate and are quite relevant to theoretical
concepts.
Answers to questions are clear and accurate to
theoretical concepts.
Answers to questions are very clear and accurate to theoretical concepts.
Answers to questions are excellent and closely aligned and accurate to theoretical concepts.
Student provides
discussion, recognition, and evaluation of theoretical concepts linked to
questions. (40 marks)
Evaluation, recognition, and discussion of
implementation of business strategy are not provided.
Basic discussion,
recognition, and evaluation of theoretical concepts are provided but improvements are needed. Examples are needed.
Appropriate discussion, recognition, and evaluation of theoretical concepts are presented but need to be compelling.
Discussion, recognition, and evaluation of theoretical concepts are presented compellingly.
Discussion, recognition, and evaluation of theoretical concepts are presented compellingly. Other form of supports such as diagrams and recommendations are presented.
Answers are structured properly. (20 marks)
Sentences are poorly
articulated.
Sentences are basic but covey meaning of
theoretical concepts.
Sentences are clear and discussion or arguments are properly structured.
Sentences are very clear, and discussion or arguments are strongly structured.
Sentences, discussions, or arguments are excellently structured.
Assessment 2: Company Case Analysis
Due date:
Week X
Group/individual:
Group
Word count/Time provided:
4000 words
Weighting:
30%
Unit Learning Outcomes:
ULO2 ULO3 ULO4
Assessment 2 Detail
In this company case analysis, each group needs to identify and explain about an issue in business strategy management and offer solutions/recommendations. For explaining the issue in business strategy management, you will need some data/information. You can investigate a real-life case from an organisation. But you need to discuss with your group members and select and collect data from the organisation. We will not assign you to an organisation. You must discuss your choice of company with your lecturer by providing a verbal or written rationale for choosing a particular company. Your lecturer needs to approve your choice of company in written format (APIC email). Plagiarised assignments will not be tolerated.
However, if you feel, it would be difficult to collect data/information from a real organisation, you can collect data/information from secondary sources from online, company’s annual reports or related business strategy management articles and news.
You need to consider a single but significant issue. Don’t consider multiple issues as it will degrade the quality of work. You need to consider yourself being a consultant helping with the issue. We are looking for creative solutions proposed by groups
Examples of issues could be:
• Strategic change
• Strategy and organization planning
• Collaborating to compete
• Competitive forces shape strategy
• Emerging technology and strategy
• Strategic positioning
Students will need to collect data from actual organisations and/or secondary sources. Valid sources for obtaining such data may include:
• Visits to the case company and interviewing key personnel (if you choose to do this, interview questions should be included in appendices).
• Secondary data from online (it should be reliable and valid online data sources such as data from other research publications, databases and so on. (WIKIPEDIA is not a suitable one) • Company’s annual/quarterly reports.
• Related business strategy management articles and news.
NOTE: If you choose to investigate a real business strategy management problem facing the organisation with which you are employed. Remember this is a group assignment and you need to convince your group members on the topic you propose and share responsibilities. You also need to discuss this with your lecturer to make sure that the scope and scale of the problem is consistent with those of the other groups.
Structure and format of the report (Assessment 2)
Introduction
The introduction should include background to the project and an introduce the topic you are researching, and its importance followed by the research objective and then the implications of the research. More specifically Introduction section shall include what are you doing? Why (importance)? How (short methodology within 2-3 lines)? What are the contributions (to managers, literature)?
Literature review
Review the literature on the topic you are researching. Review of journal articles is preferred. Please make sure that your literature review reflects the understanding of business strategy management concepts for the purpose of applying them and the application of theoretical concepts. More specifically you need to write about the topic of your interest and relevant concepts based on previous studies. You need to mention what previous studies have investigated? What previous studies were not investigated (Research gap)? What could be done? How your study addresses the gaps in the previous studies?
Methods
Here you explain the methodology or sources of data/information and how do you collect. You should also describe the type of data (qualitative or quantitative) and how collected data can be useful. You can collect data from a real-life organisation or using secondary sources. You can also use some database such as Scopus, google scholar, science direct and so on if you collect data from secondary sources. In these databases, you can find lot of published papers with their own data; you can use them but must be cited. Please make sure that your method reflects the development of feasible and effective solutions to address the complex issue(s).
Structure and format of the report, Case study findings and analysis
Provide a description of the organisation (1/2 page). Then critically analyse the results in the light of the literature and discuss the results. Please make sure that your analysis and discussion reflects the critical analysis of complex information and theoretical concepts underpinning business strategy management practice. Also make that your analysis reflects the originality of potential solutions. (New techniques, knowledge, applications & management practice). Further, your analysis shall reflect justification for innovative ideas and processes. You need to present all the tables/ figures showing the findings of your study. You also must discuss the results and compare your findings with the literature.
Conclusion
You need to discuss your findings and how the findings can be helpful for the business and what are the risks for implementation. You should also discuss if there any limitation of the study. Conclusion opens with a brief summary of the report and then considers the consequences of the suggestions. No new material should be introduced in this section.
Appendices (if any) Your appendices may contain, for example, detailed tables of data, details of how you did a calculation, interview records if included, or photographs if of some interest. References: The project is directed at the collection and analysis of data, if you use material from another source then references it properly. You need to cite 10-15 references from journal, report and so on. A video link for referencing style (Harvard referencing style) is available at
Other important notes:
• Use Font 12 Times new roman with 1.5 spacing, single column, justified and 2.5 cm margin in all four sides for the report body and submit a Microsoft Word file.
• All assignments must include a group cover sheet which is downloadable from APIC website. • While your experience and views are the essential components of your assignments, the appropriate use of literature is required to provide evidence-based suggestions.
• You should include a list of all references you use in writing your assignments. Note that all assignments will be checked for originality (similarities to existing sources) on Turnitin. You should follow instruction of your lecture for attaching Turnitin report with your assignment.
The criteria to assess your work will take into account:
• Relevance of your answer to the question or task set
• Clarity of expression
• Creativity/innovation
• Citations beyond the given subject material
• Logical planning and sequence
• Appropriate written and presentation of the work.
• The assessment for individual group members may be moderated by students’ peer assessment (evaluating the performance of each group member). In completing this assessment successfully, you will be able to effectively to design and apply the knowledge, tools and techniques required to build better strategies in organisational context.
Assessments 2 Marking Criteria and Rubric
The assessment will be marked out of 100 and will be weighted 30% of the total unit mark. The marking criteria and rubric are shown on the following page.
Assessment 2 Marking Criteria and Rubric
Marking Criteria
Not Satisfactory
(0-49% of the criterion
mark)
Satisfactory
(50-64% of the criterion mark)
Good
(65-74% of the criterion mark)
Very Good
(75-84% of the criterion mark)
Excellent
(85-100% of the criterion mark)
Literature Review (25
marks)
No research conducted to develop a literature review.
Evidence of a basis attempt at developing a literature review. One of two
academic publications are mentioned with basic
discussion.
Good attempt at developing a literature review with a basic discussion of the
publications. One of two academic publications are mentioned with basic
discussion.
Very good attempt at
developing a literature
review with a convincing discussion of the
publications. Four to six academic publications are mentioned with convincing discussion.
Excellent attempt at
developing a literature
review with an in-depth discussion of the
publications. Seven or more academic publications are mentioned with in-depth discussion. Literature gap in publication is mentioned.
Methodology (20 marks)
No evidence of how a
methodology was
conducted.
Basic description of the
steps involved in conducting a methodology. Basic
mention of databases and publications.
Strong description and
discussion of steps involved in conducting a
methodology. Strong
reasons given for the choice of databases and
publications.
Strong description and Very discussion of steps involved in conducting a
methodology. Very strong reasons given for choice of databases and publications
Strong description and Very discussion of steps involved in conducting a
methodology. Very strong reasons given for choice of databases and publications.
Case study findings and analysis- showing the
critical analysis of complex information and theoretical concepts underpinning
business strategy
management practice. Also reflect originality of
potential solutions (New techniques, knowledge, applications &
management practice)
Justification for innovative ideas and processes (35 marks)
Lacks basic knowledge
or/and skills in showing the critical analysis of complex information and theoretical concepts underpinning
business strategy
management practice. Also reflect originality of
potential solutions (New techniques, knowledge, applications & management practice) Justification for innovative ideas and
processes.
Evidence of basic knowledge and skill in showing the
critical analysis of complex information and theoretical concepts underpinning
business strategy
management practice. Also reflect originality of
potential solutions (New techniques, knowledge, applications & management practice) Justification for innovative ideas and
processes.
Has good skills in showing the critical analysis of
complex information and theoretical concepts
underpinning business
strategy management
practice. Also reflect
originality of potential
solutions (New techniques, knowledge, applications & management practice)
Justification for innovative ideas and processes.
Has very good skills in
showing the critical analysis of complex information and theoretical concepts
underpinning business
strategy management
practice. Also reflect
originality of potential
solutions (New techniques, knowledge, applications & management practice)
Justification for innovative ideas and processes.
Excellent skills in showing the critical analysis of
complex information and theoretical concepts
underpinning business
strategy management
practice. Also reflect
originality of potential
solutions (New techniques, knowledge, applications & management practice)
Justification for innovative ideas and processes.
Conclusion – reflecting
consideration of business strategy management
practice in the broader
environmental context (10 marks)
Lacks basic knowledge
or/and skills in reflecting consideration of business strategy management
practice in the broader
environmental context.
Evidence of basic knowledge and skill in reflecting
consideration of business strategy management
practice in the broader
environmental context.
Has good skills in reflecting consideration of business strategy management
practice in the broader
environmental context.
Has very good skills in
reflecting consideration of business strategy
management practice in the broader environmental
context.
Excellent skills in reflecting consideration of business strategy management
practice in the broader
environmental context.
References (Use at least ten academic references &
consistent in style) (marks 10)
Academic references are not adequate and not consistent in style.
Number of academic
references & style is
satisfactory
Good number of academic references & style is
satisfactory.
Very good academic
references are used, and style is consistent.
Excellent academic
references are used, and style is also highly
consistent.
Assessment 3: Report of a Business Marketing Strategy Case
Due date:
Week 12
Group/individual:
Individual report
Word count/Time provided:
2000 words
Weighting:
25%
Unit Learning Outcomes:
ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
Due date:
Week 12
Group/individual:
Individual presentation
Word count/Time provided:
10 minutes, 1500-word equivalent
Weighting:
15%
Unit Learning Outcomes:
ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
Assessment 3 Detail
You are required to complete this assessment on an individual basis. For the purposes of this assignment, you must (a) select a business case which can be from media channels, journal articles or textbooks (b) design and implement communication and marketing strategies, (c) reflect on the role of leadership in formulating, communicating, and implementing marketing business strategy and ethical issues (d) present the outcomes. You are required to conduct an extensive research on the business case and on the literature of business strategy by accessing and citing industry reports and academic articles. A minimum of 8 academic references is needed to support your evaluations, recognitions, recommendations, and reflections.
Assessments 3 Marking Criteria and Rubric
The report will be marked out of 100 and will be weighted to 35% of the total unit mark. The marking criteria and rubric are shown on the following page.
The presentation will be marked out of 100 and will be weighted to 15% of the total unit mark. The marking criteria and rubric are shown on the following page.
Assessment 3 Report Marking Criteria and Rubric
Marking Criteria
Not Satisfactory
(0-49% of the criterion
mark)
Satisfactory
(50-64% of the criterion mark)
Good
(65-74% of the criterion mark)
Very Good
(75-84% of the criterion mark)
Excellent
(85-100% of the criterion mark)
Evaluation of internal and external factors impacting an organisation and
formulating strategies for sustainable competitive advantage. (25 marks)
Poor evaluation of internal and external factors and poor formulation of
strategies for sustainable competitive advantages. No connection to theoretical concepts. No references for support.
Basic evaluation of internal and external factors and basic formulation of
strategies for sustainable competitive advantages. Improvements are needed. Basic connection to
theoretical concepts. 2
references for support.
Appropriate evaluation of internal and external factors and appropriate formulation of strategies for sustainable competitive advantages. Appropriate connection to theoretical concepts. 4
references for support.
Strong evaluation of internal and external factors and strong formulation of
strategies for sustainable competitive advantages. Strong connection to
theoretical concepts. 6
references for support.
Professional evaluation of internal and external factors and professional
formulation of strategies for sustainable competitive advantages. Very strong connection to theoretical concepts. 8 references for support.
Recognition of strategic decisions that present
ethical challenges.
Recommendations for
ethical decision making. (25 marks)
Poor recognition of strategic decisions of ethical
challenges. Poor
recommendations for
ethical decision making. No connection to theoretical concepts. No references for support.
Basic recognition of strategic decisions of ethical
challenges. Basic
recommendations for
ethical decision making. Basic connection to
theoretical concepts. 2
references for support.
Appropriate recognition of strategic decisions of ethical challenges. Appropriate recommendations for
ethical decision making. Improvements in the form of stronger recognitions and recommendations are
needed. Appropriate
connection to theoretical concepts. 4 references for support.
Strong recognition of
strategic decisions of ethical challenges. Strong
recommendations for
ethical decision making. Strong connection to
theoretical concepts. 6
references for support.
Professional recognition of strategic decisions of ethical challenges. Professional recommendations for
ethical decision making. Very strong connection to theoretical concepts. 8
references for support.
Design and implementation of communication and
marketing strategies
aligned with organisational goals. (25 marks)
Poor design and
implementation of
communication and
marketing strategies aligned with organisational goals.
Basic design and
implementation of
communication and
marketing strategies aligned with organisational goals. Basic connection to
theoretical concepts. 2
references for support.
Appropriate design and implementation of
communication and
marketing strategies aligned with organisational goals. Appropriate connection to theoretical concepts. 4
references for support.
Strong design and
implementation of
communication and
marketing strategies aligned with organisational goals. Strong connection to
theoretical concepts. 6
references for support.
Professional design and implementation of
communication and
marketing strategies aligned with organisational goals. Very strong connection to theoretical concepts. 8
references for support.
Reflection on role of
leadership in formulating, communicating, and
implementing marketing business strategy. (25
marks)
Poor reflection on role of leadership in formulating, communicating, and
implementing marketing business strategy. No
indication of internalisation and experiential learning from student.
Basic reflection on role of leadership in formulating, communicating, and
implementing marketing business strategy. Basic
indication of internalisation and experiential learning from student.
Appropriate reflection on role of leadership in
formulating,
communicating, and
implementing marketing business strategy.
Appropriate indication of internalisation and
experiential learning from student.
Strong reflection on role of leadership in formulating, communicating, and
implementing marketing business strategy. Strong indication of internalisation and experiential learning from student.
In-depth and personal
reflection on role of
leadership in formulating, communicating, and
implementing marketing business strategy. In-depth indication of internalisation and experiential learning from student.
Assessment 3 Presentation Marking Criteria and Rubric
Marking Criteria
Not Satisfactory
(0-49% of the criterion
mark)
Satisfactory
(50-64% of the criterion mark)
Good
(65-74% of the criterion mark)
Very Good
(75-84% of the criterion mark)
Excellent
(85-100% of the criterion mark)
Effective communication and argument during the debate (20%)
Inadequate understanding of the importance of
content of Marketing Report during the presentation.
Basic knowledge of the
importance of Marketing Report during the
presentation.
Exhibits breadth and depth of understanding of the importance of Marketing Report during the
presentation.
Exhibits accurate and
detailed breadth and depth of understanding of
Marketing Report during the presentation.
Displays exceptional ability in and understanding of the importance of Marketing Report during the
presentation.
Presentation of findings and analyses supported by research (20%)
Inadequate understanding of the findings and no
analysis and no research.
Basic knowledge of the
importance of findings,
limited analysis and
research.
Exhibits breadth and depth of understanding of the importance of findings,
analyses and research.
Exhibits accurate and
detailed breadth and depth of findings, analyses, and research.
Displays exceptional ability in and understanding of the importance of findings,
analyses, and research.
Clear and convincing
argument (40%)
Poorly articulated,
unconvincing argument
Basic communication of some facts in support of findings, analyses, and
research.
Evidence of both presenting of findings, analyses, and research.
Above average use of
evidence to support
findings, analyses, and
research.
Sophisticated use of
evidence to support of
findings, analyses and
research.
Presentation and
referencing (20%)
Poor presentation including report format. Poor writing skills with grammar and spelling errors. Fail to follow Harvard referencing style.
Satisfactory presentation format and writing skills with some grammar and
spelling errors. Fail to follow Harvard referencing style.
Good presentation format and writing skills with
spelling errors. Fail to follow Harvard referencing style.
Excellent presentation
format and writing skills without spelling errors.
Follow Harvard referencing style
Distinguished presentation format and writing skills. Following Harvard
referencing style