Please see attached file
Assessment Brief – Level Six Undergraduate
Business and Management modules
SM0374
v1 (Rubric unchanged from 2014-15 v3) Page 1 of 6
Module Code: SM0374 –
Module Title: Strategic Management and Leadership
Distributed on: Hand in Date: Check noticeboards
Further information about general assessment criteria, ARNA regulations, referencing and plagiarism
can be found on the module site on the e-Learning Portal (eLP). Students are advised to read and
follow this information.
Task:
Choose one company from the list published on the eLP (see Assessment Folder). For this company,
explain how successful you think it is and discuss the strategic reasons behind that success. Your
explanation should include something about the contribution of leadership to the company. Go on to
suggest strategies and/or actions for ensuring success in the future.
You should read the guidance on page 2 of this brief and the marking scheme at the end of this brief
to understand how you should approach the assignment and how marks will be allocated.
Further guidance, including examples of marker feedback (shown in Lecture L08) and Revision Audio-
Visual Presentations will appear on the eLP.
Notes:
a. Word limit = 3,600 words. See page 3 of this brief for an explanation.
b. Tables with sentences (rather than data) WILL be included in the word count
c. No appendices are permitted.
d. The assignment contributes 100% of the module mark.
Format for submission:
The assignment should be written in Arial, 11pt, left-justified, 1½ spacing.
DO NOT put Your Name, or any Tutor’s Name anywhere on your assignment.
Every page should be numbered (in header or footer) and show your student ID.
ESSENTIAL – You must leave at least 5cm of ‘white space’ at the end of each section. This is
the space for your marker to write feedback comments on the preceding section. Please note
that we may not use all of the 5cm – it depends what type of feedback we think is needed for
each answer.
All academic and other sources must be cited and included in a reference list
We require you to use the Barney (1991) VRIN framework. The VRIN Summary Table is
usually shown in journals and textbooks with ticks and crosses. We require you to use the
letter “Y” for “Yes” and the letter “N” for “No” and the “?” symbol for “Uncertain or Maybe”.
Standard Assessment Brief for 2018-19
Assignment Brief 2018-19
Assessment Brief – Level Six Undergraduate
Business and Management modules
SM0374
v1 (Rubric unchanged from 2014-15 v3) Page 2 of 6
Guidance
We want you to tell us how you think the company has been able to compete successfully and justify
your answer with analysis based on topic areas taught as part of this module. “Success” could be
evaluated in terms of measures such as growth, profitability, market share and so on. But how has
the company achieved this position which may have taken several years?
To tackle the question you need to carry out a full strategic analysis of the company and the business
environment. But we only want to read the really important elements of that analysis and the
conclusions you draw. You have to judge what is most important and present this to us in a clear,
academically rigorous manner. You must present conclusions (your interpretation of the analysis) for
each section below.
Your assignment should contain the following sections (5cm spacing between each) numbered exactly
as follows. Mark allocations are shown in the marking scheme at the end of this brief.
1. A brief (maximum 100 words) introduction to the company
2. Company data which can be used to evaluate its success concluding with your thoughts about
whether or not the company can be described as “successful”.
3. An outline of 6 to10 business reasons behind the success stated in a simple, straightforward
way with a brief (4/5 sentences) explanation of each reason. Avoid strategy “jargon”; no
analysis is required – this is a test of your broad business knowledge and understanding.
4. A detailed analysis of the company’s strategic capabilities starting with a Value Chain and
followed by a VRIN evaluation. Your interpretation of the analysis must clearly show how the
company has been able to build competitive advantage.
5. An evaluation of the contribution of leadership to the company’s success, basing this on
appropriate theory. A wide range of topics will be acceptable including:
o Leadership (e.g. styles, attributes)
o Management theories
o Organisational culture
o Decision-making
6. A detailed analysis and interpretation based on one further topic area from the following list:
o Business (competitive) strategy consistent with strategic capabilities
o International strategy (based on the framework in Exploring Strategy)
o Innovation strategy
o Collaboration (alliances, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions)
7. An explanation of any external and/or internal factors that might make it difficult for the
company to be successful in the future and suggestions (based upon your prior analysis) as to
how the company can best deal with these.
ALL sections should cite sources of research data and theories/concepts on which your
analysis is based. The only exception to this is the suggestions you make in Section 7; these
should be YOUR original ideas and therefore citations are not expected.
All cited sources should be listed in APA format in the References section at the end of your
assignment
Cutting and pasting material directly from sources without citation is plagiarism
Cutting and pasting material directly from sources with citation is poor scholarship
Short extracts from cited sources are permissible – use double quotation marks and citation
including page number
Although citing others, the majority of your assignment should use your own words.
Assignment Brief 2018-19
Assessment Brief – Level Six Undergraduate
Business and Management modules
SM0374
v1 (Rubric unchanged from 2014-15 v3) Page 3 of 6
Final Submission of Assignment:
Newcastle City Campus
No print copy will be required for SM0374.
This module requires only one submission to the eLP Assignment Submission Folder before
the Module Submission Deadline. This will be an electronic copy of the assignment in PDF
format which should be uploaded to a particular folder depending upon your programme of
study (see next item).
We require students from Accountancy Programmes to use Folder A and Business
Programme Students to use Folder B (see eLP for full instructions).
You will not receive a TurnItIn Similarity Report* for a Final Submission.
Students with Approved Extensions will find that new folders will be available after the normal
deadline has expired.
Students can submit their part-finished assignments to the TurnItIn Draft Folder before
submitting to their Final Folder. They will receive a TurnItIn Similarity Report*. See the eLP
for full instructions.
* Please note that TurnItIn Similarity Reports issued to students from the Draft Folder only compares your assignment to previously submitted or
published work; whereas the Final TurnItIn Similarity Report (sent to staff only) will also compare your work to that of your fellow students.
CV Partner Institutions (in Hong Kong and Singapore)
Follow your institution’s regulations regarding print copy (or electronic) assignment submission.
Word Limits and Penalties for Assignments
If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover
sheet. The word count does not include:
Title and Contents page
Reference list
Appropriate tables, figures and illustrations (but see note (b) on p1)
Glossary
Bibliography
Cited Quotations
Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab
nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.
If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARNA page 30 Section 3.4 this will be
regarded as academic misconduct.
If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded
to the assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the
word limit by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.
LATE SUBMISSIONS
Newcastle & London
Under the prevailing ARNA regulations, students that submit up to 24 hours late (and do not have an
approved extension to deadline) will be penalised by a deduction of 10 marks (10% of available
marks). Special Late Folders will be open on the eLP for 24 hours after deadline (use one of these if
you do not have an approved extension).
CV Partner Institutions
Please consult your local administrator concerning late submission.
Assignment Brief 2018-19
Assessment Brief – Level Six Undergraduate
Business and Management modules
SM0374
v1 (Rubric unchanged from 2014-15 v3) Page 4 of 6
Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:
This assessment will contribute directly to the following Undergraduate programme goals and
objectives:
1. Knowledgeable about the theory and practice of international business and management
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
x 1. Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management.
2. Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business.
x 3. Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts.
x 4. Conduct contemporary research into business and management.
2. Skilful in the use of professional and managerial techniques and processes
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Provide evidence of self reflection as a means of informing personal development planning.
2. Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work in a team.
x 3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills
x 4. Demonstrate problem solving skills.
3. Aware of ethical issues impacting on business and professional practice
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Identify an ethical dilemma in a business situation
2. Suggest ethical solutions to this dilemma
4. Employable as graduates
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. In the context of securing graduate employment demonstrate the skills of self presentation.
Achievement of Goal 1 Objective 4 and Goal 2 Objective 3 are measured throughout the
assignment. The other Goals and Objectives are measured primarily in certain sections –
these are shown on the feedback sheet below.
Assignment Brief 2018-19
Assessment Brief – Level Six Undergraduate
Business and Management modules
SM0374
v1 (Rubric unchanged from 2014-15 v3) Page 5 of 6
Student ID ………………… Programme ……….…………………………………… FT/PT Location ……………………………
Grade Excellent Very Good Good Adequate Inadequate Bad
S
u
c
c
e
s
s
fu
l?
A sophisticated but clear
discussion of what is meant by
“successful” and how this
applies to the company,
supported by a range of data
types.
7-10
A discussion of how
successful the company is
consistent with at least two
types of appropriate data.
Recognises that “success” can
be difficult to evaluate.
6
A statement of how successful
the company is consistent with
two types of appropriate data
but very little discussion.
5
A statement of how successful
the company is consistent with
one type of relevant data
4
Very little relevant data, no
attempt at evaluation of
success
3
Almost no relevant data, no
evaluation of success
0-2
B
u
s
in
e
s
s
R
e
a
s
o
n
s
An excellent set of key
reasons with good, clear
explanations. Very good
research and demonstration of
business knowledge.
Goal 1 Obj 1 exceeded
7-10
A very good set of reasons
with good explanations. Good
research and demonstration of
business knowledge.
Goal 1 Obj 1 exceeded
6
A good set of reasons, some
less than key, but good
explanations. Reasonable
research and demonstration of
business knowledge.
Goal 1 Obj 1 exceeded
5
Acceptable set of reasons but
either too few or too many to
be considered a set of key
reasons. Basic explanation,
basic research, adequate
business knowledge.
Goal 1 Obj 1 met
4
Either rather limited or else a
scattergun list with weak
explanations. Research very
limited – does not demonstrate
adequate business
knowledge.
Goal 1 Obj 1 not met
3
No understanding of the
reasons underpinning
success. Very poor research.
Fails to demonstrate any
significant business
knowledge.
Goal 1 Obj 1 not met
0-2
A
n
a
ly
s
is
a
n
d
In
te
rp
re
ta
ti
o
n
o
f
c
a
p
a
b
il
it
ie
s
Excellent discussion
supported by rigorous and
detailed analysis
Goal 1 Obj 3 exceeded
21-30
Very good discussion based
on accurate analysis covering
most of the relevant points
Goal 1 Obj 3 exceeded
18-20
Good discussion based on
analysis that is generally good
but has gaps or small errors
Goal 1 Obj 3 exceeded
15-17
Basic discussion based on
analysis that is competent but
no more.
Goal 1 Obj 3 met
12-14
Poor quality, partial analysis
that does not support any
discussion.
Goal 1 Obj 3 not met
9-11
No evidence the student
understands the topic area.
Analysis of very poor quality.
Goal 1 Obj 3 not met
0-8
L
e
a
d
e
rs
h
ip
Excellent evaluation supported
by rigorous analysis based on
relevant theory. The data has
been collected from a wide
range of sources.
11-15
Very good evaluation with
careful analysis based on
relevant theory with well-
researched data
9-10
Good evaluation based on
relevant theory with good data.
7.5-8.5
Basic evaluation based on
relevant theory. Analysis
competent but no more.
6-7
Inadequate evaluation – either
the theory is not relevant or
the analysis is of poor quality.
4.5-5.5
No evidence the student
understands any relevant
theory. No evaluation.
0-4
Assignment Brief 2018-19
Assessment Brief – Level Six Undergraduate
Business and Management modules
SM0374
v1 (Rubric unchanged from 2014-15 v3) Page 6 of 6
Grade Excellent Very Good Good Adequate Inadequate Bad
A
n
a
ly
s
is
a
n
d
In
te
rp
re
ta
ti
o
n
o
th
e
r
to
p
ic
Excellent discussion
supported by rigorous and
detailed analysis
14-20
Very good discussion based
on accurate analysis
12-13
Good discussion based on
analysis that is generally good
but has gaps or small errors
10-11
Basic discussion based on
analysis that is competent but
no more.
8-9
Either the topic area is not
relevant or the analysis is of
poor quality.
6-7
No evidence the student
understands any relevant topic
areas. Analysis of very poor
quality.
0-5
F
a
c
to
rs
a
n
d
S
u
g
g
e
s
ti
o
n
s
More than two good
suggestions with excellent
rationales based on identified
factors.
Goal 2 Obj 4 exceeded
11-15
Two good suggestions
appropriate to the company
with very good rationales
based on identified factors
Goal 2 Obj 4 exceeded
9-10
One relevant suggestion with
good rationale based on
identified factors OR two
relevant suggestions with brief
rationales.
Goal 2 Obj 4 exceeded
7.5-8.5
One relevant suggestion with
a brief rationale based on
identified factors.
Goal 2 Obj 4 met
6-7
Suggestions lack relevance
and a convincing rationale
based on identified factors
Goal 2 Obj 4 not met
4.5-5.5
No evidence the student
understands much about the
company at all,
Goal 2 Obj 4 not met
0-4
Total 70 – 100 60 – 69 50 – 59 40 – 49 30 – 39 0 – 29
Other General Comments:
Assignment Brief 2018-19