Title page (always included)

Contents page (always included in reports of 4+ pages) Summary (usually included in longer reports; may be called Executive Summary, Abstract or Synopsis Introduction (always included) This should show that you have fully understood the task/brief and that you are going to cover everything required. Indicate the basic structure of the report. You should include just a little background/context and indicate the reasons for writing the report. You may include your terms of reference and procedure/research methods if not covered elsewhere. Your introduction will often give an indication of the conclusion to the report. Main body/findings (always included) Conclusion (always included) References (always included)

BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY BIRMINGHAM CITY BUSINESS SCHOOL BUSINESS & MARKETING MODULE: Managing for the Future 2010-2011

Module
Managing for the Future

Level M

Credit Rating 15

Module Leader Barry Emery Room G410 [email protected]

Assignment Brief (First attempt / resit)

Date set Support / feedforwardsession Hand-in date

w/c 03.05.11 as module guide

Wednesday13 thJuly 2011

Title Case study: Facing the Future

Objective This assignment has been designed to allow students the opportunity to explore the numerous business and management issues of the contemporary business environment by applying their knowledge gained on this module over the term to a case of their own choic e. Learning outcomes On completion of the assignment students s hould be able to demonstrate their ability to:
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Critically evaluate the impact of the changing business environment imperatives on the ability of organisations to achieve business goals . Identify and evaluate appropriate management responses to changes in future scenarios. Critically evaluate the impact on organisations of implementing management change to react to environmental change.

Hand-in procedure Please follow University policy regarding the handing in of assignments and ensure that your assignment is handed in on time and that you retain a copy of the assignment for yourself together with the receipt.

Mode of working This is an individual assignment and University policy will apply in all cases of copying, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtained an unfair advantage. Task You are required to critically review a company of your own choice against the appropriate future challenges presented by the contemporary business environment and propose a future scenario for the company based on your analysis . You may choose to highlight any three of the following themes in your report. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. corporate social responsibility political change social change crisis management natural environment economic recession globalisation technological change future risks

You will need to propose a suitable case business to the module tutor for approval before starting the assignment. In order to complete this task students are expected to demonstrate their depth of knowledge and understanding via:
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their ability to evaluate relevant, contemporary business and management issues their ability to critically apply their understanding of the possible future business scenarios totheir case context their ability to concisely convey relevant i nformation within the required format the quality and variety of their reading and research to support their case analysis their ability to propose a cr edible and viable future scenario for their case

Format for the submitted work The case study will be submitted as a report and be presented in a polished manner complete with contents pages, each section clearly identified and a final references section. The standard conventions of report writing will be followed, including the overall presentation of the work and the use and inclusion of supporting references and quotations within the text when appropriate . University policy regarding the present ation of the final references section must be followed.The maximum word count will be 3000 words +/- 10%. Weighting This assignment carries a weighting of 100 % for the Managing for the Future module.

In order to obtain higher grades students should consider the following:

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the ability to demonstrate creativity and critical analysis in the provision of original solutions the ability to demonstrate greater depth of knowledge and understanding through wide reading and varied research activities and the appropriateness of theory for understanding and developing feasible responses to real sector -based scenarios and problems

Assessment criteria In order to gain a good pass for this assignment at this level students are expected to pay attention to the following: Structure and clarity of expression The fundamental features of well -structured work are expected as the norm at this level. There will be proper attention to the typ e and style of the assignment a case study report - and the work should remain clearly focused, follow a logical sequence and clear sense of direction even though multiple complex issues are addressed and be produced to a high professional standard. Content and understanding Extensive knowledge and detailed understanding is expected, but it is how this knowledge is used in analysis which is equally, if not more important. Capable students will demonstrate an authoritative awareness of relevant issues facing the ir chosen organisation and their significance for contributing to an informed, critical review of their situation. Analysis/Evaluation Students should demonstrate an ability to identify and critically evaluate the key issues which are most relevant to the successful development of a future strategy for the organisatio n. The ability to appraise and evaluate the current market situation and the suitability of prospective strategies to fit those conditioning factors and the range of stakeholders involved using appropriate concepts, theories or frameworks is expected. Reading/Research and Referencing Reading should extend beyond essential texts and / or general texts and encompass specialist texts as well as the extensive use of journal articles, periodicals including professional/industry publications in order to demons trate a detailed and systematic knowledge base, depth of understanding and practical professional insights. The proper, accurate presentation of quotations and references and research data is expected and inaccuracies will be penalised, as will the over reliance on a single source or limited sources of information. Application to industry Students should demonstrate the ability to integrate theory into practice and increasing abilities to suggest viable solutions to the problems of the case organisation w ithin the reality of the sector and environment in which it operates also demonstrating the ability to develop a realistic and viable strategic vision in the industry context. Synthesis and Originality Students should be developing the ability to demon strate the advanced skills of synthesis, providing solutions to unpredictable professional situations when necessary and offering both creativity and originality whenever possible to meet that challenges presented by the case study.