Brief for Semester TB1/2, 2022-23
Assessment 1 – LO1 Multiple Choice Test (15%)
You will complete a short test with 15 multiple choice questions. This should take no more than 30 minutes.
The test will be conducted in the classroom, under exam conditions.
Assessment 2 – LO3 (60%) - Individual Essay
Choose any company that operates in the UK. Using the knowledge that you gained during the module and using the example of the company that you chose, answer the following questions:
1.Conduct PESTLE, SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces analyses for the company of your choice (50%).
2.Identify the most important external factors influencing the operations of the chosen organisation (10%).
3.Analyse and discuss how the external factors affect company’s goals (40%).
Further guidelines:
• Your submission must be in the style of an essay and should contain appropriate headings, introduction and conclusions. The report should be written professionally and in the third person.
• Please use ‘1.5 line’ spacing, 12 point sized font and distribute your text evenly between margins (use Justify setting).
• Academic references should be used and following referencing guide should be utilised: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=9572296. Make sure that references both in the text of your report and in the reference, list are correctly included.
• The use of diagrams, tables and appendices is encouraged. Diagrams, tables and appendices do NOT count towards your word count.
• Make sure to proof-read your work before submitting it, ensure the correct spelling, punctuation and formatting. LO1 Identify and investigate the different factors from the external environment which impact business decision making.
Assessment 3 – LO2 (25%) Academic Poster
For this assignment, you are required to produce an academic poster. The topic of your poster assignment is:
“The impact of competition on company’s operations.”
Further guidelines:
- More detailed guidelines on producing academic posters are available here: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/assignments/poster.
- Academic references should be used and following referencing guide should be utilised: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=9572296.
The marking criteria for the poster will be as follows:
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Criteria
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Percentage of the mark (%)
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Aims and objectives of the poster clearly stated
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10%
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Evidence of an academic research
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60%
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Effective communication of ideas
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20%
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Visual impact of the poster
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10%
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Maximum Word Length
State the number of words used on the assignment front sheet. You may include diagrams, figures etc. without word penalty. A sliding scale of penalties for excess length will be imposed according to the amount by which the limit has been exceeded.Choose any company that operates in the UK. Using the knowledge that you gained during the module and using the example of the company that you chose
1-10% excess no penalty
11-20% excess 10% reduction in the mark
21-30% excess 20% reduction in the mark
31%+ excess the work will be capped at a pass
NB. None of the above penalties will be used to change your mark which is above the pass mark, to one that is below the pass mark. Therefore, the maximum penalty for exceeding the word limit will be a reduction to a pass grade.
Note: Title, reference list, appendices, tables (succinct with bullet points), graphs and figures used within the main body of the report are excluded from the word count.
Useful Information:
Library resources, study and research skills: http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources/
Exceptional Circumstances:
https://www.staffs.ac.uk/legal/policies/exceptional-circumstances-procedure.jsp
https://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/info_centre/handbook/exceptional/
Regulations: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/legal/policies/Acadregs.jsp
Academic Conduct: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/legal/policies/academic-conduct-procedure.jsp
