DEAKIN COLLEGE
MMM132/MMMP132
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS 1 PART A & ASSIGNMENT 1 PART B
NOTE: Assignment 1 has TWO parts: Part A (Report Preparation Tasks – 10%, due Friday 24 November 2017); Part B (Individual Business Report – 30%, due Wednesday 20 December 2017)
The scenario for both Assignment 1 Part A (Report Preparation Tasks) and Assignment 1 Part B (Individual Business Report):
Assume you have completed your Deakin degree and are applying for a graduate position at either RSPCA Australia https://rspca.org.au/ OR JB Hi-Fi Group Pty Ltd https://www.jbhifi.com.au/. As part of the selection process the organisation requires you to use management ideas (theory and concepts) to examine and analyse specific aspects of their organisation. This task allows you to demonstrate your academic knowledge about management as well as your academic integrity, research, writing, and analytical skills.
You must use Deakin Report Format http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/academic-skills/report-writing. You must use also Deakin Referencing Style http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/harvard.
You can use only reputable academic, media, government, and business sources to inform your report:
- Do NOT contact the organisation directly
- Do NOT use Wikipedia
Assignment 1 Part A: Report Preparation Tasks (Individual Assignment)
Due Date: online Moodle submission by 8.00 am Friday 24 November 2017 in the submission inbox that will be provided on Moodle for you.
Marks: 10 marks (10%)
Word Count: 500 words (plus or minus 10%) excluding Table of Contents and Reference List.
These tasks in Assignment 1 Part A are designed to help you prepare for your MMM132/MMMP132 Individual Business Report (Part B).
Assignment 1 Part A (Report Preparation Tasks) Aims:
To manage in the real world managers need to know how to find, research and write about academic theory and concepts using management texts, academic journal articles, and reputable government and industry sources. The following Report Preparation Tasks will help you learn these skills and assist you to prepare for the final Individual Business Report (Assignment 1 Part B). Specifically you will learn to:
- Plan your Individual Business Report (Assignment 1 Part B) by way of your proposed Table of Contents (TOC);
- Use academic ideas, theory and concepts (in other words theory and concepts from textbooks and peer reviewed academic journal articles )to help understand, analyse and critically examine real world organisations;
- Find peer reviewed academic journal articles relevant to understanding management;
- Develop your academic and business writing skills;
- Provide Deakin Harvard style in-text citations and a reference list;
- Ensure your answers meet the requirements shown in the assignment marking rubric.
Complete the following Report Preparation Tasks
- Provide a Table of Contents (TOC) showing the section and sub-section headings you plan to use in your Assignment 1 Part B Individual Business Report.
- Write a 500 word (+/-10%) discussion on your chosen organisation’s general external environment and analyse the impact of one real-life dimension in its general external environment in 2016/2017. You must use academic definitions and ideas to describe, structure, and support the information in your discussion and analysis. Begin your research by reading pp. 34-41 of the textbook.
In this answer you must include:
- A citation from the textbook;
- A citation from a suitable and relevant peer reviewed management academic journal article;
- A direct quotation using Deakin Harvard referencing style;
- Indirect (paraphrased) quotation using Deakin Harvard citation style. See Summarising, paraphrasing, and quoting in the Deakin Referencing Guide (see website above).
- Provide ONE reference list that includes the sources used in this task as well as the sources you plan to use in Assignment 1 Part B Individual Business Report using Deakin Harvard referencing style (see website above).
In this Reference List you must include:
- The MMM132 textbook;
- Five relevant peer reviewed academic journal articles. One of these academic journal articles should be used in your response to question 2 above. The remaining four academic journal articles are those you believe could be used for answering each question 1-4 in Assignment 1 Part B Individual Business Report;
- At least one reputable (non-academic) source of information about your chosen organisation. This could be relevant information from your chosen organisation’s own website.
Below are examples of how to use academic ideas (theory and concepts) in your writing. They show how to link management concepts and theories from academic sources to real-life examples.
Flamholtz and Randle (2012) suggest business models must include corporate culture to ensure…
Business culture is critical to the professional future of the business (Hummel, 2012).
Turker and Altuntas (2015) state past experiences significantly impact a person’s beliefs about…
According to Robbins et al. (2016) an organisation’s general environment includes… This is evident at RSPCA (2017a) …
Robbins et al (2016, p. 34) define the legal environment as …. JB Hi-Fi Pty Ltd’s legal environment includes …
Submission Guide:
- Title page:
- Provide a title page with the title of the assessment centred in the middle of the page
- On the bottom left-hand side provide the unit code (MMM132 or MMMP132), your name, your Deakin ID, your lecturer’s name, your class number, day and time
- Page 2:
- Your response to task 1: provide the Table of Contents (TOC) you plan to use for Assignment 1 Part B Individual Business Report. Consider use of appropriate section and subsection headings, consider also use of a section numbering system. You will NOT be able to provide actual page numbers, just use x to show page numbers
- Pages 3 & 4:
- Your response to task 2: provide a 500 word (+ or – 10%) response to this task. Make sure you correctly acknowledge use of direct and indirect (paraphrased) sources of information. Try to ensure you use theory from your text and at least ONE peer reviewed academic article as the basis for your discussion as you ‘analyse’ your chosen general external environmental factor and its impact on your chosen organisation. Use 1.5 line spacing for task 2 response
- Page 5:
- Your response to task 3: provide a correctly formatted reference list that includes the sources used in this assignment, and those you plan to use in Assignment 1 Part B Individual Business Report, using Deakin Harvard Referencing Style.
- Submission MUST be an MS Word document (.doc or .docx format, NO other format is accepted)
Need help?
- Access the Study Skills Moodle site
- See your lecturer and/or e-mail your lecturer
- See the Study Skills Advisors
| MMM132/MMMP132 Assignment Marking Rubric: Assignment 1 Part A (Report Preparation Tasks) (10% – 10 marks) | ||||||
| PERFORMANCE INDICATORS | YET TO ACHIEVE MINIMUM STANDARD | MEETS STANDARD | EXCEEDS STANDARD | |||
| No/poor attempt | Needs improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Very good | Excellent | |
| Report Table of Contents (TOC) is relevant to the set tasks for examining chosen organisation ULO2(Unit Learning Objective 2)
(Max 1 mark) | Poor attempt at developing a Table of Contents, incorrect order of sections or majority of sections are not included. (0-0.2 marks) | Does not follow the required TOC structure, with some sections not included or in the wrong order. (0.21-0.45 marks) | An attempt is made to follow the required TOC structure. Most sections are included but some inconsistencies exist in the layout. (0.5-0.55 marks) | A good attempt is made to follow the required TOC structure. Most sections are included and layout is consistent within the table. (0.6-0.65 marks) | A very good attempt is made to follow the required TOC structure. All sections are included and layout is consistent within the table. (0.7-0.75 marks) | Excellent use of the TOC structure/format. All sections are in included and layout is clear and consistent within the table. (0.76-1.0 mark) |
| Critically reflects on theory of the ‘general environment’ and applies analysis to chosen organisation in 2016/2017. ULO3 (Max 4 marks) | The fundamental theories and their application to the chosen organisation are not clear.
(0-0.75 marks) | The fundamental theories and their application to the chosen organisation may be slightly unclear or poorly applied. (0.8-1.9 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question and their application to the chosen organisation are provided without ambiguity (2.0 -2.35 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question and their application to the chosen organisation are clear and quite well-reasoned. (2.4-2.75 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question and their application to the chosen organisation are clear, well-reasoned and systematic (2.8-3.2 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question and their application to the chosen organisation are clear, systematic and comprehensive
(3.25-4.0 marks) |
| Cites text and suitable academic journal article ULO2 (Max 1 marks) | No quotations included and/or most entries not compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines
(0-0.2 marks) | One of either but not both direct and indirect quotations included and/or are not compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines. (0.21-0.45 marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and are partially compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines.
(0.5-0.55 marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and are mostly compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines
(0.6-0.65 marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and are very compliant with Harvard citation guidelines
(0.7-0.75marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and citations are completely error free
(0.76-1.0 mark) |
| Direct and indirect quotations using Deakin Harvard referencing style ULO2 (Max 1 marks) | No quotations included and/or most entries not compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines
(0-0.2 marks) | One of either but not both direct and indirect quotations included and/or are not compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines. (0.21-0.45 marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and are partially compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines.
(0.5-0.55 marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and are mostly compliant with most Harvard citation guidelines
(0.6-0.65 marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and are very compliant with Harvard citation guidelines
(0.7-0.75marks) | Both direct and indirect quotations included and citations are completely error free
(0.76-1.0 mark) |
| Reference list of sources suitable to use in this task and planned for the Final Report using Deakin Harvard referencing style ULO1 ULO2 (Max 3 marks) | No academic journal articles relating to the tasks and/or reference list not included or most entries not compliant with most Harvard referencing guidelines.
(0-0.8 marks) | Fewer than three academic journal articles relate well to the tasks and/or reference list is not compliant with many of the Harvard referencing guidelines.
(0.9-1.4 marks) | Fewer than four journal articles relate satisfactorily to the task and reference list mostly complies with Harvard guidelines. Suitable organisational source and text included.
(1.5-1.7 marks) | At least four journal articles relate well to the task and reference list is compliant with mainly the Harvard guidelines. Suitable organisational source and text included.
(1.8-2.0 marks) | Five or more journal articles relate well to the task and reference list is compliant with Harvard guidelines. Suitable organisational source and text included.
(2.1-2.3marks) | Five or more exceptionally well-selected journal articles in relation to the task and reference list is completely error free. Excellent organisational source and text included. (2.4-3.0 marks) |
Assignment 1 Part B: Individual Business Report
Due Date: online Moodle submission by 8.00 am, Wednesday 20 December 2017 in the submission inbox that will be provided on Moodle for you.
Marks: 30 marks (30%)
Word Count: 2500 words (plus or minus 10%) excluding cover page, Table of Contents, Reference List, and any appendices used.
This Individual Business Report is Part B of Assignment 1. Your learning (and marking feedback) from Assignment 1 Part A (Report Preparation Tasks) are to be used to complete your Individual Business Report.
You are reminded of the scenario (background information) that applies to Assignment 1 Part B (Note: this is the same scenario that applied to Assignment 1 Part A):
Assume you have completed your Deakin degree and are applying for a graduate position at either RSPCA Australia https://www.rspca.org.au/ OR JB Hi-Fi Group Pty Ltd https://www.jbhifi.com.au/. As part of the selection process the organisation requires you to use management ideas (theory and concepts) to examine specified aspects of their organisation. This task allows you to demonstrate your academic knowledge about management as well as your academic integrity, research, writing, and analytical skills.
You must use Deakin Report Format http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/academic-skills/report-writing. You must use also Deakin Referencing Style http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/harvard.
You must use only reputable academic, media, government, and business sources to inform your report. Do NOT contact the organisation directly. Do NOT use Wikipedia.
Assignment 1 Part B Individual Business Report Task:
Write a business report that answers the following four questions below in relation to your chosen organisation (either RSPCA Australia OR JB Hi-Fi Pty Ltd). This report must include an Assignment Title page, an Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Introduction, critical analytical section (responses to questions 1-4), Conclusion, and Reference List (Appendices are not required). Your responses to the four questions below will make up the sections in the body of the report. See format on the next page, and Report Writing information at http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/report-writing)
Remember to use feedback from your Assignment 1 Part A (Report Preparation Tasks) to assist you with your final report submission.
For every question
- Remember to use the textbook and at least one academic journal article(s) to answer each question. These assist you to identify academic theory and/or concepts relevant to each question.
- Remember to use government (if relevant), company, and reputable industry and media sources to find information about your chosen organisation in 2016/7.
- Remember to cite and reference all sources.
- Remember to use academic concepts and sources to underpin, frame, inform, analyse, and evaluate the information you present about your chosen organisation.
- Identify the purpose of your chosen organisation, its mission in 2016/2017, and its profit/not-for-profit orientation. You must use academic definitions and ideas to describe, structure, and support the information in your discussion and analysis. Begin your response by reading 13, pp. 93-94 and Table 4.1 of the textbook. Remember to cite at least one peer reviewed academic journal article. (Approximately 200 words)
- Discuss your chosen organisation’s specific external environment and analyse the impact of one real-life dimension/factor in its specific environment in 2016/2017. You must use academic definitions and ideas to describe, structure, and support the information in your discussion and analysis. Begin this by reading 34-41 of the textbook. Remember to cite at least one peer reviewed academic journal article. (Approximately 600 words)
- Discuss your chosen organisation’s ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). You must use academic definitions and ideas to describe, structure, and support the information in your discussion and analysis. Begin this by reading pp. 52–59 of the textbook. Remember to cite at least one peer reviewed academic journal article. (Approximately 600 words)
- Discuss your chosen organisation’s culture. Also complete and report on your results in the Personal Insights Quiz ‘What’s the Right Organisational Culture for Me?’ (Robbins et al 2016, p. 46) and evaluate your results from this quiz. Use your evaluation of your results from the quiz to reflect on (write about) how well you think you might fit into this organisation’s culture. You must use academic definitions and ideas to describe, structure, and support the information in your discussion and reflection. Begin by reading pp. 42-44 and 46-47 of the textbook. Remember to cite at least one peer reviewed academic journal article, AND cite the quiz with an in-text citation. (Approximately 600 words)
| MMM132 Business Report Format (Adapted from http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/report-writing) | |
| Title page (not included in the word count) | · Title of report (should be short to indicate what the report is about) · Name and website of organisation · Student name and ID number · Unit code and unit name |
| Executive summary | This is a summary of the whole report. Outline the task and explain the research process used, what you found, and what your findings mean (approx. 200 words). |
| Table of contents (not included in the word count) | List the headings of main sections and subsections of your report. Use an appropriate numbering system for headings/sections and subheadings/sub-sections. (Use the MSWord template provided in the unit site to help you). |
| Introduction | Set the scene; give some background information about the report/organisation; state the aims/purposes of the report. Provide an outline of the main sections in the body of the report (approx. 150 words). |
| Body | Organise the body of the report into sections. You should have four sections. Each section should cover one question response and must have a clear section heading. Your discussion and analysis of each question should: · Define and describe academic theory/concepts; · Describe what you found about the organisation; · Discussion your interpretation and analyses of what you found; · Correctly cite references drawn from the textbook and academic journal articles. Remember to use and cite at least once academic article for each question The analysis of each question should define and describe academic theory and/ concepts on the topic of the questions, describe what you found about the organisation, as well as your interpretation and analyses of what you found, with correctly cited references drawn from appropriate academic textbook and journal sources. Remember to include at least one academic reference for each of the four sections (approx. 2000 words). |
| Conclusion | Summarise what has been achieved in the report. Use the information from the body of your report to provide the major findings from each of the sections of your report, including your findings on the ‘match’ between you and the organisation in a graduate role (approx. 150 words). |
| Recommendations | NOT required in this assignment. |
| References (not included in the word count) | A list of all of the in-text sources that you cited in the report using the Deakin Harvard referencing style: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study- support/referencing/harvard |
| Appendices – No marks [optional] | Any information (graphs, charts, tables or other data) you used in your report but did not include in the body. NOT required in this assignment. |
| MMM132/MMMP132 Assignment 1 Part B Marking Rubric: Individual Business Report (30% – 30 marks) | ||||||
| PERFORMANCE INDICATORS | YET TO ACHIEVE MINIMUM STANDARD | MEETS STANDARD | EXCEEDS STANDARD | |||
| No/poor attempt | Needs improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Very good | Excellent | |
| Report structure, organisation and flow, including Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Introduction and Conclusion. ULO2 (Max 5 marks) | Poor attempt Report does not follow the required format. There is no logical flow between sections.
0-1.4 | Report somewhat follows the required format. Report is disjointed and fragmented.
1.5-2.4 | An attempt is made to follow the required report structure/format. Report lacks flow and is somewhat disjointed and fragmented.
2.5-2.9 | A good attempt is made to follow the required report structure/format. Report flows quite well, but is disjointed or fragmented in some places. 3.0-3.4 | A very good attempt is made to follow the required report structure/format. Report has a logical flow.
3.5-3.9 | Excellent use of the required report structure/format. Report has a logical flow and coherent line of argument.
4 – 5 |
| Description and analysis of Q1 relevant to the organisation.
ULO1
(Max 3 marks) | The fundamental theories and practice relevant to this question are not applied at all to the organisation chosen. The context is not provided or is very unclear.
0-0.75 | The fundamental theories and practice relevant to this question are slightly unclear or have not been cited to an appropriate academic source (text or journal article). Some context is provided but remains unclear.
0.76-1.45 | The fundamental theories and practice relevant to this question are described without ambiguity and refers to a text or journal article, but these have not be well discussed. Some context provided.
1.5 – 1.75 | The fundamental theories and practice relevant to this question are clearly identified. Reference to a suitable journal article included, that is somewhat explained without ambiguity and in context.
1.76-2 | The fundamental theories and practice relevant to this question are clearly identified and described well. Relevant information, suitable journal article(s), and argument where necessary for understanding included. The context and the background are explained. 2.1-2.4 | The fundamental theories and practice relevant to this question are clearly identified and described comprehensively, suitable journal article(s) are used. Response delivers all relevant information necessary for full understanding. The context and the background are well explained. 2.45-3 |
| Description and analysis of Q2 relevant to the organisation.
ULO1
(Max 6 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are not applied to the organisation chosen. The context has not been provided or is very unclear.
Paraphrases or summarises information rather than providing an analysis. Does not identify components of the theory, and does not distinguish the relevant from irrelevant details. 0-1.7 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are slightly unclear or an appropriate academic source (text or journal article) has not been cited. Some context is provided but is unclear.
Paraphrases or summarises information with very little analysis. Inconsistently identifies components of the theories and incorrectly distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details.
1.75-2.9 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are provided without ambiguity and refer to a text or journal article, but these are not well discussed. Some context provided.
Demonstrates the ability to analyse information at a rudimentary level. Identifies components of the theories; mostly distinguishing relevant from irrelevant details. 3-3.5 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and explained, without ambiguity and in context and with reference to a suitable journal article.
A fair analysis of information, clearly identifying the key components of the theories and accurately distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details.
3.6-4.15 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and described well, with relevant information and argument where necessary for understanding. The context is clear and suitable journal article(s) are used.
A robust analysis of information, consistently identifying the key components of the theories and accurately distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details. 4.2-4.75 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and described comprehensively, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding. The context and background are well explained and suitable journal article(s) are used.
A thorough analysis of information, identifying the key components of the theories and accurately and thoroughly distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details. 4.8-6 |
| Description and analysis of Q3 relevant to the organisation
ULO1
(Max 6 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are not applied to the organisation chosen. The context has not been provided or is very unclear.
Paraphrases or summarises information rather than providing an analysis. Does not identify components of the theory, and does not distinguish the relevant from irrelevant details. 0-1.7 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are slightly unclear or an appropriate academic source (text or journal article) has not been cited. Some context is provided but is unclear.
Paraphrases or summarises information with very little analysis. Inconsistently identifies components of the theories and incorrectly distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details.
1.75-2.9 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are provided without ambiguity and refer to a text or journal article, but these are not well discussed. Some context provided.
Demonstrates the ability to analyse information at a rudimentary level. Identifies components of the theories; mostly distinguishing relevant from irrelevant details. 3-3.5 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and explained, without ambiguity and in context and with reference to a suitable journal article.
A fair analysis of information, clearly identifying the key components of the theories and accurately distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details.
3.6-4.15 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and described well, with relevant information and argument where necessary for understanding. The context is clear and suitable journal article(s) are used.
A robust analysis of information, consistently identifying the key components of the theories and accurately distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details. 4.2-4.75 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and described comprehensively, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding. The context and background are well explained and suitable journal article(s) are used.
A thorough analysis of information, identifying the key components of the theories and accurately and thoroughly distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details. 4.8-6 |
| Report and reflection of Q4 relevant to the organisation
ULO1
(Max 6 marks) | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are not clearly applied to the organisation chosen. The context may not be provided or may be very unclear.
Reflection does not demonstrate clear reasoning and does not provide discussion on the “cultural fit” to the organisation
0-1.7 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question may be slightly unclear or may not cite an appropriate academic source (text or journal article). Some context is provided but may be unclear.
Reflection demonstrates minimal clear reasoning and provides very basic discussion on the “cultural fit” to the organisation.
1.75-2.9 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are provided without ambiguity and refer to a text or journal article, but these may not be well discussed. Some context provided.
Reflection demonstrates satisfactory clear reasoning and provides reasonable discussion on the “cultural fit” to the organisation.
3-3.5 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and explained, without ambiguity and in context and with reference to a suitable journal article.
Reflection demonstrates clear and consistent reasoning and provides detailed discussion on the “cultural fit” to the organisation.
3.6-4.15 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and described well, with relevant information and argument where necessary for understanding. The context is clear and suitable journal article(s) are used.
Reflection demonstrates clear, consistent and detailed reasoning and provides high-level discussion on the “cultural fit” to the organisation. 4.2-4.75 | The fundamental theories relevant to this question are clearly identified and described comprehensively, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding. The context and background are well explained and suitable journal article(s) are used.
Reflection demonstrates consistent and systematic reasoning and provides thorough discussion on the “cultural fit” to the organisation. 4.8-6 |
| Quality of language and ability to communicate information accurately using academic style
ULO2
(Max 4 marks) | Writing filled with grammatical and spelling errors. English expression is difficult to understand. Little or no use of paraphrasing, with a heavy reliance on quotes. In-text citation and referencing have not been used or do not conform to Harvard standard.
0-1.55 | Many grammatical and spelling errors. English expression is difficult to understand, but meaning can be made of what is written. Little effort has been put into paraphrasing of material. In-text citations not utilised or inaccurate. List of references does not follow the Harvard referencing style correctly.
1.6-1.95 | Expresses thoughts meaningfully, even though there may be occasional errors. Paraphrasing uses too many of the author’s own words. In-text citations are too sparse and/or mostly inaccurate. Some attempt to present a list of References following the Harvard referencing style, but may have several errors.
2-2.36 | Expresses thoughts meaningfully, even though there may be occasional errors. Paraphrasing portrays the ideas of others in student’s own words. In-text citations are accurate in most cases and are just adequate to the task. List of References presented using the Harvard referencing style accurately in most cases.
2.4-2.76 | Communicates meaning with clarity and fluency. Writing is almost error-free. Paraphrasing correctly portrays the ideas of others in student’s own words. In-text citations are accurate and support the arguments made in the assignment quite well. List of References presented accurately using the Harvard referencing style.
2.8-3.16 | Skilfully communicates meaning with high level of clarity and fluency. Writing is virtually error-free. Paraphrasing correctly portrays the ideas of others in student’s own words. In-text citations are accurate and support the arguments made in the assignment very well. List of References presented very accurately using the Harvard style.
3.2-4 |