MODULE TITLE:
International Strategic Management
MODULE CODE:
LECTURER:
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria specific to assignment:
On completion of the assignment, students should be able to demonstrate their ability to:
Critically apply conceptual strategic management models and frameworks to analyse a given organisational context.Demonstrate the application of alternative strategic options for an organisation and recommend a preferred strategy.Evaluate the future direction of the organisation and present strategic options in an international/global context
Number of attempts
Please note that, under the Course Regulations, you are entitled to only two attempts to pass each assignment. You are strongly advised to take every opportunity to submit work as failure to submit counts as a fail. Should you fail an assignment, it is very important that you arrange a tutorial with the marker so that you can improve your work.
Please read the full regulations available on the Course page.
Plagiarism
Please read the plagiarism guidelines on your module page.
Late Submissions
Please read the late submission regulations and penalties on your module page or on your Course page.
1. Assessment Overview
1.1 Rationale
The assignment for this Level 7 module tests for an advanced level of knowledge and comprehension of a range of concepts, models and theories related to the development of organisational strategy. It also provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to analyse the performance of an organisation’s existing strategies and to develop alternative strategies with due consideration of risk. If you do not demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge of strategic concepts covered by the module and / or do not undertake the level of critical thinking that is required in order to develop effective alternative strategies, you will not pass the assessment.
It is expected that the highest achievers will demonstrate not only their competence related to strategic concepts but also a sophisticated level of thinking in the construction of their alternative strategy, justifying their choice and taking into account elements of benefit, cost and risk. The highest achieving students will additionally demonstrate competence in terms of academic practice and rigour. Hence, in order to attain the higher grades for your work, you will need to demonstrate a high level of critical analysis and the ability to reference work appropriately and accurately using a wide range of sources and adhering to the Harvard referencing system.
To pass this module, you must achieve a final overall mark of at least 50%. Failure to achieve a pass after the second attempt will result in the student being withdrawn from the course.
2. Assessment Brief
The module is assessed through one assessment component:
Students submit PPT 10 slides (max) with 1500 words annotation
2.1 Required task(s)
McDonald’s must be chosen for organisational strategy for your work.
Use the strategic management course material (models, concepts, and theories) to evaluate the McDonald’s strategy. Based on your analysis, recommend strategic options for the organisation (McDonald’s). Reflecting on what have you learned on the module, explain what would you advise the company to do and why.
2.2 Word count
Students submit PPT 10 slides (max) with 1500 words annotation
The word limit is for your coursework assignment and does not cover material submitted as an appendix. Material submitted as an appendix provides background for your coursework, but it will not be marked unless specified in the brief. Also, it is important that you cross-refer between the main text of your assignment and any appendices, in order to demonstrate the linkage, and that the appendices do not constitute additional material unrelated to that included in the body of your assignment. If you do not refer to this work in the Appendix, then this included work in the Appendices are not marked.
Your references page will not be included in the word count, but inline citations used in the main body of the assignment (e.g. Smith and Jones (2010) identified that…) will be included in the word count
You are required to declare the number of words used in your assignment. If you produce less than or exceed the stipulated word count by more than 10%, a deduction of the mark awarded will be made to reflect that you have not met the assessment requirements.
2.3 Drafts
Your lecturer will look at only one draft version of your work or part of it up to 2 weeks before the hand-in date. This way you can use this ‘formative’ feedback to develop your work further. This feedback does not contribute towards a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ mark. Drafts are not graded or assessed – the purpose of these is for you to gain feedback for improving your work. Guidance can be sought by speaking to your lecturer if there are any areas of concern or by arranging an appointment via e- mail.
2.4 Submission
Your report should be submitted online through Turnitin via the link provided in the Assessment area of the module’s Moodle site. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted. Please follow the University policy regarding online submission and submitting assignments on time (see Page 1).
You should also submit your work through the ‘test’ Turnitin to ensure you abide by the rules on plagiarism. You should attach the assessment feedback form together with the marking criteria to your work before submitting for marking.
2.5 Formatting and presentation
The assignment should be word-processed and double line spaced. Use of bullet points should be avoided or used sparingly
Use Arial size 11 point for your assignments, full justifiedEach page should be numbered except for the contents pages (if any)Presentation must be formal in language and style and must adhere to the structure given above
2.6 Referencing
All work should be referenced using the Harvard format – there are handouts available online at the library website and are available as hard copy in the library if you are unsure of this.
Do not use popular websites like Wikipedia, Google or Yahoo – the former is not peer assessed and the work is not always reliable and the later are search engines.
Use textbooks and journal articles (newspaper articles may at times be acceptable). You should however, make more reliance on journal articles as these are peer reviewed and are often more recent than text books. If you are to use text books, these should be the latest so it is important to check whether you have the latest edition
Citations should be used very minimally and in limited circumstances, you may reference lecture material such as handouts and presentation slides.
3. Marking criteria
0 – 39%
Fail
40 – 49%
Fail
50 – 59%
Pass
60 – 69%
Strong Pass (merit)
70 – 79%
Very Strong Pass (distinction)
80 – 100%
Exceptionally Strong Pass
(distinction)
Criterion 1
1. Critically apply conceptual strategic management models and frameworks to analyse a given organisational context.
Mark:
No show. Little comprehension of what is being presented.
Lack of course material used. Descriptive versus analytical.
Some evidence of analytical tools and applied vs. generic use. Satisfactory consideration of relevant aspects of the organisation.
Tending towards description over analysis. Logical arguments supported by appropriate and valid reasoning lacking evidence. Some evaluation. A good selection of course materials and consideration of relevant aspects of the
organisation.
An appropriate balance of analysis to description. Logical arguments supported by appropriate and valid reasoning with some evidence. Good evaluation. Appropriate selection of course materials and consideration of relevant aspects of the organisation.
An appropriate balance of analysis to description. Logical arguments supported by appropriate and valid reasoning including evidence. Excellent selection and application of analytical tools. Excellent consideration of relevant aspects of the organisation.
Criterion 2
2. Demonstrate the application of alternative strategic options for an organisation and recommend a preferred strategy.
Mark:
No options presented
No options identified or evaluated.
Lacking depth but some options identified with some reasoning. Some flow between the analysis and options.
Adequate breadth and depth. Some valid options well argued that flow from the analysis. Good discussion.
Breadth at the expense of depth. Some good and distinct options identified. A very good structure and flow. Critically apply conceptual strategic management models and frameworks to analyse a given organisational context.
Breadth and depth of coverage. Originality of thought with clear reflection. An excellent structure and flow. Clear linkages between the dialogue and the supporting visual aids.
Criterion 3
3. Evaluate the future direction of the organisation and present strategic options in an international/global context
Mark:
No future orientation.
Very little or no evaluation of options and no discussion.
Practical recommendations presented with an intentioned presentation. Some discussion of key issues.
Good recommendations and conclusions. Thoughtful presentation. Some discussion of key issues.
