Operations Management and Decision-Making Models
Page 1 Kaplan Business School Assessment Outline

Assessment 1 Information

Subject Code: MBA503

Subject Name: Operations Management and Decision-Making Models

Assessment Title: Assessment One – Report

Assessment Type: Report

Word Count: 1500 Words (+/-10%)

Weighting: 30 %

Total Marks: 30

Submission: Via Turnitin

Due Date: Week 5

Your Task For this assessment you need to prepare a report using the most recent year’s bronze, silver or gold award winners of the Australasian Reporting Awards – Sustainability. The report should explain how your chosen company’s operational strategies, supply and logistics systems and strategic decisions have supported the company to achieve its desired business outcomes.

Assessment Description

The Australasian Reporting Awards celebrate and acknowledge excellence in preparing annual reports. The awards are held annually with companies from Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific area being eligible to apply. The company chosen by students must; have won either a bronze, silver or gold award in the sustainability section of the awards in the most recent year. Link to the relevant section of the awards link is http://www.arawards.com.au/SustainabilityAwards

The following learning outcomes are assessed in this assignment:

• LO1 Explain operational strategies and demonstrate the skills needed to build effective supply and logistics systems that support desired business outcomes.

• LO2: Analyse internal and external forces that impact business operations and utilise conceptual models to determine the ethical implications of day-to-day and strategic decisions;

Please refer to the assessment marking guide to assist you in completing all the assessment criteria.

Assessment Instructions

Your report needs to include the following headings:

1. INTRODUCTION – (250 Words) – Provide an overview of the company.

2. REPORT – In this section students need to address the following concepts (1000 words):

• Desired business outcomes – Provide information regarding the company’s sustainability related strategic directions and their links to the company’s operational imperatives.

• Internal and external factors – With the use of conceptual models, explain how the internal and external factors experienced by the company impacted on both their day-to-day and strategic decisions.

• Operational systems – Detail what and how the company ensured their operational systems, supply chain and logistic systems enabled them to addresses their sustainability priority.

3. CONCLUSION (250 words)

4. REFERENCE LIST (following Harvard Referencing Conventions)

The report needs to be submitted via Turnitin. The primary source of information with this assessment is the chosen company’s annual report. This information needs to be augmented by a minimum of 8 academic references.

http://www.arawards.com.au/SustainabilityAwards
Page 2 Kaplan Business School Assessment Outline

Important Study Information

Academic Integrity Policy KBS values academic integrity. All students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Academic Integrity and Conduct Policy. What is academic integrity and misconduct? What are the penalties for academic misconduct? What are the late penalties? How can I appeal my grade? Click here for answers to these questions: http://www.kbs.edu.au/current-students/student-policies/.

Word Limits for Written Assessments Submissions that exceed the word limit by more than 10% will cease to be marked from the point at which that limit is exceeded.

Study Assistance Students may seek study assistance from their local Academic Learning Advisor or refer to the resources on the MyKBS Academic Success Centre page. Click here for this information.

http://www.kbs.edu.au/current-students/student-policies/
https://elearning.kbs.edu.au/course/view.php?id=1481
Page 3 Kaplan Business School Assessment Outline

MBA 503 Assessment One – Report – Marking Guide Criteria F (Fail) 0-49% P (Pass) 50-64% CR (Credit) 65-74% D (Distinction) 75% – 84% HD (High Distinction) 85% – 100% Marks

Introduction and Conclusion

Either the introduction and/or the conclusion is missing. If present it’s poorly written, with grammatical and spelling errors detracting from what is written.

An introduction and conclusion are present but not well written – vague and unstructured. Some effort at indicating what will be covered in the paper is included but is not clear. The conclusion, also present, but vague and reiterates points made in the paper, without highlighting key points

Intro is effectively written. Provides an overview of the direction of the paper, but is not compelling. The reader has an idea of what to expect. The conclusion recaps the main points, summarising the central and significant points.

Intro is engagingly written. Provides an overview of the direction of the paper. Gives the reader an idea of what to expect. The conclusion recaps the main points, summarising the central and significant points. Both could have more impact on the reader.

Intro is compellingly and engagingly written. Provides a precise and succinct, overview of the direction of the paper – engaging the reader. The conclusion recaps the critical points, summarising the central and significant points. Together they “bookend” the report.

3

Report – Desired business outcomes

Poorly written. Errors in the writing makes the report hard to understand. Little information regarding the company’s strategic directions or operational imperatives. No references

Some linkages made between the company’s sustainability related strategic directions and its operational imperatives. Some analysis evident, but not clear on the concepts. Students understanding of operational issues clear but could be better explained. Limited referencing

Clearly written. Strong linkages made between the company’s sustainability related strategic directions and its operational imperatives. Some analysis included demonstrating a sound understanding of the key concepts, but could be developed better. Academic references included.

Well written. Detailed linkages made between the company’s sustainability related strategic directions and its operational imperatives. Insightful comments, indicating in-depth and detailed understanding. Concepts well explained but could be developed better. High effective use of academic research

Exceptionally well written. Convincing, credible and compelling linkages made between the company’s sustainability related strategic directions and its operational imperatives. Insightful, discerning and perceptive comments, indicating in-depth and detailed understanding. Excellent use of academic research.

8

Report – Internal and external factors

Conceptual models either missing or lack sufficient detail or explanation. Explanation of internal and external factors very poor. No use of academic sources.

Conceptual models mentioned but not effectively explained – link to impact of internal and external influence included but not analysed in any depth. Some effort to link the day-to-day and strategic directions. Analysis apparent but could be further developed. Few if any academic references included. Student understanding of the influences and linkages basic.

Conceptual models included and explained – this could be stronger. Detail included re internal and external factors. Strong links made to the day-today and strategic directions. Analysis apparent but could be further developed. Good use of academic references to build upon and explain statements made. Understanding of the influences and linkages apparent.

Good use of conceptual models to explain the impact on internal and external factors. Sound links made to the day-to-day and strategic directions. Analysis strong and detailed. Effective use of academic references to build upon and explain statements made. Student understanding of the influences and linkages evident.

Excellent use of conceptual models to explain the impact on internal and external factors. Detailed and comprehensive and compelling links made to the day-to-day and strategic directions. Insightful statements included demonstrated advanced understanding of the links. Outstanding use of academic references to build upon and explain statements made.

8

Report – Operational / systems

Very limited explanation of the key concepts attempted. Student does not explain – or makes very little effort to explain – how operational systems, supply chain or logistics systems work. No referencing.

Basic explanation of the operational systems, supply chain and logistics systems clear but not detailed. Limited connection between these concepts and sustainability made. Limited use of academic sources and not strongly linked to the concepts discussed.

Explanation of the operational systems, supply chain and logistics systems clear but not detailed. Some connection between these concepts and sustainability made but could be further developed. Some use of academic sources to support assertions. Student understanding of key ideas evident.

Student demonstrates an understanding of operations systems. Detailed and in-depth explanation of the supply chain and logistics systems. Connection between these concepts and sustainability effective made. Very effective of academic sources. Student understanding of concepts strongly displayed.

Thorough, comprehensive and in- depth explanation of the, supply chain and logistics systems. Excellent connection between these concepts and sustainability. Student appreciation and understanding of operations systems exceptionally well developed. Excellent use of academic sources.

8

Report – Referencing / Guidelines

Few or no report sections covered – or only scantily addressed. Ideas underdeveloped and not relevant. Referencing non-existent.

Some report sections are covered adequately. Ideas only developed to a basic level. Few references used effectively. Harvard referencing and/or KBS formatting guidelines not followed.

Most report sections are covered adequately. Ideas developed – flow of concepts could be better. References used effectively. – conventions followed. KBS formatting guidelines followed Harvard referencing followed.

All report sections are covered in detail. Ideas developed – flow of concepts could be better. References used effectively but could be better developed. KBS formatting guidelines followed. References included. Harvard referencing followed.

All report sections covered in detail, thoroughly and meticulously. Natural development and flow of concepts between sections. Academic references augment what is written – building and developing the position being presented – Harvard referencing guidelines and KBS formatting guidelines followed