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
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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.