Discuss how and why specific theories or models were applied in order to make the decisions made by your group in the running of the business.

Submission Deadline

Marks and Feedback

Before 10am (UK time) on:

20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (L6)
10 working days after deadline (block delivery)

Unit title & code

Management Practice BSS063-6

Assignment number and title

Report on Simulation

Assignment type

Written Report

Weighting of assignment

100%

Size or length of assessment

3,000 words (+/- 10%, max 3,300 words)

Unit learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical appreciation of theories in the MBA toolkit to challenge existing preconceptions and develop positive and enquiring approaches to management and enterprise
2. Demonstrate intelligent practice by imaginatively and critically integrating theory and practice, stipulating areas of excellence and reflecting on areas for development to improve performance in a dynamic competitive environment

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Unit task

You must have taken part in the simulation in order to complete the assignment. Should you submit an assignment without active engagement in the simulation it will be considered as an academic issue.

In this unit you will participate in a competitive business game designed to simulate a realistic management situation.    

You will engage in the simulation as part of a group and as team of ‘Directors’, over successive periods you will monitor the performance of your own business and the competition, adjusting your tactical decisions accordingly.

As this is part of your dissertation phase you will need to be able to select and apply models, frameworks and theories from the MBA to the task of running the business. These might include elements from:

• Strategic management
• Strategic Marketing
• Finance
• HRM
• Leadership

(or others that you find applicable and useful)

Assignment Task

You will produce an individual report.  Your individual report should be 3,000 (+/- 10%) words in which you will:

1. Discuss how and why specific theories or models were applied in order to make the decisions made by your group in the running of the business. You should use evidence from the simulation (results) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the decision making process; comparison of your own management performance to that recommended in the theory (this is likely to be critical evaluation of the group’s processes, organisation and effectiveness).
2. Produce a critical evaluation of the usefulness of the tools and theories that were applied in running the business. Support this evaluation with academic theory.
3. Produce recommendations focusing on how you and your group could use the tools, models and theories more effectively to obtain better results.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

There are three things you must do to pass:

1. Show adequate independence of thought in evaluating the usefulness of theory in practice applied to a live consultancy project or a simulated task of running a business, monitoring performance and adjusting decisions in the light of the success or failure in a competitive environment
2. Demonstrate adequate appraisal of the complexity of management in the implementation of strategic decisions
3. Research, select and use creatively appropriate business and management theory to manage and complete a project in the context of a new situation

These three expectations are reflected in the marking criteria grid below (see the Marks and Feedback section). All three expectations are embedded in and linked to the various areas of marking but especially the application of theory and analysis sections. The selection of relevant key academic material (theories and frameworks) from the MBA Toolkit to the task set by the simulation is essential.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

We will be filling this section in together in class on (date to be arranged with tutor) make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

Produce a professional and compelling report that draws on the theories and frameworks from the MBA toolkit to evaluate the performance of your organisation during the business simulation.  Assignments attracting the highest marks will be focused, analytical, will include critical analysis that explores in depth the implications of the issues under discussion and this will be supported and evidenced thoroughly by using robust and valid academic material and frameworks from the MBA Toolkit. You must provide a clear introduction that provides a structure for your report and will highlight the main topics and areas for discussion; a main body that includes a critique and analysis of your decision making and strategy during the simulation in relation to your organisation’s performance; conclusions that are clearly derived from this analysis and recommendations that are clear and realistic to the demands of the task and nature of the business.

Presented as a professional report, make sure your submission is discursive, and analytical throughout, use appropriate frameworks to focus the narrative and draw on a good range of quality academic sources – especially up to date academic journals - not spurious web-based sources. You should reference properly throughout your work using the Harvard Referencing style only.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The scheduled sessions begin with an introduction to the business simulation and the role you will play in it, it will also help to get you familiar with the layout and how it operates. Over a three-week period, you and your group will work through the business simulation creating, using and implanting various strategies you have been taught during the MBA course. During the scheduled sessions you will work with your tutor to discuss strategies, theories and academic frameworks that you may use to create a positive outcome for your business. The scheduled sessions will also address the requirements of the assignment.

Organise your work and communicate professionally. Please ensure your submission is all your own work. Do not rely on internet searches.  Do not use ‘essay’ sites.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

 Management Practice BSS063-6

Pass – 40-49%

Pass – 50-59%

Commendation – 60-69%

Distinction– 70%+

Introduction (5%)

Adequate identification of the relevant issues and theories that will be used in the report, although no real framing and minimal signposting

Some identification of the relevant issues and theories that will be used in the report although not well framed with some signposting

Clear identification of the relevant issues and theories that will be used in the report and a good attempt to frame and highlight the main issues with signposting

Provides a clear introduction that identifies the relevant issues and theories that will be used in the report and clear framing that highlights the main issues through excellent signposting

Application of Theory (25%)

Adequate evidence of attempting to research, select and use creatively appropriate business and management theory from the MBA toolkit in order to complete the project. Demonstrates limited understanding of key issues and concepts and limited evidence of wider research and independent reading that is relevant to the task

Good evidence of attempting to research, select and use creatively appropriate business and management theory from the MBA toolkit in order to complete the project. Demonstrates good understanding of key issues and concepts but with some evidence of wider research and independent reading that is relevant to the task

Very good evidence of attempting to research, select and use creatively appropriate business and management theory from the MBA toolkit in order to complete the project. Demonstrates very good understanding of key issues and concepts and includes clear evidence of wider research and independent reading taking place that is relevant to the task

Excellent evidence of attempting to research, select and use creatively appropriate business and management theory from the MBA toolkit in order to complete the project. Demonstrates excellent understanding of key issues and concepts and includes clear evidence of substantial research and independent reading taking place that is relevant to the task

Analysis (25%)

Shows adequate independence of thought in evaluating the usefulness of theory in practice through monitoring performance of the organisation and provides adequate evidence of strategic decision making. Analysis is overly descriptive, uncritical with minimal academic support

Shows good independence of thought in evaluating the usefulness of theory in practice through monitoring performance of the organisation and provides good evidence of strategic decision making.  Analysis is descriptive in areas and limited but coherent and supported by some academic evidence

Shows very good independence of thought in evaluating the usefulness of theory in practice through monitoring performance of the organisation and provides clear evidence of strategic decision making. Includes a critical analysis that is not descriptive and attempts to explore implications of the issues raised and is supported by appropriate academic evidence.

Shows excellent independence of thought in evaluating the usefulness of theory in practice through monitoring performance of the organisation and provides clear evidence of strategic decision making. Includes an in-depth critical analysis that explores, in depth, the implications of the issues raised and is supported by appropriate academic evidence throughout the report evidencing clear independent research

Conclusions (15%)

Conclusions are relevant to the content of the report however their validity is unconvincing

Conclusions are relevant to the content of the report however limited and not entirely convincing

Conclusions are derived from the critical analysis, are relevant and convincing

Conclusions are valid, convincing and clearly derived from the in-depth critical analysis and provide a clear synthesis of the report

Recommendations (20%)

Recommendations are vague. Doubtful feasibility for the issues at hand with without detail

Recommendations are reasonably clear and mostly realistic but lack detail

Clear and appropriate recommendations that are realistic and provide some detail

Clear and appropriate recommendations that meet precisely the demands of the task and are detailed and specific

Presentation and Referencing (10%)

Not in report format. Few citations and a passable bibliography and reference list

Well-structured in report format, sourced throughout and with an adequate bibliography and reference list

Clearly and concisely structured in report format, sourced throughout and with a good bibliography and reference list

Clearly and concisely structured in report format, sourced throughout and with a comprehensive bibliography and reference list