Coursework Assignment Brief

Semester: A15

Module Code: PM204

Module Title: Business Organisation and Policy

Programme BSc (Hons) Programmes

Level: Level 5

Awarding Body: University of Plymouth

Module Leader Christopher Ngwasiri

Format: Individual Report

Presentation: No

Any special

requirements:

All work should be submitted on the Student Portal

along with an acceptable Turnitin Report

Word Limit: 2000 words (+/- 10%)

Deadline date for

submission:

Week 7, Friday 27th March 2015 (23:59)

Learning outcomes

to be examined in

this assessment

To successfully complete this assessment, students

should be able to:

Demonstrate the influence of environmental and

behavioural factors on corporate size, structure and

strategy.

Understand the processes of business planning and

policy making and the reason for change over time.

Percentage of

marks awarded for

module:

This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for

the module

Assessment criteria Explanatory comments on the Maximum marks

assessment criteria for each section

Content, style,

relevance,

originality

Clear demonstration of rigorous

research from recognised

authoritative sources. Audience

focus.

50%

Format,

referencing,

bibliography

Harvard 10 %

Constructive critical

analysis,

introduction,

conclusion

Demonstration of a clear

understanding of the issues. Use

of academic models.

40%

Candidates must clearly label their ID Number on additional separate reference,

formula or answer sheets.

Assignment Task

On April 24 2013, 1134 people were killed and 2,500 were injured when the Rana

Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh collapsed on top of garment workers inside its

factories. It would be known as the worst accident in the garment industry anywhere.

This happened only five months after a horrific fire at a similar facility prompted

leading multinational brands to pledge to work to improve safety in the countrys

booming but poorly regulated garment industry.

Labour groups, Western clothing companies, the Bangladeshi government and

others have made some progress toward preventing similar tragedies, but more still

needs to be done.

There was never any doubt that improving working conditions in Bangladesh, one of

the worlds poorest countries, would be incredibly difficult. The collapse of Rana

Plaza was just one, though by far the worst in a series of industrial accidents in

Bangladeshs garment industry, which has become one of the biggest exporters of

clothes to the United States and Europe because of its low wages.

It was later discovered that 28 brands that sourced clothes from the plaza included

Primark, Bennetton, Mango, Matalan and Bonmache, prompting public concern

about the working conditions of garment factories around the world which contribute

to western high street fashion stores.

Ethical consumerism encourages people to think about how the products they buy

are sourced and produced which are not harmful to the environment and society.

This can be evidenced through simply purchasing eggs that are free-range or

boycotting goods/companies which promote child labour or unsavoury working

conditions.

Ethical consumerism is a growing market. A recent report from the Co-operative

Bank showed a third of UK consumers claiming to be concerned about ethical

consumption, with a large number of the public willing to challenge and boycott

companies which do not comply with ethical standards.

You are required to write an analytical business report that covers the

following tasks:

Task 1

Discuss the ways in which companies, like the ones mentioned in the extract

above, that sourced clothes from the Rana Plaza can help improve business

practices to prevent recurrence of events of this nature.

Task 2

Choose any company, research and evidence how they operate ethically,

taking into account their approach to consumerism, values and environmental

friendliness.

Your report (which must be written in business report format), should comprise of

the following sections:

An executive summary which gives a brief overview of the argument in

your report including key findings and conclusions.

An introduction which explains what the report is all about and highlights

on what is to be covered in the report.

The body including a brief overview analysis of ethical consumerism, how

the sourcing companies can help and a detailed review of one company

claiming to operate ethically. Discuss the approaches they have used to

become a more socially conscious business, linking this with ethics, values

and how environmentally friendly the company is.

Conclusion which includes a critical evaluation of ethical consumerism.

Recommendations to businesses that source to clothing manufacturers.

Bibliography showing all sources of references.

MARKING TEMPLATE

Business Organisation and Policy (PM204)

Assignment

Marking Criteria % of total Marks Overall comments

Task 1 Evaluation and analysis: How a repeat of the Rana Plaza disaster can be prevented by sourcing companies

40

Task 2 Evaluation and analysis: Ethics, Values and environmentally friendly aspects of any chosen company

40

Conclusion and Recommendations

10

Structure, Presentation and Referencing

10

Total Marks

100

GRADING BANDS

Distinction 70%+ Very high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks.

Excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues.

Clearly structured and logically developed arguments.

Good awareness of nuances and complexities.

Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research.

Excellent evaluation and synthesis of source material.

Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.

Merit 69-60% High standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks.

Clear awareness and exposition of relevant issues.

Clearly structured and logically developed argument.

Awareness of nuances and complexities.

Evidence of independent research.

Good evaluation and synthesis of source material.

Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.

Pass 59-50% Uses appropriate conceptual frameworks.

Attempts analysis but includes some errors and /or omissions.

Shows awareness of issues but no more than to be expected room attendance at classes.

Arguments reasonably clear but

underdeveloped.

Insufficient evidence of independent research.

Insufficient evaluation of source material.

Some good use of relevant data and examples but incompletely referenced.

Pass 49-40% Adequate understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks.

Answer too descriptive and or any attempt at analysis is superficial containing errors and omission.

Shows limited awareness of issues but also some confusion.

Arguments not particularly clear.

Limited evidence of independent research and reliance on a superficial repeat of class notes.

Relatively superficial use of relevant data sources and examples and poorly referenced.

PASS MARK

40%

E 39-30% Weak understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Weak analysis and several errors and omissions.

Establishes a few relevant points but superficial and confused exposition of issues.

No evidence of independent research and poor understanding of class notes or no use of relevant data, sources and examples and no references.