LSC UoS BA in Business Studies

Assignment Brief
Course/Programme: BA Business Studies

Level: 6

Module Title: Global Strategic Management

Module Leader:

Assignment titles: Individual Report

Assignment number: 1

Weighting: 100%

Date given out: January 2022

Submission date: 4th April 2022

Eligible for late submission (3 Yes

working days, with penalty)?

Method of submission: X Online only Online and paper

copy

Special instructions for

submission (if any):

Date for results and feedback:

Employability skills assessed: C1: Reading, selecting, analysing and synthesising

information from a range of sources
 C2: Producing different types of document

C3: Participating in discussions

C4: Making presentations

LP1: Develop a strategy for using a range of skills to

improve own learning and performance

IT1: Preparing information

IT2: Processing and presenting information

IT3: Reviewing the use of information technology

LP2: Review and Critically Reflect on Progress

LP3: Evaluate overall effectiveness of strategy and

present achievements

N1: Collecting and recording data

N2: Working with data

N3: Presenting your findings

PS1: Develop a strategy for using skills in problem

solving, for a short-term routine problem and a
longer term extended problem.

PS2: Monitor progress and adapt any problem

solving strategy as necessary to achieve the
quality of outcomes required when tackling one
complex problem with at least three options.

PS3: Evaluate your overall strategy considered in

PS2 and consider improvements.

S1: Plan personal work schedules

WWO2: Working towards identified targets

LO1: Demonstrate knowledge, comprehension and application

of the taught theory through active and consistent contribution
to organisations.

LO2: Understand how complex problems can be managed

within a business framework.
Learning outcomes assessed:
LO3: Critically contrast and compare related theoretical
concepts presented in the lectures and readings, and
understanding the inherent differences and similarities.

LO4: Create, develop and design strategic plans in a case study

based practical application of the taught theory.
LO5: Feel confident in arguing a strategic position based on
well researched evidence and a strong theoretical base.
 TASK DESCRIPTION – (Individual Assignment 100 %)

TASK

Write a report describing and analysing the strategic management style of Mr Mark
Zuckerberg, the CEO of FACEBOOK.

After undertaking an extensive research on the company, students are required to analyse
the problems, issues and challenges faced by the firm and examine the strategies used by the
CEO in order to regain the market share. The topics from the module to be covered are given
below from A to E.

For each task given (FROM A to E, you are expected to incorporate at least one appropriate
theory/model or concept. For example, you may be guided by theories from Michael Porter,
Strategic planning tools and others, for example, on strategy.

In your conclusion, you are to include at least two or three recommendations as to how
might the company improve the situation in the future.

A) Examine the business and corporate strategies used by the CEO which has
brought about positive contribution to the organisation? (400 words)
B) Undertake external and internal environment analysis and analyse how the
complex problems at FACEBOOK were managed by the CEO using business
framework. (400 words)
C) Describe the strategic tools/ techniques / models used by the CEO of
FACEBOOK to enhance the organisational performance. You may be guided by
theories from Michael Porter, Blue Ocean strategy, Strategic planning tools and
others, for example, on strategy. (400 words)
D) Examine how the CEO of FACEBOOK created, developed and designed
strategic planning for FACEBOOK (400 words)
E) You need to critically analyse and evaluate the different contemporary strategic
issues in strategy, clearly synthesising between the different levels of strategy
used by the CEO of FACEBOOK. It is important to refer to a theory or theories
(for example, resource based strategy and competitiveness, innovation and
technology strategies, Blue ocean strategy) when formulating the task (400
words)

 Use appropriate corporate examples and literature to justify your stand. (300 words)
 Based on the discussion and debate what suggestions / recommendations would you
make for FACEBOOK to sustain its position? (350 words) Feel confident in arguing a
strategic position based on well researched evidence and a strong theoretical base.
See below for the full explanation of the marking criteria

The Topic/title
1. Feel free to discuss possibilities with your lecturer. It’s usually best to research a
company and study the one that offers most information about the strategies, business
frameworks, use of appropriate strategic models, tools, theories and concepts of
strategic management.
2. ‘Describe’ means ‘this is what happened’, ‘Analyse’ means ‘this is why it happened’.
3. Recommendations could relate to the future, or to what others could learn from this
situation.
Basic Format:
 A title page, a contents page, an introduction, a main section with sub-sections, and a
recommendation, conclusion and references. Clear headings are essential. Relevant
sources of information should be cited using the Harvard referencing system.
 Any areas of doubt need to be raised with your lecturer

The tasks A to F addresses all the learning outcomes.

LENGTH
REQUIRED

A maximum of 3000 words not including contents, appendices or list of references.

1. Introduction -350 words
2. Task A meets L01-400 words
3. Task B meets L02-400 words
4. Task C meets LO3-400 words
5. Task D meets L04-400 words
6. Task E meets L05-400 words
7. Corporate examples and Literature-300 words
8. Suggestions/ Recommendations-350 words

FORMATTING AND
LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Document format:
4. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a
reference using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
5. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g.
academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be
extensive.
The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed
journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable
statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing
should be in Harvard style.
 MARKING CRITERIA AND STUDENT FEEDBACK

This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by
you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a
similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which
you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.

Mark
Common Assessment Criteria Applied

Awa
Mar
ks
s
1. Research-informed Literature 20
Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources,
application of appropriate referencing conventions.
You must give credit to authors on whose research and/or
publications your report is based. Append to your submission a
reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc the you have read
or quoted in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for books:
surname of author and initials, year of publication, title of books,
edition, publisher and place of publication.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject 20
Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the discipline.
Show good knowledge by evaluating contemporary strategic issues
and synthesise between the different levels of strategy. Critically
analyse how the different perspectives of social science disciplines
inform strategic management.
3. Analysis 30
Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement;
analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
Analyse the aims, concept and role of strategic management in your
report complete with good logic, sound argument, judgement
innovative ideas and evidence on which your arguments are based.
4. Practical Application and Deployment 20
Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application
of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve
problems.
Clearly indicate the various methods, tools and techniques employed
in your report and show how the application of theories and concepts
enhance innovative and creative solutions towards problem solving.
5. Skills for Professional Practice 10
Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative
working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and
organisation.
 Clearly indicate how attributes from your report would help the
company or organisation of your choice using collaborative working
and the deployment of the appropriate media, presentation and other
tools.
TOTAL 100

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to

ratification at the UoS Assessment Board. These comments
%
and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for 72 Hour Late Submission
guidance only until they are confirmed. ) Penalties (tick if appropriate)
GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Level 6

In accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, at the end of Level 6 students should have coherent and detailed
knowledge and a systematic understanding of their subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced
scholarship within the discipline. They will be able to accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline,
using their conceptual understanding to devise and sustain arguments and/or to solve problems. They should be aware of the uncertainty,
ambiguity and limits of knowledge. They should be able to critically evaluate evidence, arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data
(that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions. They
will apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and
to initiate and carry out projects. They will have the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary
sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline). They will demonstrate the qualities and
transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and
unpredictable contexts; the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL

FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)

Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

Engagement Little or no Poor Engagement Engagement Engagement Engagement Exceptional

with evidence ofengagement with a limited with an with a wide with an engagement
literature reading and/or with essential range of mostly appropriate range of extensive range with an
(including reading, reliance onreading. No relevant and range of research- of relevant and extensive range
referencing,
inappropriate evidence of credible research- informed credible of relevant and
academic sources. wider reading. sources. Some informed literature, literature, credible
conventions and Reliance on omissions and literature, including informed by literature,
Views and inappropriate minor errors. including sources the latest informed by
academic honesty)
findings mostly sources, and/or sources retrieved research. the latest
unsupported indiscriminate Referencing retrieved independently. Consistently research. High-
and non- conventions
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)

Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

authoritative. use of sources. evident though independently. Selection of accurate level

Heavily reliant not always Some over- relevant and application of referencing
Referencing on information applied reliance on credible referencing. skills
conventions gained through accurately or texts. sources. Very consistently
used class contact. consistently. Referencing good use of and
incoherently or Inconsistent may show referencing, professionally
largely absent. and weak use minor with no/very applied.
of referencing. inaccuracies or few
inconsistencies. inaccuracies or
inconsistencies.

Knowledge Major gaps in Gaps in Limited Knowledge is Knowledge is Excellent Exceptionally

and knowledge and knowledge, knowledge and reasonably reasonably coherent and coherent and
understandin systematic with only systematic detailed, extensive detailed detailed
g (Coherent and understanding superficial understanding accurate with a coherent and knowledge and knowledge and
detailed knowledge of the subject systematic of the relevant good detailed. systematic systematic
and systematic
understanding of
matter. understanding. concepts and systematic Exhibits very understanding understanding
the subject area, at Substantial Some principles understanding good of the of the
least some of which inaccuracies. significant within the of the field of understanding principles and principles and
is informed by the
latest research
No awareness inaccuracies subject area study and to of the breadth theories of theories of the
and/or advanced of knowledge and/or which to some some extent, and depth of current subject, well-
scholarship within of the latest irrelevant limited extent, current established research and informed by
the discipline.) research and/or material. No is informed by research and views, and the scholarship. current
advanced awareness of current scholarship. work is, at least Clear research and
scholarship knowledge of research and in part, well- awareness of scholarship. A
within the the latest scholarship. informed by challenges to critical,
discipline. research and/or current established sophisticated
advanced research and views and the and nuanced
scholarship scholarship. limitations of awareness of
within the the knowledge the ambiguities
discipline. base. and limitations
of knowledge.
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)

Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

Cognitive and Wholly or Largely Limited Some critical Sound critical Excellent Exceptional
intellectual almost wholly descriptive attempt at thinking, thinking, critical critical
skills descriptive work, with critical analysis, analysis, thinking, thinking,
work. Little or superficial use thinking, synthesis and synthesis and analysis, analysis,
(Conceptual and
critical thinking,
no analysis, of critical analysis, evaluation. Can evaluation synthesis and synthesis and
analysis, synthesis synthesis or evaluation. synthesis and analyse new demonstrating evaluation. evaluation
and evaluation of evaluation. Weak evaluation, and/or abstract critical Ability to based on
research,
assumptions, development of tending concepts and thinking. investigate judiciously
abstract concepts
Failure to arguments and towards data without Ability to contradictory selected
and data (that may develop judgements. description. guidance. devise and or incomplete evidence.
be incomplete); arguments,
logic, argument and Information sustain information
judgement.) leading to accepted Some evidence An emerging persuasive and make Ability to
illogical or uncritically, to support awareness of arguments, and strong, investigate
invalid uses emerging different to review the persuasive, contradictory
judgements. generalised arguments and stances and reliability, arguments and or incomplete
Unsubstantiate statements judgements but ability to use validity and sophisticated information
d made with these may be evidence (that significance of judgements. and make
generalisations, scant evidence underdevelope may be evidence (that Some evidence strong,
made without and d or with a incomplete) to may be of independent persuasive,
use of any unsubstantiated little support the incomplete) to thought and arguments and
credible opinions. Ideas inconsistency / argument. make mostly ability to ‘see sophisticated,
evidence. sometimes mis- appropriate and beyond the nuanced,
interpretation.Mostly valid judgements.
illogical and valid question’,
arguments and Evidence of
contradictory. judgements. suggesting a
Asserts rather logical independent
grasp of the
than argues a judgements. thought and
broader field
case. Some tendency ability to ‘see
and wider
to assert/state beyond the
concepts.
opinion rather question’,
than argue on suggesting an
the basis of outstanding
reason and grasp of the
evidence. broader field
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)

Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

and wider
concepts.

Practical Limited or no Rudimentary An adequate A good and A very good An advanced Exceptional
skills use of methods, application of awareness and appropriate application of a application of a levels of
materials, tools methods, mostly application of range of range of application and
(Apply/deploy
accurately
and/or materials, tools appropriate standard methods, methods, deployment
established tools techniques. and/or application of methods, materials, tools materials, tools skills in
and techniques; techniques but well- materials, tools and/or and/or unpredictable,
initiate and carry Little or no without established and/or techniques. techniques. practical
out projects;
formulate solutions
appreciation of consideration methods, techniques. contexts,
to solve problems in the context of and materials, tools Very good The context of drawing
complex and the application. competence. and/or Clear consideration the application skilfully on the
unpredictable
contexts.) Flawed techniques. appreciation of of the context is well latest research
Limited the context of of the considered, and
appreciation of within the
understanding Basic the application. application, insightful.
the context of discipline. Can
of the appreciation of Mainly with perceptive
the application. identify
application of the context of consistent, Application
insights. Can complex
theory to Weak the application. accurate and identify and
problems and
practice or understanding Theoretical logical deployment
problems and propose
making of the knowledge and application of propose extend beyond
sophisticated
appropriate application of understanding theory to appropriateestablished
solutions.
links between theory to applied in practice, solutions conventions.
in Assimilation
the two. practice, with practice, but making complex andCan identify
and
only occasional not always appropriate complex
unpredictable
Very weak development of
evidence of making logical links between contexts. problems and
problem- cutting edge
making links between the two propose
solving skills in processes and
appropriate the two. Evidence of excellent
complex and techniques.
links between Can identify some solutions.
unpredictable Can identify problems and innovation and Innovation and
the two. Weak
contexts. problems and propose mostly creativity. creativity
problem-
solving skills in propose basic appropriate evident.
complex and solutions in solutions in
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)

Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

unpredictable complex and complex and

contexts. unpredictable unpredictable
contexts contexts.
without fully
appreciating
the complexity.

Transferable Communicatio Communicatio Can Can Can Can Can

skills for life n medium is n medium is communicate communicate communicate communicate communicate
and inappropriate poorly in a suitable effectively in a well, professionally with an
professional or misapplied. designed medium but suitable format, confidently and confidently and exceptionally
practice and/or not with some but may have consistently in consistently in high level of
Work is poorly suitable for the room for minor errors. a suitable a suitable professionalism
(Exercise of structured, audience. improvement. format. format. .
initiative and
personal
disorganised Mostly
responsibility; and/or Work is poorly Mostly ordered coherent, Work is
Work is Work is
professional confusingly presented in a presentation organised coherent, coherent, very exceptionally
development;
initiate and expressed. disjointed and structure in work, in a fluent, well-
fluent and is coherent, very
complete tasks and Very weak use manner. It is which relevant suitable structured andpresented fluent and is
procedures: of language loosely, and at ideas / concepts structure and is organised. Canprofessionally. presented
individually and/or
collaboratively; use and/or very times are reasonably for the most work very wellCan work professionally.
appropriate media inappropriate incoherently, expressed. part clearly autonomously autonomously Can work
to communicate style. Little or structured, with Work may lack expressed. Can and/or as partwith initiative. exceptionally
effectively; fluency
of expression; no evidence of information coherence in work of a team, with
Where relevant well and
clarity and autonomy (or and ideas often places. Can effectively very good
can work professionally
effectiveness in collaboration, poorly work as part of independently contribution to
professionally within a team,
presentation and
organisation.) where relevant) expressed. a team, but and/or as part group within a team, showing
in the Weak use of with limited of a team, with activities. showing advanced
completion of language involvement in clear leadership leadership
tasks. Little or and/or group contribution to Demonstrates skills as skills.
no evidence of inappropriate activities. group very good appropriate, Demonstrates
the skills style. Weak activities. graduate managing exceptional
required in independent Demonstrates employment conflict and graduate
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)

Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

graduate initiative (or the basic skills Demonstrates skills, with just meeting employment
employment. collaboration, required in the skills occasional obligations. skills and an
if relevant). graduate required in minor Demonstrates appetite for
Limited employment, graduate weakness. excellent further
evidence of the with some employment, graduate development.
skills required areas of minor with some employment
in graduate weakness. areas of skills and an
employment. strength and appetite for
some of minor further
weakness. development.