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LEVEL 7 ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICATION

Programme:	MBA	Module Level:	7
Module:	Managing Human Capital and Entrepreneurship	Module code:	SBLC7008
Contribution to Overall Module Assessment (%):	Assignment 1- 50% Assignment 2- 50%	Assignment No(s):	Assignment 1- Report 50% Assignment 2- Presentation paper 50%
Assignment Title(s):	A New Business Start-up
Lecturer:	Apsara Hewage	Internal Verifier:	Dr. Rajendra Kumar
Hand Out Date:	09/04/2018	Submission deadline: Feedback deadline:	21/06/2018 TBC

Referencing:

In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc. that 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 book, edition, publisher: place of publication).

Disclosure:

Please include the following statement on the title page of the submitted assignment, followed by your name:

I declare that this assignment is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all materials used from the published or unpublished works of other people. All references have been duly cited.

Turnitin: All assignments must be submitted to Turnitin unless otherwise instructed by the Lecturer.

Note: the Turnitin version is the primary submission and acts as a receipt for the student. Late submission of the electronic version of the assignment will result in a late penalty mark. Penalties for late submission: Up to one week late, maximum mark of 50%. Over one week late, Refer. Only the UWTSD Extenuating Circumstances Panel may grant an extension.

YES

Learning Outcomes tested

(from module descriptor)

Assessment Criteria To achieve each outcome a student must demonstrate the ability to:

1. Critically identify, analyse, evaluate, model and make informed judgements on the complexity of factors which may contribute to the success or failure of a new venture including: – human resources and management; management knowledge; entrepreneurial skills, and development contexts which may contribute to new venture success or repositioning/change/turnaround.

· Students should be able to critically evaluate the business opportunities, make informed judgements and to develop a lucrative business plan.

2.Determine, identify and evaluate the critical tasks, resources and management planning within new venture life cycles, including the challenges and opportunities faced at each stage in the life cycle of the venture.

· Students should be able to analyse the key requirements and challenges to come out with relevant strategies for the success of the business venture.

TASK DESCRIPTION– ASSIGNMENT 1: Report – worth 50% (3000 words)

TASKS

In your role as a first time entrepreneur, you have to plan your new business start-up.

In particular, you are expected to do the following:

Task 1

Provide a brief self evaluation to justify your suitability to become an entrepreneur.

(Approximately 200 words)

Task 2

Explain the proposed business idea covering the key areas such as the product or service you wish to offer, target customers and the unique selling points of the business. Identify the window of opportunity for the proposed business idea with an analysis of the Macro and Industry environments.

(Approximately 1100 words)

Task 3

Critically analyse the Human Resource requirements and the HR strategies required for the acquisition, utilisation and retention of the Human Resources of the new business venture.

(Approximately 800 words)

Task 4

Determine the sales required to break-even point.

(Approximately 100 words)

Task 5

Analyse the challenges which might emerge at each stage in the life cycle of the venture and explain various leadership and entrepreneurial skills required for the smooth management of the business at these stages of the venture life cycle.

(Approximately 800 words)

Documentation standards – Use of proper formatting, citation and referencing standards

Structure of the Report

Cover Page

Executive Summary – It should encapsulate the overview of the entire assignment.

Table of contents

Introduction – This should cover the background, scope and the purpose of the assignment.

Discussion / answers for the tasks

Conclusion

References

Bibliography

LENGTH REQUIRED

3000 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
Length:3000 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.
Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
Document format:Report
Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a references list and bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
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.

TASK DESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT 2: Presentation paper -worth 50% (3000 words)

BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

Students are required to submit a presentation paper based on work done in assignment one.

TASKS

Students are required to submit a presentation paper based on the above, using slides (not more than fifteen slides).

NOTE that Turnitin will not accept power point so you must submit your slides as word documents.

Your slides package should consist of the visuals that you would use to prepare for a presentation of your written report to your audience. The emphasis in this task is on deployment, application and presentation which is reflected in the mark allocations for component 2.

As such you should design a professional slides package that will facilitate the presentation of your written report (assignment one), demonstrating the value of your analysis to your audience and detailing the key academic insights and emphasising the deployment, applications and presentation of these insights in the context of your business plan.

Your presentation package should therefore be a combination of the academic/ conceptual insights (with the relevant academic sources clearly indicated on each of your slides), together with the practical value of these insights being demonstrated in the context of your business plan.

The submission of your slides package should be organized and clearly structured in a report format.

Total- 15 slides (One slide is equivalent to 200 words – The PowerPoint slides notes facility can be utilised for backup information etc.)

Maximum word length allowed is 3000 words, excluding words in charts & tables and in the appendices section of your assignment.

Assignment Two is worth 50% of the final assessment of the module.

LENGTH REQUIRED

3000 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
Length:3000 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.
Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
Document format:Presentation Paper
Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a references list and bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
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.

Marking criteria and student feedback – assignment 1 (Individual Report 50%)

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.

Common Assessment Criteria Applied	Marks available	Marks Awarded
1. Research-informed Literature Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.
Use of relevant and credible sources of evidence and literature to justify the viability of the proposed business idea and the applicability of the proposed strategies.	20
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.
Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area.	20
3. Analysis Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
Breadth and depth of critical analysis of the business opportunities identified and the viability of the proposed business idea.	20
4. Practical Application and Deployment Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.
Ability to apply relevant theories, models and concepts to the scenario under discussion.	20
5. Skills for Professional Practice Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation.
Appropriate use relevant methodologies and high level of professionalism showcased throughout the coursework.	20
TOTAL	100

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the Exam Board. These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. )

Late Submission Penalties (tick if appropriate)

Marking criteria and student feedback – Assignment 2 (individualPresentation Paper 50%)

Common Assessment Criteria Applied	Marks available	Marks Awarded
1. Research-informed Literature Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.
Use of relevant and credible sources of evidence and literature to justify the viability of the proposed business idea and the applicability of the proposed strategies.	10
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.
Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area.	15
3. Analysis Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence, as the basis of key academic insights to be included in your presentation package.	15
4. Practical Application and Deployment Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.
Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems in the context of your Business plan	30
5. Skills for Professional Practice Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation.
Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation of the slides package consisting of the visuals you would employ in your presentation to attract support from your chosen audience.	30
TOTAL	100

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the Exam Board. These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. )

Late Submission Penalties (tick if appropriate)

GUIDANCE FOR Students IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria overleaf and specifically aligned to the “exceptional” outcome category to which we anticipate students aspire.

Research-informed Literature

Your work must embed and be informed and supported by relevant and credible scholarly material that is accessible in the learned journals listed on the module schedule. You should refer to at least 25 such sources. Additionally, you should refer to text books, current news items and benchmark your organisation against other organisations to ensure your assignment is current and up-to-date. High-level referencing skills using the Harvard Method must be demonstrated throughout your work and all sources listed alphabetically within your bibliography.

Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area. This means that within your work, you should provide evidence of your growing mastery in critical awareness of current challenges, new insights and the constant need for innovation within the field. Furthermore, a critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge and even understanding, should be considered and examples of such, illustrated within your work.

Analysis

To be considered masters worthy, your work must contain evidence of analysis, evaluation and synthesis. This means not just describing “What!” but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? And at what cost! At all times, you must provide justification of your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others on matters occurring in the real world of business is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work. Your choice of methodologies to gather data and information must be rigorously defended. Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments in the absence of complete data, since within the real world of work, we rarely have access to, or know all the information! Persuasive conclusions are especially necessary and must be derived from the content of your work – there should be no new information presented within your conclusion. Your work should aspire to resemble work which is of journal publishable quality.

Practical Application and Deployment

It is essential that you rationalise how you decided upon certain methods, materials, tools and techniques to inform and complete your work. You must demonstrate what informed your decision(s) to apply certain concepts that enabled you to formulate innovative and creative solutions to the challenges presented to you or that you identified for yourself. Plausible, costed and justifiable recommendations are demanded and where these are absent, your work is undermined. Your work should provide evidence that you are growing in mastery in developing cutting edge processes and techniques within the subject area.

Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of your attributes in the application of professional practice. This includes demonstrating that you are highly capable of individual and collaborative working. Regarding the presentation of your work, you must demonstrate your ability to select and deploy the appropriate media that is “fit for purpose. Additionally, you must exhibit your ability to: communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism; work professionally, autonomously and within a team; develop leadership skills; and produce/present work that is coherent, cogent and specifically addresses the challenges set for you or you have set yourself. Importantly, your work should be easily understood by specialists and non-specialists in the field.

LEVEL 7 – COMMON ASSESSMENT AND MARKING CRITERIA
	OUTRIGHT FAIL	FAIL	UNSATISFACTORY	SATISFACTORY	GOOD	EXCELLENT	EXCEPTIONAL
Assessment Criteria	0-29%	30-39%*	40-49%	50-59%	60-69%	70-79%	80-100%
1. Research-informed Literature Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions	Little or no evidence of reading. Views and findings unsupported and non-authoritative. Referencing conventions largely ignored.	Poor evidence of reading and/or of reliance on inappropriate sources, and/or indiscriminate use of sources. Referencing conventions used inconsistently.	References to a limited range of mostly relevant sources. Referencing conventions not always applied consistently.	Inclusion of research-informed literature, including sources retrieved independently. Some omissions and minor errors. Referencing conventions mostly consistently applied	Inclusion of a wide range of research-informed literature, including sources retrieved independently. Selection of relevant and credible sources. Very good use of referencing conventions, consistently applied.	A comprehensive range of research informed literature embedded in the work. Excellent selection of relevant and credible sources. High-level referencing skills, consistently applied.	Outstanding knowledge of research-informed literature embedded in the work. Outstanding selection of relevant and credible sources. High-level referencing skills consistently and professionally applied
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject Extent of systematic knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.	Major gaps in knowledge and understanding of material at this level. Substantial inaccuracies.	Gaps in knowledge, with only superficial understanding. Some significant inaccuracies.	Some evidence of knowledge and understanding of current and relevant concepts and underlying principles but with gaps or errors.	Knowledge is generally accurate with a satisfactory understanding of the field of study.	Knowledge is extensive. Exhibits understanding of the breadth and depth of established and contemporary views.	Excellent mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills, with an excellent critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of the field. Clear awareness of challenges to established views and the limitations of the knowledge base.	Exceptional mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills, with an exceptional critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of the field. A critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge.
3. Analysis Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence	Unsubstantiated generalisations, made without use of any credible evidence. Lack of logic, leading to unsupportable/ missing conclusions. Lack of any attempt to analyse, synthesise or evaluate.	Some evidence of analytical intellectual skills, but for the most part descriptive. Ideas/findings sometimes illogical and contradictory. Generalised statements made with scant evidence. Conclusions lack relevance.	Evidence of some logical, critical thinking and some attempts to synthesise, albeit with weaknesses. Some evidence to support findings/ views, but evidence not consistently interpreted. Some relevant conclusions and recommendations, But not always well linked to other material.	Evidence of some logical, analytical, critical thinking and synthesis. Can analyse new and/or complex data and situations without guidance. An emerging awareness of different stances and ability to use evidence to support the argument. Some conclusions and recommendations, where relevant	Evaluates methodologies, current research and ideas critically and, where appropriate, proposes new hypotheses/ideas. Evaluates and synthesises complex issues both systematically and creatively. Makes sound judgements and proposes convincing arguments in the absence of complete data. Sound, convincing conclusions / recommendations.	Excellent critical evaluation of methodologies, current research and ideas and, where appropriate, proposes new hypotheses/ ideas. Evaluates and synthesises complex issues systematically and creatively. Makes excellent judgements and proposes convincing arguments in the absence of complete data. Strong, persuasive, conclusions, justifiable recommendations. Work is of conference publishable quality.	Exceptional critical evaluation of methodologies, current research and ideas and, where appropriate, proposes new hypotheses/ ideas. Evaluates and synthesises complex issues at a high level of mastery. Makes outstanding judgements and proposes highly convincing arguments in the absence of complete data. Highly persuasive conclusions. Work is of journal publishable quality.
4. Practical Application and Deployment Effective deployment of appropriate methods, materials, tools and techniques; extent of skill demonstrated in the application of concepts to a variety of processes and/or contexts; formulation of innovative, original and creative solutions to solve problems.	Limited or no use of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Little or no appreciation of the context of the application.	Rudimentary application of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques but without consideration and competence. Flawed appreciation of the context of the application.	Some awareness and mostly appropriate application of well established methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Some appreciation of the context of the application.	A satisfactory and appropriate application of standard methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Satisfactory appreciation of the context of the application, with some use of examples, where relevant.	A very good application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. Very good consideration of the context of the application, with perceptive use of examples, where relevant. Evidence of some originality, innovation and creativity.	An advanced application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques. The context of the application is well considered, with extensive use of relevant examples. Application and deployment extend beyond established conventions. Originality, innovation and/or creativity evident throughout.	Outstanding levels of application and deployment skills. Assimilation and development of cutting edge processes and techniques.

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Demonstrates attributes expected in professional practice including: individual initiative and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media to communicate (including written and oral); clarity and effectiveness in presentation and organisation.

Communication media is inappropriate or misapplied.

Little or no evidence of autonomy in the completion of tasks.

Work is poorly structured and/or largely incoherent.

Media is poorly designed and/or not suitable for the audience.

Poor independent or collaborative initiative.

Work lacks structure, organisation, and/or coherence

Communication is not clear .

Limited independent work and limited involvement in group activities.

Work lacks coherence in places and in need of amendments to the structure.

Can communicate effectively in a suitable format, but may have minor errors.

Can work effectively autonomously and as part of a team, with some involvement in group activities.

Mostly coherent work and is in a suitable structure.

Can communicate well, confidently and consistently in a suitable format.

Can work very well autonomously and as part of a team, with very good contribution to group activities.

Work is coherent and fluent and is well structured and organised.

Can communicate professionally and, confidently in a suitable format.

Can work professionally autonomously and within a team, showing leadership skills as appropriate, managing conflict and meeting obligations.

Work is coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally.

Can communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism.

Can work exceptionally well and professionally autonomously and within a team, showing advanced leadership skills.

Work is exceptionally coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally.

4. Practical Application and Deployment

Effective deployment of appropriate methods, materials, tools and techniques; extent of skill demonstrated in the application of concepts to a variety of processes and/or contexts; formulation of innovative, original and creative solutions to solve problems.

Limited or no use of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Little or no appreciation of the context of the application.

Rudimentary application of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques but without consideration and competence. Flawed appreciation of the context of the application.

Some awareness and mostly appropriate application of well established methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Some appreciation of the context of the application.

A satisfactory and appropriate application of standard methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Satisfactory appreciation of the context of the application, with some use of examples, where relevant.

A very good application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Very good consideration of the context of the application, with perceptive use of examples, where relevant.

Evidence of some originality, innovation and creativity.

An advanced application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

The context of the application is well considered, with extensive use of relevant examples.

Application and deployment extend beyond established conventions. Originality, innovation and/or creativity evident throughout.

Outstanding levels of application and deployment skills. Assimilation and development of cutting edge processes and techniques.