Assessment Item 3:Business Analysis Report (50%)
Core Task
Analyse the organisation in the case study and provide recommendations to the management.
Learning Outcomes
This task assesses the following unit objectives:
3. Communicate effectively and professionally in oral and written forms in a business context;
4. Analyse the internal and external environment of a specific Australian business entity, and develop recommendations relating to contemporary management challenges
This task assesses the following Assurance of Learning (AoL) goals:
1.1- Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS) Demonstrate and apply integrated & advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles & methods;
2.1- Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO) Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation & synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory
& practice;
3.1- Professional Communication (PC) Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse
purposes, contexts and audiences
Task Requirements
Analyse the company in the case study and provide recommendations for the management in relation to a key topic.
In order to do this you will need to:
1. Briefly introduce the INTERNAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT (draw on the required readings on Organisational culture and structure)
2. Choose one of the topics below and identify potential challenges for the company that relate to it (strengths and weaknesses)
Topic 1: Managing Flexible Work Arrangements
Topic 2: Employee Rewards
Topic 3: Sustainable Tourism
3. Provide recommendations to the management which will help them address the main challenges you have identified
You are welcome to use any material you wish to gather information about the company. However, in terms of theoretical justification and explanation of models etc. reliance should be placed on books, industry reports and academic, peer reviewed journal articles, similar to the readings given in the unit.
Due Date:
4.00pm, Friday, 3 June 2016
The Case: Australia Zoo
Steve and Terri Irwin’s vision was to make Australia Zoo – the biggest and best wildlife conservation facility in the world. The zoo has over one thousand native and exotic animals, a line-up of interactive animal encounters, and a 24-hour wildlife hospital. It is set over seventy acres of bush land situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The zoo has won a series of national and international awards, including winner of the Queensland Tourism Major Tourist Attraction 2012.
Australia Zoo (initially called the Beerwah
Reptile and Fauna Park) was founded in 1970 by Lyn and Bob Irwin. Steve Irwin became famous for his ‘Crocodile Hunter’ TV series and later took over the park and renamed it Australia Zoo. Steve Irwin was killed while filming a documentary about Stingrays in 2006. His partner Terri, continues to be the public face of Australia Zoo and has won many awards for her work in conservation and tourism. The business is owned by Australia Zoo Pty Ltd.
The field trip to the Zoo will enable you to learn more about the history, structure, culture and strategy.
You will have presentations from key managers and be given an opportunity to ask critical questions. Videos and copies of other relevant material will be placed on Blackboard under ‘Field Trip’.
Business Analysis Report Structure:
Title Page Include your name, student number, name of the subject, Contents Page Introduction:
Brief outline of the structure your report will use – What will you discuss in your paper? Body (use your own sub-headings not the word ‘body’)
Brief introduction to the company and the industry; Outline of chosen topic (choose one area only) Definitions/ main elements explained in detail drawing on theory and integrating with the case Potential challenges for the company related to the topic (strengths/weaknesses based on your analysis)
Recommendations What should the company DO to address the challenges you identify?
Conclusion
Summary of your main points (no new information –just summarise what you have already discussed)
Appendices & Reference List APA Format
Business Analysis Report Format:
To obtain the full marks for report you must comply fully with the points below:
Length: 2000 words +/- 10%
• That means it is okay to be have
200 words more or less than 2000
• The word count includes all in-text referencing
• Do NOT include the cover page, contents page, reference list or appendices in your word count.
• Word count must be stated on the cover
Referencing Style: Use APA referencing both in the text of your report AND in the references list. Check the QUT Cite/Write webpage here for guidance: http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/ .
Bibliography or Reference List: Reference List (not Bibliography)
Margins: 2.5cm (all)
Line Spacing: 1.5 or 2 line
Font: Times Roman
Font-Size: 12
Headings: Numbered (formal report style)
Page Numbers: Yes, on each page
Cover page: Yes, it shows professionalism
Submission Instructions:
Follow the link, under ‘Assessment’ on the Blackboard site to upload the electronic version of your assignment to
Turnitin.Com. This is so we can check for plagiarism. To minimise the risk of making a mistake, follow the steps on the website. You do NOT need to submit a paper copy of your assignment.
Failure to submit the electronic version to the Blackboard site by the due date will incur a mark of zero so please check that your submission was successful.
Late Submission / Extensions
A mark of zero will be given for any work submitted after the due date without an approved extension. QUT’s approach reflects the expectations of professional practice where you will need to meet deadlines. If special circumstances prevent you from meeting the due date you can apply for an extension. This MUST be done using the online portal link on the unit’s blackboard site. If you have not received a response to your application by the assignment due date, you are advised to submit the work you have done by the deadline and attach a copy of the extension request receipt.
Marking, Feedback & Results
There are a number of different ways to approach an analysis of a case study. However, as is often the case in the ‘real world’ there are those that are more logical, pragmatic and better analysed and/or justified than others. Ensure you are familiar with the Marking Criteria, before commencing your report.
Follow the specific formatting requirements in order maximise your chances of a higher grade. You will receive a mark out of 100 for the assignment and this will be weighted at 50% when calculating your overall result for the unit.
Your assignments will be marked and feedback will be provided to you using the Turnitin Assessment link after the exam board.
Any requests for a review of mark must be made within seven (7) days after the results are posted using the form available on the Unit’s Blackboard Website.
Help:
There is lots of help available on how to write a report, how to reference using the APA system, and how to analyse case material.
Search the term ‘Study Skills’ on the QUT Web Site to gain access to the support services on offer, or email your unit coordinator and make a consultation appointment.
MGN446 Business in Australia, Criterion Referenced Assessment – Business Analysis Report (Item 3)
Criteria High Distinction (7) (85%) Distinction (6) (75-84%) Credit (5) (65-74%) Pass (4) (50-64%) Fail (less than 4) (0-49%)
Assurance of Learning Goal (AoL ): Knowledge & Technical Skills (K S) Demonstrate and apply integr ated & advanced discipline and p rofessional practice knowledge, incl uding knowledge of relevant research principles & methods
Depth of knowledge relating to the Australian business Scholarly and comprehensive knowledge of the Australian business Extensive knowledge of the relevant contemporary Australian business Broad knowledge of the relevant contemporary Australian business Knowledge of the key elements of the relevant contemporary Australian business Little, or no knowledge of the relevant contemporary Australian business
Identify and assess issues related to the management of
organisations
Comprehensive exploitation of theory that is skilfully explored to identify issues related to the case provided. Assessment of issues is highly creative, accurate and well justified in relation to the organisational context Theory is appropriately used and is integrated into practice related to the provided case; there is appropriate and accurate assessment of issues related to the organisational context Basic application of theory and integration to the provided case to accurately assess key issues related to the context
Adequate use of theory; integration into practice in some areas but not fully realised; Limited identification of theory and little/no evidence of application of theory to practice.
Assurance of Learning Goal ( AoL): Critical Thinking and Analysis – Critically investigate re al world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation & synthesis of discipline knowledge, includi ng theory & practice
Exhibit analytical skills through the interpretation, analysis and evaluation of information related to
business in Australia
Demonstrates sophisticated interpretation and critical analysis of the management challenges related to the topic. Theory applied in an interesting and innovative manner. Demonstrates a comprehensive
interpretation and analysis of information related to the given topic. Theory(s) related to the internal environment of business are applied effectively. Demonstrates above average ability to interpret and analyse information related to the given scenario. Key theory(s) related to the internal environment of business are applied effectively. Demonstrates a basic interpretation and analysis of information related to the given scenario. Key theory(s) related to the internal environment of business are applied effectively, yet may have minor errors or omissions. Demonstrates limited interpretation and analysis of information related to the given scenario. Key theory(s) related to the internal environment of business are applied inappropriately or have been omitted.
Recommendation(s) follow coherently from the research and analysis carried out Provides professional and balanced recommendations,
choices are prioritised; links to research & analysis are coherent & integrated into text Provides professional recommendations, with some prioritisation of choice; coherent links to foregoing research & analysis. Provides a range of relevant recommendations; links to foregoing research and analysis show some coherence. Provides some recommendations; there is some linking to the foregoing research and analysis Demonstrates little or no recommendation(s) OR not informed by research & analysis. Significant limitations
Assurance of Learning Goal (AoL – Professional Communication (PC ): Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and a udiences
Presentation, writing and referencing
Well-structured report. Fluent, coherent and concise writing style.
Material is consistently and accurately referenced. Outstanding use of grammar, syntax and spelling. Complete compliance with formatting instructions Well-structured, may have minor problems with flow. Material is referenced accurately.
Very high standard of grammar, syntax and spelling.
Complete compliance with
formatting instructions
Shows organisation and coherence.
Material is generally referenced accurately, although some minor errors and omissions are evident. High standard of grammar, syntax and spelling. Complete compliance with formatting instructions Shows some attempt to organise paper.
Most material is referenced, although with some errors and omissions.
Appropriate standard of grammar, syntax and spelling in most areas.
Complete compliance with formatting instructions
Lacks coherence and organisation.
Not all material referenced. Some reference errors or omissions.
Below standard grammar, syntax and spelling.
Formatting instructions have not been followed
4
MGN446 Assessment 2016- A3 – Business Analysis Report-S1.docx
