| Category |
Assignment |
Subject |
Business |
| University |
Amity University (IN) London |
Module Title |
BCM6323 Business Analysis Project |
BCM6323 Assignment Brief
1. Purpose of the Assessment
The Business Analysis module allows students to combine an investigation into an authentic business challenge with a more in-depth research report. The module integrates business knowledge accumulated during the course and gives an understanding of the application of business principles in a real-world situation.
2. Assessment Task
Below you will see the assessment tasks for the module (AS1 and AS2). You need to select an organisation (the same organisation for both assessment components) to investigate and analyse.
Since early 2020, the British economy has seen some severe and unprecedented challenges, as have other Western European economies. Not only have firms and industries been very adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that caused a significant drop in activities and incomes during prolonged periods of economic lockdowns. A great many organisations, among them some well-known High-Street stalwarts, did not survive and collapsed.
However, with the pandemic now behind us (as it seems), a long-awaited robust recovery is yet not in sight; new and no less severe challenges face the economy and the wider business environment and threaten once again the viability of British firms and industries. Prices for electricity, oil and gas have skyrocketed in Europe due to the war in Ukraine and more recently in the Middle East (armed conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and high tension between the states of Israel and Iran) that have rattled global energy markets, prompting governments, including the British government, to introduce some relief measures to households. While oil prices have come down somewhat, we have, nonetheless, continued to experience “cost of living crisis”, due to not only higher energy prices for businesses and households, aggravated by persistent inflation and relatively high consumer prices and (recently) the abolition of government support to most households by subsidising their energy bills. The long shadow of Brexit is also cast over the UK economy and unresolved challenges, brought about by the UK decision to leave the European Union, have largely disappeared from sight but remain no less serious and important.
However, some positive signs can be spotted within the business environment; inflation, that has been at its highest for several decades is coming down and the new Labour government has taken some initial steps towards boosting and facilitating foreign investments in British industries. Also, economic growth, which has been sluggish for years, is now forecasted to pick up over the next year or two.
The impact of these adverse economic developments is likely to be uneven across the economy as some industries are likely to be more vulnerable to these challenges than others; they face unprecedented cost increases, and their revenues may also be affected as consumer markets respond to the new and worrying realities of the post-pandemic and increasingly conflict-riven world.
The assessment tasks (AS1 and AS2) are to explore the impact these developments have had – and are likely to have – on business organisations but also explore the wider business environment and the new economic challenges that are likely to shape organisations’ activities and strategies in the near future.
For your assignments, you can either select an organisation to which you have access or an organisation of which information you can access via the internet. As you explore your study organisation, using theories, concepts and analytical frameworks introduced and studied in the module, you might find two questions of particular interest and helpful in guiding your work: which are the forces of change currently impacting on industries and business organisations, and how well equipped are they in dealing with the new economic challenges? (These questions are only suggestive of the approach you can take in your research).
Ensure you use the most recent information available about your study organisation.
2.1 AS1 Individual presentation weighting 30% of the mark (LO1)
You must either select an organisation to which you have access or an organisation of which information you can access via the internet, and:
1. Prepare a PowerPoint (preferably) presentation lasting 10-15 minutes. The presentation is to be delivered live online and will include a few minutes of questions and answers about the content of the presentation. You need to upload your presentation to Moodle by the deadline.
2. In your presentation, you are expected to use analytical tools and techniques and scan the external and (as possible) the internal environments and identify the influences that most prominently impact your study organisation. Use concepts and analytical frameworks such as PESTEL, Porter’s five forces, strategic groups and market segments and the resources and capabilities and the VRIO frameworks to position the organisation within its competitive environment. From your analysis of the external environment, you can identify opportunities and threats to the organisation, and from your exploration of its internal environment, identify its strengths and weaknesses – SWOT analysis. Use your findings from the SWOT analysis to consider strategic alternatives for the organisation.
3. For detail, clarification and further information, refer to the academic literature and other literature sources as appropriate as you explore the topic issues of your presentation.
Word Limit: There is no set word limit on your presentation or the number of slides. However, it is required that your presentation falls within the 10-15 min. range. Also, while the design of the presentation is at your discretion, it is expected that your slides are visually attractive and easy to read.
Style requirements: except for the titles and subtitles, you should not highlight text, which must be in Arial size 11, without indentations. The main title should be highlighted in font size 16, and the subtitles highlighted in size 14. The margins should be justified, not aligned to the left. Additionally, the space between lines should be single, and the space between paragraphs should be double.
2.2 AS2 Written assignment weighting 70% of the mark (LO2- LO4) 3000 words
Consider the same organisation you have chosen for the AS1:
1. Scan the external environment, identify the influences that most prominently impact the organisation you have chosen (key drivers of change). Use concepts and analytical frameworks such as PESTEL, Porter’s five forces, strategic groups and market segments to position the organisation within its competitive environment. Consider also the nature of the relationship the organisation has with the international economy and the opportunities and challenges brought about by globalisation – which are these, and how do they affect the organisation and its competitiveness?
2. Consider the organisation’s financial position using financial information from its balance sheet and other available financial statements.
3. Use your findings from the economic section of the PESTLE framework (and other sections from that framework as far as they have an economic impact) to outline the economic circumstances of your study organisation. Identify key economic drivers of change and/or economic opportunities and threats to the organisation.
4. For each section of your report, discuss, in an evaluative manner, the concepts and analytical frameworks as well as any issues explored using the appropriate academic literature and other literature sources.
Word Limit: The assessment should be limited to 3,000 words (+/- 10%). If the word count is more than 2,700 words or less than 3,300 words, you must revise the text judiciously to deliver work within the stated limits.
Style requirements: except for the titles and subtitles, you should not highlight text, which must be in Arial size 11, without indentations. The main title should be highlighted in font size 16, and the subtitles highlighted in size 14. The margins should be justified, not aligned to the left. Additionally, the space between lines should be single, and the space between paragraphs should be double. The work must be submitted in report form and not essay form requiring an Introduction, the main body with subtitles and a conclusion.
The report is expected to cover the following main areas:
- An introduction to the report, including background information of your study organisation, purpose and scope of the report (including structure).
- Research methodology (data collection method) and approach to analysis (analytical concepts and frameworks used).
- External environmental analysis - positioning.
- Analysis of the organisation’s financial circumstances.
- Analysis of the economic environment.
- Recommendations on strategic direction.
- References (bibliography).
3. Sources
It is expected that the Reference List of the report will contain at least fifteen sources. As a MINIMUM, the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five academic books.
4. Specific Assessment Criteria (Marking scheme)
Please note that the General Assessment Criteria will also apply.
AS1 Individual presentation weighting 30% of the mark (LO1)
Marks will be awarded as follows:
Subject knowledge and understanding (20/100)
Use of theory, analytical framework and literature (25/100)
Ability to evaluate and analyse information (25/100)
Clarity (structure, writing and delivery) (20/100)
Referencing and sources (10/100)
Total marks: 100
AS2, Individual Assignment, weight 70% of the mark (LO2 - LO4):
You are expected to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of topic issues (25/100)
Use theory and analytical frameworks (25/100)
Evaluate literature (25/100)
Structure and write accordingly to academic level 6 (15/100)
Reference and sourcing (10/100)
Total marks: 100
Highest marks will be granted to those who offer well-referenced arguments wherever appropriate. Basic response to these details with reference will pass, and efforts in between will receive average marks.
BCM6323 Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes being addressed through these assignments are:
- LO 1 – Critically synthesise tools and techniques from business and economics to analyse case studies and business problems.
- LO 2 – Critically evaluate alternative development models and the implications of globalisation and technological change.
- LO 3 – Critically evaluate and synthesise financial information to assess the financial status of an organisation.
- LO 4 –Critically evaluate the macroeconomic factors affecting an organisation
