BUSN11148 Contemporary Challenges in SCM Assessment Handbook T3 2024-25 | UWS

Assessment Brief:

This module includes two key assessments: a group assessment and an individual assessment, which together determine your final grade. The group assessment carries 30% of the total marks, while the individual assessment carries 70% of the total marks. To pass the module, you must achieve at least 40% in each assessment component. Additionally, after the assessments are weighted, your overall mark must be 50% or higher to pass the module.

Example – imagine your individual assessment mark is 63% and your group essay is 40%, the final mark is

63 x 0.7 + 40 x 0.3 = 44.1 + 12 = 56.1%

BUSN11148 Group assessment (30%)

Deadline: 22nd July

Background

This group activity focuses on the analysis and in-class presentation of a contemporary case study related to supply chain management challenges. The task is designed to enhance students’ ability to engage critically with real-world supply chain scenarios and relate them to the module content. 

Learning Outcome

Through this assessment, students will develop key skills in critical thinking, team collaboration, and applying theoretical concepts to real-life case studies. This activity addresses Learning Outcomes L1, L2, and L3.

Instructions:

This is a group assessment aimed at fostering teamwork and analytical thinking. Each group will work collaboratively on a case study and deliver a structured in-class presentation.

Group Formation:

• Group Size: Each group should consist of no more than 4 students.
• Formation Process: Groups will be formed during the term. It is your responsibility to find a suitable group for yourself, in case you are unable to form a group please inform the instructor immediately, in that case the instructor will create a group of all students who are unable to adjust in any group. In case you are not comfortable with the group you can talk to the instructor for solo submission.
• Collaboration: It is essential that all members actively engage in discussions, share the workload, and contribute to the final report. Groups are encouraged to meet regularly, either in person or online, to ensure consistent progress.

Paper/Case-study Selection:

Choose one case-study from the list provided by your instructor. Each group must select a different case-study. The list of available case-studies will be discussed in class and made available on Aula. Early selection is advised to ensure your group gets its preferred choice; the selection/allocation will be on a first-come, first-served basis. In Case your group want to study a particular topic, inform the instructors and they will find a relevant paper/case-study on your chosen topic.

Task:

Once your group has selected a paper/case-study, follow the steps below to complete your analysis and report:

Read the Paper/case-study Carefully:

Each group member should read the selected case-study thoroughly. It may be helpful to assign specific sections of the case-study to different members to facilitate detailed analysis and discussion. Be sure to understand the questions, methodology, findings, and conclusions presented in the case-study.

Analyse the Paper/case-study:

As a group, discuss how the paper/case-study addresses a specific contemporary supply chain issue covered in your module. Identify how the authors have approached the problem, what solutions or conclusions they propose, and how these relate to the concepts and theories discussed in your lectures. Group discussions should focus on synthesizing these insights into a cohesive analysis.
Collaboration:
Regular Meetings: Schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress, share insights, and work on the report. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the work is evenly distributed.
Conflict Resolution: If any conflicts arise within the group, try to resolve them internally through discussion.

Present your findings in Class:

Divide the Task: Assign different sections of the report to group members based on their strengths or interests. However, ensure that the final PPT is cohesive and consistent in style and tone.

Requirement

Your PPT should be concise and well-structured, adhering to the following components:

Presentation Guidelines

• Introduction (15%): Introduce the case study and the specific supply chain issue.
• Summary (15%): Highlight the key facts, issues, and challenges in the case.
• Analysis (15%): Relate the case to module theories and concepts.
• Personal Reflection (20%): Reflect on the learning derived from the case and its relevance.
• Conclusion (15%): Summarise the key learning points.
• PPT Structure (10%): Ensure logical flow, clarity, and professional design.
• Referencing (10%): Use proper academic referencing on each slide (UWS Harvard style).

Presentation Date: Decided by Instructor in class
File Format: PowerPoint (.pptx)
Submission: Only one presentation file needs to be submitted per group.
Formatting Guidelines: Example Format will be provided through AULA.
Font and Spacing: Use proper font size, visible colours, and appropriate designs.
Citation Style: Follow the UWS Harvard referencing style for all citations and references.

Evaluation

Collaboration:

Regular Meetings: Schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress, share insights, and work on the report. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the work is evenly distributed.

Conflict Resolution: If any conflicts arise within the group, try to resolve them internally through discussion.

BUSN11148 Individual assessment (70%)

Assessment Due by 08th Aug 2025

Assessing Learning Outcomes: L1, L2, L3, L4

Background:

This individual assessment centres on identifying and analysing a contemporary issue within an organization, particularly within the field of supply chain management. The task is designed to enable students to engage deeply with real-world challenges, applying theoretical knowledge and research skills to evaluate the impact of these issues on organizational performance. By focusing on a specific organization, students will develop their ability to critically assess and propose strategic solutions to contemporary supply chain problems, linking academic concepts with practical applications in the business environment.

Learning Outcome:

By completing this assessment, students will understand and analyse contemporary supply chain issues, apply relevant theories and frameworks to real-world scenarios, conduct independent research using credible sources, and develop strategic solutions to organizational challenges. These outcomes ensure that students can link theory with practice, enhance their research skills, and effectively address real-world supply chain issues.

Instructions:

In this assessment, you are required to select an organization that is currently facing a supply chain management challenge related to contemporary issues discussed in the module. You will conduct thorough research and analysis on the selected issue, using the theories and frameworks covered in the module. Your task is to write a detailed report that evaluates the impact of the challenge on the organization and proposes strategic solutions to address it effectively.

1. Select an organization:

Select an organization that is currently facing a contemporary supply chain issue. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, technology disruptions, sustainability challenges, globalization impacts, supply chain disruptions, or any other topic you covered in the module.

Justify Your Choice: Before proceeding, ensure that sufficient information is available for analysis. The chosen organization should be relevant to the course content and accessible in terms of data availability.

2. Research and Analyse:

Conduct Research:

Utilize credible sources such as industry reports, academic journals, and company publications to gather information on the selected issue. Aim to provide a well-rounded understanding of both the organization and the issue at hand.

Analyse the Issue:

Apply relevant theories and frameworks learned during the module to analyse the root causes and implications of the issue. Consider factors such as market trends, technological advancements, regulatory changes, and organizational strategies.

3. Write the Report:

Your report should be structured as follows:

Introduction (200-300 words): Introduce the organization, providing a brief overview of its operations, industry, and significance. Clearly state the contemporary issue that the organization is facing and explain why it is relevant. Back your arguments by proper academic references.

Background (200-300 words): Provide context for the issue by describing its origins, development, and current status. Discuss the broader industry or market conditions that have contributed to or exacerbated the issue. Back your arguments by proper academic references.

Analysis (500-600 words): Conduct a detailed analysis of the issue, exploring its causes, implications, and impact on the organization. Use relevant theories and frameworks from the module to support your analysis. Discuss how the issue affects the organization’s operations, performance, and competitive positioning. Back your arguments by proper academic references.

Evaluation (300-400 words): Evaluate the strategies that the organization has implemented to address the issue. Assess the effectiveness of these strategies, considering both short-term and long-term outcomes. Highlight any strengths or weaknesses in the organization’s approach. Back your arguments by proper academic references.

Recommendations (200-300 words): Based on your analysis, propose strategic solutions to address the issue. Justify your recommendations with evidence and explain how they will help the organization overcome the challenges it faces. Consider factors such as feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with the organization’s goals. Back your arguments by proper academic references.

Conclusion (100-150 words): Summarize the key findings from your analysis and restate your recommendations. Reflect on the significance of the issue for the organization and the importance of addressing it effectively.

Deliverables: A well-crafted 1500 – 1800 words (excluding reference list) report that follows the outlined structure, providing a clear, concise, and insightful analysis of the selected academic paper.

Deadline: Submit your report by the Week 11 deadline (exact deadline will be announced by Aula).

Reference List: Include a complete list of all sources used in your research. Follow the UWS Harvard referencing style.

Format: Adhere to the UWS format for report writing, including font size, margins, and spacing. Ensure your report is clear, concise, and well-organized.

Evaluation