Assessment 2 Evidenced-Based Analysis
2nd Assessment is an individual written essay – 2,000 words (+/- 10% allowed)
This is a traditional essay assignment with 2000 words, which will worth 60% of the overall module mark. Due to the highly contemporary nature of the module, the syllabus and its emphasis can change from year to year. The students are expected to demonstrate both theoretical and practical knowledge while answering the question. Students are expected to develop a greater understanding of the subject by continued and extensive reading using a range of sources while getting prepared for the assessment. It will not be sufficient to rely on material given in lectures only. Instead, the student should develop an awareness of diverse opinions, theoretical frameworks, and practical examples.
Assessment 2 Evidenced-Based Analysis
This is an individual essay assignment that must be submitted online before the submission deadline. The questions are based on the taught material throughout the academic year. Please follow all instructions carefully.
- You must choose only one question out of four.
- You must prepare your answer in a single word document so that it can be submitted as a single document via Turnitin.
- Word limit is 2000 words (+/- 10%) excluding references
- Please, name the document as “CORP3543 – Pnumber”
- You must submit your essay via Turnitin on or before Friday 10th May 2024, 12:00 PM (Noon) UK Time
- You may submit your answers at any time up to the submission time.
- You are allowed to resubmit once you have uploaded a document.
Question 1: What are the contemporary challenges and trends reshaping the retail industry?
Indicative Answer: Students are expected to explain the essence of retail, consumer behaviour, customer service and satisfaction, and some elements of marketing. They also need to clarify how digitalisation changes the shape of retail as well as consumer behaviour and expectations. Emphasis should be given to the discussion of contemporary customers’ expectations and link them to the theories of sharing economy and experience economics, which companies should take into account and adjust their business strategies accordingly. Students must provide a specific case study example(s) in their discussion: e.g., John Lewis, Thomas Cook, Deliveroo.
Assessment 2 Evidenced-Based Analysis
Question 2: Has the COVID19 pandemic disrupted the landscape of standard supply chain management concept and how?
Indicative Answer: Students must discuss the standard theories and models of the supply chain and lean management. They are also expected to examine how current pandemic challenges these existing models and debate whether businesses (and scholars) should rethink them. Specific emphasis should be given to a particular case study example of the industry sector: for instance, car manufacturing (e.g., VW, Toyota), clothing (textile) industry (e.g., Nike), technology production (e.g., HP), maritime transportation, etc. Students must demonstrate the ability to apply theories in their discussion of real-life examples.
Question 3: Mission impossible? What are the motivating factors and challenges to businesses being sustainable and how effective are contemporary sustainability strategies?
Indicative answer: Students must discuss some of the motivating factors to business being sustainable (such as consumer/NGO pressure, legislation, SDGs, climate change and threats to long-term business survival as a result of inaction) as well as the challenges to businesses being sustainable (e.g., cost, consumer apathy, shareholders, weak legislation, ‘unreachable’ parts of the supply chain etc.) Students must also discuss the effectiveness of sustainability strategies such as making changes to supply chain or manufacturing practices, adopting the SDGs or a certification system (such as ISO26000, Fairtrade etc.) and how effectiveness can be ascertained/measured. The analysis must include real-life case study examples and practical recommendations for businesses.
Assessment 2 Evidenced-Based Analysis
Question 4: Critically discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses within Industry 4.0.
Indicative Answer: Students must assess and debate the changing landscape of the world economies and the impact of technologies on the labour market. Good answers should include the critical discussion of how digitalisation has created new types of jobs and now requires new skills of potential employees. Students should also provide how digitalisation influenced other spheres of doing business and how technologies are being implemented there: supply- chain, sales, customers service, and public, private sectors, in general. Students must provide a specific case study example(s) in their discussion by examining a particular industry sector or a company: e.g., financial industry, deliveries (e.g., Deliveroo), or streaming services (Netflix vs Blockbuster).
Introduction (200-250 words)
- Introduction into the topic
- Problem statement / background of the problem / Relevance
- Research aims and objectives
Assessment 2 Evidenced-Based Analysis
Theoretical discussion of the topic (750-800 words)
- Discuss relevant theoretical frameworks and models related to your case study problem: for example, retail, digitalization, consumer behavior, international trade theories, regional integration, agency theory, stakeholder theory, supply chain and lean management, etc.
- This is a literature review section; hence, the use of academic sources is compulsory.
Example / Case study (750-800 words)
- Students must provide a specific case study example(s) in their discussion by examining a particular company or an industry sector.
- Students must demonstrate the ability to apply theories in their discussion to the real-life examples.
- Demonstration of the figures, graphs, and tables with secondary data will be beneficial. APA.
Conclusion (200-250 words)
- Provide a summary of your work
• Cover the key findings and points as the result of your work