Assessment Brief

Sept 2023/24

Assignment Briefs

Assignment A – Audit Report and Reflections on Learning – 70%

Word count – Audit Report – 3 000 words +/- 10% and Reflections on Learning – 500 words +/- 10%

Format (for submission) – Word document

Brief

For this assignment you are asked to produce an (audit) report in relation to a strategic change initiative (or a specific stream thereof) that is currently ongoing within your organization.

Examples of the type of initiative we are inviting you to focus on are:

• Strategic Plan/Vision, mission, and values
• Wellbeing
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Talent Management/Development
• Significant restructure/reorganization
• Introduction of new technology/policy/way of working
• Launch of a new product/service/business opportunity

In this audit report you are asked to ‘audit’/analyze how the chosen strategic change initiative under review has been approached, developed, and implemented within your organization by comparing what you find in your research with frameworks, models, and theories from the academic literature.

Your audit report should begin with an Executive Summary and conclude with Recommendations for your organization’s next steps/approaches to i) the strategic change process under review, and ii) future strategic change initiatives.

Your Reflection should answer the following questions:

1. How would you describe/categorize your thinking/practice in relation to strategy and change prior to this module?
2. What, if anything, has shifted as a result of your (i) involvement and engagement, and (ii) research?
3. What might this mean for your future thinking/practice as a senior leader?

Assignment A – Report Rubric

Criteria	Pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome, structure, organisation, and presentation.A logical flow, with headings and subheadings, and an appropriate allocation of word count in relation to weightings.	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome, Executive Summary. A concise summary of the overall report. A brief introduction of the initiative under review, a summary of the research undertaken, key findings and recommendations.	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome: Critical analysis.A critical analysis of how the chosen strategic change initiative under review has been approached, developed, and implemented within your organisation. Comparing and contrasting what you find in your research with frameworks, models, and theories from the literature.	30 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome: Recommendations and next steps. A summary of the recommendations in relation to next steps/approaches to i) the strategic change process under review, and ii) future strategic change initiatives.	30 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome: Reflection on Learning A concise reflexive account of:Your thinking/practice in relation to strategy and change prior to this module?What, if anything, has shifted because of your i) involvement and engagement, and ii) research?Implications of this shift for your future thinking/practice as a senior leader?	20 pts

Assignment B – Vlog – 30%

Time – 5 minutes minimum, 7 minutes maximum.

Format (for submission) – upload MP4/Zoom/YouTube link to Canvas.

For this assignment you are asked to record and submit a vlog (a video blog) outlining the key findings and recommendations from the (audit) report you completed for Assignment 1a.

Brief

Your organisation’s senior/executive management team has asked you to record a vlog (video blog) of the key findings from your strategic audit report. Your vlog will be played to the whole senior/ executive team at their next meeting, which is to be held remotely on Zoom.

The team have specifically stated that this should NOT be a formal (PowerPoint/slide) presentation, but rather an informal face-to-camera recording of your thoughts on findings and recommendations from the research you recently carried out. Your vlog should address the following questions:

In relation to the strategic change initiative/process under review:

1. What are your key findings?
2. What’s working well?
3. What must/should/could we do differently?

In relation to future strategic change initiatives/processes:

4. What must/should/could we do differently as an organisation?
5. What must/should/could we do differently as a Senior/Executive Management Team?

Assignment 1b: Vlog Rubric

Vlog Rubric Criteria	Pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome: Structure and presentation. A logical flow, answers the questions in the brief.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome: Evidence based analysis. Arguments supported by examples from the research and/or evidence from the literature.	40 pts
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome: Recommendations. Practical, workable, and innovative next steps/recommendations.	40 pts

Marking Criteria: Assignment grade boundaries

In marking individual assignments, grading is likely to equate to the following criteria. There may be occasions where weaknesses against one criterion are offset by strengths against another.

Please interpret marks in conjunction with qualitative feedback provided below.

Grade	Features of Assignment
>70%Distinction Pass	Responds to the question directly and fullyDemonstrates exceptional understanding and knowledge of a wide range oftheoretical models and applies them appropriately.Offers an original or innovative argument or perspectiveAppreciates the holistic nature of business behaviourIs highly adept and in deploying conceptsIs written with flair, style and technical precision using the Harvard referencing system correctly
60% -69%Merit Pass	Responds directly to the questionHas a clear and convincing argumentIs aware of issues involved in the questionBlends conceptual awareness withreference to texts or appropriate examplesIs coherently organisedContains discussion and analysis rather than description or narrationApplies appropriate modelsIs properly referencedIs fluently written
50% -59%Average Pass	Contains the main points and arguments but those are not fully developed or articulated or the organisation is not coherentAttempts the application of modelsIs thorough enough, but does not show much evidence of engagement with concepts or material beyond what is fundamentally required or what has been given in lectures and seminarsWork in this classification is considered good work, though not as inventive orwide-ranging as work in the Merit Class

40% -49%Borderline Fail	Descriptive rather than analytic workDoes not attempt the application of modelsCovers the basics but without realargument or conceptual insightGeneralised rather than specific attention to the questionAdequate but modest writing and presentation,referencing practice is inconsistent
35% -39%Fail	Does not cover adequate ground in response to the questionIs muddled in organisationIs poorly written and organised, does not use a referencing systemHas some grasp of what is demanded, but does not indicate understanding ofthe issue involved
<35%Significant Fail	The student does not know the material or understand the demands of thequestionSome attempt to answer the question may mean that s some marks can be given

Referencing

This module requires the use of the Harvard system of referencing. Information and guidance regarding the Harvard Referencing system is available through the following link:

Submitting your Assignment

The submission of the assignment needs to be uploaded electronically through the module Canvas site. A cover sheet will be provided on Canvas in Module Information. To upload your work, follow the path:

Canvas Site / / Assignments / Portfolio / Turnitin Link

Failure to submit by the deadline means you will receive a mark of zero, unless an extension has been received and authorised by the module leader before the deadline.

When submitting coursework on Turnitin, ensure you observe the submission notification. If you encounter any problems when uploading your work, please contact your tutor immediately via email and attach a copy of your assignment.

Feedback

All feedback and marks provided are un-moderated and maybe to subject to change during the internal and external moderation process. You should copy your work before submission. We retain the assignments for the moderation process.

Referral/Deferral

Students experience unexpected events in the few days before a deadline. These include printer failure, hard drive corruption and forgetting to make backup copies of assignments. None of these are reasons for an extension to a deadline. You should ensure that, when planning your work, you allow time to deal with these unexpected events. You should also check when the libraries are open during the holidays.

However, if you believe your circumstances justify an extension to the deadline, then you should send an e-mail to the module leader as soon as you are aware of the problem and before the deadline. If your request is refused, then you may use the Extenuating Circumstances process to ask the Board of Examiners to “defer” your assessment until a later date. Requests for extensions received after the deadline will be refused and you will be advised to seek a deferral.

However, if you believe your circumstances (such as medical or accident) justify an extension to the deadline, then you should send an e-mail to the registry with medical evidence as soon as you are aware of the problem before or after the deadline. If your request is refused, then you may use the Extenuating Circumstances process to ask the Board of Examiners to “defer” your assessment until a later date. Requests for extensions received after the deadline will be refused and you will be advised to seek a deferral.

Plagiarism and other forms of malpractice

Where any kind of malpractice is suspected regarding assessment submissions the situation will be dealt with according to the institutional policy. All students should familiarise themselves with the regulations which are available within Student Services. Please read and sign the statement on the assignment cover sheet.

Academic Misconduct

“Academic Misconduct is deemed to cover cheating, attempts to cheat, plagiarism, collusion, and any other attempts to gain an unfair advantage in assessment It is the responsibility of the student to be aware that academic misconduct, in any form, constitutes a serious offence. Penalties can range from the reduction of module marks to exclusion from the University. It is the responsibility of the student to take reasonable precautions to guard against unauthorised access by others to his/her work, both before and after assessment”. The full University policy on plagiarism, collusion and other academic misconduct can be found in the student handbook:

Student policy and regulations | Liverpool John Moores University (ljmu.ac.uk)

References/Book List

Please refer to the electronic reading list on the 7703ORYXLM Canvas site.

These lists below are starting points for your journey on this module, and you are expected to read widely from other sources to support your work and to further your own research and knowledge. The module tutor will provide guidance on this as appropriate.

• Journal of Leadership
• The Leadership Quarterly
• Harvard Business Review
• Journal of Management Studies
• British Journal of Management
• Organisational Dynamics
• MIT Sloan Management Review
• Employee Relations
• Human Resource Management Journal

Journals & Essential Books

• Aluko, A.O and Odularu, G (2019) Understanding the Impact of Strategic Management on the Maritime Crude Oil Transportation Industry in Nigeria, The Review of Black Political Economy, Sage, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 130-151. Available from:

https://doi.org/10.1177/0034644619850182

• Aluko, A.O and Odularu, G.O (2013) Oil Transportation in the Nigerian Maritime Sector: The Imperative and Economic Implications for a Strategic Business Change,

International Journal of Economic and Political Integration, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 25-35.

• Samara, K. and Serhan, O.A., 2022. Micro-foundations as a grounding for readiness-for change in knowledge sharing initiatives. International Journal of Business Performance Management, 23(1-2), pp.34-53.

• Patel, D., Samara, K. and Patel, S., 2011. Review of Knowledge Sharing: Conceptual Foundations for Micro-level Knowledge Sharing and Readiness-for Change Related Behaviours. In ICT Innovations 2010: Second International Conference, ICT Innovations 2010, Ohrid Macedonia, September 12-15, 2010. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
• Patel, S., Samara, K. and Patel, D., 2011. Inferring Causal Interpretations of Change- Readiness Using Causal-Models: A Knowledge-Based Perspective. In ICT Innovations 2010: Second International Conference, ICT Innovations 2010, Ohrid Macedonia, September 12-15, 2010. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.