Reflective essay
MGT302A/BIZ303_ Assessment 1 Brief_ Reflective Essay Page 1 of 5 ASSESSMENT BRIEF Subject Code and Title MGT302A/BIZ303: Strategic Management Assessment Assessment 1 - Reflective Essay Individual/Group Individual Length 1,000 words, +/- 10% Learning Outcomes a) Describe and evaluate the objectives, aims and the primary aspects of a strategic plan whilst taking into account the vision and mission of the organisation. b) Discuss and evaluate the processes and forces that influence the strategic decision-making process in relation to business strategy. Submission Due by 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of module 3.1 (week 5) For Intensive (6 week) class: by 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of Module 3 (Week 3) Weighting 25% Total Marks 100 marks Context: An organisation typically achieves superior returns when it has a sound strategy that is well implemented. A key part of determining an organisation’s strategy is a clear understanding of the environment in which it operates. Evaluating the external as well as the internal environment in which the organisation operates is a critical part of the strategic management process. This assessment requires that you undertake an analysis of the internal business environment of OPTUS. To do so, you are required to apply Porter’s Value Chain Model to OPTUS and reflect, using an academic journal article of your choice, on how analysing the internal environment in this way can help to inform managers in creating the organisation’s strategy. Instructions: This assessment requires that you consider each of the following: ➢ A brief summary of the theory of Porter’s Value Chain Model. ➢ Analyses of OPTUS’ value chain by finding specific application to each of the value chain components and providing an overall summary showing which parts of its operations create value and which do not. MGT302A/BIZ303_ Assessment 1 Brief_ Reflective Essay Page 2 of 5 ➢ Your opinion on the usefulness and limitations of the Value Chain Model, using a Torrens Library academic journal article of your choice. This assessment is a ‘reflective essay’ which means: ➢ It is an academic analysis, using your own opinions as well as those of others. It still follows typical essay conventions, for instance, it should have a logical series of paragraphs and is structured with a beginning, middle, and end. It is appropriate to use headings for this essay. ➢ You need to critically reflect on your own thoughts and rationale, then integrate these reflections with appropriate theoretical concepts. ➢ It should be written in both the first and third person as directed in the suggested structure below. To prepare for this assessment, the following steps are advised: ➢ Step 1 - Read the subject materials and Learning Resources in Blackboard: o Understanding the organisation’s environment (module 2). o Evaluating an organisation’s internal environment (module 2.2). ➢ Step 2 - Watch the following video on Porter’s Value Chain: https://vimeo.com/112362038 ➢ Step 3 - Familiarise yourself with current information about OPTUS (Singtel Optus Pty Limited): https://www.optus.com.au/about/corporate ➢ Step 4 – Undertake additional research on the company and its industry and source additional readings, including at least one additional journal article (this article has to be sourced from the online Torrens Library) that may support your critique of Porter’s Value Chain Model. A suggested structure for your essay is as follows: ➢ Introduction (approx. 100 words). Define the purpose and scope of your essay, including what you intend to cover. Identify, in a compelling way, why the topic is important. Explain its context. This section should be written in the first person. ➢ A brief summary of Porter’s Value Chain Model (approx. 200 words). Clearly and succinctly outline the theory underpinning the approach (does not have to be detailed). Use a number of academic references (lean heavily on the provided sources in Blackboard) to support the description provided. This section should be written in the third person. ➢ Application of the model (approx. 450 words). Here, taking each component in turn, describe and analyse the OPTUS value chain. Be purposeful and specific in applying each component of the model. Integrate relevant academic references. This section should be written in the third person. ➢ Usefulness and limitations (approx. 150 words). Explain the usefulness and limitations of the Value Chain Model, supporting your arguments with at least one academic journal article of your choice from the Torrens Online Library. Note, the model does have critique and a balanced reflection should show the usefulness of additional methods of analysing the internal environment. Use references to support and justify your position. This section should be written in the first person. https://vimeo.com/112362038 https://www.optus.com.au/about/corporate MGT302A/BIZ303_ Assessment 1 Brief_ Reflective Essay Page 3 of 5 ➢ Conclusion (approx. 100 words). Summarise what you have undertaken in the essay along with the relevant conclusions and your own opinions. This section should be written in the first person. Please note the following additional information: ➢ You should adhere to the correct use of academic writing, presentation and grammar. You should use a combination of the first and third person in a reflective essay as directed. ➢ It is important to adopt the appropriate use of the latest APA edition style when citing and referencing research. It is important to provide the URL link or Torrens Library link for each source. Please comply with all academic standards of legibility and referencing. ➢ Important Notes on Research and use of Sources: You are advised to include a minimum of 5 academic references which should include textbooks and academic journals. These sources should be either from the prescribed sources listed in the study modules on Blackboard or available through the Torrens Online Library and should be accessible by your lecturer. Unless the lecturer has access, no sources from other university libraries should be used. Appropriate websites with provided URL’s may be used in addition to these. All sources should be accessible by the lecturer through the link provided in the reference list. ➢ The attached learning rubric guides the marker when awarding marks for your essay. You should use this rubric to review your paper, ensuring there is nothing you have missed. Submission Instructions: Submit your reflective essay via the Assessment link, in the main navigation menu, in MGT302A/BIZ303 Strategic Management. The learning facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades. MGT302A/BIZ303_Assessment1_ReflectiveEssay Page 4 of 5 Learning Rubric: Assessment 1 – Reflective Essay Assessment Attributes Fail (Unacceptable) 0-49% Pass (Functional) 50-64% Credit (Proficient) 65-74% Distinction (Advanced) 75 -84% High Distinction (Exceptional) 85-100% Introduction and conclusion 10% Provides poor context and does not link to the assessment in a clear and coherent way. May be missing entirely. Provides satisfactory context, however, link to the assessment is only partially clear and coherent. Provides reasonable context and link to the assessment in a fairly clear and coherent way. Provides good context and link to the assessment in a clear and coherent way. Provides excellent context and link to the assessment in an extremely clear and coherent way. Knowledge, understanding, reflections and application of Porter’s value chain model 60% Limited understanding of the required concepts and knowledge. Limited application, reflection and analysis of the model, with regards to the case study, with minimal evidence used. Some knowledge and understanding of the required concepts and knowledge. Some application, reflection and analysis of the model, with regards to the case study, with satisfactory evidence used. Thorough knowledge or understanding of the required concepts and knowledge. Thorough application, reflection and analysis of the model, with regards to the case study, with clear evidence used. Highly developed understanding of the required concepts and knowledge. Highly developed application, reflection and analysis of the model, with regards to the case study, with well substantiated evidence used. A sophisticated understanding of the required concepts and knowledge. Excellent application, reflection and analysis of the model, with regards to the case study, with a broad and significant evidence based used. Usefulness and limitations 20% Demonstrates little or no awareness of context and/or future strategy. Personal reflections are largely missing. Demonstrates limited awareness of context and/or future strategy. Personal reflections are satisfactory. Demonstrates consistent awareness of context and/or future strategy. Personal reflections are good. Demonstrates an advanced and integrated understanding of context and/or future strategy. Personal reflections are well-developed. Consistently demonstrates a systematic and critical understanding of context and/or future strategy. Personal reflections are sophisticated. MGT302A/BIZ303_Assessment1_ReflectiveEssay Page 5 of 5 Referencing, grammar and writing 10% Demonstrates inconsistent use of good quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop ideas. Doesn’t adequately reflect on the journal article. Grammar and writing style needs improvement. Demonstrates use of some relevant resources to support and develop ideas, but these are not always explicit or