Academic Writing Contemporary Developments in Business and Management

Contemporary Developments in Business and Management Activity: Prepare a management report of 3,500 to 4,000 words* on an organisation within the food manufacturing sector (Warburtons [login to view URL]) operating in a country with which you are familiar. [An organisation profile must be included in your submission as “Appendix 1”.] This report should assess the impact of external business environmental factors on the organisation and evaluate the organisation’s responses. In the case of a large organisation it is permissible to confine your report to part of the organisation. * This word limit does not include the executive summary, organization profile, tables, diagrams, appendices or references. ** Sector C10 or N77 respectively in the UK standard industrial classification (SIC) system. 1. Give a brief overview of the primary external influences to which the organisation is subject and explain the particular importance of each to the organization. This first task should contribute no more than one third of your overall report. 2. Using the following theme; Cultural differences and/or cultural change In relation to your chosen theme i. analyse its relevance to your chosen organisation and how it influences policies and decision-making within your chosen organisation or industry-sector. ii. critically evaluate the effectiveness of the organisation’s response. iii. demonstrate some areas for improvement in the response of the organisation. Guidance Notes: You must clearly demonstrate knowledge and understanding from research and wider reading than the textbook. Must be presented in a report format and style and must be structured to cover points i to iii as above. You must link theory and practise. Work must be purely based on Warburtons UK operations. Course text should be used as to ensure all relevant theory is included. Summary Assessment Criteria 1. Relevance: Directly relevant to the requirements of the assessment. (20%) 2. Knowledge: A substantial knowledge of relevant material, showing a clear grasp of themes, questions and issues therein. (20%) 3. Analysis: Good analysis, clear and orderly (20%) 4. Argument and structure: Coherent and logically structured, using an appropriate mode of argument and/or theoretical model(s). (20%) 5. Critical evaluation: Contains distinctive or independent thinking; may formulate an independent position in relation to theory and/or practice. (10%) 6. Presentation: Well written, with standard spelling and grammar, in a readable style with an acceptable format. (5%) 7. Reference to literature: Critical appraisal of up-to-date and/or appropriate literature. Recognition of different perspectives. Good use of a range of sources. (5%)