LSC UoS BA in Business Studies
Assignment Brief
Course/Programme:
Level:
Module Title:
Module Leader:
Assignment titles:
Assignment number:
Weighting:
Eligible for late submission (3
working days, with penalty)?
Method of submission:
Special instructions for
submission (if any):
Date for results and feedback:
Employability skills assessed:
BA Business Studies
6
Global Strategic Management
Individual Report
1
100%
Yes
X Online only Online and paper
copy
C1: Reading, selecting, analysing and synthesising
information from a range of sources
C2: Producing different types of document
C3: Participating in discussions
C4: Making presentations
LP1: Develop a strategy for using a range of skills to
improve own learning and performance
IT1: Preparing information
IT2: Processing and presenting information
IT3: Reviewing the use of information technology
LP2: Review and Critically Reflect on Progress
LP3: Evaluate overall effectiveness of strategy and
present achievements
N1: Collecting and recording data
N2: Working with data
N3: Presenting your findings
PS1: Develop a strategy for using skills in problem
solving, for a short-term routine problem and a
longer term extended problem.

Learning outcomes assessed:
PS2: Monitor progress and adapt any problem
solving strategy as necessary to achieve the
quality of outcomes required when tackling one
complex problem with at least three options.
PS3: Evaluate your overall strategy considered in
PS2 and consider improvements.
S1: Plan personal work schedules
WWO2: Working towards identified targets
LO1: Demonstrate knowledge, comprehension and application
of the taught theory through active and consistent contribution
to organisations.
LO2: Understand how complex problems can be managed
within a business framework.
LO3: Critically contrast and compare related theoretical
concepts presented in the lectures and readings, and
understanding the inherent differences and similarities.
LO4: Create, develop and design strategic plans in a case study
based practical application of the taught theory.
LO5: Feel confident in arguing a strategic position based on
well researched evidence and a strong theoretical base.
 TASK DESCRIPTION – (Individual Assignment 100 %)

TASK

Write a report describing and analysing the management style of Mr David John Lewis,
the CEO of TESCO.

After undertaking an extensive research on the company, students are required to analyse
the problems, issues and challenges faced by the firm and examine the strategies used by the
CEO in order to regain the market share. The topics from the module to be covered are given
below from A to E.

For each task given (FROM A to E, you are expected to incorporate at least one appropriate
theory/model or concept. For example, you may be guided by theories from Michael Porter,
Strategic planning tools and others, for example, on strategy.

In your conclusion, you are to include at least two recommendations as to how might the
company improve the situation in the future.

A) Examine the business and corporate strategies used by the CEO which has
brought about positive contribution to the organisation? (400 words)
B) Undertake external and internal environment analysis and analyse how the
complex problems at Tesco were managed by the CEO using business
framework. (400 words)
C) Describe the strategic tools/ techniques / models used by the CEO of Tesco to
enhance the organisational performance. You may be guided by theories from
Michael Porter, Blue Ocean strategy, Strategic planning tools and others, for
example, on strategy. (400 words)
D) Examine how the CEO of Tesco created, developed and designed strategic
planning for Tesco (400 words)
E) You need to critically analyse and evaluate the different contemporary strategic
issues in strategy, clearly synthesising between the different levels of strategy
used by the CEO of Tesco. It is important to refer to a theory or theories (for
example, resource based strategy and competitiveness, innovation and
technology strategies, Blue ocean strategy) when formulating the task (400
words)

 Use appropriate corporate examples and literature to justify your stand. (300 words)
 Based on the discussion and debate what suggestions / recommendations would you
make for Tesco to sustain its position? (400 words) Feel confident in arguing a strategic
position based on well researched evidence and a strong theoretical base.
See below for the full explanation of the marking criteria

The Topic/title
1. Feel free to discuss possibilities with your lecturer. It’s usually best to research a
company and study the one that offers most information about the strategies, business
frameworks, use of appropriate strategic models, tools, theories and concepts of
strategic management.
2. ‘Describe’ means ‘this is what happened’, ‘Analyse’ means ‘this is why it happened’.
3. Recommendations could relate to the future, or to what others could learn from this
situation.
Basic Format:
 A title page, a contents page, an introduction, a main section with sub-sections, and a
recommendation, conclusion and references. Clear headings are essential. Relevant
sources of information should be cited using the Harvard referencing system.
 Any areas of doubt need to be raised with your lecturer

The tasks A to F addresses all the learning outcomes.

LENGTH
REQUIRED

A maximum of 3000 words not including contents, appendices or list of references.

 Introduction -300 words

 Task A meets L01-400 words
 Task B meets L02-400 words
 Task C meets LO3-400 words
 Task D meets L04-400 words
 Task E meets L05-400 words
 Conclusion -300 words
 Suggestions/ Recommendations-400 words

FORMATTING AND
LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Document format:
4. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a
reference using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
5. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g.
academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be
extensive.
The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed
journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable
statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing
should be in Harvard style.
 MARKING CRITERIA AND STUDENT FEEDBACK

This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by
you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a
similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which
you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.

Awarded Marks
availaMarks
Common Assessment Criteria Applied

ble
1. Research-informed Literature 20
Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources,
application of appropriate referencing conventions.
You must give credit to authors on whose research and/or
publications your report is based. Append to your submission a
reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc the you have read
or quoted in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for books:
surname of author and initials, year of publication, title of books,
edition, publisher and place of publication.
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject 20
Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the discipline.
Show good knowledge by evaluating contemporary strategic issues
and synthesise between the different levels of strategy. Critically
analyse how the different perspectives of social science disciplines
inform strategic management.
3. Analysis 30
Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement;
analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
Analyse the aims, concept and role of strategic management in your
report complete with good logic, sound argument, judgement
innovative ideas and evidence on which your arguments are based.
4. Practical Application and Deployment 20
Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application
of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve
problems.
Clearly indicate the various methods, tools and techniques employed
in your report and show how the application of theories and concepts
enhance innovative and creative solutions towards problem solving.
 5. Skills for Professional Practice 10
Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative
working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and
organisation.
Clearly indicate how attributes from your report would help the
company or organisation of your choice using collaborative working
and the deployment of the appropriate media, presentation and other
tools.
TOTAL 100

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to

ratification at the UoS Assessment Board. These comments
%
and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for 72 Hour Late Submission
guidance only until they are confirmed. ) Penalties (tick if appropriate)
GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Level 6
In accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, at the end of Level 6 students should have coherent and detailed
knowledge and a systematic understanding of their subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced
scholarship within the discipline. They will be able to accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline,
using their conceptual understanding to devise and sustain arguments and/or to solve problems. They should be aware of the uncertainty,
ambiguity and limits of knowledge. They should be able to critically evaluate evidence, arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data
(that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions. They
will apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and
to initiate and carry out projects. They will have the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary
sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline). They will demonstrate the qualities and
transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and
unpredictable contexts; the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL

FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)
Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%

Engagement Little or no Poor Engagement Engagement Engagement Engagement Exceptional

with evidence of engagement with a limited with an with a wide with an engagement
literature reading and/or with essential range of mostly appropriate range of extensive range with an
(including reading, reliance on reading. No relevant and range of research- of relevant and extensive range
referencing,
inappropriate evidence of credible research- informed credible of relevant and
academic sources. wider reading. sources. Some informed literature, literature, credible
conventions and Views and Reliance on omissions and literature, including informed by literature,
academic honesty)
findings mostly inappropriate minor errors. including sources the latest informed by
unsupported sources, and/or Referencing sources retrieved research. the latest
and non- indiscriminate conventions retrieved independently. Consistently research. High-
authoritative. use of sources. evident though independently. Selection of accurate level
Referencing Heavily reliant not always Some over- relevant and application of referencing
conventions on information applied reliance on credible referencing. skills
used gained through accurately or texts. sources. Very consistently
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)
Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
incoherently or class contact. consistently. Referencing good use of and
largely absent. Inconsistent may show referencing, professionally
and weak use minor with no/very applied.
of referencing. inaccuracies or few
inconsistencies. inaccuracies or
inconsistencies.
Knowledge Major gaps in Gaps in Limited Knowledge is Knowledge is Excellent Exceptionally
and knowledge and knowledge, knowledge and reasonably reasonably coherent and coherent and
understandin systematic with only systematic detailed, extensive detailed detailed
g (Coherent and understanding superficial understanding accurate with a coherent and knowledge and knowledge and
detailed knowledge of the subject systematic of the relevant good detailed. systematic systematic
and systematic
understanding of
matter. understanding. concepts and systematic Exhibits very understanding understanding
the subject area, at Substantial Some principles understanding good of the of the
least some of which inaccuracies. significant within the of the field of understanding principles and principles and
is informed by the
latest research
No awareness inaccuracies subject area study and to of the breadth theories of theories of the
and/or advanced of knowledge and/or which to some some extent, and depth of current subject, well-
scholarship within of the latest irrelevant limited extent, current established research and informed by
the discipline.) research and/or material. No is informed by research and views, and the scholarship. current
advanced awareness of current scholarship. work is, at least Clear research and
scholarship knowledge of research and in part, well- awareness of scholarship. A
within the the latest scholarship. informed by challenges to critical,
discipline. research and/or current established sophisticated
advanced research and views and the and nuanced
scholarship scholarship. limitations of awareness of
within the the knowledge the ambiguities
discipline. base. and limitations
of knowledge.
Cognitive and Wholly or Largely Limited Some critical Sound critical Excellent Exceptional
intellectual almost wholly descriptive attempt at thinking, thinking, critical critical
skills descriptive work, with critical analysis, analysis, thinking, thinking,
work. Little or superficial use thinking, synthesis and synthesis and analysis, analysis,
(Conceptual and
critical thinking,
no analysis, of critical analysis, evaluation. Can evaluation synthesis and synthesis and
analysis, synthesis synthesis or evaluation. synthesis and analyse new demonstrating evaluation. evaluation
and evaluation of evaluation. Weak evaluation, and/or abstract critical Ability to based on
research,
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)
Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
assumptions, Failure to development of tending concepts and thinking. investigate judiciously
abstract concepts
and data (that may
develop arguments and towards data without Ability to contradictory selected
be incomplete); arguments, judgements. description. guidance. devise and or incomplete evidence.
logic, argument and leading to Information Some evidence An emerging sustain information Ability to
judgement.)
illogical or accepted to support awareness of persuasive and make investigate
invalid uncritically, emerging different arguments, and strong, contradictory
judgements. uses arguments and stances and to review the persuasive, or incomplete
Unsubstantiate generalised judgements but ability to use reliability, arguments and information
d statements these may be evidence (that validity and sophisticated and make
generalisations, made with underdevelope may be significance of judgements. strong,
made without scant evidence d or with a incomplete) to evidence (that Some evidence persuasive,
use of any and little support the may be of independent arguments and
credible unsubstantiated inconsistency / argument. incomplete) to thought and sophisticated,
evidence. opinions. Ideas mis- Mostly valid make mostly ability to ‘see nuanced,
sometimes interpretation. arguments and appropriate and beyond the judgements.
illogical and Asserts rather logical valid question’, Evidence of
contradictory. than argues a judgements. judgements. suggesting a independent
case. Some tendency grasp of the thought and
to assert/state broader field ability to ‘see
opinion rather and wider beyond the
than argue on concepts. question’,
the basis of suggesting an
reason and outstanding
evidence. grasp of the
broader field
and wider
concepts.
Practical Limited or no Rudimentary An adequate A good and A very good An advanced Exceptional
skills use of methods, application of awareness and appropriate application of a application of a levels of
materials, tools methods, mostly application of range of range of application and
(Apply/deploy
accurately
and/or materials, tools appropriate standard methods, methods, deployment
established tools techniques. and/or application of methods, materials, tools materials, tools skills in
and techniques; Little or no techniques but well- materials, tools and/or and/or unpredictable,
initiate and carry
out projects; appreciation of without established and/or techniques. techniques. practical
formulate solutions the context of consideration methods, techniques. Very good The context of contexts,
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)
Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
to solve problems in the application. and materials, tools Clear consideration the application drawing
complex and
unpredictable
Limited competence. and/or appreciation of of the context is well skilfully on the
contexts.) understanding Flawed techniques. the context of of the considered, and latest research
of the appreciation of Basic the application. application, insightful. within the
application of the context of appreciation of Mainly with perceptive Application discipline. Can
theory to the application. the context of consistent, insights. Can and identify
practice or Weak the application. accurate and identify deployment complex
making understanding Theoretical logical problems and extend beyond problems and
appropriate of the knowledge and application of propose established propose
links between application of understanding theory to appropriate conventions. sophisticated
the two. theory to applied in practice, solutions in Can identify solutions.
Very weak practice, with practice, but making complex and complex Assimilation
problem- only occasional not always appropriate unpredictable problems and and
solving skills in evidence of making logical links between contexts. propose development of
complex and making links between the two Evidence of excellent cutting edge
unpredictable appropriate the two. Can identify some solutions. processes and
contexts. links between Can identify problems and innovation and Innovation and techniques.
the two. Weak problems and propose mostly creativity. creativity
problem- propose basic appropriate evident.
solving skills solutions in solutions in
in complex and complex and complex and
unpredictable unpredictable unpredictable
contexts. contexts contexts.
without fully
appreciating
the complexity.
Transferable Communicatio Communicatio Can Can Can Can Can
skills for life n medium is n medium is communicate communicate communicate communicate communicate
and inappropriate poorly in a suitable effectively in a well, professionally with an
professional or misapplied. designed medium but suitable format, confidently and confidently and exceptionally
practice Work is poorly and/or not with some but may have consistently in consistently in high level of
structured, suitable for the room for minor errors. a suitable a suitable professionalism
(Exercise of
initiative and disorganised audience. improvement. Mostly format. format. .
personal and/or Work is poorly Mostly ordered coherent, Work is Work is Work is
responsibility; confusingly presented in a presentation organised coherent, coherent, very exceptionally
Level 6 SATISFACTORY GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL MARGINAL FAIL
(3rd / Pass) (2.2 / Pass) (2.1 / Merit) (1st / Distinction) (1st / Distinction)
Category 0-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
professional expressed. disjointed and structure in work, in a fluent, well- fluent and is coherent, very
development;
initiate and
Very weak use manner. It is which relevant suitable structured and presented fluent and is
complete tasks and of language loosely, and at ideas / concepts structure and is organised. Can professionally. presented
procedures: and/or very times are reasonably for the most work very well Can work professionally.
individually and/or
collaboratively; use
inappropriate incoherently, expressed. part clearly autonomously autonomously Can work
appropriate media style. Little or structured, with Work may lack expressed. Can and/or as part with initiative. exceptionally
to communicate no evidence of information coherence in work of a team, with Where relevant well and
effectively; fluency
of expression; autonomy (or and ideas often places. Can effectively very good can work professionally
clarity and collaboration, poorly work as part of independently contribution to professionally within a team,
effectiveness in where relevant) expressed. a team, but and/or as part group within a team, showing
presentation and
organisation.) in the Weak use of with limited of a team, with activities. showing advanced
completion of language involvement in clear Demonstrates leadership leadership
tasks. Little or and/or group contribution to very good skills as skills.
no evidence of inappropriate activities. group graduate appropriate, Demonstrates
the skills style. Weak Demonstrates activities. employment managing exceptional
required in independent the basic skills Demonstrates skills, with just conflict and graduate
graduate initiative (or required in the skills occasional meeting employment
employment. collaboration, graduate required in minor obligations. skills and an
if relevant). employment, graduate weakness. Demonstrates appetite for
Limited with some employment, excellent further
evidence of the areas of minor with some graduate development.
skills required weakness. areas of employment
in graduate strength and skills and an
employment. some of minor appetite for
weakness. further
development.