LSC UoS BA in Business Studies

Assignment Brief
Course/Programme: BA Business Studies
Level: 6
Module Title: Contemporary Management Issues in the 21st Century
Module Leader:
Assignment titles: 1. Essay

Assignment number: 1
Weighting: 50%
Date given out: January 2022
Submission date: 28th February 2022
Eligible for late submission (3 Yes
working days, with penalty)?
Method of submission: X Online only Online and paper
copy
Special instructions for
submission (if any):
Date for results and feedback:
Employability skills assessed: C1: Reading, selecting, analysing and synthesising
information from a range of sources
C2: Producing different types of document
C3: Participating in discussions
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.
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
S2: Monitor and manage progress on prolonged
tasks
S3: Review achievement of objectives and the
effectiveness of your own self-management
skills
WWO2: Working towards identified targets

LO1: Understand the dynamic of business management

issues in the contemporary global business environment

Learning outcomes assessed: LO2: Critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary

management issues by synthesizing relevant theories

LO3: Assess and critically evaluate the significance of

contemporary change and the impacts on decisions,
behaviours, human capital and the organisation
configuration

LO4: Critically analyse and evaluate an organisational

situation and change so as to inform and improve
performance and enhance value

LO5: Evidence highly developed autonomous learning

skills, problem solving and the ability to clearly and
appropriately communicate findings and
recommendations.
 TASK DESCRIPTION – Individual Essay

TASK

In economics and management, scholars have traditionally assumed the existence of artefacts
such as firms, organisations and markets. Several commentators (Øystein Høvig, Inger Beate
Pettersen and Jarle Aarstad, 2017 and Sarasvathy, 2019) argue that explanation for such
artefacts requires a novel approach to the concept of venture creation.
Drawing on the concept of causation and effectuation, critically discuss this statement and its
relevance to understanding the dynamic of business management issues in the contemporary
global business environment.

LENGTH
REQUIRED

1500 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: Essay
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.

Mark
Common Assessment Criteria Applied

Awa
Mar
ks
s
1. Research-informed Literature 20
Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources,
application of appropriate referencing conventions.

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject 20

Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the discipline.

3. Analysis 30
Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement;
analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence

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.

5. Skills for Professional Practice 10

Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative
working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and
organisation.

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
conventions and sources. wider reading. sources. Some informed literature, literature, credible
academic honesty) Views and Reliance on omissions and literature, including informed by literature,
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,
(Conceptual and work. Little or superficial use thinking, synthesis and synthesis and analysis, analysis,
critical thinking, no analysis, of critical analysis, evaluation. Can evaluation synthesis and synthesis and
analysis, synthesis
and evaluation of synthesis or evaluation. synthesis and analyse new demonstrating evaluation. evaluation
research, evaluation. Weak evaluation, and/or abstract critical Ability to based on
assumptions,
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%
abstract concepts Failure to development of tending concepts and thinking. investigate judiciously
and data (that may
be incomplete);
develop arguments and towards data without Ability to contradictory selected
logic, argument and arguments, judgements. description. guidance. devise and or incomplete evidence.
judgement.) leading to Information Some evidence An emerging sustain information Ability to
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
(Apply/deploy materials, tools methods, mostly application of range of range of application and
accurately and/or materials, tools appropriate standard methods, methods, deployment
established tools
and techniques; techniques. and/or application of methods, materials, tools materials, tools skills in
initiate and carry Little or no techniques but well- materials, tools and/or and/or unpredictable,
out projects; appreciation of without established and/or techniques. techniques. practical
formulate solutions
to solve problems in 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%
complex and the application. and materials, tools Clear consideration the application drawing
unpredictable
contexts.)
Limited competence. and/or appreciation of of the context is well skilfully on the
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 in solutions in solutions 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
(Exercise of structured, suitable for the room for minor errors. a suitable a suitable professionalism
initiative and disorganised audience. improvement. Mostly format. format. .
personal
responsibility; and/or Work is poorly Mostly ordered coherent, Work is Work is Work is
professional 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%
development; expressed. disjointed and structure in work, in a fluent, well- fluent and is coherent, very
initiate and
complete tasks and
Very weak use manner. It is which relevant suitable structured and presented fluent and is
procedures: of language loosely, and at ideas / concepts structure and is organised. Can professionally. presented
individually and/or and/or very times are reasonably for the most work very well Can work professionally.
collaboratively; use
appropriate media
inappropriate incoherently, expressed. part clearly autonomously autonomously Can work
to communicate style. Little or structured, with Work may lack expressed. Can and/or as part with initiative. exceptionally
effectively; fluency no evidence of information coherence in work of a team, with Where relevant well and
of expression;
clarity and
autonomy (or and ideas often places. Can effectively very good can work professionally
effectiveness in collaboration, poorly work as part of independently contribution to professionally within a team,
presentation and where relevant) expressed. a team, but and/or as part group within a team, showing
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.