Programme:
BSc (Hons) Global Business Management
BSc (Hons) Global Business Management (Logistics and Supply Chain)
BSc (Hons) Global Business Management (Marketing)
BSc (Hons) Global Business Management (Human Resources)
BSc (Hons) International Tourism, Hospitality & Events
BSc (Hons) International Banking & Finance
BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance
BSc (Hons) Global Business Management (Finance)
BSc (Hons) Business Enterprise, Innovation and Management
Module Code:
LD6063
Module Title:
Contemporary Business Enquiry
Distributed on:
May 2024
Submission Time and Date:
Proposal Form to be submitted by 11.59 GMT (TBC)
Literature review to be submitted by 11.59 GMT (TBC)
Word Limit:
5,000 words (including a 500-word proposal form)
Weighting
This coursework accounts for 100% of the total mark for this module (please see % weighting marks breakdown below)
Submission of Assessment
The Proposal and the Literature Review to be submitted online via Turnitin by the stated deadlines. You will find a Turnitin link on the module’s eLP site.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment arrives before the submission deadline stated above. See the University policy on late submission of work.
Please note that assignments are subject to anonymous marking.
Instructions on Assessment:
You are required to write a 5,000-word critical literature review based on a synthesis of business practice and academic theory on an individual topic of your choice. Your literature review will focus upon a contemporary issue within the business and management discipline of your named programme. The assessment will be divided into 2 related parts:
Part 1:
Topic Proposal Form (500 words)
As part of the assessment, you will be required to submit a topic proposal form through Turnitin for tutor approval in week 6 of the semester. The proposal will hold 5% weighting and contribute towards the final marks awarded, this must be uploaded on to the Bb Turnitin folder by the stated deadline. Failure to submit a proposal form by the submission deadline will automatically result in a 0 mark for the proposal section.
The topic proposal form should include the following:
Introduction: A brief overview of your intended Business Enquiry: topic, focus, specific overarching aim and objectives to the study.
Literature: You should identify and briefly provide details of the main academic concepts and theories that you think, at this initial stage, will be useful in helping you explore your business enquiry.
References: You should identify at least 6 up-to-date professional and academic sources connected to your business enquiry.
Part 2:
Main Body of the Literature Review (4,500 words)
Your summative critical literature review should include the following:
An appropriate title (to reflect your focused Business Enquiry),
An abstract (maximum 300 words) and a set of related keywords,
An introduction justifying the contemporary nature (importance) of the topic selected,
A coherent and sectionalized structure covering the chosen topic and associated sub-themes,
A summary/conclusion section including linkages between business practice and academic theory,
A reference list and associate application using the APA referencing convention.
A copy of your original topic proposal form should also be attached after your reference list.
Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives
Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):
6.1.1 Appraise knowledge of contemporary professional practice in business and management informed by theory and research.
6.1.2 Appraise knowledge of business and management to complex problems in or related to professional practice in order to identify justifiable, sustainable and responsible solutions.
Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA):
6.3.2 Critique their personal skills and attitudes for progression to post-graduate contexts including professional work, entrepreneurship and higher level study.
Personal Values Attributes (Global/Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA)
6.1.3 Appraise an awareness of the cultural and ethical contexts in which international business operates.
6.2.2 Critique creative and critical thinking skills that involve independence, understanding, justification and the ability to challenge the thinking of self and others.
Module Specific Assessment Criteria and Rubric
The marking scheme for the assessment is provided in grid form indicating the weighting for the respective components of the assessment. This comprises:
Topic Proposal (5%)
Structure & Presentation (10%)
Abstract & Keywords (5%)
Main Body (50%)
References (10%)
Summary/Conclusions (20%)
Hand out, Hand in Timeline
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Hand out
Topic
Proposal form submission
Literature Review
Hand In
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
You are advised to read the guidance for students regarding assessment policies. They are available online here.
Academic Misconduct
The Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) contain the Regulations and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems, and other forms of academic misconduct.
The full policy is available here
You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems, and other forms of academic misconduct, as referred to in the Academic Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations, are taken very seriously. Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.
Late submission of work
Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following penalties will apply. For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark.
For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total available marks will have been deducted.
The Penalty does not apply to Pass/Fail Modules, i.e. there will be no penalty for late submission if assessments on Pass/Fail are submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline.
Coursework submitted more than 1 day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval will be marked as zero but will be eligible for referral. The reassessment should where appropriate, and as determined by the Module Leader, be the same method (e.g. essay) but maybe with a different task (e.g. different essay title) or with the same task (e.g. the same essay title) as indicated in the Module handbook.
In modules where there is more than one assessment component, Students are not required to complete all assessment components if an overall Pass Mark (40% UG, 50% PGT) has been achieved.
The only permitted exception will be in cases where the University is prevented from doing so by a PSRB requirement. In the case of PSRB requirements, a variation order will be required from the regulations.
In modules, where there is more than one assessment component and an overall pass mark has not been achieved, Students will be eligible for a referral* in the individual failed module and/or not attempted component(s) of assessment.
These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
The full policy can be found here
Word limits
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include:
appendices, glossary, tables, final reference list.
Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.
If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA this will be regarded as academic misconduct.
For those assessments where students are required to keep to the word limit, it is proposed that they should be informed that the marker will stop reading at the point when they judge that the word limit exceeds the recommended word count by more than 10%. The marker will indicate the point at which they stop reading on the text.
Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment (including ALL appendices) and it must be made available within 24hours of them requesting it be submitted.
The full Word Limit Policy is available here
TM9644/ LD6063 Marking Criteria
Criteria
Scales
Completely Insufficient
0-29%
Insufficient
30-39%
Adequate
40-49%
Good
50-59%
Very Good
60-69%
Excellent
70-79%
Outstanding
80-89%
Exemplary
90-100%
Topic Proposal
(5% of the mark)
Completely Insufficient detail
[0]
Insufficient lacks adequate overview of business enquiry, no aim or objectives & weak or inappropriate references
[0]
Adequate overview of business enquiry provided, may lack or have poorly constructed/ generic aim or objectives, adequate but limited inclusion of/or generic references
[1]
Good well produced overview of business issue, appropriate aim & objectives, demonstrates clear appreciation of the enquiry, current & appropriate references noted
[1-<2]
Very Good clear well justified enquiry topic, appropriate & well constructed aim/ objectives to the review, current & well researched references noted
[2]
Excellent proposal, strong evidence of subject understanding & justification for issue, well constructed aim/ objectives & very well incorporated choice of references.
[3]
Outstanding proposal, well constructed, focused & supported aim/ objectives & list of references demonstrates high quality & focused selection.
[4]
Exemplar proposal, well constructed, focused & supported aim/ objectives & list of references demonstrates high quality & focused selection
[5]
Structure and Presentation
(10% of mark)
Completely insufficient lacks a coherent structure, lacks a flow. Arguments are superficial. Significant mistakes in use of English which significantly impact on readability and the student’s ability to form coherent arguments
[0 – <3]
insufficient lacks a coherent structure, lacks a flow. Arguments are superficial. Significant mistakes in use of English which significantly impact on readability and the student’s ability to form coherent arguments
[3-<4]
Adequate needs a greater coherence in structure, lacking a little in flow. Argument are at times superficial. Some mistakes in use of English which has some impact on the student’s ability to form arguments
[4]
Good some evidence of the ability to structure arguments. Reasonable but perhaps simplistic flow. A few minor English mistakes that has little impact on the student’s ability to form arguments
[5]
Very Good clear evidence of the ability to structure arguments. The flow of arguments are strong and well supported with appropriate references. English mistakes, if they do exists, are of a very minor nature and have no impact of coherence of argument.
[6]
Excellent strong evidence of the ability to design a set of mutually supporting arguments. Arguments are very well supported with appropriate peer reviewed references. English errors are absent. Student shows evidence in the ability to choose words carefully in the building of arguments.
A clear and well signposted document is presented.
[7]
Outstanding evidence of the ability to design a set of mutually supporting arguments. Arguments are very well supported with appropriate peer reviewed references. English errors are absent. Student shows strong evidence in the ability to choose words carefully in the building of arguments.
[8]
Exemplar Excellent evidence of the ability to design a set of mutually supporting arguments. Arguments are extremely well supported with the most appropriate peer reviewed references. English errors are absent. Student shows a very mature ability to choose words carefully in the building of arguments.
[9 - 10]
Abstract
(5% of mark)
Completely Insufficient in respect to either no abstract being provided or what has provides no clear overview about the content and outcomes of their research/analysis, further there may be no keywords provided.
[0]
Insufficient in respect to either no abstract or what has been provided is a poor overview about the content and outcomes of their research/analysis, further there may be no keywords provided.
[0]
Adequate in its coverage of the assignment, one or more of the components expected in an abstract are missing; the keywords are either missing or lack sufficient scope.
[1]
Good presentation of the abstract in that the majority of the required components are provided, accompanied by keywords that are meaningful.
[1-2]
Very Good abstract in that all of the necessary components are in place and that the keywords cover the contents of the paper.
[2]
Excellent abstract and keywords that provide a comprehensive coverage of the assignment’s contents.
[3]
Outstanding abstract structure, not only providing a clear assignment summary but also identifying its contribution to analyzing the extant literature, supporting by a comprehensive range of keywords.
[4]
Exemplar abstract, not only providing a clear assignment summary but also identifying its contribution to knowledge and gaps for further investigation, supporting by appropriate and comprehensive set of keywords.
[5]
References
(10% of mark)
Completely insufficient in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
References list appears rather dated given the topic is an examination of a contemporary business issues.
The majority of references are from non-peer reviewed sources.
In main text – references use is superficial and contributed little or anything to the support of arguments.
[0-3]
Insufficient in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
References list appears a little dated given the topic is an examination of a contemporary business issues.
The high proportion of references are from non-peer reviewed sources.
In main text – references use is weak and contributed little to the support of arguments.
[3-<4]
Adequate in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
References list appears somewhat dated given the topic is an examination of a contemporary business issues.
A significant proportion of references are from non-peer reviewed sources.
In main text –greater use could have been made of referencing to support the development of arguments.
[4]
Good in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
The majority of references appear recent and many older references are from seminal sources with respect to an examination of a contemporary business issues.
A significant proportion of references are from -peer reviewed sources.
In main text – some reasonable use of references (including direct quotes) is made to support the development of arguments.
[5]
Very Good in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
A significant majority of references appear recent and many older references are from seminal sources with respect to an examination of a contemporary business issues.
In main text –good use of references (including a number of direct quotes) is made to support the development of arguments.
The vast majority references are from -peer reviewed and other credible sources e.g. BBC
In main text – reasonable use of references (including direct quotes) is made to support the development of arguments.
[6]
Excellent in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
All references appear recent except for those relating to seminal sources consistent with an examination of a contemporary business issues.
In main text –very good use of references (including a number of direct quotes) is made to support the development of critical arguments.
Almost all references are from peer reviewed and other credible sources e.g. BBC
In main text –references (including direct quotes) is made to support the development of critical arguments.
[7]
Outstanding in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
All references appear recent except for those relating to seminal sources consistent with an examination of a contemporary business issues.
Student is aware of literature/references that both support and reject their viewpoint and engages and discusses both. Use of direct quotes is common in presenting the arguments of others in relationship to their own.
Almost all references are from leading peer reviewed sources and other credible sources e.g. BBC
In main text –references (including direct quotes) is made to support the development of critical arguments.
[8]
Exemplar in respect to quantity of references with respect to a 5,000 word level 6 assignment.
All references appear recent except for those relating to seminal sources consistent with an examination of a contemporary business issues.
Student is aware of the majority of issues that form the basis of current scholarly discussion in the area of their contemporary issue topic.
All references are from leading peer reviewed sources and other credible sources e.g. BBC
In main text – The use of both direct and indirect quotes expressing differing viewpoints is normal. The student understands the tensions inherent within their literature base and produces deep insights
[9 – 10]
Body of the paper
(50% of mark)
Completely Insufficient the topic is overly simplistic against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
There is no clear objectives. The introduction fails to justify the importance/value of topic.
Lacks a clear structure/signposting. Arguments are simplistic poor supported by references (if at all). Arguments are at times quite wrong.
Fails to identify appropriate literature consistent with the topic under examination.
Fails to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Fails to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Fails to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Fails to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[0-<15]
Insufficient the topic is too simplistic against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives needed to be stated more clearly. The importance/value of topic needed clearer justification.
Needed clearer structuring/signposting. Arguments are at times simplistic and weakly supported by references (if at all). Arguments are at times quite wrong.
Fails to identify appropriate literature consistent with the topic under examination.
Insufficient with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Insufficient with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Insufficient with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Insufficient with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[15 -<20]
Adequate the topic is adequate against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives are reasonable but not challenging. The importance/value of topic is reasonably justified.
Some reasonable structuring/signposting. Arguments are reasonable but needed to be more critical and better supported with evidence (e.g. references)
Adequate with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Adequate with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Adequate with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Adequate with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[20-<25]
Good the topic is good against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives are sensible and achievable but not overly challenging. The importance/value of topic is well justified.
Essay shows good structuring/signposting. Arguments are generally sound but would benefit greater critical analysis and stronger evidence (e.g. references)
Good with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Good with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Good with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Good with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[25-<30]
Very Good the topic is reasonably challenging against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives are appropriate, achievable, and reasonably challenging. The importance/value of topic is very well justified.
Essay shows very good structuring/signposting. Arguments are sound and show at times clear evidence of critical analysis.
Very good with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Very Good with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Very good with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Very good with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[30 - 34]
Excellent the topic is challenging against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives are challenging but achievable and The importance/value of topic is extremely well justified.
Essay shows excellent structuring/signposting. Arguments are critical/compelling and build upon each other to a conclusion
Excellent with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Excellent with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Excellent with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Excellent with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[35-<40]
Outstanding the topic is very challenging against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives are very challenging but achievable and The importance/value of topic is extremely well justified.
Essay shows excellent structuring/signposting. Arguments are critical/compelling and build upon each other to a conclusion
Excellent with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Excellent with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Excellent with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Excellent with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[40-<45]
Exemplar the topic is very challenging against expectations relating to a contemporary business issue at level 6.
Objectives are very challenging but achievable and The importance/value of topic is extremely well justified and the topic is central to current scholarly research.
Essay shows exemplary structuring/signposting. Arguments are critical/compelling and build upon each other to a meta argument.
Outstanding with respect to Acquire knowledge of functional areas of business and management
Outstanding with respect to Acquire knowledge of specialist areas of business
Outstanding with respect to Apply their knowledge to business and management contexts
Outstanding with respect to Conduct contemporary research into business and management
[45 - 50]
Assignment Summary/
Conclusion
(20% of mark)
Non-existent to very brief summary, completely insufficient in terms of evaluating or concluding the key findings of the literature review.
[0 -<6]
The conclusions is insufficient in detail in terms of summarizing the key findings of the literature review that is the core content of the journal-style paper presented
[6 -<8]
There is an adequate description of the key content of the paper, although some of this tends to be repetitive of the core content of the literature review.
[8 -<10]
The summary is good but could be improved. The conclusion provides a clear summary, without repetition of the core content of the literature review.
[11 - 12]
The summary is very good in that some attempt is being made to identify the contribution to knowledge/practice provided by the assignment, the summary avoids repetition, but the above is extending the evaluation by moving to contribution.
[12 - <14]
The summary is excellent in that it successfully identifies the contribution to knowledge/practice provided by the paper, the summary avoids repetition, but it positively extends the evaluation by moving to contribution.
[14 - <16]
The summary is outstanding in that it successfully identifies the contribution to knowledge/practice provided by the paper and points to avenues for further study, the summary avoids repetition, but it positively extends the evaluation by moving to contribution areas for extension of the research presented.
[16 - <18]
The summary is Exemplary in that it successfully identifies a significant contribution(s) to knowledge/practice and points to avenues for further development, the summary has no repetition, but it positively and effectively extends the evaluation by moving to contribution areas for extension of the research presented.
[18 - 20]
Overall Comments
Clear Fail - The assignment has a number of serious weaknesses. The student is completely insufficient in demonstrating that he/she understands what is expected from an examination of a contemporary business issue.
[0 – 29]
The assignment is a Marginal Fail in that at least one major aspect fails to meet the assessment brief of developing a critical literature review to better understand/manage some contemporary business issue
[30-<40]
The assignment is adequate, but there are likely to be weaknesses in presentation and the ability to write critically. The adequate summary may likely have the same gaps in evaluation in relation to business practice and its relationship to academic theory
[40 – 49]
The quality of the assignment is good and fairly easy to follow. The student shows good understanding of the relevant literature, and its relationship to business practice although there is more scope for being evaluative, this extending to the summary provided.
[50 – 59]
The quality of the assignment is very good and easy to follow. The student shows very good understanding of the relevant literature, and its relationship to business practice although there is probably more scope for being evaluative, this extending to the summary provided.
[60 – 69]
The quality of the assignment is excellent and compelling in terms of its well-supported conclusions. The student shows excellent understanding of the relevant literature, and its relationship to business practice.
[70 – 79]
The quality of the assignment is outstanding and compelling in terms of its well-supported conclusions. The student shows an excellent awareness of the current academic debates in their field and their implications for “best business practice”.
[80 –89]
The quality of the assignment is Exemplary and absolutely compelling in terms of its extremely well supported conclusions. The student shows an exceptional awareness of the current academic debates in their field and its implications for “best business practice”.
[90-100]
