Topic: Current Issues In Management

Order Description
Assignment

For a company which is registered or has significant operations in the South West of United Kingdom (Devon, Cornwall and Somerset), you are required to:
1.Evaluate their CSR (Corporate social responsibility) against theory and best practice, and,
2.Evaluate how they are affected by one of the following current business issues covered in the unit:

– Globalisation

– Ethics

– Innovation and creativity

– E-networks and their impact on global communication
Assignment Task Details

You are to research the company using secondary sources and to make justified conclusions and recommendations based on the issues evaluated.
The report must involve a review of academic theory on the issues covered.
The report must be done in Business Report Format, and be Word processed in Arial 12 pt font. This should be a Word document.

Assessment CRITERIA
1) Theoretical Review

Sustainability and ethical theory linked to organisational CSR

Main academic theory and frameworks linked to the other current issue of your choice

Contemporary examples provided to illustrate points.

Number and quality of references used.

2) Evaluation of organisation’s CSR

Consideration of the strategic relevance to the organisation and potential impact on the organisation’s brand and competitive situation.

Audit of current practices

Identification of potential practices linked to theory review

3) Evaluate how the organisation is or could be affected by one of the other current business issues covered in the unit:

Evaluate the processes and relationships that impact or could impact on management and the organisation

4) Conclusions/Recommendations

Justified conclusions and well thought through recommendations wrt.:

CSR

Current business issue/s
5) Business Report Format
– Executive summary

Does this cover:

What are the purpose/objectives of the report?

How well were the objectives achieved?

What conclusions did you draw with the objectives of the assignment?
– Introduction

Does this cover:

What are the purpose/objectives of the report? Why are these important? (i.e. why should the reader bother to read the report?)

Scope of report (what the report will cover)

Methodology used to get information

Some Background on the issues

– BACKGROUND

Should provide the reader with the background which led up to the report being necessary.
All readers may not be familiar with the environment.

Approach and Methodology

Simple description to give reader confidence that the findings are the result of a sound approach.

Approach and Methodology

Simple description to give reader confidence that the findings are the result of a sound approach.
Findings

The principal, “earth shattering’ features you arrived at after your research, analysis and evaluations.
Conclusions

The consequences of your findings. i.e. the link between findings and recommendations.
Recommendations and Benefits

This is the most important part of a report. Most MDs will read this first – hence the executive summary.

Must clearly state what the recommendations are, qualified by:

• The benefit of following the recommendation

• The cost of implementing the recommendation

• The probable timescale

• Any likely barriers to overcome
Bibliography

The bibliography should list all sources used.

The most commonly used system is the Harvard system.

Journal or newspaper references should include volume /issue number / date / page number

Also reference website pages URL’s (addresses)

Appendices

Appendices used for information which supports the text but not essential,

i.e. statistics, tables, questionnaires.

They must be referred to in the text. (or will not be read)

Must be labelled “Appendix 1” etc.

Should be included in contents
6) Report Presentation

Well expressed + grammar/spelling (10%)

Well presented. Good “Readability (e.g. use of short paragraphs and sentences + use of headings and diagrams or tables)

Referencing done within essay and supported by reference list at end.

Structure must be easy to follow

Follow an established structure

Presentation must be professional

Language must be good, natural everyday English – no slang

Avoid jargon and use smaller words if possible rather than alternative ‘bigger’ words

Diagrams should be used if possible (simplifies concepts)

Heavy detail in appendices but only if necessary