THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON

NORTHAMPTON BUSINESS SCHOOL

MODULE:

BUS3005

Module Code
BUS3005

2015-2016

Level
6

Credit Value
20

Module Tutor
Dr Mils Hills

Assignment Brief
Assignment title:

Strategic Drivers & Barriers Essay

For an industry of your choice, identify and analyse the
most important drivers and barriers affecting its
development.
Use appropriate, researched models and examples from
two countries or regions to explain your ideas.

Weighting:
Deadline:

50%

09/12/2015

Feedback and
Grades due:

Within 4 weeks

Resit Date

17/02/2016

Purpose of the Assessment

The purpose of the assignment is to assess the students ability to identify key
strategic

issues

facing

industries

globally

and

the

implications

for

industry

development.
This essay will test the students understanding of theory within the subject and their
ability to apply it to what is happening in their chosen industry today. This provides
students with the skills to review industry landscapes at both local and international
levels.

Assessment Task
This assignment needs to be presented in an essay format. The word count is 2500
words. Please submit a document using Verdana, 11pt font with 1.5 line spacing.
Please include a title page including the full essay title, your name, and student
number.
Please refer to the link below for advice on structuring your essay:
http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk/tag/structuring-essays/
Please ensure you follow the advice below and shown on the NILE site regarding
content:
Advice #1: Please do not be tempted to discuss only the industry in one (e.g. your
home) country. It is important to draw comparisons from two or more countries or
regions in order to give a balanced answer that considers issues at a global level.
Advice #2: The essence of this assignment is to give you skills in analysing key
issues facing industries at a global level. While you may include company level
examples you need to focus on the dynamics of the industry as a whole.
Advice #3: Note the key words in the title- Drivers, Barriers. Please ensure you write
the full title of the assignment as given above at the start of your assignment. This
will help you to focus on the key areas you need to address. Use the module materials
to provide you with relevant theory and academic concepts to support your
discussion.
Assessment Breakdown
Marks will be awarded in the following areas:
1. Student articulates the strategic landscape of the industry effectively showing
appropriate use of theory to frame their answer
2. Student analyses both drivers and barriers of internationalisation for that
industry drawing on relevant examples throughout
3. Student evaluates the key points made to draw sensible conclusions on the
most important aspects affecting the development of their chosen industry
4. Student demonstrates a consistently high standard of writing; knowledge of a
range of quality sources, and uses Harvard referencing correctly throughout

Assessment Submission
To submit your work, please go to the Submit your work area of the Module NILE
site. It is important that you submit your work to the correct module NILE site, and
that your work is submitted on time.
Assessment Guidance
Please refer to the advice notes for some clarity on what is needed within the
assignment. The best assignments are those that demonstrably use knowledge from
the course material and explore a range of sources that are of a high quality showing
further reading and deeper knowledge. For advice on library resources please check
the Module Handbook.
Academic Practice
This is an individual assignment. The University of Northampton policy will apply in all
cases of copying, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtained
(or attempted to obtain) an unfair advantage.
Support and guidance on assessments and academic integrity can be found from the
following resources
SkillsHub: http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk
CfAP: http://tinyurl.com/UoNCfAP
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes being addressed through this assignment are:
Knowledge and Understanding
a)

Research and evaluate a range

of key issues

in strategic

management.
b)

Apply a range of key theoretical models

Subject specific skills

d)

Apply academic models to current industry and company examples

Key Skills

e)

Identify and analyse complex strategic issues using appropriate

knowledge

f)

Articulating effective arguments in assessment tasks