Submission Deadline Marks and Feedback

Before 10am on: 20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)

15 working days after deadline (L6)
18/10/2019 10 working days after deadline (block delivery)

Click or tap to enter a date.

Unit title & code
Assignment number and title
Assignment type
Weighting of assignment
Size or length of assessment
Unit learning outcomes
Strategy and the Global Competitive Environment BSS058-6
1: Report on a Contemporary External Strategic Environment
WR-I
40%
Up to 2400 words
1. Nature and purpose of strategy, strategic analysis, its theoretical underpinnings and implications for
marketing. Demonstrate an, analytic and persuasive understanding of the strategy process

2. Think strategically and increased confidence handling and discussing complex, current events;
Deploy analytical tools of strategic and marketing management, synthesise, evaluate and develop
appropriate strategic and marketing options.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Select an article published in a quality newspaper during the past month that can be identified as relating to a focused, contemporary
external strategic environment (in nature this could be political, economic, demographic, social, technological, environmental, legal etc).
Use this as the starting point for a strategic analysis of that identified environment, viewed from the perspective of two relevant
organizations. What are the strategic implications of what is being reported in the article? What is the wider context in terms of trends,
drivers and prevalent discourse? What are the considerations for the industry as a whole and the organisations you have selected to focus
on?
Compare and contrast the position of these two organisations in terms of the strategic environment and evaluate the opportunities and
threats it presents.
What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

Collect and critically analyse, to an acceptable level, relevant data to identify and analyse the given strategic environment from the
perspective of a real firm Select and apply relevant strategic frameworks or approaches to generate critical insights relevant to the
organization.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

Justify the selection of the article and articulate clearly the strategic environment identified. Identify two relevant organisations from
whose perspective the analysis can be conducted.

Produce a professional and compelling evaluation of a contemporary external environment viewed from the perspective of two relevant
organisations. Students should select organisations that offer the prospect of insightful comparative analysis – perhaps the external
environment presents contrasting challenges. Assignments attracting the highest marks will be focused, analytical and evidenced
thoroughly. Presented professionally, make sure your submission is discursive, and analytical throughout and draw on a good range of
quality academic sources – especially up to date academic journals - not spurious web-based sources. You should reference properly
throughout.

You will need to interpret the brief and remember that the work will help to inform your A2. You will attract marks for good, critical
analysis. Make strategic judgments and produce a convincing case. Organise your work and communicate professionally. Please ensure
your submission is all your own work. Do not rely on internet searches. Do not use ‘essay’ sites.

In summary, to achieve the highest marks you will need to evaluate and critically analyse. The assignment needs focus and to provide a
clear narrative, which is argued and evidenced well. It is not enough to present a series of facts, discoveries and description - however
well researched. Try to generate good academic discussion and avoid presenting findings as a series of bullet points. You will need to go
further than just describing what has been happening strategically.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The sessions are about thinking strategically and making strategic judgments about both the changing world around us and
the capabilities of all sorts of organisations.

2
How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

Pass – 40-49% Pass – 50-59% Commendation – 60-69% Distinction– 70%+

An assignment organized
competently and showing
evidence of referencing.
1
A good assignment organized
and communicated well.
Correct referencing, for the
most part drawing on a range
of appropriate sources.
A professional assignment
organized and communicated
well. Accurate referencing,
drawing on a range of quality
sources.
A professional assignment
organized and communicated
to a high standard. Full and
accurate referencing, drawing
on a full range of up to date
quality sources.

Addresses the task set Addresses the task set.
showing some awareness of Appraisal of the issues shows
the strategic environment indications of evidence. Some
and use of appropriate effort to articulate an
strategic frameworks. identified strategic
environment. Relevant
approaches adopted, but
deployed largely mechanically
rather than analytically.
2 Strategic issues are central
but over emphasizes the
operational.
Addresses the task set.
Evaluation of the issues
stemming largely from
evidence. Clear articulation of
the strategic environment
identified. Relevant
approaches deployed to
support critical analysis.
Emphasis is balanced towards
strategic analysis rather than
operational.
Addresses the task set in a
comprehensive fashion. Clear
and focused articulation of the
strategic environment
identified. Evaluation of the
issues stemming from the
evidence. Relevant approaches
deployed effectively to
strengthen sophisticated critical
analysis. Emphasis is placed
firmly on strategic analysis
rather than operational.

3
 Competent assignment
which shows some
knowledge and awareness
of the strategic
environment. Two
organisations are selected
but perhaps generates little
strategic insight. Tending
towards the descriptive.
3 focus to the narrative.
Competent assignment which
shows some strategic insight
into the external
environment. The
comparison of two
organisations is relevant but
falls short of the potential to
illuminate. The assignment is
largely analytical, with some
Critical evaluation which
shows strategic insight into
the identified external
environment, viewed from
the comparative perspective
of two organisations. The
comparison is presented in a
useful way to support the
narrative The assignment
represents a piece of analysis
with identifiable focus to the
discussion.
Critical and sophisticated
evaluation which shows
strategic insight into the
identified external
environment, viewed from the
comparative perspective of two
organisations. The comparison
is presented in such a way that
it really drives the insights
generated. The assignment
represents a strong piece of
analysis with a clear focus to
the discussion.