A SSESSMENT 2 BRIEF
Subject Code and Title BIZ202 The Business Environment
Assessment Macro Environment Report
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1500 words ± 10%
Learning Outcomes a) Examine the influence of the external environment on organisations.
b) Identify and apply appropriate frameworks and tools to the problems and challenges faced by organisations.
c) Research and relate industry specific factors to the organisation decision-making process.
d) Apply a relevant framework(s) to evaluate the micro and macro environmental influences on an organisation.
Submission By 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of Module 4 (Week 8)
Weighting 40%
Total Marks 100 marks
Context:
Businesses in the modern marketplace cannot afford to ignore the environments in which they operate. To navigate this vast and ever changing landscape, businesses must keep a keen eye on macro environmental factors that influence them. This report is an effort to identify these factors and propose solutions to the risks they pose.
Instructions:
Choose an article about an Australian or international business still in operation published within last three months from submission date of this assessment from the listed sources (choosing an article older than this period will result in an automatic fail for this assessment). Write a report identifying and analysing any relevant information about the macro environmental factors of the organisation from the chosen article incorporating the following:
• Identify macro environmental factors that influence the chosen business specifically. These factors may include but are not limited to changes in political, environmental, socio-cultural, technological, legal, ethical, government regulation in both domestic and foreign country, economic factors such as inflation, unemployment, income levels, economic growth, foreign exchange rates, international trade policies, foreign investment restrictions, taxation, etc. Analyse their impact on business that may be in terms of but not limited to changes in business performance, structure, policies, profitability, growth and market share.
• Propose solutions to challenges to counter prevailing/potential risks.
Choose an article from the list below (failure to choose an article from the following will result in an automatic fail for this assessment):
The Australian Financial Review
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Australian
ABC News 24 TV
SkyNews Business News
The Economist
Bloomberg
BBC News
Financial Times
The Guardian
The Wall Street Journal
Harvard Business Review
Submission Instructions:
Submit this assessment via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu in BIZ202 The Business Environment. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
Structure of the report
Cover Page – Includes assessment title, student name and ID, subject name and code, lecturer’s name, submission date, word count. Be creative while making your cover page.
Executive Summary – An executive summary provides a succinct summary of the content within the report. It presents information in such a way that readers are able to understand the intention and key elements of the report without having to read the entire document. It is recommended to write 10-20% of your total word limit of the report. This section is not included in the word count.
Table of Contents – A summary of the sections (headings/sub-headings) and pages numbers.
Introduction – The introduction sets the scene and provides context for the aim. You should include a brief introduction of the business in this section leading to the main discussion.
Main Discussion – You should rename the headings/sub-headings to reflect your report.
Identification and analysis of macro environmental factors – Under this section, the report is expected to identify all influencing macro environmental factors, provide insight and thoroughly analyse the most influencing macro environmental factors of the business. At least one factor must be mentioned in the article chosen.
Challenges and solutions – The report is expected to identify the key challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provide a correct strategy/solution to deal with each, as well as a thorough explanation and justification of each strategy.
Conclusion - The conclusion restates the aim then provides a brief and concise summary of the discussion to demonstrate that the aim of the report has been achieved. No new information is to be included in the conclusion.
References – It is essential that you use Torrens Academic Writing Guide – APA for citing and referencing research. Please see more information on referencing here http://library.laureate.net.au/research_skills/referencing References are not included in the word count.
Appendices – You should provide supporting material that is unsuitable for inclusion in the body of the report, but still has some value to contribute to the report. You must include chosen article in this section. Appendices are not included in the word count.
Learning Rubric: Macro Environment Report
Assessment
Attributes Fail
(Unacceptable) 0 - 49 Pass
(Functional)
50 - 64 Credit
(Proficient)
65 - 74 Distinction
(Advanced) 75 - 84 High Distinction
(Exceptional)
85 - 100
Grade
Description
(Grading Scheme)
Fail grade will be awarded if a student is unable to demonstrate satisfactory academic performance in the subject or has failed to complete required assessment points in accordance with the subject’s required assessment points.
Pass is awarded for work showing a satisfactory achievement of all learning outcomes and an adequate understanding of theory and application of skills. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged.
Credit is awarded for work showing a more than satisfactory achievement of all learning outcomes and a more than adequate understanding of theory and application of skills. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged.
Distinction is awarded for work of superior quality in achieving all learning outcomes and a superior integration and understanding of theory and application of skills. Evidence of in-depth research, reading, analysis and evaluation is
demonstrated. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged. High Distinction is awarded for work of outstanding quality in achieving all learning outcomes together with outstanding integration and understanding of theory and application of
skills. Evidence of in-depth research, reading, analysis, original and creative thought is demonstrated. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged.
Introduction to the
business from article
20% Does not choose a business from media sources, does not choose an article within specified period, provides no information about it and fails to setup a case for further analysis of the macro environment. Chooses an
Australian/international business from media sources, chooses an article within specified period, provides limited information about it and fails to setup a case for further analysis of the macro environment. Chooses an
Australian/international business from media sources, chooses an article within specified period, provides appropriate information about it and sets up a case for further analysis of the macro environment. Chooses an
Australian/international business from media sources, chooses an article within specified period, provides relevant information about it and sets up a case for further analysis of the macro environment. Chooses an
Australian/international business from media sources, chooses an article within specified period, provides very relevant information about it and strongly builds up a case for further analysis of the macro environment.
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Identification and analysis of macro
environmental factors
40% Limited understanding of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business.
There is no evidence to support the analysis. Identifies some of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business; the largest influencers are named. Accesses relevant information with limited analysis of environmental factors. There is some evidence to support the analysis. Identifies a majority of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business. Accesses relevant information to analyse environmental factors. There is evidence to support the analysis. Correctly identifies all of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business.
Accesses relevant information and analyses environmental factors well. There is adequate evidence to support the analysis. Not only identifies all environmental factors, provides insight and discussion.
Thorough analysis of the macro environment of the chosen business. There is enough evidence to support the analysis.
Propose solutions to
challenges and risks
25% Demonstrates no understanding of challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides no solutions. Demonstrates little understanding of challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides nonspecific solutions to those issues.
Demonstrates correct and complete knowledge of challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and offers solutions to some of those issues.
Identifies the key challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides a correct strategy/solution to deal with each.
Identifies the key challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides a correct strategy/solution to deal with each, as well as a thorough explanation and justification of each strategy.
Correct citation of key
resources and evidence
Overall structure, appearance and referencing of the report are assessed
15% Demonstrates inconsistent use of good quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop ideas.
Does not include correct references or in-text citations; does not use APA style.
Uses sufficient sources, however can be greatly improved.
Attempts to include references or in-text citations; however, these are sometimes insufficient for research purposes, or incorrect; uses APA style, however may contain some citation or referencing errors. Shows good evidence of attempts to source information.
Includes in-text citations and references from suitable sources; uses APA style, however may contain
minor citation or referencing errors. Shows evidence of wide scope for sourcing evidence.
Includes in-text citations and references from suitable sources; uses APA style, containing minimal and or no errors. Shows evidence of extensive scope for sourcing evidence. Includes in-text citations and references from suitable sources; uses APA style, containing no errors.
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