MMM267 Business Logistics
Final Report
Trimester 2, 2018
(Adapted from MMM356, Jan Fermelis and MMM132, Terry Gibson)
Due date and time: Monday 27 August 2018 before 5 pm (Week 8)
Submission: Online (Turnitin) submission to Deakin College Portal
Word count: 2000 words, plus or minus 10% (Word count excludes title page, executive summary, table of contents, reference list and any appendices)
Percentage of final grade: 20% (20 marks)
Task Requirements:
This formal, academic report must adopt an analytical and critical perspective. You need to research your organisation thoroughly using non-academic sources, research the literature on logistics/supply chain management, use a wide range of theories and concepts to inform and underpin your critical analysis of the practical information obtained about the organisation, and offer recommendations for future logistics/supply chain improvement.
Please choose ONE of the following business organizations:
? David Jones OR
? Pacific Brands
Write a 2000 word research report critically analysing the key sustainability aspects of the organization’s current supply chain. In your report, you are expected to demonstrate appropriate understanding and usage of relevant supply chain management (SCM) and logistics theories, concepts, tools and techniques covered in this Unit.
Your submitted report should specifically address the following:
1. Discussions of the current logistics/supply chain practices of the organization (approx. 500 words);
2. Discussions of the sustainable logistics/supply chain practices of the organization (approx. 500 words);
3. A critical appraisal of the extent to which you perceive a match between 1 & 2, and gaps (approx. 400 words);
4. Two specific recommendations to improve the logistics/supply chain practices (approx. 400 words).
Writing Requirements:
a) You must use relevant supply chain management (SCM) and logistics theories and concepts, empirical research literature plus non-academic resources (including organisation website) in support of your analysis.
b) You are required to cite at least one academic journal article to examine each task from 1-4 of the assignment (a minimum of four journal articles).
c) In addition to four journal articles above, you can cite other academic references such as books and book chapters. You can also cite relevant industry or organisational reports of your chosen organisation.
d) Note that Wikipedia, answers.com, general websites and your or other personal opinions or social networking websites are NOT accepted. Assignments that cite these websites will be penalised.
e) Note that lecture slides are NOT counted as an academic reference. You need to track down the original sources to cite.
f) All references referred to in text must be placed in your reference list, and be correctly formatted using
the Deakin Harvard referencing style. All items in the reference list must be cited in the body of the report.
Business Report Format
(adapted from http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/report-writing)
Title page
(not included in the word count) Title of report - Clearly describes what the report is about
Name and website (in English) of organisation
Student name & ID number
Unit code & unit name
Lecturer’s Name
Executive summary (not included in the word count) This is a summary of the whole report. State the task and summarize the findings of your research (approx. 200 words).
Table of contents (not included in the word count) List the major and minor sections of your report. (You are advised to learn to set up an MSWord Table of Contents, including headings and sub-headings, numbering system).
Introduction Set the scene; give some background information about the report/organisation; State the aim/purpose of the investigation. Provide an outline of the main sections in the body of the report (approx. 100 words).
Main body Organise the body of the report into sections with clear headings (that you have in your TOC) for each of the four report requirements. The analysis of each task 1 to 4 (as listed on page 1 of this document) should identify the theory relating to what you investigated, what you found about the organisation, your interpretation and critical analyses of what you found, with correctly cited evidence drawn from an appropriate academic textbook and journal sources. Remember to include at least one academic journal for each of the four sections (approx. 1800 words).
Conclusion Summarise what has been found in the report. Use the information from the body of your report to identify the anticipated future direction of the organisation in light of the issues discussed in the body of the report (approx. 100 words).
References
(not included in the word count) A list of all of the sources that you cited in the report.
Appendices – [Optional] (not included in the word count) Any information (graphs, charts, tables or other data) you used in your report but did not include in the body. Note this is optional, you are not required to provide appendices.
Required Business Report Writing Format
• MSWord document (a .doc, or .docx format; NO other format is accepted)
• no long paragraphs (approx. 250 words maximum)
• no very short paragraphs (unless a connecting sentence between two sections)
• 1.5 spaced
• 2.5 cm margins
• 12 font size
• Times New Roman
• number the pages (these should match those shown in your TOC)
• use headings to help structure your assignment and be clear to the reader. Again these should match those shown in your TOC
In terms of your writing please ensure that you are:
• as informative as required and that the information is supported by evidence where appropriate
• providing information that is relevant for the specific purpose at hand & not just filling up pages
• avoiding obscurities and ambiguities to the extent possible; stating & explaining points clearly
• being succinct and orderly in your presentation so that the final output appears professional
• properly referencing all external sources of information as per the Deakin Harvard system
Academic and non-academic sources:
You must reference a minimum of four (4) different academic journal articles. Academic journals can be found by conducting a search of the Deakin Library academic databases. Much of the information in relation to your selected organisation required to complete this assignment can be obtained from only nonacademic (sometimes identified as professional or industry) sources and the chosen organization’s home page. This is often the only way to find out up-to-date information about a business or organisation. Nonacademic sources must be included in your References list, but are NOT counted as part of your academic/scholarly sources.
Following are some of the suggested non-academic sources:
Organisation web sites, including:
- Annual Reports
- Annual Reviews
- Media Releases
Media websites, including:
- The Age
- The Australian
- The Australian Financial Review (AFR)
- The ABC
- Business Review Weekly (BRW)
Assignment submission instructions:
1. Your document must have a title page which includes the title of the report (choose an appropriate title), your ID, first name, and family name as the following example indicates:
• student John Smith, ID SMIJO1302 would submit as SMIJO1302_John Smith
2. Assignments will not be accepted at the Reception.
3. Students must keep a copy of this assignment submitted and must be able to produce the copy in the unlikely event that the original assignment is misplaced. Students must maintain backup copies of all their assignment work. Electronic loss of data is common, but is NOT a satisfactory excuse for an extension of a submission date.
Extension of an assignment submission date:
If there is a compelling reason why you are unable to complete your assignment before the due date you should complete a Request for Extension of Assignment Due Date form, available from the Student Portal under Students / Forms and submit it to your lecturer. This must be done at least 24 hours before the assignment due date. Supporting documentation must be provided also before an extension can be considered. See information provided on the Request for Extension of Assignment Due Date document.
If you submit your assignment late without an approved extension, penalties for late submission of 10% per day will apply. The only exception to this is if your work is late for medical reasons and you have a doctor’s certificate to support your claim. If this is the case then a Request for Extension form must be completed.
Penalties for late submissions:
Assignments received late and without prior approval will be penalised. A penalty of 5% of the available marks will be deducted for every day the assignment is late. Assignments received after 7 days without an approved extension, will not be marked.
Assignment results:
Your results and assessor’s comments will normally become available to you within 15 business days of the due date (unless an extension has been granted). Marks can be accessed from the Portal once the Unit Coordinator has released the marks (ie after all marking has been completed). You will be advised by e-mail when marked papers are ready for you to access. You will receive a marked copy of your assignment with comments included.
Before results are returned to students, the unit team will moderate the marking process to ensure that the same marking standards are applied to all students within the unit. If necessary, you may request additional information from your lecturer.
If you wish to discuss your assignment results with your lecturer, you MUST ensure you have the marked grade form and can justify why you believe the grade to be incorrect. This means you will need to provide evidence from the Grade Form (rubrics) to support your claim before a review will be conducted. Your lecturer will then examine your essay to determine if a review of the grade is warranted. Should your lecturer ascertain so, your lecturer will notify the Unit Coordinator. A request for a review of results will only be accepted by the Unit Coordinator from a lecturer within 5 days of the marks being released. Please remember, receiving a disappointing result is not a justification for review.
Writing and referencing skills:
In this assignment students have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of operations management through a practical and realistic review of organisational practice in relation to the taught theory.
Researching, writing and referencing are valuable management skills. Effective writing is an essential skill for good managers because written documents provide busy executives with accurate information and appropriately informed viewpoints from reliable sources.
Students are also expected to be constructively critical and analytical when writing about what they have read. This ensures that the conclusions drawn are not biased, and that the report has objectively reviewed the issues under consideration.
Please note that all ideas within your report which have been obtained from your sources, will need to be cited and referenced using the Deakin author-date (Harvard) system.
It is highly recommended that you access Study Skills Portal tab where they provided valuable information about report writing, referencing, who the DC librarian is etc etc.
The following Deakin weblinks also provide relevant and helpful explanations and examples:
• Division of Student Life: ‘Referencing using the author-date (Harvard) system’:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/assets/resources/study-support/study-skills/assign- ref.pdf
• Division of Student Life ‘How to Reference Your Writing’:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/current- students/study-support/study-skills/handouts/refer-plag.php.
• Division of Student Life: Resources: Reading and Writing’ including different writing styles:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-support/study-skills/handouts/writing.php
Academic Misconduct
Students should familiarise themselves with the Academic Integrity Policy (available from the Deakin College website or the Student Portal under Students/Forms/Policies and Procedures).
Academic misconduct is a serious offence in academia. These include plagiarism, collusion, cheating and ‘misrepresentations’ (which includes falsification of documents). Penalties will be applied consistently with the Academic Integrity Policy.
Plagiarism occurs when a student intentionally or accidentally presents the work of another person(s) as though it is their own original work without proper reference to that source or sources. For example, copying or paraphrasing an author’s work without referencing that work, translating foreign works into English without acknowledging those sources, or reusing one’s own previously submitted or assessed work.
Collusion occurs when work is produced by collaborating with other person(s), without permission, and then presenting that work as if it is your own. For example, copying any part of another student’s assignment, allowing another student to copy any part of your assignment, or allowing another person to rewrite or make changes to your assignment.
Cheating occurs when a student engages in other forms of dishonest conduct, whether in an assessment or in any representation. For example, communication with another student during an examination, having unauthorised notes during an examination - the notes may be on or in an object, a data storage device or on any part of the body, or ‘contract cheating’, which is the purchasing work or commissioning another person or website to produce a work which is then passed off as your own.
Misrepresentation occurs when a student presents falsified documents, or by words, conduct or nondisclosure of information creates a false status or an impression inconsistent with facts, for example, falsely asserting attendance at a lecture or a laboratory session or submitting a falsified medical certificate. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (whether by directly quoting or by paraphrasing them) you MUST acknowledge that source. Copying paragraphs from the internet and presenting them as your own work is plagiarism. If you download and copy paragraphs from the internet, you must identify the source.
You MUST acknowledge the sources that you have drawn on. This is a necessary courtesy to the original authors, and also allows the readers of your work to follow up on any points that you have raised.
If you directly copy another writer's phrase, sentence or paragraph, then you should use quotation marks and note the source of the quote. If you use another writer's ideas, but not his or her exact words, you should again note the source. There are a number of ways by which you can refer to other people's work. The main referencing method used at Deakin College is the Harvard referencing method, which involves noting the author's name, the title of the article and journal, or book, the year of publication, the journal's volume number, the book publisher's name and location, and the relevant page numbers.
A copy of Guide to Assignment Writing and Referencing is available on the Deakin University website: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/harvard
Marking Rubric for Final Report (Total Mark is 20)
MMM267 Final Report Marking Rubric: (20% - 20 marks)
PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS
(Max 5 marks each) YET TO ACHIEVE MINIMUM STANDARD MEETS STANDARD EXCEEDS STANDARD
No/poor attempt (0-1.4 marks) Needs improvement (1.5-2.4 marks) Satisfactory (2.5-2.9 marks) Good
(3-3.4 marks) Very good (3.5-3.9 marks) Excellent (4-5 marks)
Report structure and organisation, including Executive Summary, TOC, Introduction and Conclusion. Poor attempt
Report does not follow the required format. There is no logical flow between sections. Report somewhat follows the required format. Report is disjointed and fragmented. An attempt is made to follow the required report structure/format. Report lacks flow and is somewhat disjointed and fragmented. A good attempt is made to follow the required report structure/format. Report flows quite well, but is disjointed or fragmented in some place. A very good attempt is made to follow the required report structure/format. Report has a logical flow. Excellent use of the required report structure/format. Report has a logical flow and coherent line of argument.
Use of logistics/supply chain theories and concepts to discuss Task 1, 2, and 3
The fundamental theories relevant to this task are not identified or applied to the organisation. The context has not been provided or is very unclear.
Paraphrases or summarises information rather than provides analysis. Does not identify components of the theory, and does not distinguish the relevant from irrelevant details in relation to the chosen organisation. The fundamental theories relevant to this task are slightly unclear and/or an appropriate academic source (text or academic journal article) has not been cited. Some context is provided but is unclear.
Paraphrases or summarises information with very little analysis. Inconsistently identifies components of the theories and incorrectly distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details in relation to the chosen organisation The fundamental theories relevant to this task are provided without ambiguity and refer to a text or journal academic article, but these are not well discussed. Some context provided.
Demonstrates the ability to analyse information at a rudimentary level. Identifies components of the theories; mostly distinguishing relevant from irrelevant details in relation to the chosen organisation) The fundamental theories relevant to this task are clearly described and explained, without ambiguity and in context and with reference to
the text and a suitable academic journal article.
A good analysis of information, clearly identifying the key components of the theories and accurately distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details in relation to the chosen organisation. The fundamental theories relevant to this task are clearly identified and described well, with relevant information and argument where necessary for understanding. The context is clear and suitable text sources and academic journal article(s) are used.
A robust analysis of information, consistently identifying the key components of the theories and accurately distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details in relation to the chosen organisation. The fundamental theories relevant to this task are clearly identified and described comprehensively, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding. The context and background are well explained and suitable text sources and academic journal article(s) are used.
A thorough analysis with some critical evaluation of information, identifying the key components of the theories and accurately and thoroughly distinguishes relevant from irrelevant details in relation to the chosen organisation.
Recommendations: These flow logically from the discussion, and indicate
improvements and implications for management.
No/few recommendations
flow from report’s critical analyses.
Recommendations include no/few meaningful strategies, solutions or evaluation components for more effective future sustainable practices.
Recommendations demonstrate no/little understanding of logistics/supply chain theory.
No/one recommendations which did not flow from report’s critical analyses.
Recommendations include inconsistent and fragmented strategies, or solutions or evaluation components for more effective, future sustainable practices.
Recommendations demonstrate little understanding of logistics/supply chain theory.
Recommendations which flow satisfactorily from report’s critical analyses.
Recommendations include inconsistent but satisfactory strategies, solutions and evaluation components for more effective, future sustainable practices.
Recommendations demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of logistics/supply chain theory.
Recommendations which flow reasonably well from report’s critical analyses.
Recommendations include consistently good strategies, solutions and evaluation components for more effective, future sustainable practices.
Recommendations demonstrate a good understanding of logistics/supply chain theory.
Recommendations which logically
flow from report’s critical analyses.
Recommendations include consistently very good strategies, solutions and evaluation components for more effective, future sustainable practices.
Recommendations demonstrate very good understanding of logistics/supply chain theory. Recommendations which logically
flow from report’s critical analyses.
Recommendations include
insightful strategies, solutions and evaluation components for more effective, future sustainable practices.
Recommendations demonstrate an exemplary understanding of logistics/supply chain theory.
Quality of language and ability to
communicate information accurately using academic style and Deakin Harvard method.
Writing filled with grammatical and spelling errors. English expression is difficult to understand. Little or no use of paraphrasing, with a heavy reliance on quotes. In-text citation and referencing have not been used or do not conform to Harvard standard. Many grammatical and spelling errors. English
expression is difficult to understand, but meaning can be made of what is written. Little effort has been put into paraphrasing of material. In-text citations not utilised or inaccurate.
List of references does not follow the Harvard referencing style correctly. Expresses thoughts meaningfully, even though there may be occasional errors.
Paraphrasing uses too many of the author’s own words. In-text citations are too sparse and/or mostly inaccurate.
Some attempt to present a list of References following the Harvard referencing style, but may have several errors. Expresses thoughts meaningfully, even though there may be occasional errors.
Paraphrasing portrays the ideas of others in student’s own words.
In-text citations are accurate in most cases and are just adequate to the task. List of References presented using the Harvard referencing style accurately in most cases. Communicates meaning with clarity and fluency. Writing is almost error-free.
Paraphrasing correctly portrays the ideas of others in student’s own words.
In-text citations are accurate and support the arguments made in the assignment quite well. List of References presented accurately using the Harvard referencing style. Skillfully communicates meaning with high level of clarity and fluency. Writing is virtually error- free.
Paraphrasing correctly portrays the ideas of others in student’s own words.
In-text citations are accurate and support the arguments made in the assignment very well.
List of References presented very accurately using the Harvard style.