MBA7068 Strategic Portfolio Assignment 1: Global Business Trends and Managerial Skill Development

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO1:  Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of university learning and teaching strategies and practices and their roles in the broader academic and professional MBA context

LO2:  Interpret academic assessments, identifying knowledge forms, cognitive abilities, practical and personal skills, and communication styles needed to successfully meet the demands of these

LO3: Critically evaluate and synthesise information, data, concepts, and theory from a range of sources and use these to inform analysis, critique, and reflection

LO4: Identify and critically reflect on personal and professional goals and devise strategies for their attainment

Assessment Task:

This assessment requires you to create a portfolio. The portfolio should address the following:

TASK 1.  [1,500 words]:

Explore global business trends that have emerged in recent years and are impacting organizations worldwide.

Develop a research topic that investigates the implications of these trends. Formulate research aim, question(s), and objectives to shed light on the consequences of these trends. Provide research background/introduction and research rationale. Critically analyse relevant literature, theories, or business models associated with the global business landscape. Identify and justify which data sources to use (e.g. primary and secondary) to address your research problem/question(s).

TASK 2:  [1,000 words]

Identify and critically reflect on 5 personal and/or professional skills that you need to develop as a manager in view of addressing the global business challenge you have selected. The 5 skills could be a mix of your personal and professional goals. Additionally, design a detailed action plan outlining steps, resources, and timelines for developing each skills.

Declaration: At the end of the assessment you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications that you used in developing and completing the assessment.

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include four refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria/Marking Scheme:

Distinction (70% and above)

An excellent portfolio will identify a real-life and current business issue and demonstrate critical understanding through a well-prepared presentation. The background and rationale will be thoroughly developed, critically discussing relevant literature, theories, and business models. Data sources will be meticulously identified and justified, with a critical evaluation of their suitability for addressing the research questions. A comprehensive analysis of five personal/professional skills will be conducted, demonstrating expert understanding of relevant theories and models. Strengths and weaknesses will be critically appraised, with insightful reflections. The Personal Development Plan (PDP) will be detailed and practical, with strategies comprehensively justified.

Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of contemporary and seminal sources will be evident. Academic writing style, English and referencing will be excellent.

Merit (60% – 69%)

A comprehensive critical synthesis of the identified business issue will be provided, with well-elicited relationships between relevant concepts, theories, and business models. The background and rationale will be well-developed, with a clear and critical discussion of relevant literature. Data sources will be identified and justified, with a thorough evaluation of their suitability for addressing the research questions. A comprehensive analysis of five personal/professional skills will be conducted, demonstrating a good understanding of relevant theories and models. Strengths and weaknesses will be clearly appraised, with original and succinct reflections. The Personal Development Plan (PDP) will be detailed, with strategies well summarized and justified.

Research will demonstrate the use of a wide range of relevant sources. The academic writing style, English, and referencing will be good, displaying clear organization and coherence throughout the portfolio.

Pass (50% – 59%)

A critical synthesis of the identified business issue will be presented, with clearly drawn relationships between relevant concepts, theories, and business models. The background and rationale will be adequately developed, with a clear discussion of relevant literature. Data sources will be identified and justified, with an evaluation of their suitability for addressing the research questions. A critical analysis of five personal/professional skills will be conducted, demonstrating a satisfactory understanding of relevant theories and models. Strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated, with some original reflections. The Personal Development Plan (PDP) will be clearly summarized and justified, detailing areas and strategies for development.

Research will demonstrate the use of a range of relevant sources. The academic writing style, English, and referencing will be satisfactory, showing clear organization and coherence throughout the portfolio.

Fail (Below 50%): Students who do not meet the requirements of the Pass criteria will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

General Assessment Criteria for Written Assessments

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