MGT604 Assessment 2 Brief Page 1 of 7
Assessment Task
This is an individual assessment with a component of the work to be conducted in stakeholder teams
allocated by the lecturer.
In your stakeholder team, you are required to:
• Meet, discuss and agree on three strategy options
• Apply strategy concepts in your stakeholder meeting discussions to identify options.
• Produce a teamwork log
Individually, you are required to produce a white paper:
• Nominate the preferred strategy option and apply a strategy framework/s
• Discuss the implications specifically relating to your part of the business
• Include the team log in your paper’s appendix
Please refer to the Task Instructions for details on how to complete this task.
ASSESSMENT 2 BRIEF | |
Subject Code and Title | MGT604 Strategic Management |
Assessment | Stakeholder Meeting Simulation and White Paper Preliminary Outline |
Individual/Group | Individual |
Length | 500 word outline |
Learning Outcomes | The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by successful completion of the task below include: b) Critically evaluate different strategy formulation processes utilised by organisations and evaluate their relevance to particular organisational contexts c) Develop and plan the implementation of a selected strategy for different organisational levels including for change management processes |
Submission | By 11.55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday End of Module 3.1 (Week 5) |
Weighting | 10% |
Total Marks | 100 marks |
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Context
The assessment of this subject supports students in developing their skills and knowledge in
topics that include environmental assessment, problem diagnosis, strategy development, and
cultural and ethical contexts. Stakeholder meetings are a critical element in strategic
management. This assessment task provides experience and immersive understanding of the
complex interactions involved in the development of strategic choices, and the need to take
an integrative approach to problem solving.
Instructions
You are required to perform a simulated stakeholder meeting to discuss the scenario below.
Students will be assigned a role to play in the simulated stakeholder meeting. Roles will be
assigned to ensure each team has one of each of the stakeholders.
To do this assessment, it is necessary for you to know the responsibilities and interests of
the stakeholder that you are assigned to be. To assist you with this knowledge, each
stakeholder’s general scope of responsibilities is described below. It is suggested that
you take some time to research more about each stakeholder’s responsibilities so that
you can contribute effectively to the meetings and write your white paper.
The white paper is to be completed individually by each member of the team reflecting the
impact of the proposed strategy on their particular part of the business and should be
completed to the professional standard that would be required if the scenario were real.
Please Note: You will be placed in your stakeholder team by your facilitator and are
expected to conduct at least one (1) stakeholders meeting per week. Times and location are
to be arranged by the team.
The submission must be in Word document format.
Stakeholders description and interests
a) General Manager (GM) of the company
The GM has the final accountability to the CEO. The GM takes responsibility of the of the
company’s successes and failures of the company. The GM brings together the different
functions in the company (HR, Finance, Operations, etc.) and the interests of all the
stakeholders. A key issue for the GM is to maximise shareholder value and the long-term
sustainability of the company.
b) General Manager of key supplier
Obviously, the GM of the supplier has the same responsibilities in his company as the GM of the
case company below. The supplier is in the business of supplying goods and services which the
case company requires. The successes and failures of the supplier company are linked to the
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successes and failures of the case company.
c) Union official
General responsibility of the Union official is to represent the interest of workers. It also
includes conflict resolution between the employer and the workers and bargaining of behalf
of workers. It goes without saying that the workers would want the company to be financially
sustainable while they receive appropriate remuneration.
d) Operations manager (OM)
The general responsibilities of the OM are to ensure that productions of goods and services is
running efficiently. Therefore, the role includes both planning and implementing
production/manufacturing schedules including material and energy inputs among other
things. The OM understands the feasibility of attaining certain production levels and quality of
products/services.
e) Senior finance manager (SFM)
The general responsibilities of the finance manager are to ensure that the company is
financially sound. Therefore, the finance manager plans the long and short-term allocation of
resources as well as produce financial reports. For example, the SFM would be interested in
issues such as risk, capital availability, likely timing and amount of returns, etc.
Skuta Pty Ltd Scenario
The scenario provides you with a brief overview of a hypothetical company, ‘Skuta’ and a
contemporary scenario. Be aware that the scenario may not cover every detail that you will
need to address in the White Paper, in which case, you will need to conduct additional
research, including further research into the industry concerned.
[Skuta Pty Ltd is a privately-owned manufacturer of compact, high-quality electric scooters (escooters) based in Sunbury, Victoria. Founded in 2018 it has enjoyed continuous year-on-year
growth until the last financial year. Skuta has a track record of innovation, and technology that
provides excellent value for money commuting in a compact foldable design able to operate
with rechargeable batteries for extended periods of time. The flagship ‘Skuta-way” models are
marketed on the basis of their extreme ruggedness, low maintenance cost, and reliability.
Features include front and rear LED safety lights, disc brakes, LCD display and rechargeable 56
volt lithium-ion battery. Much of the technology used in the product has been patented by
Skuta and is not currently available to other manufacturers.
The Skuta management team recognises that e-scooters are still being trialled in some states in
Australia but believe that some states will legalise privately-owned e-scooters soon. The future
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of e-scooters in Australia is uncertain, so Skuta’s CEO has requested the executive team meet
independently to develop a strategy to guide the company over the next five years.
Deliverables
The stakeholder meeting will discuss and agree on three strategy options for Skuta. In
doing so, the Stakeholder meeting may consider strategy options that exist in
adjacent markets or with related but different products or technologies. Remember
to apply strategy concepts in your stakeholder meeting discussions to identify
strategy options.
The deliverables required of each student are to produce a white paper covering the following:
1. Nominate the preferred strategy option and apply a strategy framework(s) to analyse and
justify why you believe it is the best strategy option for the company; and
2. Discuss the implications specifically relating to your part of the business, and
what challenges these might represent. Separate the discussion into short-term
and long-term issues.
Students are to address the assessment task from the perspective of their own functional
area of responsibility. Integrate theory in your white paper.
Suggested format
Your 500 word, individual, Preliminary Outline of your White paper should be structured as follows:
• Introduction – Provide background and context to the report. Tell the reader
what has happened in the past that has led to this report being needed. Be very
brief.
• Aim – State in a single sentence what this report is seeking toachieve.
• Discussion – Cover the key deliverables of the assessment described above.
Remember, you are providing an outline only. Adhere to the word limit and be thoughtful in
your response. The first attempt at an outline is rarely comprehensive or correct. Please
recognise that this will likely need to be revised through several iterations to arrive at an
outline that is of impact.
Teamwork Log
Students should also keep a log of how they have worked together as a team in the delivery of
this project. This includes meeting dates and times, meeting minutes/notes, a detailed
description of how tasks were allocated and completed (and by whom), copies of emails
and/or written discussion regarding the project, and any other evidence of teamwork that
students would like to include. All students involved in the project need to check the log before
submission. It is assumed that the final submission has been agreed between students as being
an accurate record of the work that has taken place for the project.
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The Teamwork log needs to be submitted with the assessment but is not a part of the overall
word count.
Referencing
It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see more
information on referencing here in the Academic Writing Guide found via the Academic Skills
website.
Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for ensuring that all work submitted is their own and is appropriately
referenced and academically written according to the Academic Writing Guide. Students also need
to have read and be aware of Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
and subsequent penalties for academic misconduct. These are viewable online.
Students also must keep a copy of all submitted material and any assessment drafts.
Submission Instructions
Assessment 2 Preliminary White Paper is to be written according to academic writing
guidelines and must be submitted in compliance with the following;
1. You should make significant references to the subject material and substantial wider
reading. A minimum of five (5) academic (books & peer-reviewed journal articles) &
two (2) other sources (newspaper article, trade publications, websites, etc.) must be
used. These should be referenced in the APA style, both in-text and in a reference list.
References to
‘Wikipedia’ or similar unsubstantiated sources will not be accepted. The assignment
is to include in-text citations and a reference list following the latest APA referencing
style. The APA referencing guide can be located in the Academic Writing Guide at
http://library.think.edu.au/ld.php?content_id=1882254
2. Students will also need to participate in the stakeholder meeting. Some class time
(for class-based students) will be allocated to this discussion. Online students will
need to participate in pre-organised forums/sessions. In addition, a summary of
notes and ideas discussed during team work sessions needs to be attached to your
submission as an appendix – see ‘Teamwork Log’ above (but will not form part of
your final wordcount).
3. Submit Assessment 2: Preliminary Submission (with references) via the Assessment
link in the main navigation menu in MGT604 Strategic Management on the Student
Portal
Students should use the brief to guide what to include in the assessment and the following
rubric to inform the standard required. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via Grade
Centre in the Student Portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
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Assessment Rubric
Assessment Attributes |
Fail (Yet to achieve minimum standard) 0-49% |
Pass (Functional) 50-64% |
Credit (Proficient) 65-74% |
Distinction (Advanced) 75-84% |
High Distinction (Exceptional) 85-100% |
Research and comprehension Percentage for this criterion = 30% |
Content does not adequately demonstrate a postgraduate standard of detail and thought |
Content somewhat superficial or with some gaps in understanding |
Good coverage of the topic with clearly articulated explanation of the topic. Reasonable fit between theory and practice |
Thorough coverage of the topic. Good application of theory. Good use of credible sources |
Comprehensive understanding; insightful discussion; excellent and relevant application of theory. Multiple and credible references used |
Analysis and synthesis Percentage for this criterion = 30% |
Reader cannot understand the foundations of the topics from the information provided. Poor logic. No evidence provided to support arguments |
Basic intent covered; analysis and arguments could be more convincing with some evidence provided |
Reader understands the arguments presented through focused analysis and evidence |
Reader has a good sense of the analysis and evidence, which is well discussed in argument. Insights are drawn from synthesised information |
Readers’ understanding of the analysis and arguments is clear; logical and well organised; detailed and insightful analysis; structured arguments; synthesis and understanding of links between issues |
Writing mechanics Percentage for this criterion = 15% |
Layout is confusing; logic, flow and use of language difficult to follow; numerous spelling and grammatical errors |
Layout is adequate with acceptable logic flow and use of language. Some misspellings and grammatical errors |
Overall presentation is easy to digest; language succinct and well chosen; less than four spelling and grammatical errors |
Good presentation content and language; easy to read and draw conclusions; no more than two spelling and grammatical errors |
Overall style, use of language, figures and tables encourages comprehension; creative and engaging report |
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Reflection and conclusions Percentage for this criterion = 25% |
Little reflection evident; unclear conclusions |
Poor reflections and generic or somewhat irrelevant conclusions |
Good reflections highlighting key aspects; relevant conclusions which are a mix of generic and specific conclusions |
Rich reflections drawing from good research, analysis and synthesis. Relevant and specific conclusions |
Insightful conclusions drawing well from the discussion and evidence; creative and insightful reflection with relevance to the topic |
The following Subject Learning Outcomes are addressed in this assessment | |
SLO b) | Critically examine how strategic management and core competencies can build and sustain competitive advantage in different organisational contexts |
SLO c) | Develop and plan the implementation of a selected strategy for different organisational levels including for change management processes |