Global value chains (supply chain)
ASSESSMENT
a) Structure of assignment
There is one coursework to be submitted for this component.
The understanding of this assignment is that an applied critical review of contemporary and in future magnifying change in an international supply chain context that demonstrates the importance of sustainability.
b) Details of the assessment task
You are asked to analyse a contemporary and in future magnifying change in an international supply chain context that demonstrates the importance of sustainability.
Select a case of sustainability opportunities in a global supply chain, and use that case to explain best practices and critical aspects of either
sourcing strategy or
supplier selection.
The task requires you to apply the evidence (data and theory implications) to making informed judgements about the contemporary developments of the industry and market dynamics in question. Students should acknowledge theory,
secondary data and qualitative case evidence alike.
The notion of an applied literature review here is that you use journal articles, secondary data and complementary trade journals and company reports for the purposes of an industry-
level analysis.
Explicitly choose one specific country and one specific
industry to demonstrate your arguments.
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202021, Term 2, MK 7041, Component 1 Managing Inward Value Chain
The recommended structure of your assessment is as follows:
1. Outline / introduction (about 300 words)
Use your own words in this section. Explain why the chosen challenge can be considered as significant. Then explain why you have chosen the country and industry for its demonstration and discussion.
2. Academic literature review (about 1,200 words)
You should critically evaluate the key authors and their main arguments. You are
expected to cite a minimum of 10 academic journal articles as part of this assessment.
Where a topic is too current and academic articles are still rare, students can also refer to high quality newspaper reports and the output of reputable consultants, NGOs and government bodies. Blogs and corporate webpages shall only be used in exceptional cases to be justified.
3. Country case (about 500 words)
You are asked to apply the literature review and reflections to a country of your choice.
Demonstrate how the country does influence or drive the selected best practices.
Provide reasoning and factual evidence.
4. Industry case (about 500 words)
You are asked to apply the literature review and reflections to an industry
of your choice.
Highlight how the industry is responding to the global market dynamics, using best practices. Provide reasoning and factual evidence.
5. Conclusion and recommendation (about 500 words)
Summarise your findings about the future trends. This should logically follow from the evidence provided in previous sections. Provide few most critical recommendations for business managers.
The above sums up to the maximum 3,000 words. Word counts indicate the weight of the different sections.
Appendices that synthesise relevant data for your arguments are welcome; they will not add to your word count. Textual appendices should be avoided.
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c) Assessment criteria
202021, Term 2, MK 7041, Component 1 Managing Inward Value Chain
Marking criteria Weight
Provision of necessary background information, outline/introduction, conclusions and recommendation 15% Evidence of wide reading and contemporary scholarly debate 20% Independent use of facts and data related to chosen country and industry 10%
Demonstration of understanding of the arguments global market implications, exemplified for one country of choice. (Analysis looking toward the future implications, not a historic appraisal.)
20%
Demonstration of understanding of the arguments business implications, exemplified for a chosen industry. (Analysis looking toward the future implications, not a historic appraisal.)
20%
Overall presentation including structure, organisation, format and referencing. 15%
Total 100%
