a particular issue or problem in the OperationsOperations Management is concerned with the connection between strategy and the delivery of a product or service to a customer. The assignment will ask you to investigate a particular issue or problem in the Operations (or wider supply chain) area of your chosen organisation. You can select any aspect of Operations and Supply Chain Management on which to focus your assignment. However, the approach you adopt should be analytical.
It is expected that you will:
• Provide an introduction that sets the scene, explains why there are problem(s), and how and why you selected a particular issue.
• Undertake a relevant literature review that helps to inform your investigation.
• Adopt an appropriate methodology and undertake research (secondary and/or primary)
• Critically analyse and evaluate the findings with reference to the literature
• Use frameworks from the module to guide your analysis
• Draw conclusions and recommendations
• Use diagrams where appropriate
Note:
? The chosen organisation can be your current employer or a company with which you are familiar with or are interested in.
? The word count limit for the assignment is 4000 words (excluding figures, tables and appendices).
Assignment Prescription and Marking Rubric
Marks
Abstract (indicative word count : 100 words)
An abstract of not more than100 words giving clear outline of the purpose, methods and outcomes of the assignment.
Introduction (indicative word count: 300 words)
• The title giving clear indication of the topic to be addressed
• The context of the study clearly stated
• A brief background to the study, linking key literature to the context
• Purpose and objectives of the study clearly stated and appropriate to the scale of the study
10
Literature Review (indicative word count : 1200 words)
• A critical review of relevant literature from the perspective of the proposed study
• Use journals, texts, governmental publications & professional bodies as appropriate
• This chapter should show a critical over view of major literature relevant to the study
• Should demonstrate an ability to set the work in a wider context of theory and practice, including the identification and synthesis of appropriate concepts and theoretical frameworks
• Credit is given to the way the literature is used to identify the research questions outlined in the introduction.
• The review should include evidence of the student’s ability to classify, compare and interpret appropriate literature.
30
Research Methodology (indicative word count : 400 words)
• Must be appropriate to the purpose of the study
• The choice of research method/s should be justified and related to the literature review in terms of the research questions identified and the theoretical frameworks or concepts that have been deemed relevant
• Research approach and tools must be explained and justified in detail using appropriate research methods literature.
• You should reflect on the appropriateness and limitations of the design.
10
Findings and interpretation (indicative word count : 1200 words)
• Clear presentation of the findings and analysis directly related to the research questions.
• Credit is given for appropriateness of the summary and collation of the data as a first stage to the interpretation of the findings
• Interpretation of the evidence major element of this chapter using the theoretical and/or conceptual constructs established in the literature review
• Students should demonstrate their skills of classification, comparison and synthesis
• Credit will also be given for interpretation in the context which is the focus of the study
30
Conclusions and recommendations (indicative word count : 400 words)
• Conclusions must be linked to the title and purpose of the research and emanate from the evidence presented.
• You must link the research objectives to the literature and the findings
• Recommendations should be feasible and prioritised in a sequence of events
10
Presentation and scholarship
• The assignment should show your ability to communicate effectively and systematically in writing. Your assignment must flow logically, with each section being suitably linked.
• Show clear organised structure, with sub-headings as appropriate
• Quotations, tables, charts, diagrams, etc., must be clear and relevant.
• References must be complete and in the Harvard style.
• Abstract, Contents table, Table of tables, Table of appendices
10
Total
100