Assessment Task 2: Individual Report - Developing an evidence base for your...

Question

Assessment Task 2: Individual Report - Developing an evidence base for your recommendations.

Management in Practice

Assignment 2:Individual Report - Developing an evidence base for your recommendations

Weight:30%

Length:Maximum 2,500 words

Feedback mode:

Formative feedbackis provided throughout the semester in your class workshops/tutorials. Your workshop leader will work with you providing you with real-time feedback based on the work that you share with her/him. If you come prepared to your workshops then your workshop leader will have more opportunity to provide you with formative feedback.

Summative feedbackwill be provided in the marking rubric. We will provide comments in each cell of the marking rubric and in the general comments section at the end. We aim to provide feedback that is:

Specific- that is, the feedback will relate to the work that you have completed
Informative- that is, the feedback will help you to understand the level of achievement that you attained
Directive- that is, the feedback will give you strategies, ideas and a direction for further improvement

Assessment Declaration:

I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of theAssessment declaration(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

Learning Objectives Assessed:

This assignment assesses Learning Objectives 3 and 6.

Details:

Purpose of the assignment:

This assignment is designed to get you to think more deeply abouthowyou might solve the management challenge and why your chosen approach is/is not the “best way.” The main focus is on you discovering the latest management thinking to help you determine cutting-edge solutions.

Requirements for the assignment:

Re-state the problem in the context of your chosen management perspective as a research question.
- You should do some research on ‘how best to formulate a research question.’
Undertake a literature review of contemporary management literature that will help you to better understand the nature of the management challenge, how theory can inform a solution and what (if anything) has been tried before to solve this kind of problem (e.g. Has this challenge occurred before? Maybe in another industry? Has it been solved?)
Continue to conduct industry and company research involving critically analysing and synthesising business information. (CLO3)
- Your information should be both broad and deep. Once you have collected the information, you have tocritically analyseit.
Identify and select appropriate tools, models and theories that will help you to understand the problem through the lens you have chosen.
- These should be from scholarly sources.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the tools, models and theories you’ve selected. Suggest alternative methods to eliminate weaknesses.
- Again, rely on scholarly sources.
Write a report justifying why your research approach to solving the management challenge should be adopted.
- Use a report format.
Save youy document with the following naming convention: (Assignment number, Student number) e.g. Assignment 2, S123456

Appendix: Write a 500-word response to the feedback you received in your first assignment and what you did in reaction to that feedback to develop your approach to achieving success in this assignment (this does not count towards your total word count).

Rubric:

	High Distinction 80%–100%	Distinction 70%–79%	Credit 60%–69%	Pass 50%–59%	Fail 30%–49%	Serious Fail
Problem definition(15%)	Demonstrates the ability to construct a clear and insightful problem statement with evidence of all relevant contextual factors. Identifies potentially significant yet previously less-explored aspects of the issue(s). Highly original or insightful work.	Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the subject. Demonstrates the ability to construct a problem statement with evidence of most relevant contextual factors considered and analysed. Appropriately addresses most relevant aspects of the issue.	Demonstrates the ability to construct a problem statement with evidence of most relevant contextual factors. The volume of reading of sufficient breadth and depth for a competent understanding of main issues, underlying principles and concepts but without the comprehensiveness of higher grades.	Demonstrates an ability in identifying a problem statement or related contextual factors. Important aspects of the problem not addressed. The depth of reading insufficient to award a credit grade. Problem statement may be factual and descriptive rather than analytical.	Develops a problem statement but lacks academic rigour, with material that is incomplete or irrelevant. Little evidence of knowledge of the relevant body of knowledge to make a persuasive case.	Unable to or poorly demonstrates an ability to write a problem statement or identify important contextual factors. Work may have failed for one or more of the following: non-submission, academic misconduct, answering a different question from the one asked, poor or incoherent vocabulary, no evidence of correct scholarly referencing.
Breadth and depth of research(15%)	Provides an in-depth synthesis of information from relevant sources, representing various points of view/approaches.	Demonstrated the ability to critically review, analyse, synthesise, and apply a theoretical and technical body of knowledge in a broad range of areas and diverse contexts perhaps with some synthesis.	Presents information from relevant sources representing various points of view/approaches. Demonstrates some analysis of those views/approaches.	Presents factual information from some relevant sources representing limited points of view/approaches. Lack of analysis or critical appreciation of knowledge sources.	Little evidence of knowledge of the relevant body of knowledge to make a persuasive case. Failure to review critically, analyse, consolidate and combine knowledge and draw relevant conclusions.	Presents information from irrelevant sources or in very insufficient quantity.
Use of appropriate management theory(30%)	All elements of the theoretical frameworks are skillfully developed. Appropriate methodology or theoretical frameworks may be synthesised from across disciplines or from relevant sub-disciplines. Identifies flaws in published work. Identifies tools, models, theories from a range of management disciplines. Performs a critical analysis of the tools and describes strengths and weaknesses in the context of the chosen management lens. Synthesises results and suggests alternative methods.	Shows reasoning and creative skills to use knowledge and awareness to exercise critical thinking and judgement in selecting and applying methods and technologies in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence. Identifies tools, models, theories from a range of management disciplines. Performs a critical analysis of the tools and describes strengths and weaknesses. Synthesises results and suggests alternative methods. Critical elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are thoroughly developed, however, more subtle elements may be ignored or unaccounted for.	Identifies tools, models, theories from a range of management disciplines. Performs a critical analysis of the tools and describes strengths and weaknesses, although work of this standard does not demonstrate the complexity and nuance required for the higher grades. Suggests alternative methods. The elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are developed but some elements may be missing, incorrectly developed, or unfocused. Coherent arguments supported by evidence and illustration from the work of other authorities or by direct empirical analysis, but without the intellectual independence found in the higher grades.	Identifies and describes tools, models, theories from a range of management disciplines. Describes strengths and weaknesses. The work demonstrates a basic understanding of the methodology or theoretical frameworks. Theories and/or frameworks are applied in an unsophisticated manner.	Fails to identify tools, models, theories from a range of management disciplines and/or work is of a poor quality. Work may contain factual errors. The work demonstrates a poor understanding of the methodology or theoretical frameworks. There may be basic errors in the application of the theories and/or frameworks.	Fails to demonstrate any coherent understanding or application of theoretical frameworks. Fails to identify tools, models, theories from a range of management disciplines and/or work is of a poor quality. Work may contain factual errors. Work may be unrelated to the question. Work is unsubstantiated by references.
Critical Analysis (15%)	Organises and synthesises evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities related to issues being addressed.	Organises evidence to reveal important patterns, differences, or similarities related to issues being addressed. The work is clearly structured and convincingly supported by appropriate evidence, argument or illustration.	The work is clearly structured and the exposition of knowledge and ideas is clear and competent. Organises evidence, but the organisation may not be effective in revealing important patterns, differences, or similarities in issues being addressed.	Lists evidence, but it is not well organized and/or may be unrelated to issues being addressed. The evidence is descriptive and factual in nature.	Use of insufficient evidence to support analysis. Students did not undertake enough reading or empirical data collection to allow conclusions to be made.	Fails to use evidence in a meaningful way.
Conclusions(15%)	States a conclusion that is a logical extrapolation from the inquiry findings. Evidence of formulated and sustained arguments with sophisticated analysis, inferences, synthesis of material.	States a conclusion focused solely on the inquiry findings. The conclusion arises specifically from and responds specifically to the inquiry findings.	States a general conclusion that, because it is so general, also applies beyond the scope of the inquiry findings.	States a conclusion that is not based on analysis and evidence, but rather represents a basic interpretation.	States an ambiguous, illogical, or unsupportable conclusion from inquiry findings.	Fails to state a conclusion or states a conclusion that is irrelevant.
Report structure and academic standards(10%)	Work is fully referenced according to accepted scholarly standards (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution). The report contains no flaws in spelling, grammar, format and exhibits high degrees of creativity and professionalism.	Work is fully referenced according to accepted scholarly standards (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution). The report contains no flaws in spelling, grammar, format, and is of a professional standard.	Work is fully referenced according to accepted scholarly standards (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) Report contains no flaws in spelling, grammar, format and is of a good standard.	Students use correctly some of the following information use strategies (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution). The report contains minor flaws in spelling, grammar, format.	Improper citation of sources and referencing of work. (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) Report contains some flaws in spelling, grammar, formatting.	Students fail to use the following information use strategies (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) Report contains extensive flaws in spelling, grammar, format, or the students failed to use a report format at all.

tae_636708794313176010_120636_1.docx

Soumi · Accepted Answer

ASSESSMENT TASK 2: INDIVIDUAL REPORT - DEVELOPING AN EVIDENCE BASE FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE
Executive Summary
The current report offers an in depth understanding of the fact that one have to collect a range of evidences to make a proper suggestion or recommendation to a given organisational issue. The first part of the report gives a brief introduction about the topic of the research. In the next section of the report the primary research question is presented, which is “How can Riverwood Logistics Company counter its workload mismanagement and sustain its existence through increased human resource?’’ In order to authenticate the research question, the context of the chosen organisation in Assignment 1 (Riverwood Logistics), 5Whys and uniqueness of the approach has been described. In the following section the wide range of contemporary management theories that are aligned with the given research question, are discussed along with an extensive details about their key aspects, relevance, significance in the context of Riverwood Logistics. The following section shows the gaps in the used theories and also offers an alternative tool for attempting to cover the literary gaps. Lastly, a real life case is provided that shows similar conditions faced by Riverwood Logistics and wraps up the entire report with a small conclusion. 
Table of Contents
Introduction	5
Research Question	5
Reviewing Literature on Contemporary Management	5
Contemporary Management Theories	6
System Theory	6
Chaos Theory	6
Contingency theory	6
Relevance of the Theories in Assessing the Research Question	6
Relevance of System Theory	6
Relevance of Chaos Theory	6
Relevance of Contingency theory	7
Role of the Theories in framing a Solution to the Challenges at Riverwood Logistics	7
System Theory for Riverwood Logistics	7
Chaos Theory for Riverwood Logistics	7
Contingency Theory for Riverwood Logistics	8
Gaps and Strength of the Used Theories and Alternative Theory that can fill the Gaps	8
Strengths on the Used Theories	8
Strengths of System Theory	8
Strengths of Chaos Theory	8
Strengths of Contingency Theory	9
Gaps in the Used Theories	9
Limitation of System Theory	9
Limitation of Chaos Theory	9
Limitation of Contingency Theory	9
McKinsey 7s Model as an Alternative	10
Real Life Examples	10
Conclusion	11
References	12
Appendix: Reflection on the Feedback for Assignment 1	14
Introduction
A business is set up based on external condition that includes the market regulatory factors and internal conditions that includes the stored resources and strategies. As the business market changes over time, due to the consistent shifts in the economy, government policies and the status of the organisation and its internal factors, organisational challenges come on regular intervals. The challenges also arise due to the business expansion of companies, adapted for faster business growth. As the challenges are based on changed market trends, the nature of the challenges always seems to be different from the previous ones. In the current report the issues faced by Riverwood Logistics, and its potential challenges are discussed critically through framing relevant research questions. The current report aims at showing how the research questions can lead managerial implications that incorporate understanding and offer solution to arising issues at Riverwood Logistics in Singapore. 
Research Question
The current research investigates “How can Riverwood Logistics Company counter its workload mismanagement and sustain its existence through increased human resource?’’ 
The current research question is significant for Riverwood, as the company is comparatively new in the logistics business sector and has a limited human resource despite getting more workload from newly partnered organisations. 
The research questions would show what has not been explored before in terms of finding ways of increasing human resource. It has been justified with the help of 5 Whys Methodology:
1. Why did workload mismanagement occur?
Since Riverwood Logistics merged with Amazon and it was stuck with huge workload, therefore mismanagement occurred. 
2. Why did they merge with Amazon?
In order to sustain growth, Riverwood Logistics merged with Amazon.
3. Why mismanagement needs to be countered?
Mismanagement needs to be countered in order to sustain its growth as an organisation. 
4. Why would Riverwood Logistics need to sustain its existence?
As Singapore is a highly competitive market, it has huge potential for earning profit.  
5. Why human resource increment is important for mitigating the issues? 
More human-resource would generate more capacity and better performance standards for Riverwood Logistics. 
Reviewing Literature on Contemporary Management
Considering the changing aspects of the market trends, the contemporary management nurtures the idea that no fixed management strategy is appropriate for any organisation for an eternity and the best management policy is to develop strategic management based on contemporary conditions of the externals-internal business environment of an organisation. As stated by Kasemsap (2018), contemporary management does not focus on solo factors of business management, instead it focuses on the idea of internal and external factors combined together, casting joint efforts on the condition of business. The contemporary management includes the components based on which, the used concepts of assessing organisational issues are evaluated, which eventually refines strategic management in changing organisational setting. 
Contemporary Management Theories
System Theory
The system theory is a set of internal assessment guidelines, which established the idea that organisations are a real life representation of a system, in which no solo department or function is important enough to motivate the entire organisational outcomes. 
Chaos Theory
In Chaos theory it is discussed that as business organisations do business in real life market conditions, which is far from an ideal and constant market condition, the outcomes of business are very natural and rarely aligned with theoretical expectations. 
Contingency theory
The contingency theory states that no particular theory can be applied to all organisations in same market conditions and same theory cannot be applied to an organisation in different point of time. 
Relevance of the Theories in Assessing the Research Question
Relevance of System Theory
As the system theory discusses the reasons of business outcome from a wider perspective, it does not fail to understand the organisational functioning mechanism as a whole. As supported by Gill et al. (2018) System theory focus on the fact that viewing the organisation from a larger perspective would help organisational understanding in the context of interdependencies of departments that strive towards a common goal. It is also mentionable that system theory tends to favour the aspect of inter-departmental synchronisation as a key to business success. As the current research question aims to find ways that ensures new and small organisation grow consistently in the logistics industry, the system theory provides a collective view of the entire organisation and instead of offering changes in particular areas or departments, an interrelated suggestion is offered, which makes it relevant.

Assessment Task 2: Individual Report - Developing an evidence base for your recommendations. Management in Practice Assignment 2: Individual Report - Developing an evidence base for your...