MGT302A/BIZ303_ Assessment 1 Brief_ Reflective Essay Page 1 of 5
ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title MGT302A/BIZ303: Strategic Management
Assessment Assessment 1 - Reflective Essay
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1,000 words, +/- 10%
Learning Outcomes a) Describe and evaluate the objectives, aims and the primary
aspects of a strategic plan whilst taking into account the vision
and mission of the organisation.
) Discuss and evaluate the processes and forces that
influence the strategic decision-making process in relation to
usiness strategy.
Submission Due by 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of module 3.1 (week
5)
For Intensive (6 week) class: by 11:55pm AEST/AEDT
Sunday of Module 3 (Week 3)
Weighting 25%
Total Marks 100 marks
Context:
An organisation typically achieves superior returns when it has a sound strategy that is well
implemented. A key part of determining an organisation’s strategy is a clear understanding of the
environment in which it operates. Evaluating the external as well as the internal environment in which
the organisation operates is a critical part of the strategic management process. This assessment
equires that you undertake an analysis of the internal business environment of OPTUS. To do so, you
are required to apply Porter’s Value Chain Model to OPTUS and reflect, using an academic journal
article of your choice, on how analysing the internal environment in this way can help to inform
managers in creating the organisation’s strategy.
Instructions:
This assessment requires that you consider each of the following:
➢ A
ief summary of the theory of Porter’s Value Chain Model.
➢ Analyses of OPTUS’ value chain by finding specific application to each of the value chain
components and providing an overall summary showing which parts of its operations create
value and which do not.
MGT302A/BIZ303_ Assessment 1 Brief_ Reflective Essay Page 2 of 5
➢ Your opinion on the usefulness and limitations of the Value Chain Model, using a To
ens
Li
ary academic journal article of your choice.
This assessment is a ‘reflective essay’ which means:
➢ It is an academic analysis, using your own opinions as well as those of others. It still follows
typical essay conventions, for instance, it should have a logical series of paragraphs and is
structured with a beginning, middle, and end. It is appropriate to use headings for this essay.
➢ You need to critically reflect on your own thoughts and rationale, then integrate these
eflections with appropriate theoretical concepts.
➢ It should be written in both the first and third person as directed in the suggested structure
elow.
To prepare for this assessment, the following steps are advised:
➢ Step 1 - Read the subject materials and Learning Resources in Blackboard:
o Understanding the organisation’s environment (module 2).
o Evaluating an organisation’s internal environment (module 2.2).
➢ Step 2 - Watch the following video on Porter’s Value Chain: https:
vimeo.com/ XXXXXXXXXX
➢ Step 3 - Familiarise yourself with cu
ent information about OPTUS (Singtel Optus Pty
Limited): https:
www.optus.com.au/about/corporate
➢ Step 4 – Undertake additional research on the company and its industry and source additional
eadings, including at least one additional journal article (this article has to be sourced from
the online To
ens Li
ary) that may support your critique of Porter’s Value Chain Model.
A suggested structure for your essay is as follows:
➢ Introduction (approx. 100 words). Define the purpose and scope of your essay, including what
you intend to cover. Identify, in a compelling way, why the topic is important. Explain its
context. This section should be written in the first person.
➢ A
ief summary of Porter’s Value Chain Model (approx. 200 words). Clearly and succinctly
outline the theory underpinning the approach (does not have to be detailed). Use a number
of academic references (lean heavily on the provided sources in Blackboard) to support the
description provided. This section should be written in the third person.
➢ Application of the model (approx. 450 words). Here, taking each component in turn, describe
and analyse the OPTUS value chain. Be purposeful and specific in applying each component of
the model. Integrate relevant academic references. This section should be written in the third
person.
➢ Usefulness and limitations (approx. 150 words). Explain the usefulness and limitations of the
Value Chain Model, supporting your arguments with at least one academic journal article of
your choice from the To
ens Online Li
ary.
Note, the model does have critique and a balanced reflection should show the usefulness of
additional methods of analysing the internal environment. Use references to support and
justify your position. This section should be written in the first person.
https:
vimeo.com/ XXXXXXXXXX
https:
www.optus.com.au/about/corporate
MGT302A/BIZ303_ Assessment 1 Brief_ Reflective Essay Page 3 of 5
➢ Conclusion (approx. 100 words). Summarise what you have undertaken in the essay along
with the relevant conclusions and your own opinions. This section should be written in the first
person.
Please note the following additional information:
➢ You should adhere to the co
ect use of academic writing, presentation and grammar. You
should use a combination of the first and third person in a reflective essay as directed.
➢ It is important to adopt the appropriate use of the latest APA edition style when citing and
eferencing research. It is important to provide the URL link or To
ens Li
ary link for each
source. Please comply with all academic standards of legibility and referencing.
➢ Important Notes on Research and use of Sources:
You are advised to include a minimum of 5 academic references which should include
textbooks and academic journals. These sources should be either from the prescribed sources
listed in the study modules on Blackboard or available through the To
ens Online Li
ary and
should be accessible by your lecturer. Unless the lecturer has access, no sources from other
university li
aries should be used. Appropriate websites with provided URL’s may be used in
addition to these. All sources should be accessible by the lecturer through the link provided in
the reference list.
➢ The attached learning ru
ic guides the marker when awarding marks for your essay. You
should use this ru
ic to review your paper, ensuring there is nothing you have missed.
Submission Instructions:
Submit your reflective essay via the Assessment link, in the main navigation menu, in
MGT302A/BIZ303 Strategic Management. The learning facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade
Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
MGT302A/BIZ303_Assessment1_ReflectiveEssay XXXXXXXXXXPage 4 of 5
Learning Ru
ic: Assessment 1 – Reflective Essay
Assessment
Attributes
Fail (Unacceptable)
0-49%
Pass
(Functional)
50-64%
Credit
(Proficient)
65-74%
Distinction
(Advanced)
75 -84%
High Distinction
(Exceptional)
85-100%
Introduction and
conclusion
10%
Provides poor context and
does not link to the
assessment in a clear and
coherent way. May be
missing entirely.
Provides satisfactory
context, however, link to
the assessment is only
partially clear and coherent.
Provides reasonable context
and link to the assessment in
a fairly clear and coherent
way.
Provides good context and
link to the assessment in a
clear and coherent way.
Provides excellent context
and link to the assessment
in an extremely clear and
coherent way.
Knowledge,
understanding,
eflections and
application of Porter’s
value chain model
60%
Limited understanding of
the required concepts and
knowledge.
Limited application,
eflection and analysis of
the model, with regards to
the case study, with
minimal evidence used.
Some knowledge and
understanding of the
equired concepts and
knowledge.
Some application, reflection
and analysis of the model,
with regards to the case
study, with satisfactory
evidence used.
Thorough knowledge or
understanding of the
equired concepts and
knowledge.
Thorough application,
eflection and analysis of the
model, with regards to the
case study, with clear
evidence used.
Highly developed
understanding of the
equired concepts and
knowledge.
Highly developed
application, reflection and
analysis of the model, with
egards to the case study,
with well substantiated
evidence used.
A sophisticated
understanding of the
equired concepts and
knowledge.
Excellent application,
eflection and analysis of
the model, with regards to
the case study, with a
oad and significant
evidence based used.
Usefulness and
limitations
20%
Demonstrates little or no
awareness of context
and/or future strategy.
Personal reflections are
largely missing.
Demonstrates limited
awareness of context
and/or future strategy.
Personal reflections are
satisfactory.
Demonstrates consistent
awareness of context and/or
future strategy.
Personal reflections are good.
Demonstrates an advanced
and integrated
understanding of context
and/or future strategy.
Personal reflections are
well-developed.
Consistently demonstrates
a systematic and critical
understanding of context
and/or future strategy.
Personal reflections are
sophisticated.
MGT302A/BIZ303_Assessment1_ReflectiveEssay XXXXXXXXXXPage 5 of 5
Referencing, grammar
and writing
10%
Demonstrates
inconsistent use of good
quality, credible and
elevant resources to
support and develop
ideas. Doesn’t adequately
eflect on the journal
article.
Grammar and writing
style needs improvement.
Demonstrates use of some
elevant resources to
support and develop ideas,
ut these are not always
explicit or