THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON
NORTHAMPTON BUSINESS SCHOOL
MODULE: BUS3005 (All cohorts) 2017-2018
Module Code Level Credit Value Module Tutor
BUS3005 6 20 Louise Atkinson
Assignment Brief
Select an industry from the list below where dynamic
innovation is taking place. Use appropriate, research
and international examples to explain how the internal
and external environment has influenced innovation
(positively or negatively) in this industry over the last
10 years.
Assignment title:
Industry’s
Media and Entertainment
Energy and Utilities
Financial Services
Retail (excluding soft drinks & fast food)
Travel & Tourism
Weighting:
50%
Deadline:
Feedback and
Grades due:
Resit Date TBC : Resit brief is the same as the first sit
Purpose of the Assessment
The purpose of the assignment is to assess the student’s ability to identify key
strategic issues facing industry’s globally and the implications this has to industry
development.
It will test the students understanding of theory within the subject and their ability to
apply it to what is happening in their chosen industries today. This provides students
with the skills to review industry landscapes at both local and international levels.
Assessment Task
This assignment needs to be presented in an essay format. The word count is 2500
words. Please submit a document using Verdana, 11pt font with 1.5 line spacing.
Please include a title page including the full essay title, your name, and student
number.
Please refer to the link below for advice on structuring your essay:
http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk/tag/structuring-essays/
Please ensure you follow the advice below and shown on the NILE site regarding
content:
Advice #1: Please do not be tempted to only discuss your industry in your home
country. It is important to draw comparisons from various countries in order to give a
balanced answer that considers the issues at a global level.
Advice #2: The essence of this assignment is to give you skills in analysing key
issues facing industries at a global level. While you may include company level
examples you need to focus on the dynamics of the industry as a whole.
Advice #3: Note the key words in the title- Innovation, internal and external
environment and influence. Consider what has been happening in the industry to drive
innovation and the extent to which this has changed the dynamics of that industry,
positively or negatively. Analyse your findings.
Please ensure you write the full title of the assignment as given above at the start of
your assignment. This will help you to focus on the key areas you need to address.
Use the module materials to provide you with relevant theory and academic concepts
to support your discussion.
Assessment Breakdown
Marks will be awarded in the following areas:
1. Student articulates the strategic landscape of the industry effectively showing
appropriate use of theory to frame their answer
2. Student analyses the internal and external landscape and its effect on the
industry in terms of innovation and development
3. Student evaluates the key points made to draw sensible conclusions on the
most important aspects affecting the development of their chosen industry
4. Student demonstrates a consistently high standard of writing; knowledge of a
range of quality sources, and uses Harvard referencing correctly throughout
Assessment Submission
To submit your work, please go to the ‘Submit your work’ area of the Module NILE
site. It is important that you submit your work to the correct module NILE site, and
that your work is submitted on time.
Assessment Guidance
Please refer to the advice notes for some clarity on what is needed within the
assignment.
The best assignments are those that demonstrably use knowledge from the course
material and explore a range of sources that are of a high quality showing further
reading and deeper knowledge. For advice on library resources please check the
reading list tab on NILE.
Academic Practice
This is an individual assignment. The University of Northampton policy will apply in all
cases of copying, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtained
(or attempted to obtain) an unfair advantage.
Support and guidance on assessments and academic integrity can be found from the
following resources
SkillsHub: http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk
CfAP: http://tinyurl.com/UoNCfAP
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes being addressed through this assignment are:
Knowledge and Understanding
a) Research and evaluate a range of key issues in strategic
management.
b) Apply a range of key theoretical models
Subject specific skills
d) Apply academic models to current industry and company examples
Key Skills
e) Identify and analyse complex strategic issues using appropriate
knowledge
f) Articulating effective arguments in assessment tasks
