Solent University Coursework Assessment Brief
Module Title: |
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (Semester 1) |
Module Code: |
BFA701 |
Module Leader: |
Tim Jackson |
Level: |
7 |
Assessment Title: |
Case Study Report |
Assessment Number: |
1 (Resit (Second Sitting)) |
Assessment Type: |
Report |
Restrictions on Time/Word Count: |
3500 Words |
Consequence of not meeting time/word count limit: |
There is no penalty for submitting below the word/count limit, but students should be aware that there is a risk they may not maximise their potential mark. Assignments should be presented appropriately in line with the restrictions stated above; if an assignment exceeds the time/word count this will be taken in account in the marks given using the assessment criteria shown. |
Individual/Group: |
Individual |
Assessment Weighting: |
100% |
Issue Date: |
17/01/2023 |
Hand In Date: |
See SOL Submission Link |
Planned Feedback Date: |
4 Working Weeks |
Mode of Submission: |
Online |
Number of copies to be submitted: |
1 electronic copy via SOL |
Anonymous Marking |
This assessment will : (a) be marked anonymously |
Assessment Task
You have been asked to act as a business consultant tasked with writing a report that identifies key
industry trends and, based on these trends, critically evaluates 2 business development opportunities for
an organisation of your choice. You must pick two business development opportunities from the list
below that you believe are most appropriate for the organisation given the trends you have highlighted.
1. Apply concepts of the circular economy to reduce the negative environmental impact of the
organisation.
2. Improve data collection and analysis capabilities in the organisation to enhance organisational learning
and leading to an improved customer experience.
3. Implement specific business process improvements that improve efficiency and / or reduce costs in
the organisation to make it more profitable.
4. Commercialise a technology or intellectual property that has been developed by the organisation.
5. Increase sales through a very specific use of e-commerce technology.
Your report must include the following elements. The word length of each section is suggested as a guide
based on the importance of each section. You are expected to use appropriate subheadings in each
section.
Title Page
Contents Page
Introduction (500 words)
Evaluation of Business Development Opportunities (2500 words)
Conclusion and Recommendations (500 words)
References
Appendices
You should make use of appropriate business analysis models to support your evaluation of business
development opportunities. Your critical evaluation of the 2 different chosen business development
opportunities should be supported by references to supporting examples and theories. Your critical
evaluation should further consider the risks associated with the opportunities being explored. The
conclusion and recommendation should clearly identify which business development opportunity you
recommend pursuing, including a summary of how this opportunity with enhance the business and the
customer value proposition.
Your submission should be formatted in a professional manner and of a quality that would meet the
expectations of a senior management team. This is also an academic piece of work and therefore
requires appropriate Harvard Referencing throughout. You should make frequent reference to relevant
theories and examples to support your analysis.
If you have attempted this assessment previously and are resitting, then you should give careful
consideration to the feedback given on your previous attempt. You must also choose a different company
to investigation and explore different business development opportunities.
Learning Outcomes
This assessment will enable you to demonstrate in full or in part your fulfilment of the following learning outcomes identified in the Module Descriptor:
Living CV
As part of the University’s Work Ready, Future Ready strategy, you will be expected to build a professional, Living CV as you successfully engage and pass each module of your degree.
The Living CV outputs evidenced on completion of this assessment are:
- Experience of researching and analysing business performance using desk research
- Experience of applying existing academic research to make appropriate recommendations to a
- Writing business analysis reports for senior management
Please add these to your CV via the Living CV builder platform on Solent Futures Online Solent Futures Online
Important Information
You are reminded that:
- If this assessment is submitted late e. within 7 calendar days of the submission deadline, the mark will be capped at 40% if a pass mark is achieved;
- If this assessment is submitted later than 7 calendar days after the submission deadline, the work will be regarded as a non-submission and will be awarded a zero;
- If this assessment is being submitted as a referred piece of work, then it must be submitted by the deadline date; any Refer assessment submitted late will be regarded as a non-submission and will be awarded a zero.
Extenuating Circumstances
The University’s Extenuating Circumstances (EC) procedure is in place if there are genuine short term exceptional circumstances that may prevent you submitting an assessment. If you are not ‘fit to study’, you can either request an extension to the submission deadline of 7 calendar days or you can request to submit the assessment at the next opportunity, i.e. the resit period (as a Defer without capping of the grade). In both instances you must submit an EC application with relevant evidence. If accepted under the university regulations there will be no academic penalty for late submission or non-submission dependent on what is requested. You are reminded that EC covers only short term issues (20 working days) and that if you experience longer term matters that impact on your learning then you must contact the Student Hub for advice.
Please find a link to the EC policy below:
Academic Misconduct
Any submission must be your own work and, where facts or ideas have been used from other sources, these sources must be appropriately referenced. The University’s Academic Handbook includes the definitions of all practices that will be deemed to constitute academic misconduct. You should check this link before submitting your work.
Procedures relating to student academic misconduct are given below:
Ethics Policy
The work being carried out must be in compliance with the university Ethics Policy. Where there is an ethical issue, as specified within the Ethics Policy, then you will need an ethics release or ethics approval prior to the start of the project.
The Ethics Policy is contained within Section 2S of the Academic Handbook: Ethics Policy
Grade marking
The University uses an alpha numeric grade scale for the marking of assessments. Unless you have been specifically informed otherwise your marked assignment will be awarded a letter/number grade. More detailed information on grade marking and the grade scale can be found on the portal and in the Student Handbook.