Implementation of Balanced Scorecard at Magnus University Hospital

This third assignment is based around a published case study into the implementation of the balanced scorecard at Magnus University Hospital. It should build upon your reading for the first assignment and apply that learning to examine the case study.

We recommend that you use mostly the articles listed below together with the sources you selected in assignment 1.  You may also select further sources from your research.  This will involve evaluating a wide range of sources to select those which you judge to be most appropriate.  You should limit your final selection to a maximum of 12 articles in total (including articles from the recommended reading list).

Learning Outcomes

This is designed to meet the following learning outcomes:

1. Critically review various accounting techniques and concepts, introduced in prerequisite modules, through self-directed research

2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of key issues presented in prerequisite modules and their relevance to the current practice of accounting through case study analysis

3 Evaluate the implications of  accounting practice, recognising its limitations, in a broader social and economic context

      6. Express complex arguments logically, using supporting analysis and  evaluation with reference to current developments in accounting

Assignment

How does the experience of the case study company, Magnus University Hospital, illustrate the objectives and challenges of non-profit making organisations seeking to combine financial and non-financial information in their management reporting to assist the achievement of long term performance objectives?

In addressing this question, you should consider and discuss:

· What are the requirements and challenges of an effective performance measurement system for non-profit organisations?  

· What are advantages and disadvantages of using a balanced scorecard to measure the performance of a non-profit organisation? Use the Magnus University Hospital to illustrate this.

· How does Magnus University Hospital intend to overcome the problems it has experienced in its initial attempts to implement the Balanced Scorecard?  Propose a new Balanced Scorecard for Magnus University Hospitals, justifying your design, choice of strategic priorities and proposal for 10 key performance indicators.  

Submission and deadlines

Your assignment should be a maximum of 4,000 words long.  This word count limit includes the body of your essay and in text citations but excludes your title page, contents page and list of references.  Use the format specified in the module guide.

This assignment carries 40% of the available marks for this module. The marking criteria are set out

below and are in the module guide.

Assignment

Deadline:  13:00 hours Thursday 25th March 2021

Your assignment should comprise one word document with a filename in the format 12345678-synoptic3 (where 12345678 is your student number).  You must upload your assignment document to the turnitin drop box on the module’s moodle site before the deadline.  Your assignment will be marked anonymously.  Do not include your name in the filename or anywhere in the document.

When you submit an assignment using turnitin you are confirming that the work is your own.

You are not required to hand in a hard copy of your assignment. 

Recommended reading list

Ferreira, A. and Otley, D. (2009) 'The design and use of performance management systems: An extended framework for analysis', Management Accounting Research, 20 (4), pp. 263-282.

Kaplan, R.S. (2001), ‘Strategic performance measurement and management in nonprofit organisations’, Nonprofit Management and Leadership,  11 (3), pp. 353-70.

Kaplan, R.S. and Norton, D.P. (2007) ‘Using the balanced scorecard as a

strategic management system’. Harvard Business Review, 85(7/8), pp. 150-161.

Norreklit, H. and Mitchell, F. (2007) ‘The Balanced Scorecard’ in Hopper, T., Northcott, D. and Scapens, R. W. (eds.) Issues in Management Accounting. 3rd edn. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall, pp. 175-200.

Northcott, D. and Taulapapa, T. M. (2012)  Using the balanced scorecard to manage performance in public sector organizations International Journal of Public Sector Management Vol. 25 No. 3, 2012 pp. 166-191.

Criteria

The case study assignment will be assessed as follows:-

Analysis of key issues . (25%) A key skill is the ability to recognise important issues from a complex scenario and explain your reasons for their selection. You will be assessed on your ability to analyse these key issues, using appropriate strategic models.

Application of management accounting techniques. (25%) This assignment tests your ability to apply your learning in a particular situation. You should select accounting tools and methods that are applicable to the situation and explain the reasons for your choices. You should also suggest potential alternative approaches and any potential weaknesses in the solutions you suggest. You should make links between the key issues you have identified (see preceding criteria) and the techniques you have selected.

Ability to problem solve and draw supported conclusions (40%)

Recommendations should be put forward, in line with the analysis carried out. You should draw overall conclusions, by clearly relating back to the earlier discussions in your answers. This should cover both strategic analysis and application and discussion of appropriate management accounting techniques

Presentation. (10%) This will assess your ability to present your findings in a professional manner and to a standard that would be acceptable to practicing senior managers. Your report should be well written, have a logical structure, contain such tables and charts as are appropriate to explain your points and be presented in accordance with the detailed instructions in the brief. This will include presentation of citations in the text and accurate referencing, in the correct format (where appropriate).