Evaluation of a Supply Chain Organization

The assessment consists of one component, which each component MUST be completed by students. The passing mark will be calculated as overall. Assignment Individual–based report (100% of total Mark) (i) Individually to prepare a 3000 (+/-10%) words report on an evaluation of a supply chain organisation / supply chain department of an organisation (ie part of a Supply Chain in either a Manufacturing; Retail or Service Industry). - to compare and contrast its supply chain strategy against a comprehensive literature review on appropriate supply chain theories - the theories include but are not limited to: planning, customer service, JIT/Quick Response, pipeline management, inventory/distribution management, E-supply chain, closed-loop supply chain, lean/agile, 6 sigma; - to evaluate the organisation and provide improvement suggestions - Include an Abstract (200 words max not in word count) - Include an Introduction (100 words) and a Conclusion (200 words both included in the word count) (ii) Your report should include data on the organisation to analyse the strategic role of the organisation within its supply chain and assessing its operation in terms of its supply chain strategy. This will involve secondary data collection and analysis. Students are expected to undertake significant research and literature review to develop their case. Students are expected to use minimum 30 peer reviewed academic journal articles as part of their critical evaluation in both introduction and main body. Please, note the expectation is for 30 individual articles, not 30 in-text citations. Referencing your work The APA method of referencing uses the author's name and the date of the publication. In-text citations give brief details of the work you are referring to in your text. References are listed at the end of the text in alphabetical order by the author's name. The general format of an electronic journal reference in the APA style is shown below: Coutu, D. (2009). Why Teams Don't Work. Harvard Business Review, 87(5), 98-105. Retrieved 29th April 2012 from EBSCO http://searchebscohost.com Author/s name and initials are listed first, followed by year of publication in brackets. Then there is the title of article and the journal where the article appears, which is in italics. Then state the volume and issue number (in brackets) along with the pages where article can be located. Finally add the date the article was retrieved and then the name of the database, followed by the web address. Wherever possible use the homepage URL rather than the full and extended web address. For further information on why it is important to reference accurately go to the Referencing and Plagiarism topic in Skills Plus available from the Library website: www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus You will find other useful help guides on Skills Plus to help you with the skills involved in writing your assessments and preparing for exams. For further information on the APA style of referencing see the Concise Rules of APA style and the APA website http://www.apastyle.org/learn Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives Knowledge & Understanding: 1. Critique and appraise a variety of Strategic Supply Chain Management techniques and their application to the analysis and interpretation of business data for a variety of organisational applications. (MLO1) 2. Understand and critically evaluate the role of Strategic Supply Chain Management as an aid to decision making; through the selection of techniques to assist in the solution of business problems. (MLO2) Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities: 3. Evidence skills in the handling of Supply Chain Management techniques and the corresponding findings of its analysis and for progression to more advanced contexts. (MLO3) Module Specific Assessment Criteria and Rubric MO9622 Individual Assignment Marking Grid Criteria (this is not the headings of the report) Excellent Good Acceptable Poor Very Poor Introduction -purpose/objectives of this assignment -rationale behind selecting the case company (from presentation) -the brief structure of the rest of the work 9-10% 7-8% 5-6% 3-4% <3% Appropriate focus on elements of question, presented goals and challenges in the case company -current strategic level of supply chain resources planning -current directions, decisions and possible challenges 9-10% 7-8% 6-5% 4-3% <3% Extensive appropriate theoretical and literature contribution with underpinning adequate theories and strategies -identify relevant theories, make comparisons to the above strategies, directions, decisions and challenges 25-30% 21-24% 16-20% 11-15% <10% Practical contribution and appropriate connection to the case company -identify areas of improvement and provide suggestions -propose new strategic planning/model (s) 9-10% 7-8% 6-5% 3-4% <3% Critical evaluation and in-depth analysis and providing insight to promote argumentative discussion -theory vs practice -pros vs cons -contributions vs limitations -current vs proposed model(s) 17-20% 13-16% 9-12% 5-8% <4% Concluding remarks -summary -recommendations and practical implications to the case company 9-10% 7-8% 5-6% 3-4% <3% Quality and quantity of Structure, Grammar, Citation and Referencing (Minimum 30 academic peer reviewed journal articles and books) 9-10% 7-8% 5-6% 3-4% <3% Grand Total 70-100% 61-70% 51-60% 41-50% <40% Overall /100 ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS You are advised to read the guidance for students regarding assessment policies. They are available online here. Late submission of work Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following penalties will apply. For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark. Coursework submitted more than 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval will be regarded as not having been completed. A mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment and the module will be failed, irrespective of the overall module mark. These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. The full policy can be found here. Word limits and penalties If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply. The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include: Glossary, footnotes, tables Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count. Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment (including ALL appendices) and it must be made available within 24hours of them requesting it be submitted. The full Word Limit Policy is available here. Academic Misconduct The Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) contain the Regulations and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct. The full policy is available at here You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion and other forms of academic misconduct as referred to in the Academic Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations are taken very seriously. Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.