Strategic Global Operations

ILP325 Strategic Global Operations 2015-2016 Assessment Details 1. Module code and title: ILP325 Strategic Global Operations 2. Assessment: Weighting, Type and Size of Assessment: Individual coursework / 100% , 4000 words 3. University Regulations for Assessment: All assessments are subject to the Academic Regulations for Taught Provision. These include regulations relating to Errors of Attribution and Assessment Offences. In exercising their judgement, Examiners may penalise any work where the standard of English, numeracy or presentation adversely affects the quality of the work, or where the work submitted exceeds the published size or time limits, or where the work fails to follow normal academic conventions for acknowledging sources. See endnote 4. The Requirements for Assessment: Students will be required to write an essay supported with reference to the academic literature that answers the following question: Many companies have honed their competitive edge by adopting the just-in-time philosophy that involves producing goods to meet demand exactly in time, quality and quantity. But such highly-tuned systems leave manufacturers vulnerable to disruptions in any of the many links in their supply chain. Major storms like Hurricane Sandy and other unexpected natural disaster such as Japanese Tsunami have prompted some companies to rethink the popular just-in-time style of doing business. Critically analyse the elements of Toyota’s JIT practices and explain how such elements had influenced Toyota performance objective. Note: During the module there will be an assignment surgery. During this session there will be the opportunity to check your understanding of the assessment requirements and to gain some formative feedback from my lecturer. 5. Special Instructions: The tutors expect each paper to draw on the academic literature, in particular peerreviewed journal articles, rather than text books. The essay should be in essay format. You are expected to develop the content and use journal articles to support your opinion, writing in the third-person. Where you are asked to apply the body of knowledge to a particular organisation known to you, be mindful of the assessment criteria which emphasises the academic content. The essay should be presented in a regular A4 paper in Times New Roman font style, size 12 font size, doubles or 1.5 spacing. Margins on each page should not be less than 4cm on the left, 2cm on the right, 3cm at the top and 2cm at the bottom. All sheets must have a page number and each page of content should be printed on a sheet of paper (i.e. no double sided). A complete and accurate reference list is expected. On the front page you should indicate the word count which includes references and tables in the text, but not the reference list. All spelling must be in UK English spelling, all words must be spelled in full (for example, use “does not” instead of “doesn’t”, Latin abbreviations such as “e.g.” and technical terms are exempted) and all diagrams, tables and figures must have a title located at the top. All acronyms must be spelled in full in the first instance of its use in the essay. Tutors will apply the following assessment criteria that are developed more fully in the attached assessment grid. • Evidence of accessing and using relevant theoretical material and the ability to demonstrate this material has been used to inform the outcomes of the papers. • The ability to demonstrate a critical understanding of the literature. • The ability to communicate effectively through the vehicle of a written paper produced in accordance with the learning objectives and assessment criteria provided. Use the Harvard referencing system to accurately reference any literature sources used to inform the paper and to compile the related list of references. Further information is in your course handbook. 6. Endnote: Please note Careful referencing of sources is vital when making use of the work of others. You are expected to employ the referencing conventions recommended in the Course (Harvard referencing). These conventions apply to information taken from internet sources, as well as books, journals and lectures. These are some of the points you should check before submitting your work: • are all direct quotations, from both primary and secondary sources, suitably acknowledged (placed in quotation marks or indented)? • have you provided full details of the source of the quotation, according to the referencing convention used in the Course? • have you acknowledged the source of ideas not your own, even if you are not quoting directly from the source? • have you avoided close paraphrase from sources? (Check that you are not presenting other people’s words or phrasing as if they are your own.) • if you have worked closely with others in preparing for this assessment, is the material you are presenting sufficiently your own?