Coursework Brief:
AssignmentTutorOnline
You should choose one of following three topic questions. You are required to submit a 6,000-word report (Word length subject to confirmation).
General Notes
In preparing your report you will have to assume the role of one of the following:
1) The ‘Company Secretary’ that has responsibility for risk management in the business.
2) A Strategic Manager involved in determining the direction of the business.
3) An Operations Manager responsible for the strategic operations of the business.
You will have to be clear which of these roles you will fulfil, and you will write from this standpoint.
You will find appropriate advice on what it means to prepare a Board report during the module, and in the following links:
Board Report Template and Outline
or
How to Write a Good Board Report
or
http://www.companydirectors.com.au/director-resource-centre/publications/the-boardroom- report/back-volumes/volume-14-2016/volume-14-issue-2/effective-board-reporting-writing
We will also be discussing the nature of board roles and composition of boards with regards to risk management during the module.
Whichever option you choose, you should include a section on the ‘context’ within which you are writing the report. This should include information about the company that you have chosen to write your report for/about (if you have chosen a hypothetical company then include the assumptions that you have made about the fictional company). This information should be drawn from reliable sources that should include annual company reports, company published information, newspaper reports, investor brochures, shareholder information etc. Much of this type of information may be found from https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house .
2020/21 Module Handbook 11
Please do not use a ‘ready made’ case study from the internet, as this does not demonstrate analytical and research skills.
Option 1
The global economy is beginning to emerge from the biggest disruption in the functioning of the national and international economies in the last 70 years. There is still a significant degree of uncertainty in the future direction of the global economy and how long restrictions will impact the economy. Businesses like certainty for investment.
Given this situation you will prepare a Board report exploring risk management from your chosen perspective, of a multi-national corporate organisation.
In developing your report, you should include:
1) The key risks that will affect your business/organisation resulting from ongoing COVID-19 / Omicron infection rates;
2) The impact these risks may have on your activities; and
3) Your proposed mitigation strategies for these risks.
When selecting this question you are expected to select a company or organisation that you will prepare the report on behalf of.
Option 2
You work for a UK-based wine and beer importer with a turnover of £20M. Your main sources of imports are from the EU (although not exclusively so). At present, you are facing the double challenge of Brexit and ongoing pandemic disruptions.
Brexit has been one of the biggest changes in the European economy in the last 40 years, and for all countries involved has lead to a major change in the way that business has to be conducted. For UK businesses, this means navigating a new regulatory landscape, and the reframing of long standing international relationships.
You have been asked by your Board Chair to prepare a risk management report for the May 2022 Board meeting.
In developing your report, you should:
1) Identify the key risks associated with both major economic events;
2) Identify the specific risks and impact to the company associated with Brexit;
3) Develop a strategy for managing the risks you have identified.
2020/21 Module Handbook 12
When selecting this option you are free to identify a company around which to base your assessment or to undertake the work on a hypothetical case study.
Option 3
Climate change is a key risk to the global economy. Last year, the UK is hosted the COP26 conference in Glasgow at which the UK government sought to be seen favourably by the international community. It is very evident that all governments will have to make significant investments to achieve the commitments made in Paris directly or through legislation and regulation.
You are working for a large UK based home builder. Home heating generates in the region of 35% of UK carbon. As a result it will be a key area for focus by the UK government for carbon reduction. Therefore, you need to develop a risk management plan for your strategy for the next 10 years. This should focus on both ‘new build’ and ‘retrofit’ opportunities that may arise in the construction industry.
In developing your report, you should:
1) Identify the key risks to your company from central government and local government action on climate change;
2) The consequences of this to your business and its strategy; and
3) Recommend for consideration a new company strategy that can navigate these risks;
4) One of your recommendations should address the advice that you would give the Home
Builders Federation to feed into government consultations.
When selecting this option you are free to identify a company around which to base your assessment or to undertake the work on a hypothetical case study.
FEEDBACK
Date provisional mark will be available
8 June 2022
How provisional marks will be returned to you:
e-mail and via MyBeckett
Date individual feedback will available
Mid June 2021
How individual feedback will be returned to you:
via MyBeckett
2020/21 Module Handbook 13
- Marking Matrix
70% +
60-69%
50-59%
40 – 49%
Report content: The depth of reserch, the analysis of the information, and the correct application of theoretical frameworks – 80% of grade
In considering the work of candidates the following aspects may illustrate the work as suitable for this grade at master’s level.
The work directly, clearly and
consistently addresses the chosen key points
The work is progressively
structured with points logically arranged and key themes developed and fully explored
The presentation has excellent visual and content impact suitable for the audience
Research and commentary is clear and unambiguous.
Areas of synthesis associated with the application of theoretical frameworks and knowledge
In considering the work of candidates the following aspects may illustrate the work as suitable for this grade at master’s level.
The work directly and clearly and addresses the chosen key points
The work is progressively
structured with points logically arranged and key themes developed and explored
The presentation has good visual and
content impact suitable for the audience
Research and commentary is clear and unambiguous
Areas of critical analysis are present in dealing with complex concepts and frameworks
In considering the work of candidates the following aspects may illustrate the work as suitable for this grade at master’s level.
The work directly and clearly addresses the chosen key points
The work is structured with points logically arranged and some key themes developed and explored
The presentation has some visual and
content impact suitable for the audience
Commentary includes some ambiguity and
unclear discussions
Analysis is present
but level is constrained either in the application or apparent understanding of theoretical frameworks and concepts
In considering the work of candidates the following aspects may illustrate the work as suitable for this grade at master’s level.
The work addresses many of the chosen key points
The work is weakly structured with points arranged and some key themes developed and explored in a basic way
The presentation has limited visual and
content impact suitable
for the audience
Commentary includes
some ambiguity and
unclear discussions
Little analytical depth is
present.
Lacking a clear
theoretical framework, knowledge or application of concepts.
In considering the work of candidates, one or more of the following issues – if substantive – may determine that the work is below the standard expected at master’s level
The work fails to address the
chosen key points
The work lacks
structure and key
themes
The presentation
has little or no visual and content impact suitable for the audience
Commentary includes a significant degree of ambiguity and unclear discussions
Lacking in analysis, with no attempt to explore, apply or justify work with relation to theoretical frameworks and concepts.
Format of the paper, referencing, and writing style –
The paper uses an excellent recognised format for a Board report.
The paper uses a good recognised format for a Board report.
The paper uses an appropriate recognised format for a Board report.
The paper doesn’t use a recognised format for a Board report.
The paper is not structured as a Board report.
2020/21 Module Handbook 14
20% of the grade
The paper has excellent citation and referenced with clear reference list following Harvard referencing (see Quote/Unquote).
The paper has good citation and referenced with clear reference list with minor gaps following Harvard referencing (see Quote/Unquote).
The paper has acceptable citation and references with a reference list, with gaps following Harvard referencing (see Quote/Unquote).
The paper has some citation and references with a reference list, but contains gaps following Harvard referencing (see Quote/Unquote).
The paper has poor or very poor citation and references within the reference list, with major gaps following Harvard referencing (see Quote/Unquote).