minimum 5 journal articles and not older than 10 years from :
- Journal of Operations Management
- Production and Operations Management
- International Journal of Production Economics
- International Journal of Operations and Production Management
- Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
- Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
- International Journal of Production Research
- Production Planning and Control
- Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
Imagine that you are a government employee (or military personnel). You have received a proposal from a contractor for a two-billion-dollar ($2,000,000,000) project for the purchase of fifty (52) towers to be installed on the Arizona-Mexico border. Each tower will have radar, night vision, and day vision with 7.5- mile range. You have been appointed as the Chairman of the Source Selection Evaluation Team.
Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:
1. Defend the purpose of technical evaluations in regard to:
a. the importance of integrity and fairness.
b. the factors used to determine the competitive range.
2. Create an outline of the final technical evaluation report
3. Determine the factors to consider when evaluating price reasonableness.
4. Examine different methods of price analysis. Determine which price analysis method would fit best in this scenario. Support your reasoning.
5. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment..Please include Resources:
Compton, P. B. (2010). Federal acquisition: Key issues and guidance. Vienna, VA: Management Concepts, Inc.
Feldman, S. W., & Keyes, W. N. (2011). Government contracts in a nutshell (5th ed.). St. Paul, MN: Thomson Reuters.
Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Assignment options
Choose ONE of the options below:
a) Mintzberg (1987) likens strategy in an organisation to personality in an individual. Consider why this might be, and any implications for our understanding of strategy, with reference to The Strategy Concept parts I and II and a maximum of TWO other relevant concepts introduced on the module.
b) Analyse the strategy of a company of your choice from the perspective of any ONE or TWO of the models or concepts introduced in lectures.
You are required to submit one hard copy and one soft copy (via the Turnitin drop-box in the KLE) by 1pm Monday 23rd November (see Module Guide – also on the KLE – for full details). You must include the Turnitin reference number on your hard copy cover sheet.
The word count target is 2000 (+/- 10%, excluding your references list and any appendices).
Proper and full Harvard referencing is essential.
Question-specific advice
a) These two articles were covered in Lecture 1, but you may find that the ideas resonate with other concepts introduced in subsequent sessions. Make sure that you are explicitly answering the question, not simply reproducing or paraphrasing Mintzberg’s work. Do your best to show that you understand what he is saying by – for instance – evaluating it (is it a good or bad idea, how useful is it, does it really help us to understand the nature of strategy?…) or pointing out any similarities you see with other ideas on the module.
Note: the inclusion of additional concepts is optional, it is entirely acceptable to concentrate your discussion solely on the Strategy Concept articles – this will give you the opportunity to achieve greater depth, whilst the addition of other concepts allows for comparison. Both approaches are valid: ‘different, but equal’.
If in doubt, discuss with me!
b) This is an opportunity to examine a real company of your choice and research their strategy with specific reference to your chosen topic(s).
If you choose one of the companies or industries examined in tutorials, you will of course be expected to use much more than just the case study material!
I strongly suggest that you start by choosing a company in which you are personally interested, and ask yourself the following questions to get you started:
• Can I find sufficient information about this company?
o Company reports?
o Academic sources?
o Quality media sources
• Do they explicitly state what their strategy is?
o If they do, do you agree that it is appropriate, and why?
o Do they appear to be doing what they claim to be doing?
o If they do not, why not?
• What are independent sources (academic, media…) saying about them? (See below).
Based on the above, you can then choose the model(s) and/or framework(s) you consider most appropriate to help you examine their strategy.
I suggest you start by reading the Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s statements in the company annual report (if appropriate and available). There is no need to read the entire report, the statements above (often referred to as ‘letter to shareholders’ or ‘Chairman’s report’) should be adequate, unless you need more detail in specific areas such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports etc. You might also like to look back at previous years’ reports – is their strategy consistent, or has it changed. Why?
I also suggest that you look at quality media such as good newspapers (eg the Financial Times, Telegraph, Independent, Guardian) and periodicals (such as The Economist). Access to their sites (which are searchable) is free via the Library electronic sources.
Beware! You will find many ready-made answers to this kind of question on the Web, particularly on sites such as scribd, ivythesis and studymode. Do not be tempted to use them! Use only legitimate academic sources, quality newspapers, periodicals and media, and material taken from your chosen company itself – particularly the Annual Reports where available.
As always, if you have any concerns or need clarification of what is required, please ask me! Consultation hours 11-1 Mondays, or you can book an appointment:
Task:
1. Select two of the following strategic management models:
• Porter’s Five Forces
• Industry Life Cycle
• The Cultural Web
• Porter’s Generic Strategies
• Yip’s Drivers of Internationalisation
2. Use real examples to demonstrate how the two models can be applied in the car industry.
3. Critically evaluate the 2 models, identifying their strengths and limitations. Provide some suggestions for dealing with these limitations.
4. Based on your analysis, what recommendations would you make to a car company currently developing a strategy to improve their competitiveness in this industry? Provide an explanation of how these recommendations would improve their strategy.
Format:
3000 word (+/- 10%) written assignment
Submission:
Submission 13:00 Friday 18th December 2015.
You will need to submit a hard copy (handed in to the Business School Reception) and an electronic copy via Turnitin.
Marking Criteria:
The primary areas that the assignment will be marked against are:
• Structure and presentation
• Understanding of key concepts
• Analysis and argument
• Use of the literature
90-100%: a range of marks consistent with a first where the work is exceptional in all areas;
80-89%: a range of marks consistent with a first where the work is exceptional in most areas.
70-79%: a range of marks consistent with a first. Work which shows excellent content, organisation and presentation, reasoning and originality; evidence of independent reading and thinking and a clear and authoritative grasp of theoretical positions; ability to sustain an argument, to think analytically and/or critically and to synthesise material effectively.
60-69%: a range of marks consistent with an upper second. Well-organised and lucid coverage of the main points in an answer; intelligent interpretation and confident use of evidence, examples and references; clear evidence of critical judgement in selecting, ordering and analysing content; demonstrates some ability to synthesise material and to construct responses, which reveal insight and may offer some originality.
50-59%: a range of marks consistent with lower second; shows a grasp of the main issues and uses relevant materials in a generally business-like approach, restricted evidence of additional reading; possible unevenness in structure of answers and failure to understand the more subtle points: some critical analysis and a modest degree of insight should be present.
40-49%: a range of marks which is consistent with third class; demonstrates limited understanding with no enrichment of the basic course material presented in classes; superficial lines of argument and muddled presentation; little or no attempt to relate issues to a broader framework; lower end of the range equates to a minimum or threshold pass.
35-39%: achieves many of the learning outcomes required for a mark of 40% but falls short in one or more areas; not a pass grade but may be sufficient to merit progression to the next level.
30-34%: a fail; may achieve some learning outcomes but falls short in most areas; shows considerable lack of understanding of basic course material and little evidence of research.
0-29%: a fail; basic factual errors of considerable magnitude showing little understanding of basic course material; falls substantially short of the learning outcomes for compensation.
Further information: University Marking and Grading Policy
Order Description
CARDIFFSCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: ASSIGNMENT FEEDBACK PROFORMA
STUDENT NAME: PROGRAMME:
STUDENT NUMBER: YEAR: GROUP:
Module Number:
CIS7014 Term:
1,2&3 Module Title:
End User Computing Risk Management
Tutor Responsible For Marking This Assignment: Dr Simon Thorne
Module Leader: As above
Assignment Due Date: Hand In Date:
ASSIGNMENT TITLE:Cymru Capital investments
SECTION A: SELF ASSESSMENT (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT)
In relation to each of the set assessment criteria, please identify the areas in which you feel you have strengths and those in which you need to improve. Provide evidence to support your self-assessment with reference to the content of your assignment.
STRENGTHS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
I certify that this assignment is a result of my own work and that all sources have been acknowledged:
Signed:______________________________________________ Date___________________________
SECTION B: TUTOR FEEDBACK
(based on assignment criteria, key skills and where appropriate, reference to professional standards)
STRENGTHS
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND TARGETS FOR FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS
MARK/GRADE AWARDED DATE: SIGNED
ASSIGNMENT MODERATED BY: DATE
MODERATOR’S COMMENTS:
Learning outcomes addressed in this assignment:
• Critically evaluate the role of EUC in modern organisations
• Demonstrate understanding of the risks associated with EUC, specifically spreadsheet error.
• Understand the role Human Factors plays in spreadsheet development.
• Evaluate and discuss methods applied to spreadsheets to reduce errors presented in academic research.
• Formulate suitable management strategies for management of EUC in organisations
• Understand the role of legal, management and technological policies for the control of EUC in organisations.
Cyrmru Capital Investments (CCI)
1. Background
CymruCapital Investments (CCI) is a mid sized bank working in corporate andinvestment Banking. The bank has offices located throughout Europe and USA employing 20,000 people in over 500 offices, and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).The bank has enjoyed rapid growth in the last five years and at the end of the last financial year recorded a profit of £2.9 Billion.
CCI’s core business is securities underwriting although it does also trade in derivatives, foreign exchange and commodities. The bank underwrites newly issued securities (Bonds and shares) from corporations and governments on the capital markets. In addition, CCI also underwrites loans and credit to various customers through a detailed process of credit analysis, this is known as Bank underwriting.
The bank’s actuaries are the employees responsible for assessing the risks of its investments and subsequently pricing the products and services sold to clients.
2. The use of Information Systems at CCI for underwriting
CCI is a typical investment bank,making extensive use of information systems to support its business functions. The bank has a formal system for officially recording agreements between CCI and clients called the “Deal Capture System”. The bank also has abespoke financial modelling systemcalled “Aladin model builder”.
The Deal Capture System is a regulatory requirement of the FSA that allows the CCI to make a formal record of the details of all deals brokered by the bank including the correspondence between the bank and the client whilst the deal was negotiated. This system is designed to be live so that the bank has a real time view on deals progressing at any one time.
Aladin is a model building tool that calculates the risk of a deal based on variables input into the system. Once the user has collected the relevant data, Aladin gives an indication of the risk levels CCI exposes themselves to with each investment.
In addition, the organisation has a central information systems department that services the organisations hardware, software and users. Each year the IS department conducts an audit of the data processing activities of the staff.
3. Internal audit
During a recent internal audit, it was noted that the bank had a high dependency on the use of spreadsheets and that some spreadsheets are used for mission critical decision-making. The audit revealed that CCI has in excess of 50,000 operational spreadsheets across the organisation which range from trivial expenses claims through to complex financial spreadsheet models.
The auditors asked the risk modellers why they rarely used the data capture system and the Aladin model builder. The users complained that these systems are slow and inflexible. In particular the Aladin model builder is too restrictive, it lacks the ability to define the model in great detail and requires extensive re-configuration to be kept up to date with changing commercial conditions. This has led to the pervasive use of spreadsheet software as the primary means of calculating risk levels, pricing levels and negotiations.
Further investigations by the auditors revealed spreadsheets are used in almost every underwriting deal CCI makes. Frequently, the corporate systems are engaged after the deal has been negotiated and agreed on a spreadsheet. The users complain that they would not be able to do their jobs competitively without using spreadsheets as their primary tool for brokering deals.
The auditors examined a small sample of spreadsheets used day to day by the employees. The sample contained various types of spreadsheets including: Simple administration duties such as expenses, Data stores for holding client contact information, Decision support spreadsheets used by heads of departments for resource planning and financial modelling spreadsheets used by actuaries for assessing risk and pricing deals.
The auditors found no evidence that any of the spreadsheets had been developed: using a methodology; undergone testing;been formally documented. When the auditors asked the heads of departments how spreadsheet model integrity is ensured at a department level, most cited the CCI End User Computing policy signed by all staff.
The End User Computing policy was introduced to ensure that CCI complies with theU.S. Sarbanes Oxley Act (2007). The current EUC policy simply tracks where the EUC artefacts (such as spreadsheets and databases) exist on the company network and requires the heads of department and the author of the work to sign a document declaring that the information held in the EUC artefact is accurate. The EUC policy makes heads of departments and authors accountable for the accuracy of the data held in the spreadsheets. When asked about the effectiveness of the EUC policy, heads of departments explained that since they have limited expertise in spreadsheets and databases, it is impossible to objectively determine if the information presented is accurate. They therefore trust that the actuaries work is accurate and sign the document in good faith.
The auditors passed on their observations to the senior management team who in turn have requested a report outlining the risks to CCI and a pragmatic approach to managing the risks to which the bank is exposed.
4. The task
You are to compile a 5000 report for the senior management that addresses the problems CCI faces.
1. Firstly (50%), you mustoutline the risks associated with spreadsheet use and relate this to CCI’s spreadsheet activities and practices. Your report should alsohighlight the specific risks CCI faces and comment on any poor practice evident. Make use of citations to the literature and examples in your report.
2. Secondly (50%), you must recommend a new approach to managingCCI’s spreadsheets risk. You are free to adopt any approach you see fit with the exception of removing spreadsheet use from CCI completely. Your approach should take into account the fact that CCI has some 50,000 operational spreadsheets.
Marking criteria
A (70+) A comprehensive submission. Spreadsheet literature is covered in sufficient breadth and depth with a strong critical focus using a range of sources and citations. The realisation of the specific risks CCI pose is well explained and justified. The suggested approach to mitigating and controlling the risks is well considered, innovative and practically feasible.
B
(60-69) A good quality submission. Spreadsheet literature is covered in breadth and depth with some critical focus and a good number of citations. The realisation of the specific risks CCI pose is explained and justified. The suggested approach to mitigating and controlling the risks is well considered and practically feasible.
C
(50-59) A reasonable submission. Spreadsheet literature is covered in adequate depth but is mostly descriptive and contains fewer citations. Some realisation of the specific risks CCI pose with some explanation and justification. The suggested approach to mitigating and controlling the risks is moderately well considered.
D
(40-49) A passable submission. Spreadsheet literature is covered in limited breadth and depth and lacks critical comment. A limited number of citations are used. The realisation of the specific risks CCI pose is adequate but with little justification or explanation. The suggested approach to mitigating and controlling the risks is acceptable but contains evidence of misunderstanding and impracticalities
Fail<40 The submission fails to achieve minimum criteria described in D grade
Hand in requirements
All assignments must be handed in electronically using the Virtual Learning Environment.
critically review the incentives and disincentives to invest in research& development projects (to innovate) for a firm, industry and country.
illustrate all arguments with examples from the business world. make sure to make references to firm, industry and country
The Essay
The objective of this essay is to develop your understanding of the business model as a concept and how a theoretical understanding of business models can be used to explain the exploitation of innovations by organisations in real-life.
Academic literature relating to business models abounds but the academic community has not yet been able to agree on one single conceptualisation of the term. To successfully complete this part of the assessment, you are required to explore the academic, theoretical literature on business models and write an essay addressing the following: Based on your exploration of relevant literature, choose one conceptualisation that you think best explains how organisations exploit innovations. Explain your chosen conceptualisation and present a clear justification of your choice by:
1.critically discussing its superiority in comparison to one alternative conceptualisation; and by
2.applying it to a real-life innovation of your choice, which was introduced within the last 5 years.
You should include at least 8 references and no more than 20 references.
Choose two (2) public corporations in an industry which you are familiar – one (1) that has acquired another company and operates internationally and one (1) that does not have a history of mergers and acquisitions and operates solely within the United States. Research each company on its own Website, the public filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission. The annual report will often provide insights that can help address some of these questions.
Please do not use Apple, TESCO, Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. I already wrote papers on these companies this quarter.
1. For the corporation that has acquired another company, merged with another company, or been acquired by another company, thoroughly evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Thoroughly, justify your opinion.
2. For the corporation that has not been involved in any mergers or acquisitions, thoroughly identify one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merge with and thoroughly explain why this company would be a profitable target. For each one of these points listed please see which one the company is using: (Firms use acquisition strategies to (1) increase market power, (2) overcome entry barriers to new markets or regions, (3) avoid the costs of developing new products and increase the speed of new market entries (4) reduce the risk of entering a new business, (5) become more diversified, (6) reshape their competitive scope by developing a difference portfolio of businesses, and (7) enhance their learning as the foundation for developing new capabilities.) List problems companies need to address.
3. For the corporation that operates internationally, thoroughly evaluate and identify its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and thoroughly make recommendations for improvement. Be sure to thoroughly explain if they are doing it well.
4. For the corporation that does not operate internationally, thoroughly propose one business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy that you would suggest the corporation consider. Identify the business level strategy and explain if they are adopting the business level strategy. Thoroughly, justify your proposals.
5. Please make sure each paragraph has at least 5 long significant sentences or more. Use at least (5) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.
6. Paper cannot have more than 20% similarities. Must be APA style. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and reference page are not included in the required page length
MGT: HOTEL MANAGEMENT
PLEASE ANSWER THREE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS in 220 – 260 words each:
1. How does one become a GM? Cite five examples from our Guest Speakers, interviews with a GM, or the videos on Blackboard.
2. In your opinion, what skills are critical to being a management team member in a hotel? Cite five examples from our Guest Speakers, interviews with a GM, or the videos on Blackboard.
3. Look at three Blackboard videos from either Hong Kong, Thailand, Dubai, or Singapore for two different hotel market levels. Which GM concerns are similar? Which GM concerns are different? Cite three examples of each.
4. What are some of the unique challenges of resorts and emerging markets? Cite five examples from the Blackboard videos.
Your paper should be at least 3 pages in length 12 point font, double spaced. Your references are important and must be listed in APA style. You should have at least 4 supporting real world examples from reliable sources that support your topic or concept , and therefore have at least 4 references from reliable sources.
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