Case Study: Business Ethics

/in /by

Title  Case Study: Business Ethics
 
Assignment Guidance
 
 

Section / Title Details / Guidance
 
   
   
Executive Summary Do not include an ES – this is a short report.
 
Introduction:
(around 150 words)		 Short introduction that outlines briefly why business ethics is an important current topic in the leadership and management of people and signposts the principal issues to be addressed if each of the tasks is to be satisfactorily answered.
 
Task 1: (around 400 words) You may use recent ‘scandals’ as examples from the UK or elsewhere that have appeared in the media and deal with one or more aspects of accountability / transparency / employee ethical conduct. Please see the more detailed attached reading
To keep within the word limits you may need to use tables /charts / diagrams to provide some of your ‘evidence’. Ensure you categorise clearly what is meant by ‘risk’ and who the ‘risk’ applies to.
Task 2: (around 400 words) This is asking you to set out what policies and practices you would put in place to ensure ethical operation at the PA. In some cases, this will mean providing alternatives to achieving the three goals of accountability, transparency and employee conduct within your answer. You should base your approach on best practice.
 
Task 3: (around 450 words)  This should provide a focused answer that critically evaluates and justifies an appropriate leadership model to lead strategic ethical change. There is a need to illustrate and justify a suitable change initiative that would be suitable to change the culture of the unethical organisation selected in task one. Lessons learned should be seen as recommendations that could be used for the PA organisation.
Reference List A list of the third-party sources you have consulted and which are cited directly in the text. Predominately these should be those provided on / accessed via, .  A brief note explaining the reason/s for including wider internet sources used should be given at the beginning of your list of references where necessary.
 
All these sources should be properly identified.  Harvard style
Appendices No appendices are necessary.
 
Word Limit 1,400 words +/- 10%
 

 
 
Marking Guidelines
 
Mark Band A: 70-100%
Knowledge (Tasks 1 & 2)
Confident, comprehensive understanding of core issues / concepts and a clear / accurate comprehension of their respective significance and impact on organisation. Higher ‘A’ grades will demonstrate very extensive attempts to write concisely in presenting arguments and evidence.
 
Understanding (Tasks 1 & 2)
Continuous sustained attempt to critically assess and evaluate across the assignment. Signposting of issues in the Introduction will demonstrate some deeper thinking from the student than merely a re-phrasing of the Assignment Brief.
 
Presentation & Persuasion (Task 3)
Conclusions / recommendations are very closely and explicitly linked to any regulatory / performance ‘gaps’ found in the preceding task/s. Higher ‘A’ grades will rank the significance of findings/ conclusions  / recommendations more explicitly than for lower grades. resources will be consistently used and alignment to the questions being addressed will be exact. There will a strong sense of ‘audience’ in Task 3. Clear format which follows report / Harvard protocols accurately
 
Mark Band B: 60-69%
Knowledge (Tasks 1 & 2)
Comprehensive understanding of core issues / concepts and a clear / accurate comprehension of their respective significance, but less clear / developed regarding impact on organisation than for an ‘A’ grade answer.
 
 
Understanding (Tasks 1 & 2)
Analysis and evaluation will predominate, but elements of description may still be evident. Limited efforts to signpost answer in the Introduction.
 
Presentation & Persuasion (Task 3)
Conclusions / Recommendations will be logical and viable but may not be consistently / explicitly linked to gaps found in the preceding task/s. Findings / conclusions / recommendations will not be comprehensively ranked in terms of their importance as an ‘A’ grade answer.  resources will be less convincingly / comprehensively used. Clear format which follows report /Harvard protocols accurately
 
Mark Band C: 50-59%
Knowledge (Tasks 1 & 2)
A good range of literature and research sources on the topic area has been consulted. Citations will generally be of good quality and often support key arguments / points being made.
 
Understanding (Tasks 1 & 2)
There will be an attempt to analyse / evaluate but this may not be consistently maintained and some parts of the answer will remain descriptive. Some attempt to signpost answer in Introduction but this may rely on the detail of the Assignment Brief.
 
Presentation & Persuasion (Task 3)
Findings /Conclusions Recommendations may not be complete / make lack a business case although they will remain logical /viable. They may not be explicitly linked to gaps found in the preceding analysis.  resources may be used patchily. Clear format which follows report /Harvard protocols accurately.
 
 

 
Looking for a Similar Assignment? Order now and Get 10% Discount! Use Coupon Code "Newclient"

Leadership Project 2

/in /by
Leadership Project 2

Question Description

 
Threshold standards:
– Produce, to an acceptable standard, an evaluation and analysis of aspects of particular leadership issues in an organisation through the use of relevant leadership theory.
– Compare and contrast differing leadership styles and behaviours in an organisation from differing cultural, geographic and historic perspectives.
– Produce, to an acceptable standard, an assessment of how varying leadership styles impact upon the organisation and sector and systems
– Produce a critical evaluation of the impact of some leadership types upon followers.
– Reflect on some aspects of your leadership capability and needs for future personal and organisational development
Task:
You will produce a written report that critically assesses and evaluates your organisation and sector using organisational systems and structures theory (vMEME) and all the types of approaches and models of organisational strategy it contains.
Critically analyse particular leadership problems and challenges through critical evaluation and appropriate application of theory
1.Critically evaluate how certain types of leadership/management styles differ depending on history, culture, geographic life and conditions
2.Critically evaluate how certain types of leadership/management styles impact people performance, productivity
3.Critically evaluate how certain types of leadership/management styles determine who will ‘follow and how’.
4.Critically evaluate your personal leadership capabilities and critically analyse the need for future development
Through application of Seven Leadership Mindsets Theory (vMEME) you will have a tool (and the skill) to critically assess and evaluate all types of organisational and sector theories worldviews that include USA, UK, China, European countries, India, Oman, GCC, African countries, etc. Leadership is different depending on the relevant mindset (life conditions, how humans individuals adapt to successfully compete and socio-cultural elements). Inevitably leadership mindset impacts everything in a company – strategy, people, performance, productivity, etc.
Instruction: Please answer all of the following questions:
A suggested structure for the written report would include the following: This assignment can be divided into four equally weighted sections. These have been presented as four questions.
1. Having considered the theory, research and science, characteristics of organisations identify and assess:

  1. The seven structures and systems present in your organisation
  2. Analyse and describe how the present Leadership Value Systems and Structures in your organisation impact on leadership, management and staff.
  3. Consider and analyse differences to your competitors (local or global)
  4. Consider to what extent are these differences positive points of differentiation or negative traits of the organisation

2. Now that you understand your organisations structure consider your organisations sector. Critically analyse:

  • How has your sector evolved?
  • In what way do they differ to your competitors (local or global)
  • To what extent are these differences positive points of differentiation or negative traits of the organisation

3. Having examined change and transformation critically assess an analyse how to ensure your organisation’s continued growth and success, organisations need to undertake transformation and growth.

  • What kinds of changes are taking place in your sector and what do you believe the most successful organisations are doing to embrace the changes required to deliver continued success?
  • To what extent is your organisation at the forefront of this transformation (or maybe it is trailing some of the best organisations in the sector). Give examples of specific actions and leadership behaviours you are seeing to underpin your view.

4. Every organisation faces challenges and problems, which can be driven from rapid growth or serious decline. Identify and critically assess:

  1. The top two or three big issues your organisation is facing
  2. Key actions your organisation needs to take to put it on a path of future sustainable success.

 
 
 
*** Word count: 3450 words
*** In-Text Citation and References using Harvard style
*** My work place is: Ibri College of technology located in Sultanate of Oman (www.ibrict.edu.om)
*** A voice file have been uploaded that might help you

 
Looking for a Similar Assignment? Order now and Get 10% Discount! Use Coupon Code "Newclient"

Strategy (N1021) and Strategy for Finance (N1542)

/in /by

Strategy (N1021) and Strategy for Finance (N1542)
Individual Project Report – 30%
Word count: 1500 words (+/- 10%, excluding Tables and Figures)
Project brief:
Read the below case study ‘Warburtons Bread’ and review the appendices. Analyse
Warburtons industry and resources and capabilities by addressing the following questions
and justifying your answers with conceptual tools learned in class:
1. Is this an attractive and profitable industry? What structural factors make it attractive
or unattractive? Please elaborate your answer in detail using the tools taught in class.
2. Discuss the various strategies Warburtons implemented and explain how they relate
to the industry structure. Propose two additional strategies that could help
Warburtons achieve greater profitability in this industry and explain your reasoning.
3. Analyse Warburtons resources and capabilities and assess the extent to which the key
resources and capabilities contribute to the creation of sustainable competitive
advantage.
 The report could make use of secondary sources, which you can find using on-line
resources tools or other sources. If you make assumptions, please clearly state them in
your report.
 If the references are used throughout the main text, a complete list of bibliography
must be provided at the end using Harvard style.
 The answers should be in essay format addressing the questions presented. Each
question is worth 30%.
Assessment criteria
 Presentation (structure, coherence, referencing, appendices) => 10%
 Answers to the three questions above => 90% (30% X 3)
Fail Pass Satisfactory Good Distinction
% 1-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-100
Criteria
Presentation:
structure,
coherence,
presentation
style,
referencing,
appendices
Inadequate,
insufficient or
incomplete
Reasonable
presentation
but
inconsistent,
unclear
structure, many
errors, poor
proof-reading
Satisfactory
structure, style
with some
errors
remaining
Good
presentation
with consistent
accurate
referencing,
fluent style and
sound structure.
Minimal errors.
Excellent
presentation,
clear structure
with coherent
arguments and
explanation
throughout,
with exemplary
referencing and
use of relevant
appendices
Discussion of
three
questions
Demonstrates
little or no
understanding
of the
questions and
the strategic
tools to
address them.
Lack of relevant
arguments and
no evidence of
critical and
analytical
abilities.
Shows some
awareness and
understanding
of the questions
and the
strategic tools
to address
them, but with
little
development.
Shows a
reasonable
understanding
of the questions
and the
strategic tools
to address them
but formulates
the answers in
patchy sections
where
argument is
somewhat
logical and
sustained.
Develops
focussed and
clear arguments
when answering
the questions
using the
appropriate
strategic tools.
Articulates
clearly and
convincingly a
sustained train
of logical
thought while
demonstrating a
detailed
understanding
of the question.
Develops
sophisticated
arguments.
Shows a
rigorous use
and a
sophisticated
understanding
of relevant
materials and
tools, balancing
appropriately
between factual
detail and
logical
reasoning.
Overall
recommendat
ion and
conclusions
Mostly/Complet
ely fails to
address the
questions.
Does not really
address the
questions.
Includes
irrelevant info.
Does not
address all
aspects of the
questions.
Contains
irrelevant info.
Addresses the
questions
adequately.
Little or no
irrelevant info.
Addresses the
question
correctly, fully
understanding
the requirement
of the
assignment
Warburtons Bread1 Case
Sliced bread went on sale in the US in 1928 and soon became a British staple. But in the UK, sales of sliced
bread are flat. The Bread and Bakery Goods Production industry has been under considerable pressure
over the past five years because consumers’ interest in industrially produced goods has been fading.
Bread produced by large plant bakeries has traditionally accounted for the majority of bread eaten in
the UK but this is now less attractive to consumers and consumption of plant bread has been
declining. In contrast, small artisan bakeries have proliferated and proven increasingly popular, while
alternative baked products have also taken off. Apart from these changing consumer trends, industry
operators have also had to deal with fluctuations in wheat prices, which spiked in 2011 due to
pressure on global wheat supplies.
This industry is estimated to have a low level of market share concentration, since the top four
players2 are expected to account for 25.7% of industry revenue in 2015-16. The UK bread market is
dominated by industrial products, but no individual company has significant control over the industry.
Furthermore, major companies tend to concentrate on certain product segments. The market for
fresh cakes, pastries, flour confectionery and other sweet bakery products is much less concentrated
and there are no major players that specialise in these areas. Nearly two-thirds of industry operators
are small firms with fewer than 10 employees.
Due to overcapacity of bread production in UK, plant closures are welcomed by most of the
participants in the trade and in some cases may provide scope for margin expansion in due course.
The closures by Hovis – the company behind the “Boy on the Bike” television advert in the 1970s –
have put the focus on other brands in the industry such as Kingsmill, owned by Associated British
Foods.
1 Adapted from Bounds, Andrew (2015) ‘Innovation helps Warburtons brand rise’ Financial Times 22 May 2015
2 The top four players are Warburtons – 10% market share, Premier Foods (Hovis) – 7.5% market share,
Associated British Foods (Kingsmill) – 6.2% market share and Brace’s Bakery Limited – 2% market share.
However, with pressure and competition mounting from supermarket own-brands, analysts say
bakeries must invest in new products while also cutting costs. The multi-billion-pound sliced bread
market is a staple that the big five supermarkets are pricing aggressively to the point of having near
loss-leaders. Bread producers are struggling with global input rises. It is essential for bread makers to
innovate and broaden the brand appeal with new and exciting products to help with more leverage
over pricing. Whatever they try, however, it is simply tough out there as bread is mostly used as a
commoditized product.
For Warburtons, the 600m-long strip of dough winding through its new £20m production line in Burnley is
the greatest thing since sliced bread. Ross Warburton, a director of the family bakery, says its low-calorie
sandwich alternative, called Thins, explains how it has become the UK’s most chosen brand. “Consumer
tastes are moving faster than they were 10 years ago,” Ross Warburton says. “People are exposed to
different countries and products more than they were before. Bread is a staple people consume every
week and they want something different.” Thins, launched in 2011, now account for almost 10 per cent of
sales. Warburtons still relies on bread for 70 per cent of sales, but sales other of products introduced in the
past few years are growing at 30 per cent a year, including pancakes, wraps, potato cakes and gluten-free
products.
Thomas and Ellen Warburton started baking bread in their grocery store in Bolton in 1876. When the fifth
generation of the family took over in 1991 it was still largely confined to Lancashire. Five years ago it
achieved national coverage and is the second-best selling grocery brand after Coca-Cola in the UK,
according to the Grocer magazine. The family’s net worth is estimated at £500m. Jonathan Warburton,
another cousin, is chairman and his signature adorns every packet. The group has 12 bakeries and 14
depots across the UK, employing 4,500. Warburtons turnover rose 7 per cent year on year to £562m in
2014. Kantar Worldpanel, the market research company, says it is the most frequently purchased product,
chosen on average 25 times a year by 86 per cent of UK households.
The Warburtons accept they have no monopoly on wisdom; they hired Neil Campbell, former boss of
Tropicana, the fruit juice brand, as chief executive. Mr Campbell’s big brand experience managing
marketing of Walkers and Tropicana and helping them stand out, made him perfect for this job. Mr
Campbell says dealing with cut-throat competition among supermarkets has been challenging. The
company has opted for growth and innovation to preserve margins. “We tell retailers that if they stock us
we can grow the bakery category as a whole,” he adds.
Mr Campbell says its fleet of lorries, which deliver to more than 18,000 outlets daily, allows the company to
control its products and quality up to the shelf. Thins took almost two years to develop. They are baked for
just 90 seconds and can be cooled in a freezer in less than a minute, accelerating the production process.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, says Warburtons innovation has been
strong. “The sliced wrapped bread market is suffering. Volume and prices are going down. They have been
able to invest in new products while some of the other groups have had financial challenges.”
The business has spent more than £400m on new bakery technology and machinery in the past decade.
The Warburtons say holding on to staff means they have more money to invest. They also spend heavily on
marketing. Sylvester Stallone, the Hollywood star, is in the latest television and billboard campaign.
Ross Warburton crushes speculation about any prospect of a sale. It has turned down so many potential
partners over the years “they have stopped asking us. We have no intention of selling this business. It has
been our life”.
Appendix: Industry Information3
3 The Bread and Bakery Goods Production industry discussed in the case is equivalent to the Bread & Rolls
market pictured in the 3 figures above.

 
Looking for a Similar Assignment? Order now and Get 10% Discount! Use Coupon Code "Newclient"

management case

/in /by

Academic Report Writing
1
What is provided here is a possible formula for writing an academic assignment. Please remember there is no
definitive way in which to write a report.
Think of your report as a 3-part exploration and explanation of how to answer the question i.e. i) in theory, ii) with
reference to secondary information/ evidence and, iii) a critique of both i) and ii). It is a matter of exploring the
validity of various (and sometimes contradictory) perspectives on the key issues.
A report is best approached as an intellectual argument that develops from the ideas, issues, theories, concepts,
methodologies, etc. that you have covered within the module. Remember, no theory or perspective has the whole
picture. A prime purpose for a report is to critique particular ideas, pointing out how explanation A might be more
useful and valid than B in these circumstances. On the other hand, in the Conclusion of your report, you might want
to point out that in other contexts there may be other factors that need to be considered. Therefore, does this limit
or question the weight of claims you have made in the development of your current argument?
Key questions before you embark on writing your report
The Formula
This formula (of 8 paragraphs) assumes that your report has a limit of 1500-2000 words. For longer reports the
breakdown of sections is similar, but scaled up for the number of paragraphs you feel you need to realise each
part.
Paragraph 1 – The Introduction
Paragraphs 2 and 3 – Theoretical overview and general comments relevant to the perspective you are going
to employ in the following section.
Paragraphs 4 and 5 – Discuss in close detail, including secondary data and case studies/ workplace
experiences, how the perspective(s) discussed in Paragraphs 2 and 3 help to examine the key issues raised in the
title of the report.
 Have you clearly identified the key issue(s) of the assignment question?
 Have you checked the command word in the question – e.g. explain means give
details about why a certain perspective can be advocated; evaluate means make a
critical appraisal of the work and validity for a particular explanation of how topic in
question seems to work.
 In the development of your main argument, will you take a particular position that
views the key issue(s) from within a certain theoretical perspective?
 Maybe, though, you will take two slightly different positions when answering the
question. Or perhaps, you will chose to tackle the question from two contrasting
perspectives? If so, is there anything that is common for the topic to be
understood and explained in these differing views?
Academic Report Writing
2
Paragraphs 6 and 7 – Critique the argument you have just made, including a discussion of the limits and
constraints of the claims which the theory and supporting evidence can provide. Are you going to offer an
alternative view (with supporting evidence) or are you going to speculate on how the existing perspective needs to
be refined? Sum up to a closing position – a semi-conclusion.
Paragraph 8 – Conclusion
Introduction
A useful way to open your report is to consider some, or all of the following:
 Rewrite, and expand on, the report title using your own (different) words (this helps you to identify the
essential claim/ assertion in the question and provides an easy to read to open the report)
 Problematize the whole (or parts) of the question – is there an element of the question which can be
contested?
 Contextualise the main issue (how have these issues/ concerns come about, and in what circumstances?)
 Suggest a perspective(s) you have selected as being of possible use for framing the argument you are
going to develop in the main section i.e., what theoretical approach(es) are you taking, and as a result what
concepts and analytical tools are available for you to examine ‘reality’?
 You can even hint at the conclusions you will reach. (Introductions are thought about early on in the report
writing process, but usually written afterwards – to incorporate all of the above).
 What theoretical and predictive implications have you uncovered for you to present your workplace
experiences/ case studies as evidence to support your claims?
 What factors, consequences etc. might be incorporated for you to understand matters better? In other
words, how does a key theory(ies) set up a view of the problem?
(Paragraphs 4 and 5)
Become more specific by referring to case studies or secondary information that examines the main issue you are
dealing with (or aspects thereof) in more detail.
Is it possible to find two effective pieces of research-based literature that gives, either, contrasting interpretations of
the problem within your chosen perspective, or perhaps highlights a different handling of the same issue from an
alternative perspective? Either approach helps you to clarify why it is difficult to pin down your problem to a
definitive solution. Describe the key factors in use.
Main Body (Paragraphs 2 and 3)
Identify the key points of your secondary information you are using as
evidence to support your position on the matter you are evaluating in relation
to the assignment’s question.
 What does this information offer as a general conception of how to
examine the key issues of the question in further detail?
Academic Report Writing
3
(Paragraphs 6 and 7)
Bring the different strands of your argument together by returning to the opening question, without answering it yet.
Find your own voice here to advocate what you feel have been the useful insights provided by your analysis of the
main issue, together with a critique of the inevitable weaknesses of both the general perspective, as well as the
evaluation of the detailed case studies/ workplace experiences you have presented
Do you want to suggest any alternative interpretations or models that could be applied? If so, briefly discuss their
potential.
Conclusion
Now answer the question set, if only by further problematizing it or offering a possible alternative from how the
issue(s) in the question might be better approached. A good conclusion can usually be read as a brief summary of
the whole report.
So concisely state what the original problem was, how you have explored it and what we learned from this
exercise.
References
Peck, J. & Coyle, M. (1999) The Student’s Guide to Writing: Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling. London:
Macmillan
Redman, P. (2001) Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide. Sage/ Open University
Are there insights or broader implications for how your argument
can help someone else examine similar or related issues in
other situations and circumstances?
Are there any factors which are limiting the broader validity
and relevance of your argument?
You might want to suggest a new (unanswered) take on the
problem that might put issues into a better focus, maybe
through identifying problematic areas which require further
research or theoretical analysis.

 
Looking for a Similar Assignment? Order now and Get 10% Discount! Use Coupon Code "Newclient"