MA E-business Group Assignment
Autumn 2004
This part of the assessment constitutes 50% of the total mark and is a group assignment. You will be expected to make a group presentation (no longer than 20 minutes) and submit a written report (around 2,500 words).
DUE DATE: Wednesday 8 th December 2004, 3pm
Group Assignment
Now that e-business has become more established, what are the criteria for success and failure of an e-business?
Justify the criteria you have selected by applying them to 4 companies, two of which must be non-UK based. Are the criteria for success in one country valid for another?
You may include both macro-environmental and micro-environmental factors.
Extra Information
Arrange yourselves into groups of 8. Each group must select 4 companies that have an e-business strategy. They can be either purely e-businesses or a mixture of traditional and e-business. The companies you select must be submitted to me for approval first to ensure nobody duplicates the companies they select. This will operate on a “first come first serve” basis.
The four companies you select must be:
- Two UK or US based
- The other two must be neither UK nor US based but must be based in different countries.
You must as a group research and agree the criteria by which you will be analysing all the organisations selected to ensure consistency. Some of the criteria you may use for measuring e-business performance could include:
- Macro-environmental factors that impact on e-business development
- Micro-environmental factors such as their strategic objectives, the business model chosen, the components of their business model, the activities and processes used to achieve their model, the competitors they face, and an analysis of their organizational culture.
- Stock exchange/financial performance
You can use any or none of the above criteria – these are merely suggestions, but you must justify the reasons for the criteria you have selected.
Guidelines for assessment
The group assignment must demonstrate:
- Clarity of expression, where there is consistently accurate use of grammar and spelling with fluent professional/academic writing style.
- Well-structured argument where the structure guides the listener/reader through argument.
- a well co-ordinated, grounded and reasoned understanding of e-business and its application in different organisations and countries
- an understanding and application of content/theory/models/frameworks from a wide range of sources not just the lecture notes. The application of this will include an evaluation of the organisation and criteria which you have chosen as being rigorous and appropriate
- Analytical and clear conclusions well grounded in theory and literature, showing development of original concepts.
Oral presentations: must demonstrate clarity, pace and confident delivery. I will be looking for aspects of delivery and content in assessment of the presentation. 60% of the total marks will be awarded for the oral presentation and 40% for the report. The areas for the assessment of the presentation will be
Delivery: 40% |
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10% |
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5% |
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5% |
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5% |
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5% |
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5% |
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5% |
Content : 60% |
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15% |
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15% |
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15% |
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15% |
Both the oral presentation and the submission of the report are compulsory
Marking Guidelines:
As well as the University of Bradford School of Management mark sheet the following learning outcomes indicate the performance expected in the marks. (These criteria are based on suggestions made by Prof. Zahir Irani)
Learning Outcome 1 – Pass (around 50%)
Provide a clear introduction to the topic that gives an overview of the content. This will be followed by a narrow literature search using mainly the course text and very few other reference sources. Some attempt to describe and analyse key issues with an attempt to explain/criticise/summarise the content in the conclusion section.
Learning Outcome 2 – (51 – 59%)
Demonstrate a coherent response to the requirements of the essay. Students will be expected to clearly express their ideas in writing; draw recognisable and relevant conclusions from the literature and appropriately organised and articulate responses. There is a coherent response to the requirements of the task.
Learning Outcome 3 (60 – 69%)
The achievement of a sound level of understanding of the essay title, which is based on a competent grasp of relevant topics, methodology and content; the display of skills and originality in interpreting the literature; organisation of material (opinions, literature etc) to a high level of competence. Some skills and originality in application of ideas or in synthesis of material.
Learning Outcome 4 (70%+)
An authoritative and critical grasp of concepts, methodology and content of e-business models, indications of originality in application of ideas, synthesis of material; personal insights into the subject matter and confidence of understanding. Some skills and originality in application of ideas or in synthesis of material.
You will be asked to evaluate the performance of your peers in the group. As a group you must complete the peer evaluation form – if you cannot come to an agreement then please make an appointment to come and see the module leader who will help you come to a decision. If there is a difference of opinion where the group cannot agree a mark for an individual then I will have a meeting with the whole group and we will come to an agreement on the contribution of individuals - this will then be taken as a percentage of the group mark for that individual.