Assessment Information
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material
in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection
under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86 098 181 947 is a
registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Assessment Information
Subject Code: MBA503
Subject Name: Operations Management and Decision-Making Models
Assessment Title: Assessment 1 - Short Answer Questions
Weighting: 30%
Total Marks: 100
Due Date: Monday of Week 5 – 23.55 AEST (AEDT)
.
Assessment Description
Submission: Turnitin
Length: 500 words per question, +/- 10%
Late submission possible: Published Kaplan penalties apply for late submissions
Assessment brief
Using the paragraphs presented on the next page as an initial focus point, comprehensively answer
each of these questions:
1. Why have the service sectors of most national economies continued to grow in importance and
how must operations management change in response to this growth?
2. What aspects of operations management are most affected by the increasing globalisation
(internationalisation) of business?
3. Is it inevitable that in the future nearly all manufacturing operations will be performed in low
labour cost countries?
4. What could be the possible impacts of Great Britain’s exit from the European Union and the
implementation of the USA’s isolationist policies on global operations management?
You are expected to conduct sufficient research into the topics that will help you construct your
answers, and the research is to be used to support your statements and assertions. As a guide, you
are expected to use a minimum of 5 references per question. The use of contemporary (recent)
publications will be valued in assessing the quality of research. The references must be authoritative
and not sourced from Wikipedia, Slideshare, Businessballs or other non-academic sources.
The Harvard Referencing System must be used for the references and citations. The document must
be submitted through Turnitin. Any evidence of academic misconduct (plagiarism) will attract the
appropriate penalty as published in Kaplan’s policies and guidelines. These penalties include the
possibility of being given a mark of zero for the assessment.
Any student who is not sure of how to meet the requirements of this assessment is encouraged to
discuss the issue with their facilitator at the earliest opportunity.Assessment Information
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material
in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection
under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86 098 181 947 is a
registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
The foundations of operations management could be said to have evolved from a
focus on manufacturing and attempting to influence improvements to the activities
associated with production in factories. The result was the continual development
of expertise associated with the production, storage and distribution of physical
goods. Examples of this are improvements in production planning, inventory
management and quality control. Too often, organisations considered the primary
role of operations to be a mechanism for cost-cutting and efficiency gains to
attempt to achieve the lowest possible operating costs.
The world of business has changed. Organisations may now choose not to
compete on the basis of price alone. By adopting the value chain concept as part
of their strategy, many organisations now require operations to meet or exceed
stated customer requirements in other aspects of performance such as quality,
flexibility, dependability and speed.
In addition, any enterprise would be foolish to ignore the growing importance of
the operational performance of service industries in national economies especially
when observing that manufacturing now only represents less than 20% of GDP in
most advanced economies.
(Source: Barnes, D 2008, Operations Management – An international Perspective, Thompson Learning, UK)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Criteria F (Fail)
0%-49%
P (Pass)
50%-64%
CR (Credit)
65%-74%
D (Distinction)
75%-84%
HD (High Distinction)
85%-100%
Mark
Assessment Content (MBA503 Assessment 1) OUT OF 80 MARKS
1.Why have the service sectors
of most national economies
continued to grow in
importance and how must
operations management
change in response to this
growth?
Central purpose or argument is
not clearly identified. Analysis
is vague or not evident.
Reader is confused or may be
misinformed. Content is not
sound. Few or no insights are
gained by the reader.
Content is basically sound
and key concepts are
present but not particularly
developed. Some supporting
evidence is present but
usually of a generalised
nature. Reader gains few
insights.
General content and
information does support a
central purpose or argument at
times but analysis is basic or
general. Supporting evidence is
present for most assertions.
Reader gains some insights.
Information provides competent
support for a central purpose or
argument and displays evidence
of a basic analysis of a significant
topic. Well-presented and argued;
ideas are detailed, developed and
supported with evidence and
details, mostly specific. Reader
gains many useful insights.
Balanced presentation of relevant
and legitimate information that
clearly supports a central purpose
or argument and shows a
thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a
significant topic. Ideas are detailed,
well-developed, supported with
specific evidence and facts, as well
as examples and specific details.
Reader gains important insights.
/20
2. What aspects of operations
management are most affected
by the increasing globalisation
(internationalisation) of
business?
Central purpose or
argument is not clearly
identified. Analysis is
vague or not evident.
Reader is confused or
may be misinformed.
Content is not sound.
Few or no insights are
gained by the reader.
Content is basically
sound and key concepts
are present but not
particularly developed.
Some supporting
evidence is present but
usually of a generalised
nature. Reader gains few
insights.
General content and
information does support a
central purpose or argument at
times but analysis is basic or
general. Supporting evidence is
present for most assertions.
Reader gains some insights.
Information provides competent
support for a central purpose or
argument and displays evidence
of a basic analysis of a significant
topic. Well-presented and argued;
ideas are detailed, developed and
supported with evidence and
details, mostly specific. Reader
gains many useful insights.
Balanced presentation of relevant
and legitimate information that
clearly supports a central purpose
or argument and shows a
thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a
significant topic. Ideas are detailed,
well-developed, supported with
specific evidence and facts, as well
as examples and specific details.
Reader gains important insights.
/20
3. Is it inevitable that in the
future nearly all manufacturing
operations will be performed in
low labour cost countries?
Central purpose or
argument is not clearly
identified. Analysis is
vague or not evident.
Reader is confused or
may be misinformed.
Content is not sound.
Few or no insights are
gained by the reader.
Content is basically
sound and key concepts
are present but not
particularly developed.
Some supporting
evidence is present but
usually of a generalised
nature. Reader gains few
insights.
General content and
information does support a
central purpose or argument at
times but analysis is basic or
general. Supporting evidence is
present for most assertions.
Reader gains some insights.
Information provides competent
support for a central purpose or
argument and displays evidence
of a basic analysis of a significant
topic. Well-presented and argued;
ideas are detailed, developed and
supported with evidence and
details, mostly specific. Reader
gains many useful insights.
Balanced presentation of relevant
and legitimate information that
clearly supports a central purpose
or argument and shows a
thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a
significant topic. Ideas are detailed,
well-developed, supported with
specific evidence and facts, as well
as examples and specific details.
Reader gains important insights.
/20
4.What could be the possible
impacts of Great Britain’s exit
from the European Union and
the implementation of the
USA’s isolationist policies on
global operations
management?
Central purpose or
argument is not clearly
identified. Analysis is
vague or not evident.
Reader is confused or
may be misinformed.
Content is not sound.
Few or no insights are
gained by the reader.
Content is basically
sound and key concepts
are present but not
particularly developed.
Some supporting
evidence is present but
usually of a generalised
nature. Reader gains few
insights.
General content and
information does support a
central purpose or argument at
times but analysis is basic or
general. Supporting evidence is
present for most assertions.
Reader gains some insights.
Information provides competent
support for a central purpose or
argument and displays evidence
of a basic analysis of a significant
topic. Well-presented and argued;
ideas are detailed, developed and
supported with evidence and
details, mostly specific. Reader
gains many useful insights.
Balanced presentation of relevant
and legitimate information that
clearly supports a central purpose
or argument and shows a
thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a
significant topic. Ideas are detailed,
well-developed, supported with
specific evidence and facts, as well
as examples and specific details.
Reader gains important insights.
/20COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Structure Format and Presentation (Consistent across all courses) OUT OF 20 MARKS
Answer clearly and logically
presented.
Appropriate theory and
research used to answer
question posed
Lacks logical flow and structure;
Argument supported by theory
sourced from non-academic
literature. No discussion of
academic research. Cites very
few sources.
Some errors in logical flow and
structure; Argument supported by
basic discussion of relevant theory
sourced from a minimal number of
academic sources. Little if any
discussion of relevant research.
Generally sound logical flow
and structure; Argument
supported by broad discussion
of relevant theory sourced from
academic literature. Relevant
research acknowledged but not
discussed. Cites several
academic sources.
Very good logical flow and
structure; Argument supported by
detailed discussion of relevant
theory and research sourced from
numerous academic sources.
Excellent logical flow
and structure;
Argument supported
by comprehensive
discussion of
relevant theory and
research sourced
from numerous
quality academic
sources.
/5
Correct academic writing
style used, including correct
spelling, grammar and
punctuation
Writing style is unclear; lacks
logical flow and structure;
numerous spelling grammatical
errors.
Writing style lacks some clarity;
some flaws in logical flow and
structure; some use of disciplinespecific academic language.
Several spelling or grammatical
errors.
Writing style is mostly clear;
Mostly written in discipline
specific academic language;
Some spelling or grammatical
errors.
Writing style is clear; Correct use
of discipline specific academic
language. Some minor spelling or
grammatical errors.
Writing style is clear;
Fluent use of
discipline specific
academic language.
No spelling or
grammatical errors.
/5
Format of answer consistent
with question requirements
and KBS guidelines. Word
count is within + / - 10% of
requirement
Does not comply with KBS
guidelines. Major layout
errors. Breaches word limit
restrictions.
Mostly compliant with KBS
guidelines. Basic
formatting with some
layout errors. Compliant
with word limit restrictions.
Complies with KBS guidelines.
Format generally sound.
Compliant with word limit
restrictions.
Exceeds basic compliance with
KBS guidelines. Format portrays
information well. Compliant with
word limit restrictions.
Exceeds basic compliance with
KBS guidelines. Format presents
information clearly and concisely.
Compliant with word limit
restrictions.
/5
In-text referencing and
reference list follows Harvard
style and consistent with KBS
guidelines
Many sources are
unacknowledged. Major
errors in format of
references.
Acknowledged most
sources in the text and
reference list. Some
references in the correct
format.
Acknowledged most sources
in the text and reference list.
Most references in the correct
format.
Acknowledged all
sources in the
text and in
reference list.
Almost all
references in
correct format.
Acknowledged all
sources in the text
and in reference list.
All references in the
correct format.
/5
Comments: /80
/20
/100