MGT501 Business Environment

ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Name	MGT501 Business Environment
Assessment	Assignment Two – Environment Scan Part B
Individual/Group	Individual
Length	2000 words
Learning Outcomes	This assessment addresses the following subject learning outcomes: a)  critically evaluate the effect of the external environment on firms b)  select and apply appropriate frameworks to resolve the challenges faced by firms c)  analyse and synthesise industry specific factors in the context of firm decision-making processes
Submission	By 23:59 Friday of the end of Module 4
Weighting	30%
Total Marks	30 marks

 

Context:

Contemporary businesses cannot afford to ignore the environments in which they operate. To navigate this vast and ever-changing landscape, businesses must keep a keen eye on the external factors that influence it. Customer behaviour, government regulatory and economic policy, competitor strategy and public opinion all impact on a firm’s success. The environmental scan report is an effort to identify these factors and propose solutions to the risks they pose.

Instructions:

Part B of the environmental scan is aimed at proposing solutions to the environmental challenges faced by firms. Using the tools and frameworks provided in the content of the subject, you must:

• Discuss general and historically relevant responses to the four types of factors which can influence the environments in which businesses operate


• Categorically and comprehensively respond with a solution to all of the environmental risks and challenges laid out in Part A

 

The structure of the assignment should follow standard report structure:

• Introduction and background information


• Body of information and discussion of relevant topics


• Conclusion and summary


• Referencing in the APA style

Submission Instructions:

Submit your assignment in .docx or .pdf format only via the assessment link in Blackboard. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback with reference to the criteria below via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.

Learning Rubric:

Assessment Criteria	Fail     (Unacceptable) 0-49%	Pass (Functional) 50-64%	Credit (Proficient) 65-74%	Distinction (Advanced) 75 -84%	High Distinction (Exceptional) 85-100%
Analysis of Environment   20%   Examine the influence of the external environment on the organisation	Limited understanding of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business. Neglects to subcategorise the environmental factors into the five categories of environmental influences. No references	Identifies a proportion of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business; the largest influencers are named. Correctly subcategorises a majority of the factors discussed. Accesses relevant information to discuss and categorise environmental factors. Incomplete reference list.	Identifies a majority of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business. Correctly subcategorises and explains all of the factors discussed. Accesses and correctly references relevant information to discuss and categorise environmental factors. Complete reference list.	Correctly identifies all of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business. Correctly subcategorises and thoroughly explains all of the factors discussed. Accesses and correctly references relevant information to discuss and categorise environmental factors. Correct reference list.	Not only identifies all environmental factors, provides insight and discussion on potential further environmental challenges faced by the business. Discusses the wider Australian business environment as well as the external environment of the chosen business to provide a linked picture of the complete external. environment of the chosen business. Mastery of concepts and application to new situations/further learning. Comprehensive reference list with all new points cited correctly.
Application of Framework   50%   Identify and apply appropriate frameworks and tools to the problems and challenges faced by organisations	Demonstrates no understanding of framework concepts relevant to the five external environment components.	Demonstrates little understanding of strategies to respond to the external business environment by providing non-specific solutions to issues discussed in the report.	Demonstrates correct and complete knowledge of strategies relevant to the business chosen, offers solutions to a range of issues presented in the case.	Identifies the key issues in the external business environment and provides a correct strategy to deal with each.	Identifies the key issues in the external business environment and provides a correct strategy to deal with each, as well as a thorough explanation and justification of each strategy, and a feasible method of implementation.

 




 

 

Assessment Criteria	Fail     (Unacceptable) 0-49%	Pass (Functional) 50-64%	Credit (Proficient) 65-74%	Distinction (Advanced) 75 -84%	High Distinction (Exceptional) 85-100%
Industry Specific Decision-Making Factors   20%   SLO addressed: a) Research and relate industry specific factors to the organisation decision-making	Fail to discuss the Australian industry specific factors related to business	Broadly mentions industry factors relevant to the external business environment	Researches and discusses a range of industry factors which contribute to the external business environment.	Researches and discusses a range of industry factors which contribute to the external business environment. Ties these factors in with reference to the Australian/local business environment/context. References this information to develop decision making strategies.	Researches and thoroughly discusses all industry specific factors which contribute to the external business environment. Ties these factors in with reference to the Australian/local business environment/context. Uses this information to develop relevant decision-making strategies.
Correct citation of key resources and evidence   10%   Overall structure, appearance and referencing of the report are assessed	Demonstrates inconsistent use of good quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop ideas.	Demonstrates use of credible and relevant resources to support and develop ideas, but these are not always explicit or well developed.	Demonstrates use of high quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop ideas.	Demonstrates use of good quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop arguments and statements. Shows evidence of wide scope within the organisation for sourcing evidence.	Demonstrates use of high- quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop arguments and position statements. Shows evidence of wide scope within and without the organisation for sourcing evidence.