MODULE: NBS-6915B COURSEWORK 1 (ESSAY)
The assignment is designed to assess the following learning outcomes:
1. Understand key supply chain concepts and their strategic implications for businesses operating at different stages of the supply chain
2.Design appropriate supply chain strategies for products/services with distinct characteristics of demand and supply
3. Apply a variety of tools and techniques to evaluate and improve supply chain performance
Question:
This is an individual assignment that requires you to write a brief report (1,500 words) addressing one of the following:
Option 1
(a) Describe the demand characteristics of a product for a specific distribution channel (e.g. on-line, supermarket, specialist retailer) and a specific country and determine whether the ideal supply chain for that product (in the specific distribution channel and country) should be agile, lean or a combination of both (60% of marks).
(b) Use two real-world company examples to illustrate and justify what you think is ‘good’ and/or ‘bad’ business practice in supply chains of the product you chose in (a), or supply chains of products that are similar to your product in terms of demand characteristics (40% of marks).
Option 2
(a) Draw a diagram that illustrates the flows of materials, components, final products, services and information along at least three tiers of the supply chain of a product of your choice (40% of marks).
(b) Provide a brief explanation for each node and link in the chain (what they do, why they do it and how) and the information needed at each stage for the effective working of the supply chain (40% of marks).
(c) Provide at least one clear and specific recommendation for improvement, by drawing from real-world practice or SCM theory (20% of marks).
Your report can be written in the style of a business report, or as an academic essay. You do not need to include an executive summary, but you MUST reference all the information sources used throughout and provide a detailed list of references at the end.
For option 1, you could choose the same product whose transformation process you analyzed last year as part of the Operations Management module. However, you should bear in mind that the level of your analysis is now the product’s supply chain, not the product’s production process within the firm. This means that the research you did on your product last year may be relevant but it will definitely not be enough.
For option 2, there are plenty of Youtube videos, academic papers, news articles and reports discussing the supply chains of companies such as Zara, IKEA, Walmart, Coca Cola etc. However, a single source will not be enough to address the three objectives. You are allowed to choose such a product/supply chain, if you are genuinely interested in studying it. However, this option may be most suitable for someone with deep familiarity with a particular company’s supply chain (e.g. through an internship, previous work experience, family business).
Submission deadline: 22/05/2021
Word limit: 1,500
This coursework counts for 50% of the overall assessment for this module.
Assessment Criteria
The senate scale applies.
The following weights will be applied on the senate’s assessment criteria:
• Achievement of learning outcomes as stated above: 30%
• Presentation: 20%
• Argument & understanding: 20%
• Criticality & analysis: 15%
• Written communication: 10%
• Academic referencing: 5%
Feedback sheets for both Options can be found on Blackboard, and will be returned filled up with your marked coursework.
NBS Coursework Submission and Return: Key Facts
Referencing
our coursework should clearly distinguish between your original words and ideas, and those of others. When referring to the work of others, from books, journals or any other source (including the internet), it is essential that you make this clear by acknowledging your source and referencing correctly. Failure to reference correctly will lose you marks and may constitute plagiarism or collusion. Unless specified otherwise by the module organizer, Norwich Business School uses the Harvard system of referencing.
University Policy on Plagiarism and Collusion
It is important that all students familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations regarding plagiarism and collusion. Understanding these rules will help you to avoid plagiarism, and to maintain the quality of your academic work.
You should ensure that you are familiar and up to date with the Universities rule on Plagiarism and Collusion, available at
You should also make sure that you are familiar with the Business School’s policy on Harvard referencing which is available in your student handbooks.
Individual study skills support and advice on referencing is also provided by the Learning Enhancement Service at the Dean of Students Office.
Where work has been submitted in word-processed format, you may be requested to provide a digital copy of your coursework (after an initial examination of the hard copy by the coursework assessors) for use with plagiarism detection software.
Instances where plagiarism is suspected will be investigated by the NBS Plagiarism Officer. Students who are found to have plagiarised will be penalised.
In proven cases offenders will be punished and the punishment may extend to degree failure, temporary suspension or expulsion from further study if the case comes before a Discipline Committee of the University.
General Advice
Before you submit any coursework you should make sure that you are clear and up to date in your knowledge of university policy and practice.
The University’s policy on Submission of Work for Assessment (Taught Programmes): Submission of Anonymized Work for Assessment, Word Limits and Penalties, Extensions and Penalties for Unauthorized Late Submission, Provisional Marks and Feedback, and Retention of Coursework is published in the Calendar, and is available at:
A penalty will be imposed for exceeding the word limit, which will be clearly stated in the assignment. Students must include their word count on the coursework coversheet when they submit their work. The word count for coursework, written assignments, projects, reports and dissertations shall include: Footnotes and end notes (irrespective of whether they have been used for the purpose of referencing or not, references (in the main text), tables and illustrations and if applicable the abstract, title page and contents page. Any appendicised material and the bibliography or reference list shall be excluded from the word count.
Word Count Penalties
Up to 10% over word limit No Penalty
10% or more over the word limit Deduction of 10 marks off original mark
Failure to provide an electronic copy when requested Mark capped to the pass mark
Intentional misrepresentation of the word count on the cover sheet Mark capped to the pass mark
The deadline for submission of coursework is 15:00 (3pm) on the submission/due day. This is for both electronic submission and paper copy submissions.
Penalties for Late Submission
Work submitted Marks deducted
After 15:00 on the due date and before 15:00 on the day following the due date 10 marks
After 15:00 on the second day after the due date and before 15:00 on the third day after the due date 20 marks
After 15:00 on the third day after the due date and before 15:00 on the 20th day after the due date. All the marks the work merits if submitted on time (i.e. no marks awarded)
After 20 working days work will not be marked and a mark of zero will be entered.
The majority of assignments will be submitted electronically via eVision. For identified modules, students will be able to submit coursework electronically from one week before the deadline, using a link from the eVision page. If your assignment is set up for electronic submission, you must submit electronically; there will not be an option to submit a hard copy instead of electronic submission. Even late assignments, or those that have extensions, should be submitted electronically rather than in paper format.
For more information on coursework submission, see:
•
Finally students are advised to be aware of the revised “Senate Scale Classifications 2012/13 – Coursework.” These scales which provide general guidance on the standards required for the award of marks for coursework. These are available at
