GA36d

LEVEL 7ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATIO

Student name:       Student ID number:

Programme: MBA

Module: Managing Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

Contribution to
Module code: SBLC7008 Assessment 1 -
Overall Module
50%
Assessment (%):
Lecturer: Dr. Logama Doraisamy Internal Verifier: Dr. Tom Tan

Assignment Title: A New Business Start-up Word count (or 3000

equivalent):

Submission 07/05/2021 Return date of

deadline: provisional marks
& written feedback:
All written assessments, where practical and possible, must be submitted via
Submission
Turnitin unless otherwise instructed by the Lecturer. (Please DO NOT put this
method:
assessment specification into Turnitin or it will match many similarities with
other students’ submissions.)
Alternative submission method (if applicable):
Late submission of the assessment will result in a late penalty mark.
Penalties for late submission: Up to one week late, maximum mark of 50%.
Over one week late, 0%. Only the Extenuating Circumstances Panel may
approve a change to submission dates.

Academic Academic honesty is required. In the main body of your submission you must
honesty / give credit to authors on whose research and ideas your work is based.
referencing: Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books, articles,
etc. that you have used, cited or quoted in order to complete this assessment.

Page 1 of 12
Module Learning Outcomes
(from module syllabus)
1. Critically identify, analyse, evaluate, model and make informed judgements on the
complexity of factors which may contribute to the success or failure of a new venture
including: - human resources and management; management knowledge; entrepreneurial
skills, and development contexts which may contribute to new venture success or
repositioning/change/turnaround.

2. Determine, identify and evaluate the critical tasks, resources and management planning
within new venture life cycles, including the challenges and opportunities faced at each
stage in the life cycle of the venture.

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 TASK DESCRIPTION

TASKS

In your role as a business coach, you provide advisory services for new entrepreneurs who are interested
in setting up a business. You have been approached by one such entrepreneur to assist them in
developing a business plan.

In this business plan, you are expected to address the following:

Task 1
 Define the problem that you are trying to address in your new business including the solution which
may include the products or services and the target market (approx. 400 words)

Task 2
 Critically evaluate the business environment of the new business with relevant models and how the
external business environment may influence the business model and strategy of the new business.
(approx. 1200 words)

Task 3
 Critically analyse the Human Resource requirements and the HR strategies required for the
proposed new business start-up. (Proposed HR strategies should cover the key areas such as
recruitment, selection, training, performance management and motivation) (approx. 1200 words)

Task 4
 Evaluate the key success factors of the new business including the challenges and solutions to
overcome these challenges (approx. 400 words)

Documentation standards – Use of proper formatting, citation and referencing standards

` Structure of the Report

 Cover Page

 Executive Summary - It should encapsulate the overview of the entire assignment.

 Table of contents

 Introduction – This should cover the background, scope and the purpose of the
assignment.

 Discussion / answers for the tasks

 Conclusion

 References

 Bibliography
Page 3 of 12
 LENGTH REQUIRED

3000 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Length: 3000 words +/- 10%. Any deviation from this will be penalised.
4. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre
space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
5. Document format: Report
6. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a references list and
bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
7. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books
and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.

The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal
articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company
annual reports and other company information. All referencing should be in Harvard style.

Page 4 of 12
 GUIDANCEFOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF
TASKS
NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five generic assessment criteria overleaf.

1. Engagement with Literature Skills

Your work must be informed and supported by scholarly material that is relevant to and focused on the
task(s) set; you should make use of scholarly reviews andprimary sources, as appropriate (for example,
refereed research articles and/or original materialsappropriate to the discipline). You should provide
evidence that you have accessed a wide range of sources, which may be academic, governmental and
industrial; these sources may include academic journal articles, textbooks, current news articles,
organisational documents, and websites. You should consider the credibility of your sources; academic
journals are normally highly credible sources while websites require careful consideration/selection and
should be used sparingly. Any sources you use should be current and up-to-date, mostly published within
the last five years or so, though seminal/important works in the field may be older. You must provide
evidence of your research/own reading throughout your work, using correctly a suitable referencing system,
includingin-text citations in the main body of your work and a reference list at the end of your work.

Guidance specific to this assessment:

2. Knowledge and Understanding Skills

At level 7, you should be able to demonstrate asystematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical
awareness of current problemsand/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of
your academicdiscipline, field of study or area of professional practice, with a comprehensive
understanding of techniques applicable to your own research oradvanced scholarship. Your work must
demonstrate your growing mastery of these concepts, principles, current challenges, innovation and
insights associated with the subject area. Knowledge relates to the facts, information and skills you have
acquired through your learning. You demonstrate your understanding by interpreting the meaning of the
facts and information (knowledge). This means that you need to select and include in your work the
contemporary concepts, techniques, models, theories, etc. appropriate to the task(s) set. You should be
able to explain the theories, concepts, etc. meaningfully to show your understanding. Your mark/grade will
also depend upon the extent to which you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding; ideally each
should be complete and detailed, with comprehensive coverage.

Guidance specific to this assessment:

3. Cognitive and Intellectual Skills

You should be able to:evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship inthe discipline;
evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, whereappropriate, to propose new hypotheses;
deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively to make sound judgements in the absence of
complete data. Your work must contain evidence of logical, analytical thinking, evaluation and synthesis.
For example, to examine and break information down into parts, make inferences, compile, compare and
contrast information. This means not just describing what! But also justifying: Why? How? When? Who?
Where? At what cost? At all times, you must provide justification for your arguments and judgements.
Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of experts within the subject area is crucial to you
providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work. Your choice of methodologies to gather data
and information must be rigorously defended. Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able
to make sound judgements and convincing arguments using data and concepts. Sound, valid, persuasive
conclusions are necessary and must be derived from the content of your work. Where relevant, alternative
solutions and recommendations may be proposed.

Guidancespecific to this assessment:

Page 5 of 12
4. Practical Skills
At level 7, you should be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a
practical understanding ofhow established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and
interpretknowledge in the discipline.This includes acting autonomously in planning and implementing tasks
at a professional orequivalent level, originality in tackling and solving problems, and decision-making in
complex and unpredictable contexts or situations.

You should be able to demonstrate mastery of the leading edge subject-related concepts and ideas as they
relate to real world situations and/or particular contexts. How do they work in practice? You will deploy
models, methods, techniques, and/or theories, in those contexts or circumstances, to assess current
situations, perhaps to formulate plans or plausible, justifiable recommendations to solve problems, or to
propose new models, or to create artefacts, which may be innovative and creative, thereby demonstrating
your understanding ofhow the boundaries of knowledge areadvanced through research and/or application.
This is likely to involve, for instance, the use of real world artefacts, examples and cases, the application of
a model within an organisation and/or benchmarking one theory or organisation against others.

Guidancespecific to this assessment:

5. Transferable Skills for Life and Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of the qualities and transferable skills necessary for postgraduate-level
employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personalresponsibility and initiative in complex
and unpredictable professional environments. This includes demonstrating:the independent learning ability
for continuing professional development to advance existing skills and acquire new competences of a
professional nature that will enable you to assume significant responsibility within organisations;that you
can initiate and complete tasks, projects and procedures, whether individually and/or collaboratively, to a
professional level; that you can use appropriate media to effectively communicate information, arguments
and analysis in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences; fluency of expression; clarity and effectiveness
in presentation and organisation.Work should be coherent and well-structured in presentation and
organisation.

Guidancespecific to this assessment:

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 STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM
This section details the extent to which the assessment criteria are demonstrated by you, whichin turn determines
your mark. The marks available for each category of skill are shown. Lecturers will use the space provided to
comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that
would benefit from development/improvement.

awardedMarks
available
Marks
Generic Assessment Criteria

1Engagement with literature

Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.

Use of relevant and credible sources of evidence and literature to justify the viability of the 20
proposed business idea and the applicability of the proposed strategies.

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.

Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles 20
associated with the subject area.

3Cognitive and intellectual skills

Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence

Breadth and depth of critical analysis of the business opportunities identified and the viability of 20
the proposed business idea.

4. Practical Skills
Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve
problems.
Ability to apply relevant theories, models and concepts to the scenario under discussion. 20

6. Transferable skills for life and professional practice

Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation.

Appropriate use relevant methodologies and high level of professionalism 20

showcased throughout the coursework.

Late Submission Penalties (tick if

Assessment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the appropriate)
Exam Board. These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work Up to 1 week late (50% Max) %
and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. ) Over 1 week late (0%)

Page 7 of 12
GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Level 7
In accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, at the end of Level 7 students should be able to demonstrate: a systematic
understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their
academic discipline or area of professional practice; a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced
scholarship; originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are
used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline; conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current research and
advanced scholarship in the discipline to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses. They
will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their
conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. They will demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act
autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level to continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to
develop new skills to a high level. They the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal
responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations/professional environments; and the independent learning ability required for
continuing professional development.

Level 7 GOOD toVERY

SATISFACTORY EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL FAIL MARGINAL FAIL GOOD
(Pass) (Distinction) (Distinction)
(Merit)
Category 0-29% 30-44% 45-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
Engagement Little or no Poor Engagement Engagement Engagement Engagement Exceptional
with literature evidence of engagement with a very withan with a wide with an engagement
(including current reading and/or with essential limited range of appropriate range of extensive range with an
research, reliance on reading.No relevant and range of research- of relevant and extensive range
referencing, inappropriate evidence of credible sources. research- informed credible of relevant and
academic sources. wider Some omissions informed literature, literature, credible
conventions and Views and reading.Reliance and minor literature, including informed by the literature,
academic findings mostly on inappropriate errors. including sources latest research. informed by the
honesty) unsupported and sources, and/or Referencing sources retrieved Consistently latest
non- indiscriminate conventions retrieved independently. accurate research.High-
authoritative. use of sources. evident though independently. Selection of application of level referencing
Referencing Heavily reliant not always Some over- relevant and referencing. skills
conventions on information applied reliance on texts. credible sources. consistently and
used gained through accurately or Referencing may Very good use of professionally
incoherently or class contact. consistently. show referencing, with applied.
largely absent. Inconsistent and minorinaccuracie no/very few
weak use of s or inaccuracies or
referencing. inconsistencies. inconsistencies.
Knowledge Major gaps in Gaps in Limited Knowledge is Knowledge has Excellent Exceptional
and knowledge and knowledge, with knowledge and accurate and a well-defined mastery of a mastery of a
Level 7 GOOD toVERY
SATISFACTORY EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL FAIL MARGINAL FAIL GOOD
(Pass) (Distinction) (Distinction)
(Merit)
Category 0-29% 30-44% 45-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
understanding understanding of only systematic reasonably focus, which is complex and complex and
(A systematic, the subject superficialsyste understanding of detailed. reasonablyexten specialised area specialised area
conceptual matteris not matic the concepts Asystematic sive,coherent of knowledge.A of knowledge.An
understanding of systematic. understanding. and principles understanding of and detailed, systematic, exceptionally
knowledge, and a Substantial Some significant within the the field of with a critical excellent critical
critical awareness inaccuracies.No inaccuracies subject area, studyinformed awareness of understanding of awareness of
of current
awareness of and/or irrelevant which to some by, to some current problems the conceptsof current problems
problems and/or
new insights, current material. No marginal extent, extent, current and/or new the subject and/or new
much of which is problems, critical is informed by research and insights. informed by insights. An
at, or informed by, insights or the awareness of current research scholarship, A Exhibits good current research outstanding
the forefront of latest research current and critical understanding of and scholarship. understanding of
thediscipline; a and/or advanced problems, scholarship.Som awareness of the breadth and Highly critical the concepts of
comprehensive scholarship insights, or latest e critical current problems depth of awareness of the subject, well-
understanding of within the research within awareness of and/or new contemporary current problems informed by
techniques discipline. the discipline. current problems insights though and established and/or new current research
applicable to their
and/or new this may be views, and the insights. A and scholarship.
own research)
insights, but under-developed work is, at least critical, A critical,
often under- occasionally. in part, well- awareness of sophisticated
developed. informed by how the and nuanced
current research boundaries of awareness of
and scholarship. knowledge are how the
advanced boundaries of
through knowledge are
research. advanced
through
research.
Cognitiveand Wholly or almost Largely Limitedattempt Some critical Sound critical Excellent critical Exceptional
intellectual wholly descriptive work, atcritical evaluation/ evaluation/ evaluation/ critical
skills descriptive work. with superficial evaluation/ critique of critique of critique of evaluation/
(Criticalevaluation Little or no use of critical critique of current research current research current research critique of
of current evaluation or evaluation of current research and and and current research
research and critique or research and and methodologies, methodologies, methodologies, and
methodologies attempt at a methodologies. methodologies, though slightly Proposes new Proposes methodologies,
and develop systematic Absent or weak tending towards underdeveloped hypotheses, innovative Proposes
critiques of them
approach. development of description. in places, where hypotheses, innovative
and, where
appropriate, to Failure to hypotheses and Limited attempt Proposes appropriate. Can where hypotheses,
propose new develop judgements. to propose new adequate but deal with appropriate. Can where
hypotheses; make arguments, Information hypotheses. Can limited new complex issues synthesisecompl appropriate.Exe
sound leading to accepted deal with hypotheses, systematically ex issues mplary
judgements in the illogical or uncritically, uses complex issues where relevant. and with some systematically systematic and
Level 7 GOOD toVERY
SATISFACTORY EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL FAIL MARGINAL FAIL GOOD
(Pass) (Distinction) (Distinction)
(Merit)
Category 0-29% 30-44% 45-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
absence of invalidjudgement generalised but not Can deal with creativity. Ability and creatively. creative
complete data.) s. statements systematically or complex issues to make sound Ability to synthesis of
Unsubstantiated made with scant creatively. Some but not fully judgementsbase investigate complex issues.
generalisations, evidenceand evidence to systematically or d on data(that contradictory or Ability to
made without unsubstantiated support creatively. Ability may be incomplete investigate
use of credible opinions. Ideas emergingjudgem to make incomplete) information and contradictory or
evidence. sometimes ents but these judgements make strong, incomplete
illogical and may be based on data persuasive, information and
contradictory. underdeveloped (that may be argumentsand make strong,
or with a little incomplete) but sophisticated persuasive,
inconsistency / withsome judgements. arguments and
mis- tendency to sophisticated,
interpretation. assert/state nuanced,
May assert opinion rather judgements.
rather than than argue on Potential for
argue a case. the basis of journal
reason and publication or
evidence. doctoral
research.
Practical skills Limited or no Rudimentary An awareness An appropriate A very good An advanced Exceptional
(Originality / use of methods, application of and mostly application of application of a application of application skills
creativityin the materials, tools methods, appropriate standard range of knowledge, in complex,
application of and/or materials, tools application of methods, methods, methods, unpredictable,
knowledge, tools techniques. and/or well-established materials, tools materials, tools materials, tools contexts,
and techniques Little or no techniques but methods, and/or and/or and/or drawing skilfully
and in tackling appreciation of without materials, tools techniques. techniques. techniques. on the latest
and solving
problemsin the context of consideration and/or Clear Very good The context of research within
complex and the application. and techniques, with appreciation of consideration of the application is the
unpredictable Limited competence. occasional the context of the context of well considered, discipline.Can
professional understanding of Flawed errors. the application. the application, and insightful. identify complex
situations; the application of appreciation of Basic Mainly with perceptive Can identify problems and
practical use of theory to the context of appreciation of consistent, insights. Can complex propose
established practiceormakin the application. the context of accurate and identify problems problems and sophisticated,
techniques of
g appropriate Weak the application. logical and propose propose original
research and
enquiry to create links between understanding of Theoretical application of appropriate excellent solutions.
and interpret the two. the application of knowledge and theory to solutionsin solutions. An An
knowledge in the Very weak theory to understanding practice, making complex and excellent grasp outstandingappli
discipline.) problem-solving practice, with applied in appropriate links unpredictable of techniques cation of
skillsin complex only occasional practice, but not between the two. contexts. applicable to techniques
and evidence of always making Can identify Evidence of own research or applicable to
Level 7 GOOD toVERY
SATISFACTORY EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL FAIL MARGINAL FAIL GOOD
(Pass) (Distinction) (Distinction)
(Merit)
Category 0-29% 30-44% 45-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
unpredictable making logical links problems and originality and advanced own research or
contexts. appropriate links between the two. propose mostly creativity. scholarship. advanced
between the two. Can identify appropriate Shows originality scholarship.
Weak problem- problems and solutionsin in application of Shows originality
solving skills in propose basic complex and knowledge and in application of
complex and solutions without unpredictable techniques, and knowledge and
unpredictable fully appreciating contexts, with of how techniques, and
contexts. the complexityof elements of established of how
unpredictable originality. techniques of established
contexts. enquiry create techniques of
and interpret enquiry create
knowledge in the and interpret
discipline. knowledge in the
discipline
withassimilation
and
development of
cutting edge
processes and
techniques.
Transferable Communication Communication Can Can Can Can Can
skills for life medium is medium is poorly communicate in communicate communicate communicate communicate
and inappropriate or designed and/or a suitable effectively in a well, confidently professionally with an
professional misapplied. not suitable for medium but with suitable format, and consistently confidently exceptionally
practice Work is poorly the audience. some room for but may have in a suitable andconsistently high level of
(Exercise of self- structured, Work is poorly improvement. minor errors. format. in a suitable professionalism.
direction, disorganised presented in a Mostly ordered Mostly coherent, Work is format. Work is
autonomy and and/or disjointed presentation and organised coherent, fluent, Work is remarkably
personal confusingly manner. It is structure in work,in a well-structured coherent, very coherent, very
responsibility; expressed. Very loosely, and at which relevant suitable and fluent and is fluent and is
plan and
weakuse of times ideas / concepts structure and is organised.Can presented presented
implement tasks
at a professional language and/or incoherently, are reasonably for the most part work very well professionally.C professionally.C
level; independent very structured, with expressed.Work clearly autonomously an work an work
learning;use inappropriate information and may lack expressed.Can and/or as part of autonomously outstandingly
appropriate media style. Little or no ideas often coherence in work effectively a team, with a with initiative. well and
to communicate evidence of poorly places. Can independently good Where relevant professionally
effectivelyand autonomy (or expressed. work as part of a and/or as part of contribution to can work within a team,
professionally to a collaboration, Weak use of team, but with a team, with group activities. professionally showing
variety of
where relevant) language and/or limited clear Demonstrates within a team, advanced
audiences;fluency
of expression; in the completion inappropriate involvement in contribution to comprehensivep showing leadership
Level 7 GOOD toVERY
SATISFACTORY EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL
FAIL FAIL MARGINAL FAIL GOOD
(Pass) (Distinction) (Distinction)
(Merit)
Category 0-29% 30-44% 45-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-84% 85-100%
systematic of tasks.Little or style. Weak group activities. group activities. rofessional, leadership skills skills.Demonstra
approach; clarity no evidence of independent Demonstrates Demonstrates postgraduate as appropriate, tes exemplary
and effectiveness the skills initiative (or some but not all the skills employment managing professional,
in presentation required in collaboration, if of the basic skills required in skills. conflict and postgraduate
and organisation.)
professional, relevant).Limited required in professional, meeting employment
postgraduateem evidence of the professional, postgraduate obligations.Dem skills and a
ployment. skills required in postgraduate employment, onstrates strong appetite
professional, employment, with some areas excellentprofessi for further
postgraduate with some areas of strength and onal, development.
employment. of minor some of minor postgraduate
weakness. weakness. employment
skills and a
strong appetite
for further
development.