CW2 Assignment Brief and Marking Scheme – Digital Economy

6WBS0035
Module Title: Digital Economy Module Code: 6WBS0036
(Route 1)
Assignment Format & Assignment
Report 2000 words +-10% 60% individual
Maximum Word count Weighting:
Coursework return
Date: Wed 7th Aug 2024 4 weeks after
Coursework Submission: Date returned to
Method: Canvas submission
students:
Module leader Sunmi Sijuade First marker

Approved Module Board

Internal Moderator
Date: name
Approved
External Examiner Module Board date TBC
Date:
Module eligible for an
extension on submission YES / NO
date (subject to UPRs)

Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding tested in this assignment:
(CHECKED) (NOT NECESSARY)
 Examine the range of digital economy solutions appropriate to an organisation’s strategic
objectives
 Summarise how the digital economy has developed and consider how it will continue to
develop in future
 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of online communications
Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes tested in this assignment:
(CHECKED) (NOT NECESSARY)
 Communicate effectively developments in the digital economy and strategies to enable
organisations to respond to it.
 Write a business report that examines the opportunity for strategic improvements in current
business practice
Transformational Opportunities: (CHECKED) (NOT NECESSARY)
E.g. Use LinkedIn Learning to improve skills
 Case Studies of real-life scenarios and Problem-Based Learning: These activities help
to engage students in critical thinking and decision-making.

Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment(CHECKED) (NOT NECESSARY)
 Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria and Mark scheme.
 Feedback for improvement will be given in writing via your Canvas module site within 4 weeks
of submission
 Lateness Penalty: For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline,
coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade
points until or unless the numeric grade reaches the minimum pass mark (UG 40/PG 50).
Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than the minimum pass mark no
lateness penalty will be applied. If the coursework is submitted more than 5 days after the
published deadline, it will not be marked and a grade of zero will be awarded. Please note:
Referred coursework submitted after the published deadline will be awarded a grade of zero

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 (0).”
 Extensions: Students do not have an automatic right to an extension. If you require an
extension, this must be requested in advance of the submission deadline. Please give your
reason(s) for needing an extension.

Detailed Brief for Individual/Group Assessment

Assignment Title: Organisation’s e-supply chain (Buy-side), issues with digital activities, future
digital strategy and trends in the sector.

Description of the assignment:

This assignment requires you to use (ideally) the same Multi-National Corporation (MNC) [ i.e. an
organisation that operates in its country of origin and also has a branch abroad) in the continent
where you reside - from the first assignment, to write a report on their e-supply chain operations
and the impact of digital activities in the supply chain.

You are required to identify general issues and risks facing the organisation in
developing/improving its e-business strategy (such as hacking, data protection, etc). You could
also identify other organisations in the sector to highlight the issues organisations need to consider
when developing and using digital activities.

The future digital trends (sell side and buy side) for the MNC and sector should be explored with
recommendations being made on how the organisation could develop its future digital trends. You
may consider analytics, robotics, RFID, AI and the like

Using secondary sources e.g., academic texts and journals available via the online library in
StudyNet as well as reliable websites, news items, articles, develop a report covering the content
above.

Amazon is EXCLUDED as an MNC that you can consider for this assignment.

You will need to complete the following tasks for this assignment:

1. A brief introduction to the organisation and its buy side digital activities
2. Research into its current e-supply chain digital activities and provide a detailed review of
this. For example, consider the operational efficiencies that can be made internally with an
intranet in an organisation to support supply chain management and then also use of
extranet or other electronic means to digitise links with suppliers and throughout the supply
chain. You should consider a minimum of 3 e-SCM activities which could include the use of
technology in logistics, automated supplier payments and ordering and so on.

3. Discuss the issues associated with organisations within the digital economy landscape.
focussing on the possible impact of these issues (no definitions and different parts of GDPR
for example). Consider fraud, GDPR and AI as a minimum.

4. Provide 2 examples of the above issues that your organisation may have faced/are facing.
Alternatively, provide 2 examples from other organisations in the sector or similar sectors to
highlight the issues and impact these can have on organisations. Consider other issues

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 associated with the digital economy from the organisation’s perspective.

5. The future digital trends for the chosen organisation/ sector should be explored with
recommendations being provided for the organisation/sector. A minimum of 3 trends should
be considered. For future developments, you may consider application of digital
technologies such as AI, augmented technology, virtual reality, robotics, analytics etc to
improve operational processes such as supply chain, customer relationship management
and marketing (Buy and sell side).

6. Referencing: in-text citation should be included within the body of the report with the full
reference list being at the end of the report.

7. Please submit/upload your report as a PDF file.

8. You should save your report using the following naming convention - “Family name SRN” e.g.,
Sim_0987565.

9. The word limit is 2,000 words (+/- 10%) which excludes title page, contents list, any executive
summary and references and the contents of any table and/or words used to label
diagrams/graphs. Please note that the use of tables should be used appropriately to support
your investigation and analysis and should not be used to extend the word count of your report.

10. Ensure that you check your email frequently and the Announcement section within the Canvas
module site. There will be a live online coursework briefing session that you can attend (the
date and time will be confirmed by the module leader

11. HBS report writing format should be followed

(https://herts.instructure.com/courses/107262/modules) and your title page does not need
your name on it as it will be anonymously marked

12. CW2 will be marked out of 100 and is worth 60% of the overall marks for this module.
13. Use the marking scheme below to support your preparation and delivery of your report.
Student Support and Guidance (CHECKED) (NOT NECESSARY)
 For further help on module content and assignment details, contact your Module Leader in his or
her drop-in / office hours or by email.
 Use the Learning Outcomes and HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric) to help inform you of the
expectations of the assessment.
 Use CASE (Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement) website resources: http://go.herts.ac.uk/CASE .
Attend CASE workshops and drop-ins to develop academic skills to meet HBS expectations (see
timetable on CASE website homepage or drop-in to CASE in L064, in the LRC).
 Visit the Academic English for Business Programme Site for tips on developing your academic English

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 and contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
 For help with Turnitin, look for the “Check your work (Turnitin Originality Report)” practice
assignment in the Assignment section of all of your modules. For help with understanding
plagiarism and how to make changes to your assignment, contact hbsacademic-
[email protected].
 Use the Online Library to access quality business information resources:
o Library Search will help you find books, journal articles and more.
o Use the Subject Toolkit for Business to access to industry standard databases.
o Use Library SkillUP for guidance for searching and referencing.
 Get help: use SkilIUP module chat, visit the Study Success Hub, or book an 1:1 with a librarian.