ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICATION

Module title: Strategic management

Module code: LD7161
Assignment title: Academic Essay
Module Leader: TBC
Module tutor name(s): Dr. Olufemi Obasan/ Dr. Marwan/ Dr. Babajide
Assessment set by: (if not the
module tutor)
Academic year: 2023-2024
% Weighting (to overall module): 100%
Average study time required by
200 hours
student:

Date of hand out to students: 1st June 2024

Instructions and guidance issued via eLP Module
Mechanism to be used to
Site (Assessment Area).
disseminate to students:
Date and time of submission by
3rd September 2024
student:
Turnitin submission using the upload link for Final
Submission, which will be provided on the Assessment
page of the LD eLP Blackboard module site.
Mechanism for submission of
The front cover of the final submission is to only
work by student:
contain, and clearly identify (in this order, on
separate lines): the module code and name; the
student number; the word count; the total number of
all figures and tables.
Date by which work, feedback and We aim to provide feedback 20 working days after
marks will be returned to the submission date. These marks will be issued via
students: Blackboard.
Mechanism(s) for return of
assignment work, feedback and Via Turnitin.
marks to students:

Assignment Overview:
Academic Essay: 4000 words max/min excluding charts, diagrams etc.

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The essay should contain:
Part 1 – (2000 words)
Using a range of appropriate definitions, and contemporary research and
knowledge, discuss the meaning and importance of strategic management for
organisations in the public and private sector in achieving strategic success.

Critically analyse and evaluate the traditional and emergent approaches to

developing and implementing strategy. In doing so you should discuss the traditional and
emergent strategic processes, discussing the key stages of strategic formulation and
strategic implementation using these approaches. Include a discussion on pertinent
theories and how relevant tools are utilised in each approach.

Part 2 – (2000 words)

An application of the concepts, theories and elements of Strategic Management to an
analysis and critical evaluation of two real world case study examples, one public sector
and one private sector. The analysis and critical evaluation should be in the context of
contemporary Strategic Management research and knowledge. The answer should
include:
Identification of two cases whereby strategy has been formulated and implemented. Briefly
outline the context of each, e.g. what was the strategy, what was the outcome. One case
should be from the private sector, one should be from the public sector. Provide a rationale
for your choice of these particular cases.
A review and critically evaluation of the extent to which these strategies have been
successful and specifically, the extent to which strategic approaches have been used
effectively.
A discussion on the enablers or barriers to strategic implementation in each of your case
studies, e.g. strategic leadership, project alignment to strategy, adoption of portfolio,
program and project management techniques, use of a PMO, program & project
leadership, organisational culture, stakeholder engagement etc.
The assessment is worth 100% of the module. It will be submitted and assessed
electronically.
Learning outcomes from the Module Descriptor/Specification:
[MLO1] Define and evaluate selected key theories and concepts associated with the main
characteristics, models and processes of Strategic Management
[MLO2] Critically appraise selected key theories and techniques associated organization,
organizational structures and management processes in relation to Strategic Management.

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

[MLO3] Critically review the literature on strategic management and engage with what
others have written through evaluative discourse.

[MLO4] Empowered with the knowledge, skills and abilities to create, participate in and
effectively lead real and virtual project-orientated teams.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA)

[MLO5] Exhibit the professional ethics characteristics of a Northumbria University

postgraduate student. You will have the opportunity to reflect on how these are related to
your own values and thus review your personal professional development plan.

Assessment criteria / marking scheme:

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Assessment criteria / marking scheme:
Part 1 - 45% The extent and quality of the discussion on the range of appropriate
definitions, the application of contemporary research and knowledge and the meaning and
importance of strategic management for organisations in the public and private sector in
achieving strategic success. [MLO1] [MLO2] [ 2000 words approx.)

The depth of insight, extent and quality of the identification, critical analysis and
evaluation of traditional and emergent approaches to developing and implementing
strategy. The quality and depth of discussion on the traditional and emergent strategic
process, the key stages of strategic formulation and strategic implementation using these
approaches, pertinent theories and how relevant tools are utilised in each approach.

Part 2 – 45%
Case Studies: The depth of insight and the quality of application of the theories and
elements of Strategic Management displayed in the analysis and critical evaluation of two
real world case study examples, one public sector and one private sector. The analysis
and critical evaluation should be in the context of contemporary Strategic Management
research and knowledge. - 45% [MLO3] [MLO4][MLO5] [ 2000 words approx.)

Quality of Presentation – 10%

The work should set out its arguments in a clear and concise manner with specific care to
ensure readability, good sentence structure, avoidance of jargon and explanation of
acronyms, etc. Consideration should be give to the appropriate structure, with the
formation of thematic paragraphs to create a logically flowing academic essay. It will be
beneficial to support the text with appropriate figures and tables. This also requires
appropriate referencing and a suitable and proportionate reference list. - 10% [MLO]
[MLO5] [ No word count)Total: 100%

Delivery: academically written, with appropriate in-text citations and supporting

references an assignment of 4,000 words.

The assignment will be submitted and assessed electronically and addresses Module
Learning Outcomes listed below.
Additional instructions to students:
Throughout the Module there are discussions on aspects of international people
management. In order to further equip you with topic specific knowledge and
understanding, and help you develop your intellectual skills and abilities in this subject,
you will expect that some elements in your paper will be informed by material issued by
credible, relevant, professional institutes within Project Management (e.g.
[Link] [Link] [Link] as these
organisations will be useful in highlighting current issues and offering supporting
information.
It is envisaged that by undertaking such independent preliminary research, this may
act as a prelude, generating future research interest which could be further
developed individually, or in collaboration with peers or academic staff at the end of the
module.
The paper is to be properly structured and supported through ‘academic’ research
using appropriate and quality references which are cited correctly throughout. It is to
conclude with an effective summary recording what is now ‘known’ in these
selected areas. A separate references list must also be provided at the end of the
document.

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Further Information
Referencing style:
 For this task, full academic referencing from any sources used is to be provided in
the references section at the end of the assignment using the Harvard referencing
style, where correct and working hyperlinks to the original source should also be
created to allow the tutor to check these sources.
 In-text referencing should also be undertaken using the Harvard referencing style.
 The referencing technique for the Harvard Referencing style must follow the
appropriate guidance contained within either the “Cite them Right” publication
(Pears and Shields, 2008), or from [Link] . Both of
these resources provide consistent help and information about correct referencing
technique and standards. In other words, everything should be traceable to the
sources used.
 Further assistance with academic reading, writing and referencing is available via
Northumbria Universities Skills Plus web page.

Expected size of the submission:

[Link]
 The work should be formatted using ‘Arial’ font, of font size ‘11’, with 1.5 line
spacing.
 The work shall be a maximum of 4000 words (which excludes the
references/bibliography section). Plus 200 word abstract.
 Figures (diagrams, illustrations, photographs etc.) and tables are welcome to
support the text, but must be fully incorporated into the submission, integrated
and following the text that fully explains why they are exhibited.
 The work must form a structured and coherent whole. No contents page or
superfluous front matter is required. Only a basic front sheet for the submission
is to be provided, that identifies the student number (not name), the total
number of words used (excluding references section), and the number of
figures/tables used.
 'Footnotes'/’Endnotes’ will be permitted, as they can offer sufficient value,
providing, their use is minimal, sufficiently concise, and appropriate - they offer
only 'clarifying' information, or add 'adjacent' value to the sentences already
written. In other words, they are not to be used to 'hide' words that would
otherwise normally be expected to be contained within the main body of the
text, and their use will be considered in accordance with the University policy
regarding word limits.

The table below sets out the Universities policy regarding word limits:
No Penalty: In not making use of the full word count, students may
Under the word have self-penalised their work. If students have been able to achieve
limit the requirements of the assessment using fewer words than allocated,
they will not be penalised.

Up to 10% over No Penalty: Situation flagged by tutor in feedback but over-run is

the word limit tolerated and no deduction is made from the final mark.
The marker will stop reading when they judge that the word count
More than 10%

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 exceeds the recommended word count by more than 10% i.e. for a
3000 word essay, the marker will read only the first 3300 words and will
indicate on the text where they stop reading.
over the word
limit
The content following this point will not be read and a mark will be
awarded only for the content up to this point.

The full word limit policy is accessible here:

[Link]
teaching-excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/
Late Submission Policy:
For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-
in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment
(i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark. Penalties will be applied
as defined in the University Policy on the Late submission work. (Accessed
25.07.2023)

For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it
been handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of
the total available marks will have been deducted.

Failure to submit: The University requires all students to submit assessed

coursework by the deadline stated in the assessment brief. Where coursework is
submitted without approval after the published hand-in deadline, penalties will be
applied as defined in the University Policy on the Late submission of work.
(Accessed 25.07.2023)

Academic Integrity Statement: You must adhere to the university regulations on

academic conduct. Formal inquiry proceedings will be instigated if there is any
suspicion of plagiarism or any other form of misconduct in your work. Refer to the
University’s Assessment Regulations for Northumbria Awards if you are unclear as
to the meaning of these terms. The latest copy is available on the University
website. (Accessed on 25.07.2023)

The Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) contain the Regulations
and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism, the use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) Systems, and other forms of academic misconduct. The full
policy is available here

You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Systems, and other forms of academic misconduct, as referred to in the Academic
Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations, are taken very seriously.
Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic
misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.

Group Work: [Link]

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Academic Registry Policy Home Page:
[Link]
Anonymous marking: University policy requires that work be marked anonymously. In
order to facilitate this, we request that only your student number is included on work
submitted for summative assessment.