Detrimental impact on the competitiveness and survival of businesses

Business Intelligence Assignment Question

Programme : Bachelors in International Business

Module : M1 – BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

Term : 2018T3 AUGUST-OCTOBER 2018

Online Submission Dateline : Before 28 th

October 2018 23:59 (Malaysia Time Zone)

Report Length : 3,500 words maximum

The Context

In a world in which knowledge and intelligence is power, what businesses do not know can have detrimental impact on the competitiveness and survival of businesses. The good news: It’s not so hard to find out what your rivals are up to if efforts are being made. Some savvy (and perfectly legal) snooping—otherwise known as competitive intelligence—can drive help organisations formulate the right strategies, soothe their fears about the future, and give them a competitive edge. In this assignment you are required to critically analyse and evaluate a number of areas relating to the practice of Competitive Intelligence by an organisation you work for or are familiar with:

1) Evaluate to what extent the chosen organisation had the awareness and had embraced the

critical contribution of Competitive Intelligence towards managing a competitive and successful organisation.

2) Evaluate the extent in which the said organisation undertakes an internal and external environment analysis and how such business intelligence are they linked to the formulation and execution of the said organisation’s business strategies.

3) Outline some of methods where competitive intelligence information were gathered by the said organisation and evaluate whether those methods were carried out in an acceptable and ethical manner.

4) Propose your recommendations how the application of Competitive and Business Intelligence

practices can be enhanced in the said organisation

Task You are to write the above as a Management Report to the Chief Executive Officer of the chosen company.

Instructions for the Management Report:

Your report (not exceeding 3500 words) should incorporate the following:

(a) Executive Summary (5%)

200-300 words, not to be included in the word count.

(b) Introduction (10%)

You should clearly identify any assumptions you make for your company, such as the business it is in, size of operation, competitor(s), home country nationality, and other relevant information you deemed useful.

(c) Main Body (65%)

You should deal with the 4 tasks required in the report and be organised under appropriate heading or sub-headings on the requirements listed in (1) – (4) of the assignment question.

(d) Conclusion (10%)

Direct the end of your report to the CEO to convince him or her of your proposed CI improvements for the company.

(e) References ( 10%)

Harvard-style reference list.

Have a minimum of 10 references. Further Instructions

• Font Style: Times New Roman & Font Size: 12 • Line Spacing: 1.5 • Page Layout/Orientation: Portrait

• All the margins should be set about 25mm on both sides (i.e. left & right) of each page.

• Numerical Systems (e.g 1.0, 1.1 and 1.1.1) should be used for each section and sub- section.

• Word count must be indicated on the cover page of the assignment.

Important Note: This assignment MUST be submitted on or before the due date which is the 28

th October 2018.

Word Count

• Your word count should not include your reference list. You should provide your word count at the end of your report.

• Exceeding the word count by more than 10% will result in a penalty of 10% of your marks

for your work.

• If your work is significantly shorter, then you will probably have failed to provide the level of detail required.

Assessment Grading Criteria

Classification Mark (%) Description

Distinction 70-100 As for “60-69 marks” band plus the following:

Shows clear evidence of wide and relevant reading

and an engagement with the conceptual issues.

Develops a sophisticated and intelligent argument.

Shows a rigorous use and a sophisticated

understanding of relevant source materials,

balancing appropriately between factual detail and

key theoretical issues. Materials are evaluated

directly and their assumptions and arguments

challenged and/or appraised. Shows original

thinking and a willingness to take risks.

Commendation 60-69 Shows strong evidence of critical insight and critical thinking. Shows a detailed understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues and

directly engages with the relevant literature on the

question set. Develops a focussed and clear

argument and articulates clearly and convincingly

with a sustained train of logical thought. Shows

clear evidence of planning and appropriate choice

of sources and methodology/concepts/models.

Pass 50-59 Shows a reasonable understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues involved. Shows

evidence of planning and selection from relevant

sources. Demonstrates some knowledge of the

relevant literature. Text shows, in places, examples

of a clear train of thought or argument. Text is

introduced and concludes appropriately.

Marginal Fail 40-49 Shows some awareness and understanding of the

factual or theoretical issues, but with little

development. Misunderstandings are evident.

Shows some evidence of planning, although

irrelevant/unrelated material or arguments are

included

Poor Failure <40 Fails to answer the assignment question or to develop an argument that relates to the question set.

Does not engage with the relevant literature or

demonstrate a knowledge of the key issues.

Contains clear conceptual or factual errors or

misunderstandings.

Academic honesty

Please acknowledge all references and sources that you use in your work. This is not just good manners but also academic honesty. Importance note: Before you upload your assignment submission, you MUST first submit your

assignment for plagiarism screening via: ipe.ppa@analyse.urkund.com by or before week 8 (Oct

15 th

– 21 st ) from the commencement of your module on 27

th August 2018.

Please specify clearly your Student ID, Full Name and the Module Title.

Based on the plagiarism check results, you are required to take the required steps as detailed in the

table as provided in the latest circular on plagiarism policy with effect May 2016 and upload the

assignment for grading as follows:

1) Students’ assignment who clear the test (15% or less) will upload their assignment by end of

week 9 (Oct 22 nd

– 28 th

or earlier) for marking.

2) Students’ assignment who failed the test marginally (16-20%) will be required to make

required changes in their assignment and then upload for marking by end of week 10 (Nov 4 th

–

10 th

or earlier)

3) Students with (21-35%) will be required to redo and resubmit their assignment and submit for

plagiarism check on week 14 or earlier (Dec 3 rd

– 9 th

) before uploading for marking on week 16

(Dec 24 th

– 30 th

). The marks will not be capped.

4) Students with (36% and more) will be required to redo and resubmit their assignment and

submit for plagiarism check on week 14 or earlier (Dec 3 rd

– 9 th

or earlier) before uploading for

marking on week 16 (Dec 24 th

– 30 th

). The marks will be capped.