The aim of the project is to provide an overview of the overall supply-chain for a specific corporate case or sector (activities involved with production, supply and manufacturing or sub-contracting) and then to identify and fully develop TWO specific steps through the overall companys supply chain and operational processes in order to elaborate recommendations for a more sustainable and future-thinking improvement of those specific steps and processes. One of these steps should be focused upon Logistics.
This final individual project must demonstrate a plan of action based on the existing situations and alternative ways of performing them in the near-future and long term, in this case specifically in view of enhanced value creation and sustainability-driven performance throughout the specific supply chain or supply network. An options appraisal in support of your proposed change should be presented. The project further demonstrates understanding of the complex issues, risks and opportunities involved with global supply chain management and sustainability and the application of tools assimilated during the course. The final self-reflective critical analysis should also be presented.
Tasks
Whilst there are two summative assessment components in this module, a prior formative assessment is set that leads to the two interlinked summative assessments, as detailed below.
From the start of the term, you are expected to gather information and research further into the concepts and tools recently acquired in the lectures and seminars in order to start assessing a company or sectors current supply chain sustainability status. This can be either through published material or if you have access, through primary data.
Drawing from your previous knowledge, you will then start to evaluate the strategic sustainability approach to the management of the entire supply chain / supply network of that specific global company (or specific sector) of your choice.
Equipped with this information, you will then have to prepare the plan for your own project (detailed below), a brief rationale to explain the choice of the sector or specific company as
STM6A2 Assessment Brief and Guidelines 2016 2017 1 Robin Dickinson/ Aliar Hossain/ Isabel Canto de Loura
STM6A2 – Sustainability for the Future Global Supply Chain
Assessment brief and guidelines
case study and an overview of the most critical issues you perceived as being in need of potential (realistic) improvement.
You should also aim to research and investigate these questions:
1. How can the sustainability concept be defined and applied into your chosen
corporation? How to evaluate the relationship between sustainability and supply
chain management for the chosen corporation?
2. Analyse the key success factors for implementing strategic supply chain
management for your chosen corporation.
3. Map the supply chain and identify two or more segments (one logistical) that could
generate business benefit from sustainability improvements. Many companies have already spent a lot of time and money on sustainable supply chain improvements. Ask what more can they do? What were the alternatives to their chosen actions? How will you appraise what is the most valuable recommendation?
4. Critically analyse how supply chain risk can be eliminated if the future cant be predicted.
You will demonstrate that you can apply the appropriate knowledge (concepts, methods and tools introduced and explored in the lectures and seminars) through research and analytical evaluation. You are expected to use relevant and credible sources based both on key readings on the module as well as from your individual research.
Summative Assessment 1 (Individual Presentation)
? In-class ten-minute presentation of the highlights of your project.
? 50% TMM (individual submission)
? The presentation of the project should focus on the key aspects of the project, providing a
coherent but concise projection of why the project is relevant, what are the tools to be used (in particular how the chosen option was decided upon) and how this will impact on the company/sectors move towards a more effective and sustainability-driven performance along the supply-chain.
? PLEASE ensure that a copy of your presentation (or any other material used during the presentation) is uploaded to Blackboard. If you have films or taped interviews or any other material that you consider key for enhancing the quality of the project presentation, and which are not easy to upload, please provide a copy in the relevant format to the lecturer, otherwise the moderation of your mark may be compromised.
Please note that all presentations will be recorded exclusively for moderation purposes internally, and for final module assessment and mark confirmation by the External Examiner, in accordance with the University policy on assessments.
STM6A2 Assessment Brief and Guidelines 2016 2017 2 Robin Dickinson/ Aliar Hossain/ Isabel Canto de Loura
STM6A2 – Sustainability for the Future Global Supply Chain
Assessment brief and guidelines
Students with specific requirements (cf. existing agreement from the disability officer) regarding presenting in class must approach their seminar tutor before the assessment week so as to organize alternative assessment method.
Assessment guidance criteria for Summative Assessment 1
CRITERIA
Demonstrated relevance of the analysis
Demonstrated critical and coherent development of the case
Correct use and application of sustainability concepts and tools including standards and best practice
Presentation skills and argumentative skills
Focus
Time management
Bibliography and Acknowledgements
Summative Assessment 2 (Individual Report)
? 50% TMM (individual submission)
? The full written project (2000 words maximum), plus a personal reflective analysis (200-
250 words), must be uploaded via Turnitin by 23.59 Friday week 11. Extension to
Wednesday will be capped at 40%)
? The project is based on the specific corporate case (or sector) as identified during the
formative assessment.
? The aim of the project is to provide an overview of the overall supply-chain of the
company and then to identify and fully develop and justify a plan to improve TWO specific steps (One Logistical) through the overall companys supply chain and operational processes. The recommendations should deliver more sustainable and future-thinking improvements to these specific steps and processes.
? You are also free to conduct primary research in order to help you for a critical evaluation of the case.
? The recommendations must be fully justified from a sustainability perpsective (drawing from the research, and sustained by the relevant literature).
? The project should be seen as a draft of a potentially feasible action to develop for the company, and should therefore be set as a business project plan, to include: an options appraisal in support of the decision, a suggested tentative rough timeline (Gantt chart or using any of the many free project timeline templates available online) with major tasks to be accomplished, as well as a fictional but reasonable budget/financial plan.
STM6A2 Assessment Brief and Guidelines 2016 2017 3 Robin Dickinson/ Aliar Hossain/ Isabel Canto de Loura
STM6A2 – Sustainability for the Future Global Supply Chain
Assessment brief and guidelines
? Please bear in mind that the assessment is the development of a Project that can be presented in the format of a Business Plan, but NOT as an essay, NOR as a report.
? A Project must be a plan of action based on the existing situations and alternative ways of performing them in the near-future and long term, in this case specifically in view of enhanced value creation and sustainability-driven performance throughout the specific supply chain or supply network.
? Also note that a project must include a description of the current situation, but the main aim is to provide a set of realistic recommendations, fully supported by the most relevant theoretical frameworks and models (e.g. sustainability maturity models, existing standards or policies) and perceived future trends.
? A project is forward thinking and is basically a fully justified action plan for the near future: as such, a Project cannot have a Conclusion – only once the plan starts to be implemented can we monitor and assess, draw conclusions and restructure the plan or proceed to further developments. Therefore, you can include Final/Concluding remarks, but not a real conclusion.
