Assessment Format: PR – Practical
Mode of Submission: Canvas: Assignment with Submission
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Weighting: This assessment is worth 50% of the Module mark
Assessment Level: 7 Generic Assessment Criteria and Marking StandardsLinks to an external site.
Element Learning Outcomes: The element learning outcomes for this assessment are: 1-4
Marking Approach: Fine-graded
Feedback Release Date: 23/01/2023
Assessment Task Detail and Instructions:
Your final assignment is to examine your sensitivity of data integrated with business thinking. The purpose of the assignment is to test your ability to carry out data processing, description, estimation, diagnostics and do file management.
Assignment details
Your final assignment requires you to write a report to consult on the potential causes of past bad business performance for your client. Your client has provided with two datasets covering the information on daily operations and boards of directors (Note that these two datasets have been provided in Canvas, named Data 1.dtaDownload Data 1.dta and Data 2.dtaDownload Data 2.dta). Now you are required to process and analyse the given data to find at least 3 potential causes of recent poor performance and provide the recommendations accordingly.
Guidance for the given datasets:
1. In Data1. dta, you are provided with accounting information, where the variables of profit growth and sale growth could be considered as a measure of company performance. Other variables tangibility, leverage and firm size, may be considered as a factor that can affect company performance.
2. In Data2. dta, you are provided with director information, where the variables of Nationality Mix, board independence, board size, education level and male ratio may also be considered as a factor that can affect company performance.
3. To conduct your analysis, you need to merge Data1.dta and Data2.dta first by using two referencing variables.
4. Definitions of each variable you could find in the dataset label section.
Note:
• The presentation and the structure of the report constitutes 5 marks
• Before start working on your assignment, identify the scope and the purpose of the report, and the role of yourself in the report.
• Broadening your reading could help you to understand better about the assignment question.
• Use graphics or tables efficiently. Do not include too many.
• Just as a suggestion for the word’s allocation, you may allocate the words by the weight of overall marks.
• Remember to attach your do file in appendix and ensure it is in a good format. Do NOT use the screenshot.
Guidance Resources:
An Anglia Ruskin Guide to Harvard Referencing can be found on the University website at the following address:
https://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm
Links to an external site.Further information on referencing can be found at the library general referencing page:
https://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/referencing.htmLinks to an external site.
The Study Skills Plus team run workshops to help students use RefWorks – This is a reference management software package that enables you to store, organise and share information and to easily generate citations and bibliographies.Links to an external site.
To book a workshop please use the following link:
https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/studyskillsplus/index.phtmlLinks to an external site.
Assessment Marking Criteria / Scheme:
The report should use no more than 1,500 words and contains the following sections:
1. Summary of findings (list your 3 potential causes underlying poor performance) [10 marks]
2. According to academic literature, justify why you think these 3 factors could be a cause of poor performance. (Note that use reliable sources, e.g., books, journal articles, and business report. Other sources could be considered if applicable). [25 marks]
3. Present and interpret your findings, where graphs and tables could be considered [25 marks]
4. Provide recommendations on how to improve business performance based on your findings [10 marks]
5. Reference list [5 marks]
6. Do file attached in appendix ( Note that the do file should be copied and paste in appendix not a screenshot) [20 marks]
7. Make sure most you’re your research is from google scholar
Feedback Arrangements:
Written academic feedback through Canvas.
Links to important regulations / advice about late submissions etc.
Student advisers: Please contact a Student Adviser at the earliest opportunity, and before your deadline, if you are experiencing issues that may affect your submission, as they manage any extension requests and exceptional circumstances applications. https://www.aru.ac.uk/studentadvisersLinks to an external site. The form to request an extension from the Student Advisors is here: extension request form (Links to an external site.)
Late submission: You can still submit assignments late, up to two working days after the submission deadline. Please note that the two-tiered approach to penalties continues as shown in the table below. Full details on Late Submissions are here: https://www.aru.ac.uk/lateworkLinks to an external site.