- Research Report
Individual formal research report based around any one of the current business issues discussed during LB5214 (executive summary; background; and aspects /issues/problems sections are each to be under 150 words. The body of report (discussion); recommendations and implementation plan is to be concisely presented in under 1000 words (maximum)).
It must identify and discuss your specific research topic and recommend ways in which that aspect of the issue might be dealt with. Relate your chosen topic to your workplace.
Your chosen topic can be discussed for suitability with your lecturer. See section 11 for further details.
References: The path of the GFC (Forster, pp. 16-24) The world reacts (Forster, pp. 25-28); Theory; Strategic Management; Marketing; Corporate governance (Forster, pp. 30-36); Impact on Australia & NZ (Forster, pp. 28-30); Emerging global economic crises emanating out of Europe. (GFC V2?), Industrial relations and the Federal review of the Fair Work Act, Decline in productivity in Australia over the last decade, Introduction of a price on carbon during 2011; Skills shortage in Australia.
Extra information for assessment 2 - Individual Research Report (30%)
As an MBA student, you need to master the technique of presenting written business reports which analyse and discuss key business issues. The purpose of this assessment is to provide you with an opportunity:
to demonstrate critical reading, effective researching and analysis skills;
to evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
to write a report that evaluates a current business issue and effectively communicates this evaluation in a logical, clear and creative way;
to prepare and present a business report with attention to its various aspects and sections.
As such, you are expected to gather information from textbooks, journals and other academic sources. The authenticity of your information or data is important and you must acknowledge the sources by citing the author(s) in the text of your report and in the reference list toward the end of the report (i.e. before the appendices).
To contextualise the report, you are to prepare the report for the attention of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Also, format and style are all important. So pay attention to layout, sectioning, structure, persuasiveness, tone, diction, conciseness, and visual and graphic clarity of the report.
In the Research Report – the executive summary; background; and aspects /issues/problems sections are each to be under 150 words. The body of report (discussion); recommendations and implementation plan is to be concisely presented in under 1000 words (maximum), and is to be structured in the following manner:
Assignment cover sheet;
Title, Student name, Letter of transmittal;
In the Research Report Itself
Executive Summary - this is essentially a summary of the entire report and should be no more than 150 words. It states the major points covered and captures key conclusions or recommendations.
Background (brief)
Aspects/issues/problems (brief)
Body of Report – Key negotiation points may be summarized in tabular form and referred to when required. Remainder of report split into logical, numbered sections (and sub-sections if required) capturing key decision wins/losses.
Conclusions (may be captured in Body of Report)
Recommendations
Implementation
List of References
Appendices
