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Assignment Brief (RQF)
Higher National Diploma in Business
April 2020 intake September Semester
| Submission Format |
| All tasks should be written in the form of a report and submitted in Turnitin by the submission deadline. You should prepare your assignment in a way that all the learning outcomes are covered and the assessment criteria are answered appropriately. You are required to make use of headings, sub heading, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate and ensure that the report is justified aligned. You are required to use Microsoft Word and Times New Roman or Arial at size 12. All work must be supported with research and referenced where appropriate using the Harvard Referencing System (HRS). The recommended word limit is 2000–2500 words, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit. |
| Unit Learning Outcomes |
| LO1: Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts LO3: Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations function of an organisation LO4: Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and management in a contemporary business environment |
| Qualification | Unit number and title | |
| BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business |
Unit 4: Management and Operations | |
| Unit Code: | D/508/0488 | Unit Level: 4 |
| Guided learning hours: | 60 | Credit value: 15 |
| Assessor: Mr Gopinath Vedula | Internal Quality Assurer: |
Dr Anwarul Haque |
| Distribution date | Submission deadline | |
| 24/09/2020 | 11/12/2020 | |
| Assignment title | Management and Operations |
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| TASK A: LO1 and LO2 |
| You have been employed as a “Trainee Assistant Operations Manager” in John Lewis based on your experience in the HNC program. You have been asked by the Director of Human Resources to investigate the possible impact on leadership and management on the operations of John Lewis after Brexit. You are required to submit a written report to the Director of Human Resources on the outcome of the investigation. Alternatively, if you are currently employed, you may consider using your employer to do the necessary research and complete the report. Your report should start with an introduction of John Lewis along with its existing organisational structure. You also need to include the following in your written report: 1. Define and compare the roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager at John Lewis or your selected company. 2. Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager under two different situations, pre and post-Brexit, at John Lewis (or your selected company) using a range of theories and models, such as situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency. 3. Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership at John Lewis or your chosen company in given situational contexts. |
| Task B: LO2 and LO3 |
| The Director of Human Resources is very happy with your first task (written report) on the investigation of the impact of leadership and management on the post-Brexit operations at John Lewis. Arising from the report, the Director has asked you to carry out a follow up task to explore the best operations management approaches for John Lewis to enable them to deal with the new situation so that John Lewis can successfully compete with other contenders. You are required to produce a written report on your findings. |
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| Prepare a written report covering the above task. Your work should be at least 1500 words and use diagrams and charts where necessary. The report must cover the following: 1. Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play at John Lewis or your chosen company. 2. An evaluation of how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives at John Lewis or your chosen company. 3. Critical evaluation of application of operations management and decision-making by leaders and managers that impact on the wider business environment at John Lewis or your chosen company. |
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO1 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager |
LO1 & LO2 D1 Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given contexts |
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| P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager. |
M1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying a range of theories and concepts. |
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| LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts |
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| P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts. P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency. |
M2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment. |
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| LO3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations function of an organisation |
LO3 & LO4 D2 Critically evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider business environment. |
| P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play. P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives. |
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives. |
| LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and management in a contemporary business environment |
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| P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers. |
M4 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community. |
| Instructions to learners for completion of this assignment |
| 1. This assessment is designed to assess your achievement of all the Learning Outcomes and associated assessment criteria in the relevant unit of the qualification you are undertaking. 2. You should make sure that you plan your work carefully, to ensure that you cover all the requirements of the assignment and complete it within the time limit specified. 3. You must make sure that you acknowledge any sources you have used to complete this assignment, listing reference material and web sites used. 4. Your assignment should be your own work and you need to give reference to support and strengthen your work, where appropriate using the Harvard Referencing System (HRS). 5. You should also follow a recommended word limit as indicated in the respective assignment brief, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit. 6. You must include the declaration statement (given below) with your submission. Declaration statement I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice. |
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| Further Guidance on assessment and grading |
| Each Unit will be graded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction as per achievement of the expected grades. To achieve a Pass, you must have satisfied all the Pass criteria for the learning outcomes, against the specified Assessment Criteria for Pass. To achieve a Merit, you must have satisfied all the Merit criteria (and therefore the Pass criteria) through high performance in each learning outcome. To achieve a Distinction, you must have satisfied all the Distinction criteria (and therefore the Pass and Merit criteria), and these define outstanding performance across the unit as a whole. If all the assessment criteria for Pass have not been achieved adequately, the work is graded as ‘Referred’. Withheld: If the work illustrate more than the similarity % cap or concern over originality of part or all content of the work, it will be graded as ‘Withheld’. The student will then be interviewed to ascertain originality. Late Submission: For any late submission without approved Extenuating circumstances prior to the set deadline, the grade is capped at a PASS. Only one opportunity for re-assessment of the unit will be permitted. However, the coursework required a re-assessment will have its grade capped at a PASS. |
| Recommended resources and Referencing |
| Recommended Resources • HILL, A & HILL, T. (2011) Essential Operations Management. London: Palgrave. • PETTINGER, R. (2007) Introduction to Management. 4th Ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan. • SLACK, N., BRANDON-JONES, A. and JOHNSTON, R. (2013) Operations Management. 7th Ed. Harlow: Pearson. • SCHEDLITZKI, D. and EDWARDS, G. (2014) Studying Leadership: Traditional and Critical Approaches. London: SAGE. |