1. Demonstrate understanding of innovation and the role of technological change in economic progress

You are required to write a report of 1250 words on each of the two tasks.

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: (1250 words)

ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION - TASK 1 “Innovation is increasingly seen as a key strategic priority due to its potential to create sustainable competitive advantage. Innovative organisations are more able to mobilise the knowledge, skills, and experiences of people, and create new products, services and processes successfully to get things done faster, better and at a lower cost. When customers buy the outcome of innovations, companies increase their turnover.” (Cole and Kelly, 2015).

ASSESSMENT TASK 1:

A. Assess the impacts of innovation and technology and how it has affected the sales, profits and growth TO Network International PLC

B. Presentation, referencing and grammar

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Knowledge and understanding of technological innovation

• Understanding of the relationships between innovation and economic development

• Abilities to appreciate the role of technological change in economic progress

• Identify the financial and ICT issues for key business functions


POINTS TO CONSIDER:

1. Demonstrate understanding of innovation and the role of technological change in economic progress.

2. A brief overview at Network International PLC and practical illustrations of how innovation has impacted the operations, sales and the profits at Network International PLC

Reading List

1. Morrison, J. (2017) The Global Business Environment, (4th edition), Palgrave.

2. Needle, D. (2015) Business in Context, An Introduction to Business and Its Environment, (6th edition), Cengage Learning.

3. Boddy. D. (2016) Management An Introduction, (7th edition), Pearson Press.

4. Please visit the web site of your chosen company for its annual report and other necessary information. In addition to the recommended textbooks and the website of your chosen organisation, you are expected to read other textbooks and journals for your research


ASSESSMENT TASK 2: (1250 words)

ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION TASK 2:

Corporate Governance specifies the distribution of rights and responsibilities among different participants in the company, such as the board, managers, shareholders and other stakeholders. (Source: OECD April, 1999).

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large (Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development).


ASSESSMENT TASK 2:

A. Evaluate the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the same organisation at Network International PLC

B. Apply Archie Carroll’s (1991) CSR model to your chosen organisation.

C. Presentation, grammar and referencing


ASSESSMENT CRITERIA.

• Knowledge and understanding of corporate governance.

• Abilities to appraise and recognise use of corporate governance and ethics within a business context. • Understanding of the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

• Understanding of a CSR model (Archie Carroll’s model) and its practical applications


POINTS TO CONSIDER

1. You must briefly discuss corporate governance, including the responsibilities of the Board of Directors to the stakeholders.

2. Explain the four areas that make up corporate social responsibility as identified by Archie Carroll. (1991).

Apply this model to Network International PLC

Please give relevant practical examples to demonstrate your understanding of this model.

READING LIST

1. Morrison, J. (2017) The Global Business Environment, (4th edition), Palgrave.

2. Needle, D. (2015) Business in Context, An Introduction to Business and Its Environment, (6th edition), Cengage Learning.

3. Boddy, D. (2016) Management An Introduction, (7th edition), Pearson Press.

4. Please visit the web site of your chosen company for its annual report and other necessary information.

In addition to the recommended textbook, you are expected to read other textbooks and journals for your research.

Further Details:

• This assignment must be completed individually as a management report, following the appropriate academic structure:

o Executive summary

o Table of Contents

o Introduction

o Main body

o Conclusions

o Reference list

• The word limit for this assignment is 2500 words. This word limit does not include the executive summary, tables, diagrams, appendices or references.

• You must use Harvard Referencing (Citations in-text) to acknowledge your sources of information and provide a reference list (and bibliography where appropriate).

• Any bibliography provided must be included as an appendix.

Additional guidelines
Business Environment – Final Assignment
ASSESSMENT TASK ONE
1. Demonstrate an understanding of different types of innovation and technology and how they have impacted the economic progress of the country, with particular emphasis on business organisations.
- Define innovation and technology
- Give practical examples of how innovation and technology have
contributed to the economic growth of the country.
- Describe how business organisations use new technologies in their
operations
2. Give practical illustrations of how innovation and technology have impacted the operations, sales and the profits of your chosen company.
- A brief overview of your chosen company
- Describe the new technologies and how they are being used by your chosen company.
- Compare the sales and profits of the company before and, after the new technologies were introduced (Please visit the web site of your chosen company for its annual report and other necessary information)
- Comment on your findings.
ASSESSMENT TASK TWO
1. Evaluate the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the organisation
- Define Corporate Governance and Responsibility(CSR)
2. Explanations of Archie Carroll’s Pyramid of CSR: - Economic responsibilities, legal responsibilities, ethical responsibilities and philanthropic responsibilities.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the four areas of CSR as identified by Archie Carroll. Apply these to Network International PLC

Demonstrate an understanding of different types of innovation and technology and how they have impacted the economic progress of the country, with particular emphasis on business organisations.