Critically analyse how Porter’s competitive forces model help companies develop competitive strategies using information systems.

Module Number and Name: BMP6010- Strategic Information Management

Assessment Number: 2           

Assessment Title: Report

Assessment Length: 2,500 words (50%)

Submission Deadline:

Learning Outcomes:

LO3: Demonstrate a critical understanding of control process techniques, tools and methods required for the development of information systems for competitive advantage.

Assignment Brief:

Critically analyse how Porter’s competitive forces model help companies develop competitive strategies using information systems.

12. Guidelines for the Preparation and Submission of Written Assessments

1. Written assessments should be word-processed in Arial or Calibri Light font size 12. There should be double-spacing and each page should be numbered.
2. There should be a title page identifying the programme name, module title, assessment title, your student number, your marking tutor and the date of submission.
3. You should include a word-count at the end of the assessment (excluding references, figures, tables and appendices).

         Where a word limit is specified, the following penalty systems applies:

• Up to 10% over the specified word length = no penalty
• 10 – 20% over the specified indicative word length = 5 marks subtracted (but if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assessment).
• More than 20% over the indicative word length = if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark or more, then the final mark will capped at the pass mark for the assessment.

1. All written  work should be referenced using the standard University of Bolton referencing style– see: https://www.bolton.ac.uk/library/Study-Skills/Referencing/Home.aspx
2. Unless otherwise notified by your Module Tutor, electronic copies of assignments should be saved as word documents and uploaded into Turnitin via the Moodle class area. If you experience problems in uploading your work, then you must send an electronic copy of your assessment to your Module Tutor via email BEFORE the due date/time.
3. Please note that when you submit your work to Moodle, it will automatically be checked for matches against other electronic information. The individual percentage text matches may be used as evidence in an academic misconduct investigation (see Section 13).

 7. Late work will be subject to the penalties:

• Up to 7 calendar days late = 10 marks subtracted but if the assignment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assignment.
• More than 7 calendar days late = This will be counted as non-submission and no marks will be recorded.

Late submission of assessments on refer and those which are graded Pass/Fail only, is not permitted. Students may request an extension to the original published deadline date as described below. 

In the case of exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, an extension of up to 14 days after the assessment deadline may be granted. This must be agreed by your Programme Leader, following a discussion the Module Tutor.  You should complete an Extension Request Form available from your Tutor and attach documentary evidence of your circumstances, prior to the published submission deadline.

Extensions over 14 calendar days should be requested using the Mitigating Circumstances procedure, with the exception of extensions for individual projects and artefacts which, at the discretion of the Programme Leader, may be longer than 14 days.

Requests for extensions which take a submission date past the end of the module (normally week 15) must be made using the Mitigating Circumstances procedures.

Some students with registered disabilities will be eligible for revised submission deadlines. Revised submission deadlines do not require the completion extension request paperwork.

Please note that the failure of data storage systems is not considered to be a valid reason for an extension. It is therefore important that you keep multiple copies of your work on different storage devices before submitting it.

LO3: Demonstrate a critical understanding of control process techniques, tools and methods required for the development of information systems for competitive advantage.

14. Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct may be defined as any attempt by a student to gain an unfair advantage in any assessment. This includes plagiarism, collusion, commissioning (contract cheating) amongst other offences. In order to avoid these types of academic misconduct, you should ensure that all your work is your own and that sources are attributed using the correct referencing techniques. You can also check originality through Turnitin.

Please note that penalties apply if academic misconduct is proven. See the following link for further details:

https://www.bolton.ac.uk/about/governance/policies/student-policies/

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE6 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria:

(Please note that the General Assessment Criteria will also apply. Please see section 16)

First class (70% and above):

Students will provide an in-depth appraisal of the effectiveness of a sustainable tourism plan, demonstrating excellent critical reasoning skills. Focused and justified recommendations will be made as to how problems/weaknesses identified in the plan may be overcome, and sustainability improved.  Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be excellent. 

Second class (50-69%):

Students will provide a comprehensive appraisal of the effectiveness of a sustainable tourism plan, demonstrating critical reasoning skills. Justified recommendations will be made as to how problems/weaknesses identified in the plan may be overcome, and sustainability improved. Research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be good. 

Third class (40-49%):

Students will provide a satisfactory appraisal of the effectiveness of a sustainable tourism plan, demonstrating critical reasoning skills. Considered recommendations will be made as to how problems/weaknesses identified in the plan may be overcome, and sustainability improved. Research demonstrating use of a range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be fair.

Fail (39% and below): Students who do not meet the requirements of a third class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE6 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five academic books.

LO3: Demonstrate a critical understanding of control process techniques, tools and methods required for the development of information systems for competitive advantage.