MBA7068 Assignment 1 Brief TASK 1: Presentation and Report on a Contemporary Business Issue

MBA7068 -Academic Skills and Professional Practice ASSESSMENT BRIEF

Assessment Number	Assignment 1
Assessment Type (and weighting)	2,500-word portfolio (100%)
Assessment Name	Academic and professional skills
Assessment Submission Date	Monday 12th January 2026 via Turnitin @23:59hrs

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO1:  Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of university learning and teaching strategies and practices and their roles in the broader academic and professional MBA context

LO2:  Interpret academic assessments, identifying knowledge forms, cognitive abilities, practical and personal skills, and communication styles needed to successfully meet the demands of these

LO3: Critically evaluate and synthesise information, data, concepts, and theory from a range of sources and use these to inform analysis, critique, and reflection

LO4: Identify and critically reflect on personal and professional goals and devise strategies for their attainment

MBA7068 Assessment Tasks:

This assessment requires you to create a portfolio. The portfolio should address the following:

TASK 1. Presentation and Report on a Contemporary Business Issue [1,500 words excluding presentation slides]: 

In today’s volatile and fast-evolving business environment, professionals are expected to critically evaluate, synthesise, and communicate complex business issues to inform strategic decision-making. This assessment is designed to develop your ability to critically investigate a contemporary business issue and articulate its strategic relevance to a specialist audience, such as senior management or executive leaders.
You are required to select and justify a current and relevant issue from one of the following areas:

• Circular Economy
• The Gig Economy
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Leadership
• Hybrid Working Models
• Internet of Things (IoT) 

You will develop and deliver a professional 10-minute in-class presentation aimed at a specialist audience. The objective is to critically appraise the selected business issue and present well-reasoned, evidence-based insights that can inform strategic awareness, organisational understanding, and potential action.

Your Presentation Should:

• Define and justify the importance of the chosen issue within a business or industry context
• Outline key trends, developments, or disruptions driving this issue in the global or sector-specific context.
• Synthesise academic theories and professional data, highlighting key challenges and opportunities.
• Evaluate how the issue affects business performance, leadership, workforce, strategy, or operations
  Your slides must be included as an appendix with your written report.

Written Report (1,500 words):

The accompanying report should critically evaluate your research and communication process, and how you tailored the content for a specialist audience. Your report should address:

1. Research Strategy

• Critically appraise the process of identifying, selecting, and evaluating appropriate sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, government reports, industry white papers). Justify the inclusion of key sources in shaping your understanding of the issue

2. Synthesis of Information

• Critically evaluate how you integrated, interpreted, and synthesised complex academic and industry sources to generate coherent, insightful, and strategically relevant conclusions. 

3. Audience Adaptation

• Critically evaluate how you adapted language, tone, structure, and examples to align with the expectations and knowledge base of a specialist audience. Justify the communication strategies employed to engage, inform, and influence stakeholders
  Your report should follow a clear structure, maintain an academic tone, and include appropriate referencing.

TASK 2: Critical Reflection on Academic Skills and Professional Identity [1,000 words]

Critically evaluate how academic skills such as critical reading, reflective writing, and ethical research practices contribute to shaping your professional identity. Integrate models of reflective practice (e.g., Gibbs Reflective Cycle, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle) to analyse your own development throughout the module. Include a professional development plan informed by personal SWOT analysis and employability insights.

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

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

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Specific Assessment Criteria/Marking Scheme: 

Distinction (70% and above)

A distinction-level submission will demonstrate an excellent critical understanding of a real-world and contemporary business issue, effectively explored through a well-prepared and professionally delivered presentation, and supported by a clearly structured, insightful analytical report. The chosen topic will be highly relevant and justified with strategic rationale, integrating advanced theories, models, and recent literature. Data sources will be rigorously selected, with critical evaluation of their credibility and relevance to practice. The synthesis of information will be sophisticated, reflecting the ability to distil complex ideas into clear, evidence-based insights suitable for a specialist audience. Arguments will be logically structured, nuanced, and supported by high-quality academic and professional sources. The reflection in Task 2 will provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of academic skill development, using appropriate reflective models and demonstrating deep self-awareness. The student's strengths and limitations will be insightfully appraised, and the Personal Development Plan (PDP) will be detailed, realistic, and strategically aligned with career goals. 

Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of contemporary and seminal sources will be evident. Academic writing style, English and referencing will be excellent.  

Merit (60% – 69%)

A merit-level portfolio will demonstrate a strong and well-reasoned critical evaluation of a relevant contemporary business issue, communicated through a well-organised and coherent presentation and supported by a detailed report. The discussion will be underpinned by appropriate theories and current literature, with good evidence of synthesis and strategic analysis. Data sources will be relevant and generally well-justified. The work will show sound understanding of complex material, with effective communication of key insights to a specialist audience. In Task 2, the reflection will offer a thoughtful appraisal of academic and professional development, clearly applying a recognised reflective model. The analysis of strengths and weaknesses will be meaningful, and the PDP will be clear and feasible, though it may lack some depth or innovation.

Research will demonstrate the use of a wide range of relevant sources. The academic writing style, English, and referencing will be good, displaying clear organization and coherence throughout the portfolio.

Pass (50% – 59%)

A pass-level submission will demonstrate adequate engagement with a relevant business issue, showing a basic level of critical analysis and understanding. The presentation and report will meet minimum academic expectations, though may lack depth in the use of theory, criticality, or integration of sources. The background and rationale will be present but may be descriptive or underdeveloped. The use of data and literature will be appropriate but not consistently evaluated or synthesised. The report may show some gaps in logic, structure, or academic style, but will maintain a coherent line of argument. In Task 2, the reflection will include a personal evaluation of academic skills and refer to a reflective model, though this may be applied superficially. The identification of strengths and weaknesses will be clear, and the PDP will outline some practical steps for development, though it may lack strategic insight or thorough justification

Research will demonstrate the use of a range of relevant sources. The academic writing style, English, and referencing will be satisfactory, showing clear organization and coherence throughout the portfolio.

Fail (Below 50%): Students who do not meet the requirements of the Pass criteria will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: To be added in your assignment

Declaration: At the end of the assessment you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI)

applications that you used in developing and completing the assessment. The assessment brief will specify if and how you can use GAI applications in the assessment. 

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 tutor and the date of submission. 

3.You should include a word-count (excluding reference list/bibliography, 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 be capped at the pass mark for the assessment.

4.At the end of the assessment you should include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications that you used in developing and completing the assessment. The assessment brief will specify if and how you can use GAI applications in the assessment. 

5.All written work should be referenced using the standard University of Bolton referencing style– see: University of Greater Manchester Library

6.Please note that when you submit your work to Canvas, it will automatically be checked for matches against other electronic information, as well as for hidden text characters and GAI generated text. You will be able to see similarity matches but not currently flags for hidden characters and AI-generated text. The outcomes of Turnitin reports may be used as evidence in an academic misconduct investigation.

Late work penalties

Late work will be subject to the following 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 unless an extension is approved. See below.   

Extensions

In the case of exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, an extension of up to 14 days after the assessment deadline may be requested using the standard University Extension Request Form. For approval there would need to be an explanation and evidence of relevant circumstances. 

Longer extensions for individual assessments, projects and artefacts may be granted, at the discretion of the Programme Leader.

MBA7068 General Assessment Criteria for Written Assessments – GENERAL ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES – LEVEL HE7

		Relevance (20%) Learning outcomes must be met for an overall pass	Knowledge and Understanding (15%)	Analysis, Creativity and Problem-Solving (15%)	Self-awareness and Reflection (20%)	Research/ Referencing (10%)	Written English (10%)	Presentation and Structure (10%)
DISTINCTION	Exceptional Quality 85-100%	Work is directly relevant and expertly addresses the requirements of the brief.   Learning outcomes are met.	Demonstrates an exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice which is beyond the threshold expectation for the level. Produces exceptional work which makes a contribution to knowledge in the subject area.	Presents an exceptional critique of advanced research material resulting in clear, original and illuminating conclusions. Expertly interprets complex matters and ideas and makes sound judgments in the absence of complete data. Demonstrates exceptional creative flair and a high level of originality. Develops distinctive, insightful and creative solutions to complex problems.	Provides insightful reflection and critical self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility.	An extensive range of advanced research sources critically evaluated and selected.   Sources cited accurately in both the body of text and in the Reference List/ Bibliography.	Writing style is clear, succinct and relevant to the requirements of the assessment. An exceptionally well written answer with only rare errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Uses a wide range of less common and more advanced vocabulary and sentence types fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings. Paragraphs are expertly structured with linking and signposting.	The presentational style and layout are correct for the type of assignment. Evidence of planning and logically structured. Where relevant, there is effective inclusion of, and reference to, figures, tables and images.
	Excellent Quality 70-84%	Work is relevant and comprehensively addresses the requirements of the brief. Learning outcomes are met.	Demonstrates an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level. Clearly demonstrates originality in the application of knowledge.	Presents an excellent critique of advanced research material resulting in clear, original and illuminating conclusions. Comprehensively interprets complex matters and ideas and makes sound judgments in the absence of complete data. Demonstrates excellent creative flair and a high level of originality. Develops distinctive and creative solutions to complex problems.	Provides excellent reflection and critical self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility	A wide range of advanced research sources critically evaluated and selected. Sources cited accurately in both the body of text and in the Reference List/ Bibliography.	Writing style is clear, succinct and relevant to the requirements of the assessment. A very well written answer with very few errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Uses a