Posted: September 16th, 2017

Assessment:Research project

Assessment:Research project
Overview
For this assignment, you are required to conduct independent research to develop a case study of a business company that can successfully make a business case for sustainability; in other words, a company that can claim benefits from the integration of sustainability principles and practices into its culture and strategy.
Details
While you may focus on a company of your choice, the following companies have a good reputation with regard to sustainability practices:

Westpac    Nestle
ANZ    Adidas
Mitsubishi    Siemens
Nissan    Samsung

Your research will produce a 1,500 word report structured around the following headings:

1. Introduction
Introduce the topic, explaining aims and objectives of the research project, and a brief overview of your case study. Provide details of the methodology you used in the research (e.g., literature review of academic works on the topic, corporate website, annual reports, brochures; face-to-face interviews).
2. The company
Provide a sound description of the company under examination, including its sector, size, structure. Examine the company’s mission and strategy, and if relevant explain how it came to adopt sustainability principles and practices.
3. Findings
Here you need to describe how the company enacts sustainability through its leadership, strategy and organisational culture (use these as sub-headings)Explain the sustainability practices adopted by the company, and how itmakes a business case for sustainability. Explain how the company evaluates and monitors its sustainability initiatives. Has the company faced any challenges in the implementation of sustainability strategies?
4. Discussion    In this section, you discuss each of the findings outlined in the “Findings” section. For example, has transformational leadership played a role in the shift towards sustainability? How does the company make a business case for sustainability? If yes, what are the grounds for the business case? Do you see any evidence of ‘systems thinking’ in the way the company enact sustainability?
5. Conclusion
Briefly revisit the main findings and state what you can conclude from this case study. Do the findings of your case study reflect major trends in society? What questions have emerged from your research? What future studies could be conducted to shine further light on this topic?
6. References    Please use a minimum of five (5) academic references.
7. Appendices    If relevant, attach copies of documents containing additional information on the company (e.g., graphs, charts, etc.). Identify them as App 1, 2, 3, etc. Appendices will not be considered in the word limit.

Marking criteriaandstandards
CRITERIA    FAIL
0-49%    PASS
50%-64%    CREDIT
65%-74%    DISTINCTION
75%-84%    HIGH DISTINCTION
85%-100%
Demonstrates sound research skills    Poor research skills. No evidence of effective searches;     Uses only basic sources of information.    Good research skills. Effective use of information sources.    Above average research skills. Effective searches for less obvious sources, showing independence and initiative. Some academic sources.    Outstanding research skills; independence and initiative. Effective searches that go well beyond obvious materials. Use of academic sources.
Able to demonstrate independent critical analysis skills    Regurgitates information from sources consulted. Fails to identify key arguments and counter-arguments.      Superficially evaluates information and alternative points of view. Holds on to preconceived ideas. Unsubstantiated assertions.    Able to identify basic points and counterpoints. Offers some analysis, but there’s room for improvement.    Shows ability to think critically. Analyses and evaluates alternative points of view.       Critically analyses and evaluates more subtle alternative points of view. Fair-mindedly follows where reason leads. Accurately interprets evidence and statements.
Able to construct a sustained line of argument throughout the paper    Disjointed, unfocused, poorly structured points and arguments. Disconnected, fragmented paragraphs; no clear line of argument.    Basic line of argument, but improvement is needed to create a coherent narrative. Hard to follow in some sections.    Relatively clear organisation of ideas, but work still needed for a more cohesive and sustained line of argument.    Able to construct a coherent, sustained and well substantiated line of argument throughout the paper.    Effectively integrates abstract concepts and theories into a smooth and engaging narrative. Constructs a coherent, sustained line of argument. An engaging report.
Able to use sound grammar and spelling    Unintelligible expression due to poor grammar and/or incorrect punctuation. Unacceptable number of spelling errors.    Some grammatical errors; punctuation and spelling errors.     Relatively good grammar and punctuation. Occasional punctuation and spelling errors.    Very good grammar and punctuation throughout.    Sound grammar, punctuation and spelling in an elegant writing style. A joy to read.
Able to reference thoroughly and correctly