Contemporary Management Challenges – Assessment marking guide
Portfolio marking guide. 80% weighting
Students would be expected to complete all the portfolio activities. Structure is important so
students should use the suggested template.
Each portfolio activity indicates the topic area so students will be marked down for not focusing on
the expected activity. There is a request for students to use a recent example, provide a web link,
discuss and reflect in their discussion, and ideally indicate wider reading with references. The
reference should show the date accessed.
The submitted work should be proofed and the discussion should be logical and flow well. A word
count is provided for each portfolio activity, so students are expected to make best use of word
count.
Weaker students will choose poor examples, basic research on the trends, the discussion will be
descriptive and show limited critique, reflection and use of in-text referencing. Likely there will be
evidence of a lack of wider reading.
Good students will choose recent examples, the discussion will link well to the topic theory and the
example/trends. There will be evidence of wider reading and of research on the trends, the
discussion will be less descriptive, flow better and show an effort to critique, reflect and make use of
in-text referencing. Likely there will be evidence of wider reading.
Excellent students will choose recent examples, the discussion will include in text references and link
to the topic and there will be clear reflection shown. The sources will be recent and students will be
discussing trends both current and future ones. Referencing will be of a high standard.
Individual essay 20% weighting
Essay question –
Identify a current management challenge (trend) and critically analyse the impact this may have
on managers going forward.
Word count 1,500.
The work should be well structured, proofread, with references. It is expected students will look at a
current or future management challenge or trend, they will link in examples and discuss the
challenges and trends. The essay question allows a choice of trend/challenge and sector and for the
students.
Individual Essay Marking Matrix
Component Weighting Description Mark/Comment
Introduction and 5% The introduction should include the
justification of the essential background information to
trend. understand the context of the essay.
It should also outline how the essay
is organized, the choice of
trend/challenge should be justified.
Literature Review 25% The relevant past and present
literature on the management
challenge / trend performance
should be discussed with a critical
approach.
Students should avoid purely
descriptive answers and should
provide in-text referencing for theory
and examples in the discussion.
Discussion 50% The headings need to be devised as
appropriate. Each section should
have its own purpose and be
organised around a key aspect of the
trend/challenge. Evidence and
examples should be used to support
your answer.
Discussion should be reflective.
Students should avoid purely
descriptive answers and should
provide in-text referencing for the
theory and examples in the
discussion.
Conclusion/summary 10% Conclusions should refer back to the
purpose of the essay, as stated in the
introduction.
Structure 5% Follow appropriate Essay Structure
with sub-headings, flow,
proofreading evident, presentation,
Figures with titles and numbered,
and academic writing style
Referencing 5% Use of Harvard Referencing style.
Application of academic sources and
demonstration of applied critical
thought. Students should avoid
purely descriptive answers and
should provide in-text referencing in
the discussion for theory and
examples used.
Total 100%