LO1 Analyse financial statements and corporate structures to assess financial health and performance.

LO2 Apply investment and financing principles to support corporate decisions.

LO3 Evaluate capital markets and pricing models in the context of risk management.

LO4 Critically assess capital structure theories and strategies within various market conditions.

LO5 Apply financial theories to international case studies, incorporating economic, social, and cultural dimensions.

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

Assignment Title: Company Valuation Report – [Company Name]

Assessment Overview

This module is assessed entirely through a 2,500-word (+/- 10%) individual coursework. The assignment requires you to produce an independent company valuation report on a publicly listed company of your choice from the FTSE100. You must use real financial data, apply appropriate corporate finance valuation models, and demonstrate analytical judgement in interpreting the results. The aim is to assess your ability to integrate financial theory with real-world company performance and to form a defensible investment decision.

Your report must go beyond mechanical calculation. Strong submissions will justify assumptions, reconcile conflicting valuation indicators, and contextualise numerical results within broader market, industry, and strategic considerations.

Report Structure and Requirements

Your analysis must be organised into the following sections:

1. Introduction

Provide a concise overview of the company and explain why it has been selected for valuation. Conclude this section with a brief roadmap outlining the structure of your report.

2. Company Background

Present a brief history and description of core business activities; key markets, revenue segments, and competitive positioning; financial trends and performance indicators relevant to your valuation; macroeconomic, sectoral, and strategic factors that influence the company’s risk profile or growth prospects

3. Valuation of the Company

You must include the following four components. All assumptions should be referenced, justified, and consistent with financial theory.

Cost of capital: Estimate cost of equity and WACC. Justify assumptions on beta, market premium, risk-free rate, debt, etc. Cash flow estimation: Calculate free cash flow to firm/equity. Adjust for R&D, capex, lease, etc. Growth and terminal value: Use varied growth rates, terminal value estimates and explain rationale. Relative valuation: Compare your firm to peers (international or domestic). Justify adjustments and assumptions. 4. Discussions and Conclusions

Summarise and interpret the results of your valuation. Present valuation outcomes under base-case and alternative scenarios. Identify limitations of your analysis, such as data constraints, model sensitivities, or market uncertainties.

5. References

Cite all data, theories, and models appropriately.  Use APA 7th style referencing consistently throughout.

Data sources may include annual reports, company filings, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, Statista, OECD, IMF, FT Market Data, academic journals, and recognised textbooks.

Assignment Overview Task In this task, you will write an 800-word reflection on your own standpoint and analysis of a selection of media sources provided to you. This reflection will establish your baseline knowledge as you progress through the subject. You can complete this task after working through the Topics 1 & 2 content and learning activities.

In your response, aim to go beyond a ‘question and answer’ style response. Instead, use the task prompts to develop a synthesised discussion, using full sentences and paragraphs.

Instructions Part A – Standpoint Investigation (approx. 400 words) Using the required reading by Russell (2020) (in Module 1, Topic 1) reflect on your own positioning using the below prompts.

What do you know / not know about Indigenous Australian peoples and communities?

Where and/or from whom did that knowledge come?

What do you know / not know about Australian culture and history?

What might be some limitations to your knowledge?

Russell (2020) presents 4 anchor principles: Knowing Self, Social Justice, Action, Restorying. Which one do you most identify with? Explain how the chosen principle relates to your understanding of your own positioning and include an in-text citation for this reading in your work.

Part B – Media Analysis (approx. 400 words) The media is an example of a powerful institution which shapes knowledge. Choose one of the provided media sources located in the Assessment 1 tab in the subject site. Analyse your chosen source using the following prompts:

What overt and/or covert assumptions do you notice about Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians?

What assumptions might different viewers infer? What in the source leads you to this understanding?

How are Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians positioned?

Assessment Requirements Brief The assessment is an 800-word reflective essay divided into two key sections, designed to establish the student’s baseline understanding of Indigenous Australian peoples, culture, history, and media representation. The key requirements are:

1. Part A – Standpoint Investigation (approx. 400 words) Reflect on personal knowledge and gaps regarding Indigenous Australian peoples and communities.

Identify sources of that knowledge and potential limitations.

Reflect on knowledge of Australian culture and history, including limitations.

Connect your reflection to one of Russell’s (2020) four anchor principles: Knowing Self, Social Justice, Action, Restorying, explaining why the chosen principle resonates with your standpoint.

2. Part B – Media Analysis (approx. 400 words) Choose one provided media source.

Analyse overt and covert assumptions about Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Consider how different audiences might interpret the media.

Examine the positioning of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the chosen media source.

Additional Instructions: Use full sentences and paragraphs; avoid a simple question-and-answer format.

Include in-text citations where applicable.

Focus on synthesising discussion rather than summarising content.

Learning Objectives Covered: Develop self-awareness and reflection on personal positioning regarding Indigenous Australians.

Apply critical thinking to analyse media representation.

Demonstrate understanding of social justice principles and ethical considerations.

Enhance academic writing skills in reflection and analysis.

Case study  Daisy, a new mum, is on maternity leave and enjoying her time with her twin girls who are 4 months old. Since the girls’ birth, she has found it challenging to reconnect with the mums she befriended in prenatal classes as they have all signed up to postnatal exercise groups and, with her only experience of exercise being negative memories of school based physical education, she is not comfortable to join them. Although keen to meet with her friends, Daisy also feels uncomfortable about her weight after carrying twins, and is reluctant to wear what she perceives as exercise clothes.

Knowing that Daisy is feeling isolated and is suffering from low mood, her husband has encouraged her to join the other mums, as has her midwife at a recent home visit. Indeed, the midwife was keen for Daisy to increase her physical activity to help her to help reduce her fluid retention in her legs. At a recent work-related ‘keep in touch’ day, which involved a part day at work, Daisy was reminded how physically demanding her job is. She was shocked at how out of breath she was when completing regular tasks, and she is now feeling anxious about her return in a month’s time.

Explain three correlates of physical activity that could be having an influence on Daisy’s current inactivity. (150 words, 6 marks) Using evidence, discuss the potential benefits of regular exercise on Daisy’s mental state and mood. (300 words, 12 marks) Explain Daisy’s current relationship with exercise, based on the health belief model. (300 words, 12 marks) Evaluate three appropriate behaviour change techniques that would help Daisy to improve her behaviour and adherence to exercise. (500 words, 20 marks) Task 1 This section draws most closely on Units 12 and 13.

Correlates of physical activity were discussed within Section 13.2 and you may like to revisit Box 13.1. The benefits of exercise and physical activity on wellbeing and mental health are discussed in Section 12.2 as well as other sections of Unit 12. The health belief model is covered in Section 13.3.1 and Activity 13.2. Techniques for supporting behaviour change are examined in Unit 13, Section 13.5. You may also like to revisit Study Topic 3, which covers interventions that may benefit those seeing to make changes to their behaviour. As always within academic writing, we expect you to support your answers with evidence from the module materials and other relevant and appropriate sources.

Task 2 This section draws most closely on Unit 14 and asks you to produce an evidence-based essay examining body image in sport and exercise settings.

Use the guidance below to help plan and structure your essay.

You should open the answer with a clear introduction to the topic and the context. An introduction provides the reader with an overview of what your essay will cover and what you want to say, and should include clear definitions of any key terms. Essay introductions should set out the aims of the assignment and signpost how your argument will unfold; this can sometimes involve rewording the essay question. The main body of your essay should present your case. Each main point should have its own paragraph. You should use evidence to support the arguments you make in this section, referencing your sources appropriately. You should clearly explain what the main causes of a negative body image are and provide some comparison on the differences that may be observed between sport and exercise settings. You should draw on evidence within the module materials to support your answer, but may also like to consider other credible academic sources outside of the module. There is also scope within the answer to touch on other unhealthy behaviours covered in Units 14 and 15, which can relate to body image, if you feel this is appropriate. Your essay should have a clear conclusion that should provide a summary of the principal causes of a negative body image and highlight the most significant based on the evidence. Remember, you must not introduce new information in a conclusion. Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements The assessment is divided into two main tasks, both requiring evidence-based academic writing and application of theoretical models from the module.

Task 1: Case Study – Daisy This task focuses on analysing Daisy’s physical inactivity and psychological state using behaviour and health theories. The key requirements include:

Explaining three correlates of physical activity influencing Daisy’s inactivity (social, psychological, and environmental factors).

Discussing the mental health and mood benefits of regular exercise, supported by academic evidence.

Applying the Health Belief Model to explain Daisy’s perceptions, beliefs, and motivations related to exercise.

Evaluating three appropriate behaviour change techniques to improve Daisy’s exercise adherence, using theory and evidence.

Each section has a specific word limit and mark allocation, requiring clarity, relevance, and use of module materials (Units 12 and 13) alongside credible academic sources.

Task 2: Evidence-Based Essay – Body Image This task requires a well-structured academic essay examining body image in sport and exercise contexts. Key pointers include:

A clear introduction defining key terms and outlining the essay’s direction.

A main body explaining the causes of negative body image and comparing sport vs exercise settings.

Use of evidence from Unit 14 and additional academic sources.

Optional links to related unhealthy behaviours (e.g., disordered eating).

A clear conclusion summarising findings without introducing new information.

Assessment 2 Problem Solving (Data Visualisation Project Progress Report & Individual Reflective Journal)

This document provides all information about the assessment requirements, including detailed instructions, resources, and the Criterion Reference Assessment (CRA) Rubric used for grading.

Task Overview Assessed Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): CLO2: Assess and adapt contemporary and innovative data visualisation approaches to gain insight and value that support effective data-driven decision-making.

CLO3: Appraise and present complex and big data in visual form that is readily understandable by specialist and non-specialist audiences using data visualisation methods, tools, and techniques.

CLO4: Interact and collaborate effectively in teams to design and implement a data visualisation project.

Task Rationale Assessment 2: Problem Solving (Project Report & Individual Journal) involves:

Reporting the progress of the team in completing a data visualisation project.

Maintaining an individual reflective journal documenting the effectiveness of interaction and collaboration of team members.

Purpose: Completing this assessment enables students to develop as well-informed individuals who are:

Critical and creative thinkers

Effective communicators and collaborators

Employable and enterprising professionals in their chosen discipline

Task Instructions Task 1: Big Data Visualisation & Challenges (20 Marks, 1000 Words, CLO2 & CLO3) Task 1.1 (10 Marks, 500 Words): Explain, with an example from your data visualisation project, how visualisation concepts help identify trends and patterns in your dataset to support organisational decision-making.

Task 1.2 (10 Marks, 500 Words): Discuss challenges organisations face in undertaking a big data visualisation initiative. Highlight strategies to address data privacy and security for sensitive data in your dataset.

Task 2 – Big Data Visualisation Key Principles, Approaches & Data Modelling (20 Marks, 900 Words, CLO2) Discuss key principles and approaches your team will use to design the Big Data Visualisation project.

Emphasise the importance of data modelling in designing an effective dashboard, providing an example from your project.

Task 3: Big Data Visualisation Project Power BI (30 Marks, 500 Words, CLO4) Task 3.1 (10 Marks, 250 Words): Provide a data dictionary (Variable, Data Type, Description) for the dataset used. Include Table 3.1 captioned as “Data Dictionary (File Name)” and explain the purpose of each variable.

Task 3.2 (20 Marks, 250 Words): Describe your planned Power BI dashboard including four preliminary views. Include screenshots and submit the packaged Power BI workbook (.pbix).

Task 4 – Individual Reflective Journal, Peer Review & Active MS Teams Participation Each team member must maintain a journal listing activities, dates, duration, type of activity, and how participation contributed to completing Assessment 2.

Evidence must reflect individual participation and MS Teams discussions.

Collaborative team contribution is mandatory; marks may be reduced for inactivity.

Report Structure Cover Page

Title & Table of Contents

Body of Report with relevant Task headings and sub-headings:

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Task 4

References

Appendices

Presentation Guidelines:

Font: 12 pt Times New Roman

Line spacing: 1.5

Tables & Figures with captions

Clear, concise writing targeting middle to senior management

Free from spelling & grammatical errors

Referencing: Harvard AGPS style (in-text citations & full reference list)

Note: Reference list and Appendices are not included in the word count.

Task Snapshot Length: 2800 Words (+/- 10%) excluding references & appendices

Weighting: 35%

Marks: 100

Acceptable AI Use Level Level 1 – AI Assisted Structure Checking: AI tools may be used for grammar, coherence, and flow checks.

Prohibited: Using AI to generate new content.

Requirement:

Indicate AI tools used at the start of the assessment.

Include prompts used.

Save pre- and post-AI draft copies for verification.

Academic Integrity Students must follow UniSQ Academic Integrity policies.

Original work is required; collaboration outside your group is only allowed for clarification.

Prohibited: Copying from other students, tutors, or AI tools to produce content.

Assessment Marking Refer to the Assessment 2 CRA Rubric for detailed grading criteria.

Submission Instructions Team Leader: Submit:

Report (.docx) for Tasks 1, 2, 3

Power BI workbook (.pbix) with four preliminary views

Individual Team Members: Submit Assessment 2 Journal.xlsx

File Naming Convention:

Turnitin Automatic plagiarism checking upon submission.

Originality report indicates text matches in the Turnitin database; all matches must be reviewed.

Editing is not possible after submission.

Moderation All assessing staff discuss and compare judgements before final marks are released.

Assessment Policies & Procedures Information on extensions, late submissions, academic integrity, and marking is available on the USQ StudyDesk Assessment page.

Extensions are granted only under compassionate or compelling circumstances according to USQ procedures.

Referencing / Citations Use Harvard AGPS style

Minimum 10 scholarly sources, majority no older than 5 years

Include in-text citations for all points or evidence

Key Resources Study Modules 1–6

Assessment 2 Forum

Assessment 2 Walkthrough Recording

Active MS Teams collaboration

Brief Summary of Requirements Assessment Name: Problem Solving – Data Visualisation Project Progress Report & Individual Reflective Journal

Purpose: The assessment aims to evaluate students’ ability to plan, implement, and reflect on a Big Data Visualisation project, demonstrating teamwork, individual contribution, and the use of data visualisation tools like Power BI.

Key Tasks & Requirements: Task 1 – Big Data Visualisation & Challenges (1000 Words, 20 Marks)

Explain how visualisation identifies trends/patterns to support decision-making (500 words).

Discuss challenges in big data visualisation, including data privacy and security (500 words).

Task 2 – Key Principles, Approaches & Data Modelling (900 Words, 20 Marks)

Discuss data visualisation principles and approaches used in the project.

Highlight importance of data modelling with examples for dashboard design.

Task 3 – Power BI Project (500 Words, 30 Marks)

Task 3.1: Provide a data dictionary with variable descriptions and purposes (250 words).

Task 3.2: Describe planned Power BI dashboard, including four preliminary views with screenshots (250 words).

Task 4 – Individual Reflective Journal, Peer Review & MS Teams Participation (400 Words, 30 Marks)

Maintain a personal journal documenting contributions, dates, duration, activity type, and participation.

Peer review and active MS Teams collaboration are mandatory.

Report Structure & Presentation:

Cover page, Table of Contents, Task-based headings, References, Appendices

Font: 12 pt Times New Roman, Line spacing: 1.5, Tables/Figures with captions

Harvard AGPS referencing style

Assessment Details:

Length: 2800 words (+/- 10%), Weight: 35%, Marks: 100

Acceptable AI use: Structure checking only (no content generation)

Academic integrity must be maintained; Turnitin plagiarism checking applies

Case Study Evaluation

1. Area of Improvement in the Case Study The quality improvement project focused on reducing medication administration errors in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Medication safety is a high-risk area in pediatric settings because:

Children require weight-based medication dosing

Narrow therapeutic ranges increase harm risk

Communication gaps often occur during care transitions

Nurses frequently manage multiple high-alert drugs

The area of improvement specifically targeted:

Wrong dose administration

Timing deviations

Omission and duplication errors

Documentation and transcription gaps

The project aimed not only to reduce error frequency but to build a sustainable safety culture through structured process improvement, multidisciplinary engagement, and continuous monitoring using the PDCA framework.

2. Tools Used to Identify Causes & Common Types of Errors The improvement team used a combination of Root Cause Analysis tools, including:

Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram

Process mapping

Observation audits

Incident reports

Staff feedback discussions

These tools helped reveal multiple contributing dimensions — human factors, workload, documentation practices, communication gaps, and system-level barriers.

Most Common Types of Medication Errors Identified The most frequently reported errors included:

Wrong dose administration

Wrong time or delayed dose

Omission or missed medications

Incorrect infusion rates

Documentation discrepancies

Several of these errors were attributed to:

Calculation mistakes during weight-based dosing

Poor legibility of medication charts

Inconsistencies between orders and administration records

High workload during peak shifts

Main Causes Addressed Across PDCA Cycles Across multiple PDCA cycles, the hospital primarily addressed:

Lack of standardized medication preparation procedures

Limited staff awareness regarding double-checking protocols

Inadequate orientation of new staff and trainees

Insufficient monitoring of near-miss incidents

Lack of visual prompts for high-alert drug administration

The consistent use of data across cycles ensured that interventions were evidence-driven and clinically relevant.

3. Number of PDCA Cycles & Value of Incremental Interventions The improvement project was conducted through several sequential PDCA cycles, with each cycle addressing a specific priority area. Rather than implementing one large change, the team adopted incremental interventions, allowing improvement outcomes to be monitored and refined progressively.

Examples of PDCA intervention themes included:

Standardizing medication labeling and calculation charts

Introducing mandatory double-checking for high-risk medications

Implementing medication administration checklists

Strengthening reporting of near-miss errors

Enhancing staff training and safety awareness

Advantages of Using Multiple PDCA Cycles Implementing changes in smaller iterative cycles enabled:

Early identification of ineffective solutions

Reduced disruption to ongoing clinical workflows

Real-time learning and adaptation

Enhanced staff participation and ownership

Safer change management in a critical care setting

Small-scale improvement cycles ensured that corrective actions were:

Practical

Operationally feasible

Clinically sustainable

This approach strengthened the reliability and continuity of patient-safety practices.

4. Results of the Quality Improvement Project The project led to a significant reduction in medication administration errors across the PICU. Key outcomes included:

Marked decrease in wrong-dose and timing-related errors

Improvement in documentation accuracy

Better compliance with double-checking policy

Stronger reporting culture for near-miss incidents

Increased staff confidence in medication safety protocols

The results also demonstrated:

Improved interdisciplinary collaboration

Standardization of medication preparation workflows

Enhanced monitoring of safety indicators

Over time, the organization observed movement toward a culture of zero-tolerance for preventable medication harm, aligning with patient-safety goals.

5. Challenges Faced & Strategies to Overcome Them The implementation team encountered several challenges during the improvement journey, including:

Resistance to change among experienced staff

Time constraints during high-workload shifts

Variation in skill levels of new nursing staff

Limited familiarity with quality improvement tools

Under-reporting of near-miss incidents due to fear of blame

Strategies Used to Overcome Challenges To address these barriers, the team implemented:

Regular training workshops on medication safety

Orientation sessions for new staff

Non-punitive error reporting culture

Continuous communication through meetings & reminders

Engagement of nursing leadership as project champions

The adoption of a supportive learning environment promoted:

Shared responsibility

Trust in the improvement process

Sustained staff participation

Ultimately, the project not only reduced medication errors but also strengthened team learning, transparency, and safety-oriented thinking within the PICU.

Part B PDCA Quality Improvement Project Project Theme: Reducing Delays in Medication Administration During Shift Transitions in a Hospital Ward

Area of Improvement The selected improvement area focuses on reducing medication administration delays occurring during nursing shift handovers.

Review of ward medication logs showed:

High frequency of delayed doses during change-of-shift periods

Communication gaps between outgoing and incoming nurses

Incomplete medication task handovers

Workload clustering immediately after shift start

Delayed doses are particularly risky for:

Antibiotics

Cardiac medications

Insulin and critical-care drugs

Therefore, improving medication timeliness supports both:

Patient safety

Clinical outcome reliability

Data-Driven Observation Summary Baseline audit (four weeks) showed:

23% of scheduled medications were delayed beyond acceptable window

Most delays occurred within 30 minutes of shift transition

Documentation of reasons for delay was inconsistent

Stakeholder interviews revealed contributing factors such as:

Overlapping clinical priorities during shift change

Lack of structured medication handover checklist

Inconsistent prioritization of critical medications

SMART Objective To reduce medication administration delays during shift transitions by 40% within eight weeks, through structured handover standardization, double-check verification, and monitoring of compliance using performance indicators.

Root Cause Analysis Using Fishbone Diagram Major cause categories:

People: new staff unfamiliar with handover protocols

Process: no standardized shift-handover checklist

Environment: high workload peaks at shift start

Communication: incomplete medication status reporting

Equipment: dispersed medication charts and MAR sheets

Underlying root causes identified:

Absence of clear prioritization of time-sensitive medications

Limited accountability during medication transfer of responsibility

Dependency on verbal handover without checklist validation

Pareto Analysis Identifying Key Root Causes Pareto findings indicated that two primary contributors accounted for most delays:

Lack of structured medication handover checklist

Unclear prioritization of critical and time-sensitive medications

Therefore, improvement strategies were directed toward:

Checklist introduction

Clear medication priority marking

Staff engagement and monitoring

PDCA Implementation Framework PLAN Develop standardized Medication Handover Checklist

Mark time-critical medications with visual alerts

Train nursing staff on checklist-based transitions

Define delay threshold and reporting protocol

DO Implement checklist during two pilot shifts for four weeks

Assign medication coordinator during handover period

Conduct weekly monitoring audits

Collect staff feedback for refinement

CHECK Outcome evaluation after pilot:

Delays reduced from 23% to 11%

Improved documentation clarity

High compliance with checklist usage

Feedback suggested:

Need for digital checklist integration

Additional induction training for new staff

ACT Final implemented actions:

Checklist integrated into electronic MAR system

Mandatory training during staff onboarding

Monthly performance review dashboards

Appointment of shift safety champions

This ensured intervention sustainability and continuous monitoring.

Key Performance Indicators  KPI metrics used to evaluate improvement:

Percentage of delayed medication doses

Number of shift-handover checklist compliance events

Rate of near-miss or timing-related safety incidents

Staff adherence to documentation standards

Post-implementation results indicated:

Sustained reduction in medication delays

Standardized handover communication

Improved nursing team coordination and accountability

Conclusion Both the case study review and PDCA project emphasize that systematic quality improvement, data-driven analysis, and iterative PDCA cycles play a vital role in enhancing patient safety and minimizing medication-related risks. Combining structured tools such as fishbone diagrams, Pareto analysis, KPI monitoring, and incremental interventions results in:

Stronger safety culture

Improved clinical reliability

Sustainable operational efficiency

This approach demonstrates how Quality Risk Management can effectively transform healthcare processes and outcomes.

A clinical case study will be provided to you (related to kidney disease) and a couple of questions will be asked. You will have to do scientific literature search to answer the questions.

Support your answers with appropriate evidence (references). This assignment tests your ability to search scientific literature and present your answer in a scientific language. CDU library has heaps of resources to support you. Please make full use of these helpful resources:

Tips on academic/scientific writing: Avoiding plagiarism: APA referencing guide General Guidelines on how to write your assignment The word range for this assignment is between 800 words, this does not include references. Please stick to word limit, failing to do so will result in losing marks. Do not copy the case study details in your submission, just provide your answers.

Only word and pdf formats are acceptable (formats like “.pages” are NOT acceptable). This assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on Learnline. No COVER PAGE required. Proof reading or feedback of any kind of ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS will not be provided prior to submission. Please contact the Learnline technical support if you have problems submitting the assignment. Formate: Font size 12; Font type: preferably Calibri or Arial. Line spacing 1.5 to 2.  

Extention: You will have to submit an official extension request with supporting documents at least 5 days before the deadline.

Assignment mark: It is expected to take around 2 weeks to get your assignment marks being released after submission deadline.

Assessment Requirements This assessment requires students to respond to questions based on a clinical case study related to kidney disease. Students must conduct a scientific literature search to develop evidence-based answers and present them in clear academic/scientific language.

Key assessment expectations include:

Students must not copy the case study into their submission : only responses to the questions should be included.

Responses must be supported with credible scientific references using APA referencing style.

Word limit: 800 words (excluding references) : marks may be deducted for exceeding the limit.

The assignment must be written in a formal academic tone, avoiding plagiarism and following CDU academic integrity rules.

Submission format:

File type: Word or PDF only

Font size 12

Font style Calibri or Arial

Line spacing 1.5–2

Submission must be uploaded via Turnitin on Learnline.

No cover page is required.

Proofreading or pre-submission feedback on answers will not be provided.

Extension requests must be submitted at least 5 days prior to the deadline with supporting documentation.

Assessment marks are expected within two weeks after submission deadline.

Students are encouraged to use CDU Library resources, writing guides, APA referencing support, and plagiarism-avoidance tools.

How the Academic Mentor Guided the Student  The Academic Mentor supported the student through a structured, scaffolded learning and writing process, ensuring alignment with assessment standards and learning objectives.

Step 1 : Understanding the Case Study and Clarifying Task Requirements The mentor first helped the student:

interpret the case study scenario

identify the clinical focus (kidney disease pathology and patient context)

review the assessment rubric and marking criteria

highlight what the questions were asking (content depth, analysis, evidence use)

The student was guided to break down each question into:

key clinical concepts

biomedical processes involved

areas requiring research evidence

This helped the student avoid narrative retelling and instead focus on critical scientific explanation.

Step 2 : Developing a Scientific Literature Search Strategy The mentor demonstrated how to:

search peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar)

use keywords related to:

kidney physiology

renal disease mechanisms

evidence-based interventions

filter results for:

recency (last 5–10 years where applicable)

clinical relevance

systematic reviews and journal articles

The mentor reinforced evaluating sources for credibility, validity, and reliability.

Students were encouraged to prioritise:

clinical research

medical guidelines

academic journals

rather than general websites or non-scholarly sources.

Step 3 : Structuring the Scientific Responses The Academic Mentor guided the student to present responses in a logical, scientific format:

For each question:

Introduce the concept briefly

Explain underlying pathophysiology or clinical mechanism

Link explanation to case study context

Support arguments with literature evidence

Paraphrase appropriately to avoid plagiarism

The mentor emphasised:

concise explanation aligned to the word limit

integrating citations within the discussion

maintaining scientific tone and terminology

Step 4 : Referencing and Academic Integrity The mentor ensured the student understood:

APA in-text citation style

reference list formatting

paraphrasing techniques

avoiding direct copying

The student was guided to:

cross-check references with APA guide

ensure all cited sources appeared in reference list

keep Turnitin similarity within acceptable range

This strengthened understanding of ethical academic practice.

Step 5 : Final Draft Review and Self-Editing Rather than proofreading content, the mentor guided the student through self-review strategies, including:

checking word count compliance

ensuring clarity and coherence

confirming alignment with learning outcomes

verifying formatting standards (font, spacing, file type)

The mentor reinforced the importance of:

scientific clarity

evidence-based justification

structured academic writing style

Assignment Overview Reflection on Analysing Gendered Violence through Popular Culture Select a movie, T.V series, or episode (or even social media examples, memes, reels, tik tok trends) that depicts ONE of the broad themes discussed in the course so far:

men or boys engaged in crime/violence women or girls engaged in crime/violence sexual violence/victimisation Provide a 1000 word analysis of your issue as it is presented in your example.

Guiding Questions/Prompts for structure: Provide a relevant summary of the Film/Series/Episode/Plot/Character (you can include pictures, screenshots etc). Using at least ONEof the theories from module 2, analyse the storyline, focusing on how the experience/use of violence/crime is represented. Is there anthing left unproblematic in this representation? Where are the silences? Can the ‘problem’ be thought about differently? 4. To what extent do you think these representations relate to the lives of real boys and men, or women and girls?

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements This assignment requires a 1000-word critical reflection and analysis on how gendered violence is represented through popular culture. Students must select one example from a film, TV series, episode, or digital media (such as social media trends, memes, or short-form video platforms) that reflects one core theme discussed in the course:

Men or boys engaged in crime or violence

Women or girls engaged in crime or violence

Sexual violence or victimisation

Key Pointers to Be Covered To meet the assessment criteria, the analysis must:

Provide a clear and relevant summary of the chosen media example, including storyline, key characters, and context.

Apply at least one theoretical framework from Module 2 to analyse how crime or violence is represented.

Critically examine what aspects of the representation are problematic, oversimplified, or left unaddressed, including silences and omissions.

Reflect on whether the “problem” of violence could be understood differently through alternative perspectives.

Evaluate how closely these representations relate to real-life experiences of men and boys or women and girls.

The assignment emphasises critical thinking, theory application, and reflective analysis, rather than descriptive storytelling.

SOE09402 Assessment Brief

Case Study Report

This graded assessment accounts for 90% of your final grade and is based on the following Lyft case study. Read carefully the case study, questions and marking criteria (that can be found on Moodle). Answer all three questions.

Lyft Case Study – Global Strategy

In recent years, several tech start-ups have grown in size and scale to become dominant players in the modern global economy. Amongst these are Lyft Inc. and Uber Inc., both American tech start-ups offering ridesharing services. Lyft was launched in 2012 and is viewed as a smaller, more ethical rival to Uber. Initially a ridesharing firm, Lyft expanded into bicycle sharing, motorised scooters, and food delivery – the latter through a 2020 partnership with GrubHub in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By 2024, Lyft held approximately 30% of the US market share. While Uber pursued rapid internationalisation, Lyft remained restricted to North America for over a decade. However, this “North American only” era ended in April 2025 when Lyft acquired FREENOW, a leading European multi-mobility app, from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This strategic acquisition gave Lyft an immediate footprint in 9 European countries, including the UK, Germany, and France.

As of January 2026, Lyft has transitioned into a global player, now operating in 11 countries. A cornerstone of its new strategy is a “hybrid network” approach where human drivers work alongside Autonomous Vehicles. In late 2025, Lyft announced a landmark partnership with Baidu to deploy “Apollo Go” robotaxis across Europe and potentially Asian markets starting in 2026.

With the acquisition of FREENOW integrated and a healthy free cash flow exceeding $1 billion, Lyft is now looking toward its first major investment in Asia. The company has identified Thailand as a high-priority market.

Questions

Lyft has appointed you as a consultant to evaluate their proposed entry into Thailand.

Answer the following three questions:

1. Carry out a critical evaluation of the benefits, costs, and risks associated with doing business in Thailand (1200 – 1500 words)
2. Lyft has narrowed down its entry modes (into Thailand) to three options: licensing, a joint venture with a host country firm or setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in Thailand. Critically evaluate these three options. Which one would you recommend? (1000 words)
3. Use the Geert Hofstede framework on international workplace culture to compare the cultures of the USA and Thailand. Discuss how cultural differences would influence Lyft’s business and management practices. (1000 words)

Evaluate a variety of management skills and select those appropriate to marketing payroll services.

Introduction

Construct a marketing plan for the payroll or pension function within your own organisation. The plan should consider aspects such as, benefits, service expertise, communication methods, human resource implications and service standards together with the personal skills necessary to implement such a plan.

Your assignment should be in the form of a written report and examples of any promotional/communication material you intend using should be in appendices.

Note well: Throughout your work you must relate appropriate theory to the practice on which you are commenting.

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate a variety of management skills and select those appropriate to marketing payroll services.
2. Design strategies that will help meet customer needs and aspirations more effectively.
3. Propose appropriate marketing of payroll/pension services.
4. Summarise and manage the human resource considerations when marketing payroll or pensions services.

Assessment criteria

Set within the context of your workplace:

• Service marketing
• Understanding customer needs
• Skills and considerations

Handing in

Electronic submission of assignments is mandatory. Please note that every assessment must be submitted clearly noting the student’s name and number. Work must be word-processed/typed.

You are required to keep a copy of work handed in.

Late submission of work

It is essential that you submit your work, in order to be able to pass the module. Full details of the regulations regarding late submission and applying for mitigation are available via the Student Handbook and website.

Academic Misconduct Penalties

When a student is found guilty of academic misconduct (cheating), the penalties are severe.

• The assignment will be awarded a fail grade, with zero credit.
• Penalties may extend beyond the single assignment, and may affect the module grade, and even the classification of the final award.
• The academic misconduct will be mentioned in any reference given by the university. This means that graduates will find it very difficult to enter careers that involve trust, including Accountancy, Law, Computer Systems Administration, and Computer Security.
• If the course (or module) is recognised or accredited by a professional organisation, that recognition or accreditation may be withheld from the student.

The normal penalties for a first offence are as below. Penalties for later offences (of any nature) are escalated, and the ultimate penalty is exclusion from the university. The list of offences below is not exhaustive.

Word Limits

Included in the word limit is:

Anything contained within the main body of your report, between the contents page and the reference list. All quotations, citations and the captions to pictures and diagrams. The contents of any tables within the main body.

Not included in the word limit is:

The title page, contents page or reference list. Any computer programme code listings, content within diagrams, or any appendices.

The following penalties can be applied to work which exceeds the stated word limit of 3000 words:

• Up to 10% over: no penalty
• 10% to 20% over: one grade point penalty (e.g. B+ to B)
• 20% to 30% over: two grade points penalty (e.g. B+ to B-)
• More than 30% over: three grade points penalty (e.g. B+ to C+)

FDPP2335 Understanding Customers and Clients: Level 5 Grade Descriptor

LO1: Assess the major challenges jeopardising prosperity, productivity, equality, growth, etc in the UK and world economy

Faculty of Business and Law

Assignment Brief 2025/26

5L6Z0053 Economic Policy Challenges

HI6007 Assessment 3 – Final Business Research Proposal (2,500 Words) Prepare a 2,500-word Final Research Proposal for HI6007 Statistics for Business Decisions that consolidates, strengthens, and substantially develops your initial proposal across nine structured components, including an ethics checklist, a Gantt Chart, and a focused literature review of two to three pages. This assessment is worth 20% of the final grade and must be submitted as a hard copy to Holmes Institute by 4:00 pm on Friday of Week 12.

Assessment Overview Course: HI6007 – Statistics for Business Decisions Faculty: Faculty of Higher Education, Holmes Institute Assessment: Assessment 3 – Final Research Proposal Word Count: 2,500 words Weighting: 20% of total course grade Due Date: Friday, Week 12, by 4:00 pm (hard copy submission to Holmes Institute) Submission Format: Printed hard copy; attach signed Ethics Checklist Purpose and Learning Context Assessment 3 requires students to refine and significantly expand the research proposal submitted in earlier weeks. Where Assessment 1 and Assessment 2 established the research topic and initial methodology, this Final Research Proposal demands that every component be strengthened with evidence, clarity, and practical planning. All students must pass this submission to proceed to the capstone research unit HI6008 in the following semester.

Core Task Instructions The Final Research Proposal must address all nine (9) components listed below. Partial submissions or proposals missing any component will be assessed accordingly.

Business Research Topic State and refine the approved business research topic from your initial proposal. The topic must identify a specific business problem or opportunity and justify why it warrants academic investigation. Strengthen the framing by incorporating feedback received on earlier submissions.

Brief Literature Review (2–3 pages) Produce a literature review of two to three pages that provides substantive background on the research topic. The review must engage with peer-reviewed sources, draw connections between existing studies, and identify a clear gap or tension in the literature that your proposed research addresses. Do not simply summarise sources in sequence; synthesise them around the central problem.

Research Questions Present the refined research questions for the identified problem or opportunity. Each question must be specific, measurable, and directly tied to the research gap identified in the literature review. Improve the clarity and scope of questions submitted in the initial proposal.

Research Methodologies and Techniques Justify the selected research design, including whether the study is quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method, and explain why this approach is most appropriate for answering the research questions. Refer to established methodological frameworks where relevant.

Project Plan – Gantt Chart with Milestones Produce a Gantt Chart using Microsoft Project or equivalent project-management software. The chart must include clearly defined milestones aligned to the HI6008 capstone schedule:

Week 6 (HI6008): Literature Review due Week 10 (HI6008): Data Collection and Analysis Report due Week 14 (HI6008): Final Business Research (Capstone) Thesis due Group submissions must clearly identify each member’s individual tasks, contributions, and milestone responsibilities within the chart.

Description of the Research Process Outline the step-by-step process through which the research will be conducted, from initial data identification to analysis and reporting. Strengthen and expand on the description provided in the initial proposal.

Data Collection and Analysis Methods Specify the instruments, platforms, or procedures to be used for data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews, secondary datasets, financial reports). Describe how data will be coded, cleaned, and analysed, referencing specific statistical or qualitative techniques where applicable.

Expected Research Outcomes Articulate what the research is expected to find and why those findings would be meaningful to the relevant business sector, industry body, or policy context. Avoid speculating beyond what the methodology can reasonably support.

Completed Ethics Checklist Complete, sign, and physically attach the Holmes Institute Ethics Checklist for Student Researchers (reproduced below). Any “No” response to questions 1–10 or any “Yes” response to questions 11–20 requires a written explanation on additional pages. The checklist must bear the student’s original signature before submission.

Ethics Checklist for Student Researchers This checklist must be answered before the research project is implemented and attached to the Final Research Proposal at the time of submission.

Student Name and ID: ___________________________________

Title of the Project: _______________________________________

Will the human subjects be informed of the nature of their involvement in the collection of data and of features of the research that reasonably might be expected to influence willingness to participate? Yes / No Will the human subjects be told that they can discontinue their participation at any time? Yes / No Will the human subjects in your study be aware that they are the targets of research? Yes / No If the subjects are underage, will their guardians be asked to sign the consent form? Yes / No / N/A Is the confidentiality of the human subject’s identity positively ensured? Yes / No In cases where there is a possibility that the human subject’s identity can be deduced by someone other than the researcher, is the subject’s right to withdraw his/her data respected? Yes / No Will the researcher fulfil all the promises made to the human subjects, including providing a summary of the findings upon request? Yes / No Will all necessary measures be taken to protect the physical safety of the human subjects from dangers such as faulty electrical equipment, poor grounding, lack of oxygen, falls, traffic and industrial accidents, or the possibility of hearing or vision loss? Yes / No Will the human subject be debriefed (told the true nature of the study) after the data has been collected? Yes / No In cases in which the human subject is dissatisfied or registers a complaint about the researcher or procedure, will the researcher explain that the subject may express this complaint to the Subject Coordinator? Yes / No Does the study involve concealment from and/or deception of the human subject? Yes / No Will deception be used in order to obtain agreement to participate? Yes / No Will the study involve human subjects who are legally or otherwise not in a position to give valid consent to participate, such as children, prison inmates, or mental patients? Yes / No Will information on your human subjects be obtained from third parties? Yes / No Will any coercion be exerted upon subjects to participate? Yes / No Will the study involve physical stress to the human subjects, such as might result from heat, noise, electric shock, pain, sleep loss, or deprivation of food and drink, drugs, or alcohol? Yes / No Will the study cause any mental discomfort to the human subjects, such as fear, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, shame, guilt, or embarrassment? Yes / No Could publication of the research results possibly interfere with strict confidentiality? Yes / No Could publication of the research results possibly harm the human subject, either directly or through identification with his/her membership group? Yes / No Are there other aspects of the study that may interfere with the protection of the well-being of the human subjects? Yes / No If you selected NO for any of questions 1–10, and/or YES for any of questions 11–20, provide written comments clarifying your choice. Attach additional pages if necessary.

Signature of Student Researcher: _______________________

Approved by (Subject Coordinator): _______________________    Date: ___________

Formatting and Submission Requirements Total proposal length: 2,500 words (excluding Gantt Chart, reference list, and ethics checklist) Font: Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt, 1.5 or double line spacing Referencing style: APA 7th edition throughout, including in-text citations and reference list Submission: Printed hard copy submitted to Holmes Institute reception by 4:00 pm, Friday of Week 12 Gantt Chart: Produced in Microsoft Project or equivalent; printed and bound with the proposal Ethics Checklist: Physically signed and attached as the final page of the submission Group submissions: Each member’s name, student ID, and individual contributions must appear on the title page and within the Gantt Chart Assessment Criteria Clarity and specificity of the research topic and research questions Quality, synthesis, and depth of the literature review (2–3 pages) Appropriateness and justification of the selected research methodology Completeness and logical sequencing of the Gantt Chart milestones Coherence of the data collection and analysis plan Realistic articulation of expected research outcomes Compliance with the Holmes Institute Ethics Checklist requirements Overall academic writing quality, referencing accuracy, and adherence to APA 7th edition Learning Outcomes Addressed Identify a researchable business problem and frame it within the existing academic literature Design a research methodology appropriate to a business context Develop a structured project management plan using industry-standard tools Apply ethical research principles to a business research design Communicate research intentions clearly in formal academic writing Example Student Response This Final Research Proposal examines the relationship between supply chain disruption and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) profitability in the Australian retail sector between 2020 and 2024. The research topic emerged from gaps identified during the initial literature review, particularly the limited number of studies addressing how SMEs, as distinct from large corporations, absorb the financial consequences of logistics delays. A growing body of evidence suggests that inventory management capabilities and supplier diversification strategies may moderate the severity of revenue losses during disruption events; as Ambulkar, Blackhurst, and Grawe (2015) demonstrate in their study of supply chain disruption orientation and firm resilience, firms that proactively invest in disruption sensing and response capabilities tend to recover more quickly than those relying on reactive measures alone. The proposed study will employ a mixed-method design, combining quantitative analysis of publicly available ABS retail trade data with semi-structured interviews conducted with owners of ten SMEs operating in Melbourne and Sydney. Data will be coded thematically using NVivo and cross-referenced against financial performance indicators drawn from ASIC company filings. The Gantt Chart attached to this proposal schedules the literature review completion for Week 6 of HI6008, data collection and analysis for Week 10, and the final capstone thesis submission for Week 14, in accordance with the milestones specified in the assessment brief.

The decision to focus on Australian retail SMEs reflects a substantive gap in the disruption resilience literature, which has historically prioritised manufacturing and global logistics chains over domestic service-oriented industries. Data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that SMEs account for approximately 97% of all Australian businesses and contribute around 57% of private sector employment, figures that underscore the sector’s economic significance despite its underrepresentation in supply chain scholarship. Cousins, Lamming, Lawson, and Squire (2008), writing on strategic supply management, argue that relational capital between buyers and suppliers functions as a buffer during systemic shocks, a proposition this study intends to test within the specific context of post-pandemic Australian retail. By triangulating interview data with archival financial records, the proposed methodology addresses both the interpretive and empirical dimensions of the research questions, producing findings with potential implications for federal small business policy.

From an ethical standpoint, this research presents a low-risk profile. Participation is entirely voluntary, all interview subjects will be informed of the study’s purpose before data collection begins, and no personally identifying information will appear in the final thesis. Each participant will be offered a summary of findings upon request, consistent with the ethical obligations outlined in the Holmes Institute checklist. The sole area requiring additional consideration is whether aggregated financial data drawn from ASIC filings could indirectly identify individual firms; to mitigate this risk, financial figures will be reported at the industry-segment level rather than attributed to named entities, and all raw data files will be stored on a password-protected university server for the duration of the project.

Follow-on Assessment – HI6007 Assessment 4 / HI6008 Week 6 Literature Review Course: HI6008 – Business Research Project (Capstone)  |  Assessment: Assessment 1 – Literature Review  |  Due: Friday, Week 6 of HI6008  |  Word Count: Approximately 2,500–3,000 words  |  Weighting: 20%

Building directly on the two-to-three-page background literature review submitted as Component 2 of the HI6007 Final Research Proposal, this assessment requires students to produce a full, standalone academic literature review of 2,500 to 3,000 words on their approved capstone research topic. Students must synthesise a minimum of 15 peer-reviewed sources, organise the review around thematic or conceptual sub-sections rather than a simple source-by-source summary, and conclude with a clearly argued rationale for the research gap the capstone project addresses. Unlike the proposal-stage review, this submission must demonstrate critical engagement: students are expected to evaluate methodological limitations of cited studies, identify points of scholarly disagreement, and position their own research within a specific theoretical framework. Submission is electronic via the HI6008 Moodle portal by 11:59 pm on Friday of Week 6; no hard-copy submission is required for this assessment.

How do I write the HI6007 Assessment 3 Final Research Proposal for Holmes Institute with all 9 components? HI6007 Assessment 3 Final Research Proposal Holmes Institute 2500 Words Week 12 Submission  Prepare a 2,500-word Final Research Proposal for HI6007 at Holmes Institute, covering all nine required components including a literature review, Gantt Chart, methodology justification, and signed Ethics Checklist. Due Friday of Week 12, worth 20%.  Submit a 10-to-12-page Final Research Proposal for HI6007 that refines your earlier submission across nine structured sections, from research questions and Gantt Chart milestones to a complete Holmes Institute Ethics Checklist — due Week 12. Complete the HI6007 Final Research Proposal with nine required components, a Gantt Chart, and a signed Ethics Checklist — your gateway to the HI6008 capstone semester. References Ambulkar, S., Blackhurst, J., & Grawe, S. (2015). Firm’s resilience to supply chain disruptions: Scale development and empirical examination. Journal of Operations Management, 33–34, 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2014.09.002 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Counts of Australian businesses, including entries and exits. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/business-indicators/counts-australian-businesses-including-entries-and-exits Cousins, P., Lamming, R., Lawson, B., & Squire, B. (2008). Strategic supply management: Principles, theories and practice. Pearson Education. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511803765 Holmes Institute. (2024). HI6007 Statistics for Business Decisions – Course outline and assessment guide. Faculty of Higher Education, Holmes Institute

BAO3309 Advanced Financial Accounting Assessment Task 2: Individual Research Essay (2026 Semester 1 Edition) Assessment Weight: 20% Word Limit: 2,500 words (excluding abstract and references) Submission Mode: Turnitin (electronic) + identical printed copy Referencing Style: Harvard (VU Library Guide)

Assessment Overview This research essay evaluates your ability to engage critically with financial accounting theory and practice. The task requires you to integrate academic literature with real-world financial reporting disclosures from an ASX-listed entity. Emphasis is placed on analytical reasoning, conceptual clarity, and the application of the Australian Conceptual Framework in contemporary reporting contexts.

Learning Objectives Assessed Critically evaluate the role of financial reporting in serving public interest Apply conceptual framework principles to real-world financial disclosures Analyse accounting policy choices and their implications for decision usefulness Interpret regulatory changes in financial reporting frameworks Demonstrate advanced academic research and writing skills Assessment Requirements Part A: Public Interest and Financial Reporting (20 marks) Critically discuss the notion of public interest in financial reporting. Your discussion must:

Examine how “public interest” is defined in accounting literature Evaluate whether financial reporting truly serves a broad stakeholder base Assess the relationship between public interest and decision usefulness Draw on peer-reviewed academic sources (minimum 8–10 high-quality references) Part B: Accounting Policy Disclosure Analysis (25 marks) Select one Australian company listed on the ASX and identify at least three key accounting policies from its latest annual report. You must:

Explain each selected accounting policy clearly Critically analyse how each policy is disclosed Evaluate whether the disclosures enhance decision usefulness for users Support analysis with accounting standards (AASB/IFRS) and relevant literature Part C: Conceptual Framework Amendment Analysis (30 marks) Critically assess the implications of the AASB CF 2013-1 amendment which narrowed the definition of users of financial reports. Your response should:

Compare pre- and post-amendment definitions of users Evaluate whether focusing on investors, lenders, and creditors improves reporting quality Discuss whether other stakeholders (e.g., employees, public, regulators) are disadvantaged Use scholarly literature to support your position Abstract, Introduction, and Conclusion (15 marks total) Abstract (5 marks): Concise summary of key arguments and findings Introduction (5 marks): Contextualise the essay and outline structure Conclusion (5 marks): Synthesize key insights and present a reasoned position Referencing and Academic Writing (10 marks total) Accurate Harvard referencing (in-text and reference list) Evidence of extensive academic research Clarity, coherence, and logical structure Submission Requirements Submit via Turnitin before the due date Similarity index must be below 25% Printed copy must match the Turnitin submission exactly Late penalties: 2 marks per day (maximum 5 days) Marking Rubric Summary Abstract (5) Introduction (5) Part A: Public Interest (20) Part B: Accounting Policies (25) Part C: Conceptual Framework (30) Conclusion (5) Referencing Quality (5) Expression and Structure (5) Sample High-Distinction Response Excerpt Financial reporting may be presented as serving the public interest, although closer inspection suggests a more selective orientation toward capital providers. Standard-setting bodies such as the IASB frame decision usefulness as the primary objective, yet this focus arguably privileges investors over other stakeholders whose informational needs are less formally recognised. Evidence from recent ASX disclosures indicates that accounting policy transparency varies significantly across firms, with some entities providing detailed explanations while others rely on generic compliance language. The narrowing of user groups under AASB CF 2013-1 appears to improve clarity in reporting objectives, although it may simultaneously marginalise broader societal concerns. A critical reading of the literature suggests that financial reporting operates within institutional constraints that limit its capacity to fully represent public interest (Deegan, 2019).

Recent empirical studies reinforce this tension by demonstrating that investor-focused disclosures often correlate with capital market efficiency but not necessarily with stakeholder accountability. For instance, Flower (2015) argues that the shift toward investor primacy reflects political and economic pressures rather than purely conceptual reasoning. Case evidence from large Australian firms such as BHP and Woolworths suggests that sustainability and employee-related disclosures remain supplementary rather than central, despite growing stakeholder demand. This indicates a structural limitation within the conceptual framework itself.

Students often assume that narrowing user groups automatically enhances reporting quality, yet this overlooks how different stakeholders interpret financial information differently. While investors may prioritise earnings and cash flows, employees and regulators may focus on stability and compliance. A balanced evaluation requires recognising that decision usefulness is not a neutral concept but one shaped by institutional priorities. Strong essays explicitly compare these perspectives and support arguments with both theoretical and empirical sources.

Suggested References (Harvard Style) Deegan, C 2019, ‘Legitimacy theory: Despite its enduring popularity and contribution, time is right for a necessary makeover’, Accounting Forum, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 230–243, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2019.100485 Flower, J 2015, ‘The international integrated reporting council: A story of failure’, Critical Perspectives on Accounting, vol. 27, pp. 1–17, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2014.07.002 IASB 2018, Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting, IFRS Foundation, https://www.ifrs.org Guthrie, J, Parker, LD & Dumay, J 2021, ‘Academic research and the public interest’, Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-01-2021-4634 Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) 2013, AASB CF 2013-1 Amendments, https://www.aasb.gov.au Write a 2,500-word research essay analysing public interest, ASX accounting policies, and conceptual framework changes in financial reporting. Prepare a 10–12 page academic essay evaluating financial reporting users, disclosures, and accounting standards under AASB guidelines. Analyse public interest and accounting policies in an ASX firm with critical discussion of financial reporting frameworks. Assessment (Week 8): Case Study Analysis – Earnings Management This upcoming assessment requires students to analyse a real-world case involving earnings management practices in an ASX-listed company. You will examine financial statements, identify potential manipulation techniques, and evaluate ethical and regulatory implications. The task emphasises application of accounting standards and critical judgement. A 1,500-word structured report will be required, supported by academic and regulatory sources

CIS3009 Enterprise Systems in Practice Assignment 3 – SAP ERP Case Study Analysis and Reflective Essay (2026) Unit details Course code / title: CIS3009 Enterprise Systems in Practice Study period: Semester 2, 2026 Assignment number: Assignment 3 Weighting: 25% of final grade Due date: 20 October 2026, 11:55 pm (AEST) Submission mode: Online via StudyDesk (Turnitin + EASE) Assessment overview Assignment 3 consolidates your learning about enterprise systems by asking you to evaluate a well-known SAP ERP implementation case and to reflect critically on your own SAP end-user experience. You will apply concepts from the prescribed text and current research to analyse the NIBCO SAP “big bang” implementation, then connect theory to practice through a reflective essay informed by your SAP GBI tutorials and personal learning journal. Together, Section A and Section B assess your ability to reason about ERP strategy, implementation and user experience in a way that is relevant to both management and practice.

Assessment structure Total marks: 50 Section A – Case Study Report: 35 marks Section B – SAP Practical Exercise, Journal & Reflective Essay: 15 marks Indicative workload: Approximately 25–30 hours across the semester Submission requirements File 1 – Case Study Report + Reflective Essay & Journal One integrated document containing: Section A: Case Study Evaluation Report Section B: SAP Reflective Essay Appendix: SAP Learning Journal File type: .doc, .docx, or .rtf (PDF accepted only if formatting is preserved). Length: Section A: 2,500–3,000 words (excluding reference list) Section B: 800–1,200 words (excluding references and appendix) File 2 – SAP Practical Exercise Outputs Collate all outputs from SAP Practical Exercise 2 (tutorials 7–9) into a single file. Include key screenshots or exported reports that clearly show your SAP User ID and transaction activity. File type: .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf. Turnitin requirement Submit File 1 to Turnitin via StudyDesk before final submission. Revise if the similarity score is above 10% or if there are significant matches with another student or source. Do not upload the Turnitin report itself; staff will access it directly. Technical constraints Each file must be < 5MB. Retain a personal backup of all submitted work. Academic integrity You must adhere to the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Any use of generative AI tools must be disclosed as per current university guidelines and cannot replace your own critical analysis or reflection. Failure to acknowledge sources, including AI-generated text, may result in academic misconduct processes. Paraphrasing must be genuine and supported by proper citation in Harvard or APA style, according to the School convention.

Section A – Case Study Evaluation Report (35 marks) Case study Brown, V & Vessey, I 2001, ‘NIBCO’s “Big Bang”: An SAP Implementation’, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–42. The NIBCO case describes a medium-sized US manufacturer’s decision to implement SAP R/3 using a “big bang” strategy across multiple plants and distribution centres, with significant commitment from the executive team and internal managers. You will use this case to identify lessons for a competing firm, OCBIN, that is planning its own SAP ERP implementation.

Scenario You are an external consultant engaged by OCBIN, a competitor to NIBCO in the industrial manufacturing sector. The CEO, Mr F. Brown, has asked you to evaluate NIBCO’s SAP implementation and to advise on how OCBIN can achieve a better outcome. Your report must be written in a professional consulting style addressed to the CEO and senior leadership team.

Task Drawing on the NIBCO case, the Motiwalla & Thompson textbook (chapters 5–9 or equivalent content on ERP life cycle, implementation and change management), and at least four recent peer-reviewed sources, you must critically analyse how NIBCO structured and executed its SAP implementation and propose well-justified alternatives for OCBIN.

Focus topics You must restrict your analysis to the following six topics, each clearly signposted with subheadings in your report:

HA2042 – Accounting Information Systems

Assessment Task 2: Feasibility Study Report

Weighting: 25% of total course grade (20 marks for written report + 5 marks for group presentation)
Due Date: 5:00 PM Friday, Week 11
Submission: Via Blackboard Turnitin (written report) and Blackboard Groups (group evaluation form by Week 12)
Word Count: 2,500–3,000 words (excluding executive summary, tables, references, and appendices)
Format: Business report format, 12pt font, 1.5 line spacing, APA 7th Edition referencing

Assessment Overview

This assessment requires you to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for Pressure Hydraulics, a multi-site hydraulic servicing business seeking to modernise its accounting information systems and operational processes. You will apply the TELOS framework (Technical, Economic, Legal, Operational, and Schedule feasibility) alongside contemporary cloud-based ERP evaluation methodologies to develop evidence-based recommendations for system implementation.

The case study involves a business with three existing service centres (Newcastle, Toronto, and Maitland) planning expansion to Coffs Harbour and Gosford, with future east coast growth ambitions. Your analysis must address critical pain points including manual inventory management, outdated pricing systems, inefficient payroll processing, and lack of real-time financial visibility across distributed locations.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• LO2: Analyse business processes and identify opportunities for AIS enhancement
• LO3: Evaluate alternative accounting information system solutions using established frameworks
• LO4: Develop feasibility assessments incorporating technical, economic, and operational considerations
• LO5: Communicate professional recommendations supported by evidence-based reasoning

Case Study Context: Pressure Hydraulics

Pressure Hydraulics operates as a decentralised business with independent service centres. Current workflows rely heavily on manual documentation including hard-copy Price Books, handwritten Works Books for scheduling, and paper-based Job Cards. The owner, Allan Taylor, currently spends significant time travelling between sites for monitoring, leaving limited capacity for strategic business development.

Key operational challenges include:

1. Delayed price updates in hard-copy Price Books leading to revenue loss or missed sales opportunities
2. Manual Works Book scheduling causing overbooking, idle capacity, and customer miscommunication
3. Discrepancies between quoted and invoiced amounts due to outdated pricing data
4. Incorrect component selection for mining industry services resulting in costly return trips and client relationship damage
5. Fortnightly manual payroll preparation requiring extensive staff time verification
6. Daily banking reconciliation delays creating cash flow visibility gaps

Allan has identified specific system requirements including centralised stock ordering across all locations, real-time inventory visibility, automated invoice generation, integrated payroll with direct banking, customer relationship tracking for retention marketing, and simultaneous price updates across all service centres.

Your Task

Prepare a professional feasibility study report that evaluates potential accounting information system solutions for Pressure Hydraulics. Your report must demonstrate understanding of SME cloud ERP implementation challenges while addressing the specific technical and operational requirements outlined in the case study.

Developing a functional enterprise resource planning model requires a strategic approach to integrating master production schedules with financial data for accurate business forecasting.

Integrated Learning Project Assignment Instructions Overview The integrated learning assignment is a series of 6 assignments and a final course consolidated submission. Successful completion of these modules relies on your ability to synthesize distinct supply chain components into a cohesive narrative. All assignments and the compilation of the final consolidated submission is managed as an individual assignment.

Purpose The purpose of the ILP is for everyone to develop a working model of an ERP system applied to a firm of their choosing. Real-world application is central here, as you will simulate the role of an operations manager making critical system decisions. This model will be built up in modular format through weekly assignments culminating in the submission of the completed model in the final week of the course together with a management proposal detailing the costs and benefits as they apply to the income statement and balance sheet of the selected firm. We want you to see exactly how operational data directly influences financial health and strategic viability.

Resources The development of the assignments will be supported not only by written instructions but also with an explanatory Watch item. Visual learners will find the video walkthroughs particularly helpful for navigating the complex Excel formulas required for the model.

Expectations Each component, from Module 3: Week 3 will be the development of an ERP module in Excel relevant to the topic for that week. The Excel development will follow SAP and other ERP systems formats. Adhering to these industry standards ensures your work mirrors what you will encounter in actual supply chain environments. The Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

WRITING A SIMILAR ASSIGNMENT?

Get a Scholar-Written Paper Matched to Your Brief Every order is handled by a degree-holding expert in your subject — written to your exact rubric, fully original, and delivered ahead of your deadline.

Start My Order Details on how this ERP assignment could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (min 300 words). Stakeholder engagement is often the deciding factor in project success, so consider who needs to be at the table. Details on how ERP could be operated (management process, who should be responsible, numbers of different users of each module, data accuracy, etc.) within the chosen firm (min 300 words). What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained the ERP system (min 300 words). Proactive identification of data rot or entry errors demonstrates a high level of critical thinking. How the corruption of the data could be prevented (min 300 words). An analysis and composition of the net benefit (benefits minus costs linked to income statement and balance sheet) of the implemented ERP system. Connecting these metrics proves that you understand the ROI of technology investments. The final integrated Excel ERP working model for your chosen firm, due at the end of week 8, will tie all the preceding modules together into a fully integrated working ERP model in Excel. It is rewarding to see how the disparate pieces you built over the term come together to form a functioning whole. The integrated modules will include, Master Production Schedule, Bill of Materials, Materials Requirements Planning, Capacity Planning, Distribution Requirements Planning and Shop Floor Control. The Excel file will be submitted simultaneous with the following written report. The final course report would be about 3,000 words (excluding references and appendices), much of which would have been accumulated over the preceding 6 weeks.

The final submission will also include a written management report detailing (1) a recommendation for implementation based on a cost / benefits analysis (2) implementation assignment plan with responsibilities, (3) a justified recommendation for an ERP system (e.g. SAP, or other) and its operation (local or cloud processing, scope of application (national, global, etc.). Your ability to justify a specific vendor choice over others is a key skill employers look for in graduates. Instructions Part 1 – Company Selection & Financial Analysis Part 1 – Company selection – Characteristics – Manufacturing – Publicly available financial accounts – consumer or industrial product (either make to order or make to stock) – examples Tesla / Boeing (search YouTube “Mega factories” and choose one of these documentary examples to appreciate the level of manufacturing detail required). Selecting a publicly traded company ensures you have access to the transparent financial data necessary for a deep analysis. Structure your assignment as follows (word counts are minimums):

Title page Company description (300 words) Financial trends: Overview of inventory types/trends/productivity (trends in day’s stock by type, Etc.) (300 words). Examining these trends helps reveal the underlying operational efficiency of the organization. Income statements (last 3 years) (300 words) Balance sheet (last 3 years) (300 words) Opportunities for logistics to improve income statement (consider revenues and operating costs) and balance sheet asset productivity. Look specifically for areas where supply chain tightening could release cash flow back into the business. Provide quantitative calculations and probable range of costs / benefits. (300 words) Part 2 – Master Production Scheduling (MPS) Part 2 – Master Production Scheduling (MPS) – Develop an Excel based Master Production Schedule for your chosen product. Use the format and logic as shown in the illustrative Excel spread sheet to be found under Course Content. Also review the Kaptur presentation for this week, as well as pages 281 through 303 in your Logistics textbook. Grasping the logic behind MPS is vital because it serves as the heartbeat for all downstream manufacturing activities. Your MPS Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the MPS policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Operational success usually depends on clear ownership of the scheduling process. What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words). A comparison of any 2 MPS schedule formats and logic taken from software advice or other MPS types from your own research of available MPS software (300 words). exposure to different software interfaces broadens your adaptability in the job market. Part 3 – Enterprise Resource Planning System Selection Part 3 – Enterprise Resource Planning – Develop an Excel analysis of the modules and functionality of 3 ERP systems, one of which must be SAP and the other 2 are of your choice. Follow the “ERP Links” tab under the Readings section of Course content for a listing of over 100 ERP software systems, including SAP. We encourage you to explore niche vendors alongside the major players to understand the full spectrum of market options. Overlay the functionality of these ERP systems onto the main manufacturing processes of your selected firm and determine which software best fits your chosen company. Your Excel analysis will accompany your written assignment which will contain:

Description of the how the software selection criteria (and which ones) were chosen for your company (300). An analysis and tabulation of the strengths and weaknesses of the main modules of each software solution when compared of your selection criteria (300). Creating a comparative matrix is an excellent way to visualize trade-offs between different vendors. A discussion of any ancillary data capture equipment and other software that may be advantageous to the operation of the ERP system in your company (300). Consideration of which functional areas would be responsible for the operation of each of the major ERP modules (300). Mapping these responsibilities helps prevent silos within the organization. An analysis of the possible software costs of your recommended ERP software (300). Part 4 – Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) Part 4 – Materials Requirements Planning – Develop an Excel based Materials Requirements Plan for your chosen product. Use the format and logic as shown in the illustrative Excel spread sheet to be found under Course Content. Show at least 4 MRP levels with sub-assemblies, purchased components, manufactured components, and raw materials. Building a multi-level BOM (Bill of Materials) is the best way to understand the complexity of dependency in manufacturing. Review the Kaptur presentation for this week, as well as pages 233 through 305 in your Logistics textbook. Your MRP Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

STUCK ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT?

Cola Papers Experts Are Ready Right Now Join thousands of students who submit confidently. Human-written, plagiarism-checked, and formatted to your institution's exact standards.

Order My Custom Paper Use code BISHOPS for 25% off Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the MRP operating policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Effective operation here often dictates whether production lines stop or keep running. What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words). A comparison of any 2 MRP schedule formats and logic taken from software advice or other MRP types from your own research of available MRP software (300 words). Part 5 – Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) Part 5 – Distribution Requirements Planning – Develop an Excel based Distribution Requirements Plan for your chosen product. Use the format and logic as shown in the illustrative Excel spread sheet to be found under Course Content. Show at least 4 distribution warehouses with 4 components planned for each with at least 1 common to all distribution warehouses. Integrating multiple distribution nodes will simulate the challenges of regional inventory balancing. Review the Kaltura presentation for this week, as well as pages 319 through 406 in your Logistics textbook. Your DRP Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the DRP operating policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Logistics managers prioritize these metrics to ensure on-time delivery to the end customer. What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words). A comparison of any 2 DRP schedule formats and logic taken from software advice or other DRP types from your own research of available MRP software (300 words). Part 6 – Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP) Part 6 – Capacity Requirements Planning – Develop an Excel based Capacity Requirements Plan for your chosen product. Use the format and logic as shown in the Integrated Learning Project Example found on the course site. Accurate capacity planning prevents the costly mistake of overpromising to customers while under-delivering on production. Review the Kaptur presentation for this week, as well as pages 439 through 478 in your Logistics textbook. Your CRP Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Details on how this module could be implemented (assignment management process, who should be involved, and why, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). Details on how this module could be operated (management process, key factors in the CRP operating policy, who should be responsible and why, the users of this modules data, etc.) within the chosen firm (300 words). You will find that regular review of these capacity constraints is essential for smoothing production peaks. What could be the future sources of inaccuracy in the data contained in the module (300 words). A comparison of any 2 CRP schedule formats and logic taken from ERP Software or other CRP types from your own research of available CRP software (300 words). Part 7 – Implementation Assignment Plan Part 7 – Assignment Plan – Develop a time phased assignment plan for the implementation of an ERP system at your selected firm. Review the assigned Learn material, as well as pages 511 through 551 in your Logistics textbook. Your time phased assignment plan Excel file will be accompanied by a written assignment containing:

Overall structure of the ERP implementation plan detailing responsibilities and timing (300 words). A phased approach reduces the risk of total system failure during the go-live period. Details on the Education and Training activities of the plan, their sequencing and timing (300 words). Details on the key activities in the Bills of Materials sub-assignment to achieve a company document with 98% accuracy (300 words). High data fidelity in the BOM is non-negotiable for the system to function correctly. Details on the key activities in the Warehouse sub-assignment to achieve a minimum of 95% accuracy (300 words). Details on the key activities in the Master Production Schedule sub-assignment to achieve a 98% customer service accuracy (300 words). Part 8 – Final Consolidated Submission Part 8 – Final Submission – The final integrated Excel ERP working model for your chosen firm, due at the end of week 8, will tie all the preceding modules together into a fully integrated working ERP model in Excel. The integrated modules will include, Master Production Schedule, Bill of Materials, Materials Requirements Planning, Capacity Planning, Distribution Requirements Planning and Shop Floor Control. The Excel file will be submitted simultaneous with the following written report. The final course report would be about 3,000 words (excluding references and appendices), much of which would have been accumulated over the preceding 6 weeks.

The final submission will also include a written management report detailing (1) a recommendation for implementation based on a cost / benefits analysis (2) implementation assignment plan with responsibilities, (3) a justified recommendation for an ERP system (e.g. SAP, or other) and its operation (local or cloud processing, scope of application (national, global, etc.). Presenting a cohesive argument that ties technical details to business strategy is the capstone achievement of this course. Students frequently ask how to structure the cost-benefit analysis for the final ERP proposal. To demonstrate a strong approach, we recommend breaking down the ROI into tangible operational savings. For instance, implementing an automated MRP module for a mid-sized manufacturing firm can reduce inventory holding costs by approximately 20% through better demand forecasting and reduced safety stock requirements. You should quantify this by calculating the specific dollar value of inventory reduction against the initial software licensing and training fees. It is also beneficial to highlight qualitative benefits, such as improved inter-departmental communication, though these are harder to monetize on the balance sheet. A robust analysis might cite research indicating that “successful ERP implementation requires a clear alignment between business processes and technical configuration to realize projected efficiency gains” (Panorama Consulting Group, 2023). Framing your argument with both hard data and strategic alignment shows a sophisticated understanding of the subject matter.

Recommended Academic Resources Gupta, S. and Misra, S.C., 2022. Compliance with defect management processes in an ERP implementation project: a longitudinal case study. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, [online] 39(6), pp.1425-1449. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-04-2021-0108 Reid, R.D. and Sanders, N.R., 2024. Operations Management: An Integrated Approach. 8th ed. Hoboken: Wiley. Available at: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Operations+Management%3A+An+Integrated+Approach%2C+8th+Edition-p-9781119932454 Shatat, A.S., 2020. Critical Success Factors in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Implementation: An Exploratory Study in Oman. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, [online] 86(4), p.e12134. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12134 Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2019. Operations Management. 9th ed. Harlow: Pearson. Available at: https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/subject-catalog/p/operations-management/P200000002040 Software Advice, 2024. ERP Software Buyers Guide and Market Trends. [online] Available at: https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/ Sample Answer to Guide Students Successful completion of the Integrated Learning Project requires careful selection of a manufacturing company with transparent financial information. Students achieve higher results when they align ERP module design with the real operational processes of the chosen organization. Development of an Excel-based Master Production Schedule allows accurate forecasting of product demand and resource requirements. Logical integration of Materials Requirements Planning and Capacity Planning modules supports efficient production management. Quantitative analysis of ERP benefits should clearly demonstrate improvements to inventory turnover and working capital performance. Modern cloud-based ERP platforms provide measurable advantages in data accuracy and cross-functional visibility. Evidence from contemporary research confirms that structured ERP implementation improves organizational productivity and financial control (AlMuhayfith & Shaiti, 2020, https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083313).

Scholarly References AlMuhayfith, S., & Shaiti, H. (2020). The impact of enterprise resource planning on business performance. Sustainability, 12(8), 3313. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083313 Tarhini, A., Ammar, H., Tarhini, T., & Masa’deh, R. (2018). Analysis of the critical success factors for ERP implementation from stakeholders’ perspective. International Business Research, 11(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.5539/ibr.v11n4p1 Chofreh, A., Goni, F., Shaharoun, A., Ismail, S., & Klemeš, J. (2019). Sustainable enterprise resource planning: A framework and implementation approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 224, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.196 Haddara, M., & Elragal, A. (2020). ERP lifecycle: A systematic literature review. Information Systems Frontiers, 22(3), 545-563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-018-9849-z Mahraz, M., Benabbou, L., & Berrado, A. (2021). ERP implementation critical success factors. Procedia Computer Science, 181, 1153-1160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.01.309