Procurement Management Processes

COURSEWORK: This piece of coursework represents 100% of your overall module grade. FORMAT: Report. LENGTH: 4,000 words ± 10% (which excludes tables, appendices, and references). TYPOGRAPHY: Arial, size 12, 1½ line spacing, with justified margins. Pages should be numbered at the bottom right. REFERENCING: Harvard referencing style should be used, and a minimum of twenty academic sources must be referenced. DEADLINE: Monday, 6 th January 2020, not later than 12:00pm midday. SUBMISSION: Your coursework must be submitted as one Microsoft Word document, online at the MAR330 DLE website. CONTACT: Mark Bennett – Room 518 Cookworthy Building. INFORMATION 100 marks are available for this assessment, with marking criteria shown on pages 4-7. Question A: (22 marks 1000 words) Organizations occasionally purchase leverage and non-critical items using reverse eauctions. Referring to real-life examples, critically evaluate a range of risks and reasons for not using reverse e-auctions to purchase leverage and non-critical items in a multinational company with a decentralized divisional organization structure. Question B: (22 marks 1000 words) Select any two of the United Nations’ ten Global Compact principles, then critically analyse how adherence to these principles could help an organization to achieve a more sustainable and ethical approach to procurement activities. Question C: (46 marks 2000 words) With reference to a global industry of your choice, critically analyse how the transactional aspects of procurement could be improved by utilizing blockchain technology. In addition, analyse how blockchain could contribute to faster movement of goods through the supply chain. 2 University of Plymouth Coursework Assessment Guidelines The following set of guidelines is given to help students focus on what areas they need to fulfil in order to obtain the indicated mark when completing written work. Grading levels for written assignments are as follows: First Class (1st): 70-100% For marks of 85% or above the work will be outstanding, answering the question directly, using exceptionally mature judgment and skilful argument. Your work will demonstrate comprehensive, relevant and accurate coverage, clearly informed by a wide variety of appropriate literature, a clear understanding of advanced concepts, effective choice and use of analytical approaches and perceptive critical thinking, as well as skilful and highly sophisticated communication. Work achieving marks from 70-84% may be considered excellent: it will be critical and analytical at all times, answering the question directly, establishing a coherent set of arguments clearly informed by a range of appropriate literature which is skilfully employed. It will be fluent and articulate as well as clearly and persuasively addressing the relevant issues. Upper Second Class (2.1): 60-69% In the 2.1 class the work may be generally described as very good. You will demonstrate high levels of competence and appreciation of the task as well as mature communication skills. Work will be well written, clearly articulated and effectively structured and presented. There will be evidence of a very good understanding of the issues and a well-reasoned attempt to answer the question accurately and appropriately, capturing relevant issues and debates. There will be evidence of a good range of reading and the work will draw on relevant sources incorporated appropriately to inform a clear set of arguments. Lower Second Class (2.2): 50-59% The standard of work in the 2.2 class is good. Essentially you will have understood the question or task and addressed it competently. For example, relevant theory, knowledge or models will be identified and explained and applied if relevant. However, the ways in which the material is used (analysis or synthesis, for example) will be lacking, perhaps by not explaining the relevance or not applying theory to the question clearly, accurately or effectively. You may also need to improve the quality of your communication skills. Pass-Third Class (3rd): 40-49% Work in this category is satisfactory, but towards the lower end of the marks it will only just be satisfactory. This could also be described as a ‘basic’ answer. For example, a third class answer would show some appreciation of the question set and applicable theory or models, but would be flawed in that it may not address all the issues fully or accurately, or may omit 3 some key principles or apply them inappropriately/inaccurately. There may also be some problems in respect of the quality of your communication skills. Fail: marks below 39% A grade within the range 30-39% means that you did not pass the assessment. In other words, you will not have addressed the question or task in a manner that demonstrates you have adequate knowledge and understanding of the issues raised and relevant theory/ principles. Your communication and organisation of your work may require serious attention. Marks below 30%, i.e. 0-29%, represent a clear fail, which means that you are likely to have made some basic errors in your discussion, have not structured a clear argument, and/ or you have misunderstood or failed to incorporate appropriate information or evidence, and your work may be poorly organised and lack structure and clarity. If you have received a mark below 40%, you should make an appointment to discuss this assessment with your tutor as soon as possible. 4 QUESTION A: E-PROCUREMENT, RISKS AND ORGANIZATION STRUCTURES (22%) Marking criteria Fail Third class Lower Second class Upper second class First class 0%-39% 40%-49% 50%-59% 60%-69% 70%-100% Evaluation of ereverse auctions (7%)  No discussion of reverse eauctions.  Only a limited attempt made to discuss reverse eauctions, which includes some discussion of different product categories.  A mostly good evaluation of e-reverse auctions has been provided which discusses different category groups in addition to discussing situations where the use of reverse e-auctions may be appropriate.  A very good, critical evaluation of e-reverse auctions has been provided which discusses different category groups in addition to analysing situations where the use of reverse eauctions may be appropriate and inappropriate which refers to real examples.  May also consider strengths and limitations of reverse e-auctions.  An excellent, critical evaluation of ereverse auctions has been provided which discusses different category groups in addition to analysing situations where the use of reverse e-auctions may be appropriate and inappropriate which refers to real examples.  Comprehensive analysis of reverse e-auctions are provided which also considers strengths and limitations. Risks of purchasing routine and leverage items using reverse eauctions (10%)  No attempt to evaluate the risks against using reverse eauctions.  Only a partial attempt to evaluate the risks against using reverse eauctions.  Satisfactory critical evaluation of the risks against using reverse eauctions which considers at least two of the following:  Transaction risk  Translation risk  One type of economic risk  A very Good critical evaluation of the risks against using reverse eauctions which considers all of the following:  Transaction risk  Translation risk  Two types of economic risk  Quality inconsistencies  Economies of scale  Excellent critical evaluation of the risks against using reverse e-auctions which considers all of the following:  Transaction risk  Translation risk  At least two types of economic risk  Quality inconsistencies  Economies of scale  At least two more reasons not listed above Use of appropriate examples when arguing agains the use of reverse eauctions (5%)  No examples are used to contextualise analysis.  One example is used to discuss points but may not be completely relevant or appropriate.  A minimum of one good example is used to contextualise discussion against the use of reverse e-auctions for purchasing routine and leverage items within a multinational company.  A minimum of two examples that are highly relevant are used to contextualise discussion against the use of reverse e-auctions for purchasing routine and leverage items within a multinational company.  A minimum of three examples that are related and highly relevant are used to contextualise discussion against the use of reverse e-auctions for purchasing routine and leverage items within a multinational company. 5 QUESTION B: GLOBAL COMPACT PRINCIPLES AND PROCUREMENT (22%) Marking criteria Fail Third class Lower Second class Upper second class First class 0%-39% 40%-49% 50%-59% 60%-69% 70%-100% Analysis of Global Compact principles on procurement activities (8%)  No attempt at critical analysis. Global Compact is simply described with no application to procurement.  Only a limited attempt made at critical analysis. Contains a satisfactory discussion of Global Compact principles, which may consider some aspects of procurement.  A mostly good analysis of Global Compact principles in a procurement context is provided. However, there may be important issues that are omitted, as well as a lack of integration between Global Compact principles and procurement.  A very good, critical analysis of Global Compact principles in a procurement context has been provided.  Complete discussion of Global Compact principles and its impact on the procurement function are given which may also consider strengths and limitations.  An excellent, critical analysis of Global Compact principles in a procurement context has been provided which refers to real-life examples.  Comprehensive analysis of Global Compact principles and its impact on procurement function are provided which also considers strengths and limitations. Analysis of how procurement function can operate sustainably and ethically (9%)  No attempt to analyse how procurement function could operate in a sustainable and ethical way.  Only a partial attempt to analyse how procurement function could operate in a sustainable and ethical way.  Satisfactory critical analysis of how procurement function can operate in a sustainable and ethical way. May consider social, economic and environmental issues.  Good critical analysis of how procurement function can operate in a sustainable and ethical way. Does consider social, economic and environmental issues as well as the importance of the circular economy concept.  Excellent critical analysis of how procurement function can operate in a sustainable and ethical way. Does consider social, economic and environmental issues. In addition, evaluates how sustainable and ethical procurement strategy could be implemented as well as explaining how implementation of this strategy could lead to better customer value, reduced costs and enhanced efficiencies throughout the whole organization. Use of appropriate examples to illustrate impact of Global Compact principles on procurement activities (5%)  No examples are used to contextualise analysis.  One example is used to discuss points but may not be completely relevant or appropriate.  A minimum of one good example is used to contextualise discussion of Global Compact principles on the procurement function.  A minimum of two examples have been provided that are highly relevant when discussing the impact of Global Compact principles on the procurement function.  A minimum of three examples have been provided that are related and highly relevant when discussing the impact of Global Compact principles on the procurement function. 6 QUESTION C: BLOCKCHAIN AND PROCUREMENT (46%) Marking criteria Fail Third class Lower Second class Upper second class First class 0%-39% 40%-49% 50%-59% 60%-69% 70%-100% Critical analysis of blockchain in transactional aspects of procurement (18%)  No attempt at critical analysis. Blockchain is simply described with no application to procurement.  Only a limited attempt made at critical analysis. Contains a satisfactory discussion of blockchain, which may consider some aspects of procurement.  A mostly good, critical analysis of blockchain in a procurement context is provided, which may be partial and have important issues that have been omitted.  A very good, critical analysis of blockchain in a procurement context has been produced.  Complete discussion of transactional aspects are given which may also consider strengths and limitations.  Excellent, critical analysis of blockchain in a procurement context is provided which refers to examples of its potential application to real businesses.  Comprehensive analysis of transactional aspects are provided which also considers strengths and limitations. Analysis of blockchain and supply chain velocity (18%)  No attempt to analyse how blockchain could lead to faster movements of items through supply chain.  Only a partial attempt to analyse how blockchain could lead to faster movements of items through supply chain.  Satisfactory attempt to analyse how blockchain could lead to faster movements of items through the supply chain. In addition this section will also refer to two of the following:  Positive Impact on profit  Helps to achieve competitive advantage  Helps organization to operate in an agile way.  Good analysis of how blockchain could lead to faster movements of items through the supply chain. In addition this section will also refer to all of the following:  Positive Impact on profit  Helps to achieve competitive advantage  Helps organization to operate in an agile way.  Excellent analysis how blockchain could lead to faster movements of items through the supply chain. In addition this section will also refer to all of the following:  Positive Impact on profit  Helps to achieve competitive advantage  Helps organization to operate in an agile way.  Leads to better customer satisfaction  Analysis of other additional (and highly relevant) points not listed above. Use of appropriate examples of blockchain in procurement (10%)  No examples are used to contextualise analysis.  One example is used to discuss points but may not be completely relevant or appropriate.  A minimum of one good example is used to contextualise discussion of blockchain in the context of procurement transactions.  A minimum of two examples that are highly relevant to the chosen industry.  A minimum of three examples that are related and highly relevant to the chosen industry. 7 SPELLING, GRAMMAR AND REFERENCING THROUGHOUT WHOLE REPORT (10%) Marking criteria Fail Third class Lower Second class Upper second class First class 0%-39% 40%-49% 50%-59% 60%-69% 70%-100% Spelling and Grammar (5%) Many spelling and grammatical errors are present, leading to difficulty in understanding the content of the report. Poorly articulated with common mistakes occurring in spelling and grammar. Overall, satisfactory, but the report still contains some errors with grammar and spelling. Shows evidence of a good quality report that contains very few errors with spelling and grammar. . The report is produced to an outstanding standard that contains no errors with spelling and grammar. Use of Harvard Referencing within the report (5%) Numerous unreferenced paragraphs exist that may also be referenced incorrectly both within the text and references list. Referencing has been attempted both within the text of the report and references list at the end, but several references may be incorrectly referenced or missing altogether. The standard of referencing is satisfactory, but may contain minor errors or omissions. The standard of referencing within the report has been undertaken largely in a correct manner with only one or two errors. The references list at the end of the report is complete, and contains no omissions. Referencing throughout the whole report (including references list) is perfect and contains no errors or omissions.