The module is assessed (100%) by an individual report (maximum 3,000 words).
involving an in-depth analysis of an innovative organisation. The subject of the
report will be decided by the module convenor but students will be able to choose from
a list of several examples.
Instructions for assessment
This assignment is focused on the selected organisation.
Formative work in weekly seminars will guide students through analytical techniques
and processes required to complete the task.
The report should address the following:
1) To describe, in detail and in your own words, one or more innovation
theories of your choice (deep knowledge of one major innovation theory will
be enough as a basis for a high mark, and you should not choose more
than two innovation theories),
2) To apply each of your chosen theory or theories in explaining the
historical development of one or more products and/or services, and the
possible future development pathways of your products or services.
Please note that the emphasis is on application (innovation models should be applied
to the organisation)! Appropriately referenced data should be used in support of your
arguments and discussion.
The principal requirement of this report is to provide a critical analysis of the
developmental trajectory of your invention and to suggest how your chosen theory or
theories may help in illuminating the historical and future development of the invention.
In undertaking a critical analysis, due consideration must be given to contributory
factors in the commercial success of your products, services, or processes that have
contributed to moving the products etc. beyond a novel invention to an innovative
product, service, or process with a clear promise of social impact on its intended
audience.
Please be specific in explaining which part/s of your chosen theory you are applying,
and how you propose to apply your theory, firstly in explaining the historical
development of your product/service/process, and secondly in predicting one or more
ways in which your product/service/process may develop in future. The more specific
and detailed your explanation of how your theory or theories help (or do not help) you
explain and predict your chosen products etc. the higher your mark is likely to be.
The report should not exceed 3,000 words + 10%. Appendices are allowed outside
this limit but NO MORE than 6 pages.
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How will your work be assessed?
The indicative marking scheme for your report is as follows. This marking scheme is
merely indicative and will not be held to rigidly in assessing students’ reports. Your
final mark for your report will be presented as an un-weighted mark out of 100%:
Your work will be assessed by a subject expert who will use the marking scheme
indicated below. Feedback will be given in the Turnitin/Grademark system with script
comments plus overall points. When you access your marked work it is important that
you reflect on the feedback so that you can use it to improve future assignments.
In this report, high marks come from using innovation concepts and analysis from the
module clearly applied to the organisation. Harvard referencing, a professional report
style plus appropriate diagrams/tables are also required. Outline marking expectations
are as follows:-
- Theory and Idea: Range and understanding of sources, synthesis and focus on
relevant ideas = 32% - Future Development: Organisation/coherence of argument, support through
examples, details, quotations, and references, critical approach = 33% - Imagination: Evidence of creativity and foresight in reflecting on course materials
and articulating a novel and interesting picture of the student’s innovation = 25% - Presentation: Length, use of academic conventions, grammar, paragraphing,
layout, proofreading = 10%
NB: Your assignment should have a maximum word limit of 3000 words, excluding
references and any appendices, tables, and/or diagrams. There is no minimum word
count for this report as the exercise is for you to write as concisely as possible to
communicate your argument. However, as a high scoring essay will require at least
3,000 words you are strongly advised to write a detailed essay that addresses both a)
and b) above and to then edit your essay down to the word limit.
Please do not think about any minimum word limit and then try and produce a
piece of work that you think you can get away with. Above all this will show that
you have learned little about innovation.
NB: Marks will be awarded for your ability to integrate, in a relevant way in your essay,
some of the principal literature, theories, models, and frameworks of innovation from
the module. Marks will also be awarded for your imaginative use of concepts from
within and beyond the innovation literature to explain and predict the development of
your chosen innovative products, services, or processes.
(In addition to marker feedback, a full marking rubric will be available within the Turnitin
submission system for student consideration.)
Assignment submissions.
The Business School requires a digital version of all assignment submissions. These
must be submitted via Turnitin on the module’s Moodle site. They must be submitted
as a Word file (not a pdf) and must not include scanned in text or text boxes. They
must be submitted by 2pm on the given date. For further general details on coursework
preparation refer to the online information via StudentZone.
If you cannot submit a piece of work and wish to submit Mitigating Circumstances, the
University Mitigating Circumstances Policy can be found on the University website -
Mitigating Circumstances Policy
Marking and feedback process
Between you handing in your work and then receiving your feedback and marks within
20 days, there are a number of quality assurance processes that we go through to
ensure that students receive marks which reflects their work. A brief summary is
provided below:-
• Step 1 – The module and marking team meet to agree standards, expectations
and how feedback will be provided.
• Step 2 – A subject expert will mark your work using the criteria provided in the
assessment brief.
• Step 3 – A moderation meeting takes place where all members of the teaching and
marking team will review the marking of others to confirm whether they agree with
the mark and feedback.
• Step 4 – Work at Levels 5 and 6 then goes to an external examiner who will review
a sample of work to confirm that the marking between different staff is consistent
and fair.
• Step 5 – The Office process your mark & feedback & it is made available to you.
Resit instructions to Students
If you need to resit this assessment, the requirements are as follows:
You are required to re-work your original submission in line with the original
assessment brief and criteria. Your re-submission must address the feedback
comments provided by the marker on the original submission. You should provide a
summary of the marker’s original feedback from your first submission together with a
commentary [between 400 and 500 words) that explains how your revisions improve
the original submission by addressing the original feedback.
In brief your re-sit submission MUST include:
• A summary of the original feedback,
• A reflective account [400-500 words] detailing how your revisions have
addressed the feedback, and
• The reworked assignment.
Sample Solution