Assessment 2 – Research Operations Report (30%) - Learning Outcome - 4
Each student is to choose a topic from the syllabus. Weekly topics or parts of a topic are suitable examples. Each student must prepare an explanation of the topic, working independently. This explanation communicates the topic to a manager, makes clear important areas of theory and states why the topic would be important to the operations management of particular types of businesses. The report should be written in your own words (don’t copy/quote from journal articles) using key references in the body of the text to back up your statements or arguments. It should be written in good essay style with all relevant references at the end (provide at least 10 good journal references) formatted in Harvard style (Refer VU Library link for the referencing style).
This Research Operations Assignment (ROA) requires students to find out the state of knowledge in a concept area and apply it to a business situation. The aims of the assignments are:

A. To review what is known about the topic, using latest knowledge from international journal papers.
B. To summarise the most important knowledge about the topic.
C. To apply that knowledge to a chosen company in Australia or overseas.
For example, if the topic was planning and managing capacity, this could be applied to a white goods manufacturer or to a restaurant.

Specific Requirements

1. Assistance. The lecturer will explain, in detail, the assignment requirements and help with choice of topics in week 1. The lecturer will talk about the ‘method and progress’ of the ROAs in week 3 and ‘progress and write up’ in week 4. Students may ask questions in tutorials and in consultation times.
2. Students, who are not already familiar, should attend an introduction to the use of electronic databases to access international journal articles at the VU Library.
3. Topics must be researched to post-graduate level covering such things as international journal papers, state-of-the-art in Australia and a critical approach to the material.
4. All references must appear in the body of the text to back up your statements.
5. Written work must follow the guidelines set out in Campbell G. (2001) The Little Black Book, Victoria University, Footscray. A brief Executive Summary should be provided.
6. You must keep a duplicate copy of all work you submit.
7. Written submissions are preferably accompanied by Cover Sheet. Cover sheets are available from the Faculty and School of Management offices.
8. One hard copy of the ROA assignment must be submitted. An electronic copy should be emailed as well.
9. LENGTH: 2,500 words maximum plus diagrams, tables and references.