ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title BIZ202 The Business Environment
Assessment Environmental Scan Report – Part B
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1500 words ± 10%
Learning Outcomes a) Examine the influence of the external environment on the organisation
b) Identify and apply appropriate frameworks and tools to the problems and challenges faced by organisations
c) Research and relate industry specific factors to the organisation decision-making process
d) Apply a relevant framework(s) to evaluate the macro and micro environmental influences on an organisation
Submission By 11:55 pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of Module 4 (Week 8)
Weighting 40%
Total Marks 100 marks
Context:
Businesses in the modern marketplace cannot afford to ignore the environments in which they operate. To navigate this vast and ever changing landscape, businesses must keep a keen eye on macro environmental factors that influence them. The environmental scan report is an effort to identify these factors and propose solutions to the risks they pose.
Linkages between Part A and Part B:
Part A focused on the micro environmental factors that affect your chosen business.
Part B serves to expand on Part A by reporting on the macro environmental factors that affect your chosen business. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the challenges and risks posed to the business by its macro environment and proposes strategies to counter them.
Instructions:
Further investigate the organisation you reported on in Part A, or you may choose another Australian or international well-known business still in operation in consultation with your facilitator. The macro environmental scan must incorporate the following:
• Identify macro environmental factors that influence the chosen business specifically. These factors may include but are not limited to changes in socio-cultural, technological, ethical, government regulation both in domestic and foreign, political, economic factors such as inflation, unemployment, income levels, economic growth, foreign exchange rates, international trade policies, foreign investment restrictions, taxation, etc.
• Analyse their impact on business that may be in terms of but not limited to changes in business performance, structure, policies, profitability, growth and market share.
• Propose solutions to challenges to counter prevailing/potential risks.
Submission Instructions:
Submit copy of Environmental Scan Report in only word document format (no pdf) via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu in BIZ202 and also via TurnItIn link. 10% penalty will apply for failing to submit via TurnItIn. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback with reference to the criteria below via the Grade Centre in the Blackboard portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
Structure of the report
Cover Page – Includes assessment title, student name and ID, subject name and code, lecturer’s name, submission date, word count. Be creative while making your cover page.
Executive Summary - An executive summary provides a succinct summary of the content within the report. It presents information in such a way that readers are able to understand the intention and key elements of the report without having to read the entire document. This section is not included in the word count. However, it is recommended to write 10-20% of your total word of the report.
Table of Contents – Headings/sub-headings of the sections and pages numbers.
Introduction - The introduction sets the scene and provides context for the aim. It provides background to the issues being addressed only.
Main Discussion – In the main discussion part you should rename the headings/sub-headings to reflect your report. Two main parts need to discuss in your report.
1. Identification and analysis of macro environmental factors- under this section, the report is expected to identify all macro environmental factors, provide insight and analysis thoroughly the wider macro environment of the chosen business.
2. Challenges and solutions: the report expected to identify the key challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides a correct strategy/solution to deal with each, as well as a thorough explanation and justification of each strategy.
Conclusion - The conclusion restates the aim then provides a brief and concise summary of the discussion to demonstrate that the aim of the report has been achieved. No new information is to be included in the conclusion.
References – Your references must be from credible sources such as textbook, academic journals, company annual reports, etc. Please use the correct APA referencing style and list in alphabetical order. It is recommended that you use reference management software such as EndNote or Mendeley to make the job of referencing simple and straightforward. Remember, every factual statement in your report will require a reference. Click here https://library.torrens.edu.au/learnmore/referencing - for the TUA referencing guide. References are not included in the word count.
Appendices - This is where you provide supporting material which is unsuitable for inclusion in the body of the report, but still has some value to contribute to the report. Appendices are not included in the word count.

Learning Rubric: Environmental Scan Report – Part B
Assessment Attributes Fail
(Unacceptable) 0 - 49 Pass
(Functional)
50 - 64 Credit
(Proficient)
65 - 74 Distinction
(Advanced) 75 - 84 High Distinction
(Exceptional)
85 - 100
Grade
Description
(Grading Scheme)
Fail grade will be awarded if a student is unable to demonstrate satisfactory academic performance in the subject or has failed to complete required assessment points in accordance with the subject’s required assessment points.
Pass is awarded for work showing a satisfactory achievement of all learning outcomes and an adequate understanding of theory and application of skills. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged.
Credit is awarded for work showing a more than satisfactory achievement of all learning outcomes and a more than adequate understanding of theory and application of skills. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged.
Distinction is awarded for work of superior quality in achieving all learning outcomes and a superior integration and understanding of theory and application of skills. Evidence of in-depth research, reading, analysis and evaluation is
demonstrated. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged. High Distinction is awarded for work of outstanding quality in achieving all learning outcomes together with outstanding integration and understanding of theory and application of
skills. Evidence of in-depth research, reading, analysis, original and creative thought is demonstrated. A consistent academic referencing system is used and sources are appropriately acknowledged.
Identification and analysis of macro
environmental factors
SLO addressed:
a) Examine the
influence of the external environment on the organisation
b) Research and Limited understanding of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business. Identifies some of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business; the largest influencers are named.
Accesses relevant information with limited analysis of environmental factors. Identifies a majority of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business.
Accesses relevant information to analyse environmental factors. Correctly identifies all of the environmental factors influencing the chosen business.
Accesses relevant information to widely analyse environmental factors. Not only identifies all environmental factors, provides insight and discussion on potential further environmental challenges faced by the business.
Thorough analysis of the wider macro environment of the chosen business.
relate industry specific factors to the organisation decision- making.
c) Apply a relevant framework(s) to evaluate the macro and micro environmental influences on
an organisation
45%
Propose solutions to
challenges and risks
SLO addressed:
b) Identify and apply appropriate frameworks and tools to the problems and challenges faced by
organisations
40% Demonstrates no understanding of challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides no solutions. Demonstrates little understanding of challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides non-specific solutions to those issues. Demonstrates correct and complete knowledge of challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and offers solutions to some of those issues. Identifies the key challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides a correct strategy/solution to deal with each. Identifies the key challenges and risks present in the macro environment of the chosen business and provides a correct strategy/solution to deal with each, as well as a thorough explanation and justification of each strategy.
Correct citation of key
resources and evidence
Overall structure, appearance and Demonstrates inconsistent use of good quality, credible and relevant resources to support and develop ideas. Uses sufficient sources, however can be greatly improved.
Attempts to include references or in-text Shows good evidence of attempts to source information.
Includes in-text citations and references from suitable Shows evidence of wide scope for sourcing evidence.
Includes in-text citations and references from Shows evidence of extensive scope for sourcing evidence. Includes in-text citations and references from suitable sources; uses APA 6th style,
referencing of the
report are assessed
15%
Does not include correct references or in-text citations; does not use APA 6th style. citations, however these are sometimes insufficient for research purposes, or incorrect; uses APA 6th style, however may contain some citation or referencing errors. sources; uses APA 6th style, however may contain minor citation or referencing errors. suitable sources; uses APA 6th style, containing minimal and or no errors. containing no errors.