AA100A
The Arts Past and Present
TMA
Second Semester 2017-2018
Cut-off date: Week 10
TMA
Format and Word Count:
The student’s work should be presented in an ESSAY of around 1200 words.
Referencing:
Identify the issues involved in setting the “leader” in his/her historical context.
Discuss the role played by historical interpretation in shaping the “leader’s” reputation.
Discuss how myths are constructed around this “leader”.
Investigate the interplay of myth and history in constructing the “leader’s” reputation.
Reflect on how different times and cultures make use of the past and its sources when constructing seemingly “irreconcilable” reputations of the same “leader”.
Writing and Discussion Topic:
The construction of any reputation is a complex process. The factors involved in shaping reputations remain varied, and the interplay of these factors adds to the complexity of the process. History tells us of leaders who have myths built around them and who have had up to this very day their reputations contested. Sometimes, and by some, these leaders are called nation builders, mass murderers, usurpers etc. Their memory lives on and so does the controversy surrounding them. The course book, Reputations deals with Cleopatra and Stalin as examples. Choose one such iconic “leader” (do NOT choose Cleopatra or Stalin) and discuss the issues involved in process of his/her reputation formation. Pay attention to the factors that could have contributed to his/her contested reputation and the role historical sources are made to operate. First, you should read to build your understanding of the complex theme of reputation before focusing your attention on material that would help you address the subthemes numbered 1-5 below, as they apply to the leader of your choice:
1) Identify the issues involved in setting the “leader” in his/her historical context.
2) Discuss the role played by historical interpretation in shaping the “leader’s” reputation.
3) Discuss how myths are constructed around this “leader”.
4) Investigate the interplay of myth and history in constructing the “leader’s” reputation.
5) Reflect on how different times and cultures make use of the past and its sources when constructing seemingly “irreconcilable” reputations of the same “leader”.
U214 A TMA
Semester 2, 2017-2018
Cut-off date: Week 10
Length: 1500-2000 words
Question
Based on your understanding of the history and development of English, assess its current global spread, status and influence.
Areas of Discussion
Areas of discussing the TMA’s topic are related to U214A course book 1 English in the World, and particularly Unit 1, English in the World Today and DVD 1, Clip 1.1, Clip 1.2 and Clip 1.3.
Important Guidelines
The current position of English (5 pts)
English through history and the spread of English (5pts)
Who speaks English and why (5 pts)
Current global spread, status and influence, based on the three circle model (5pts)
Discussing the TMA’s subject matter has to draw on the following ideas:
1. The current position of English (5 pts)
2. English through history and the spread of English (5pts)
3. Who speaks English and why (5 pts)
4. Current global spread, status and influence, based on the three circle model (5pts)
ARAB OPEN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF BUSINESS STUDIES T205B – SYSTEMS’ THINKING THEORY & PRACTICE
2017/2018 SEMESTER II
T205 B - TMA- Semester II - 2017– 2018
_____________________________________
Question 01 (100 % marks)
(a) Read through the attached Case study “Toshiba’s Accounting Scandal”. As you read through the article create one spray diagram to summarize the case content respecting the conventions, and techniques. It is advised that students submit hand drawn diagrams as opposed to computer generated ones. Photocopies of diagrams should not be accepted. Reflect on your diagram in no more than 200 words. (15% marks).
(b) Based on what you learned in T205B concept file 04 section II “Control”, and based on the content of the article, and taking “Fixing corporate culture” as your goal draw one closed loop control model diagram to show the various inputs, and the transformation process, that can lead to reaching this goal. You need to show all the components of the control model diagram, the inputs’, processes, control (actuator, comparator, sensor), that can lead to goal achievement . Reflect on your diagram (15% marks)
(c) Using an essay format of no more than 2500 words, and based on what you learned in T205B concept file 04 section I “Organizations are They Rational”, readings 01 and 07, section III “Structure”, section IV development, section V culture and climate, and section VI “Decision Making” and based on the ideas put forth in the attached case study:
1- Discuss the concept of organizational goals and the three categories of goals, and assess the existence of goal displacement and pluralism at Toshiba. (Word Count 500; 15 Marks)
2- Discuss the management approach at Toshiba, and the extent of employees’ empowerment and teamwork. (Word Count 250, 05 Marks)
3- Discuss the concepts of organizational culture and climate and assess Toyota’s culture and climate. (Word count 400; 10 Marks)
4- Assess the extent to which Toyotas culture and climate and the unwritten rule of behaviors lead to the accounting scandal, (Word count 400; 15 Marks).
5- Discuss the different perspectives on decision making and assess how the decision-making process at Toshiba has affected the managers ability to resist pressures to inflate profits from top management (Word count 400; 15 Marks).
6- The investigation report mentioned that the interference of old generation of managers and their refusal to fully retire affected organizational culture and performance. Discuss the concept of organizational learning, and assess how the older managers’ attitude and power, can affect Toshibas ability to be a learning organization; justify your answers with evidence from the case (300 words; 10 Marks).
Guidance
Guidance to Question 01
For this question you need to read the assigned article carefully and to reflect back on concept file 04 for the theoretical assessment.
(a) At this stage of the course you are expected to have developed good understanding of the purpose of drawing spray diagrams as part of applying the SUDA process for solving a messy situation. A spray diagram is the first type of diagrams drawn in the sensing phase of the SUDA process of mess analysis, in order to summarize the main ideas of a case, or the main components/elements of a situation. Please pay attention to the conventions and make sure that the central topic and other subtopics are relevant, and do make sense to the reader. Go back to T552 (Diagramming) the appendix to refresh your memory about the conventions.
(b) This is your first attempt at drawing control model diagram. The task should not be challenging though. Refer to Concept file 04 section II “Control”. You need to draw a control model diagram to show how the selected inputs can reach the stated goal. You also need to illustrate clear, relevant, and non-overlapping inputs, clear and accurate transformation process and an output which is consistent with the goal. You also need to specify which organizational entity is in charge of assuming the role of each of the elements/components of the control model (i.e. actuator, sensor, and comparator). The parties in charge of performing each task within the control mechanism should be clearly identified. It is very important that your diagram is specific rather than generic.
(c) Here you need to practice your analytical skills to assess what is required. Remember to start with a good introduction in which you define the assessed topic before moving on to explaining your plan for working on the TMA. In the body you should move on to assess the causes of the problems faced by Toyota and the impact of the organization’s structure, climate and decision making on its reaction to the problem. You also need to evaluate whether Toyota is a learning organization by relying on both theoretical principles and practical examples, and on the ideas presented in the assigned article.
BE200 – Marketing Management
Tutor Marked Assessment
MG
Spring 2017
Case Study: How Fujitsu Services Uses Segmentation to Prioritize Sales Opportunities
In 2007, Fujitsu, a world leading IT Services Company, realized that it was spreading its attention too thinly across the U.K. market. It knew that there were existing and potential customers that were worth a more focused selling effort, but it was not sure where to apply the resources to get the most payback (profit).
Using a combination of internal criteria and external reputation criteria, Fujitsu was able to map its most attractive opportunities within the major industries it serves. As a result, marketing was able to offer valuable guidance, based on data developed jointly with sales, on the accounts that could benefit from more attention.
Question 1: (20 Marks)
What is the mistake Fujitsu was doing before 2007 and what strategy did the company adopt to treat it? (10 Marks)
As Fujitsu marketing manager, give some recommendations about the way the company should develop its marketing campaign based on the elements of the marketing mix. (10 Marks)
Word count: 350 words
Question 2: (40 Marks)
Explain the three main marketing strategies applied by companies in order to gain competitive advantage in the current dynamic environment. (15 Marks)
How did Fujitsu apply segmentation among the marketing strategies explained in part (a) of question 2? (10 Marks)
Explain the Five steps used by Fujitsu to identify attractive companies within each industry. (15 Marks)
Question 1: (20 Marks)
a. What is the mistake Fujitsu was doing before 2007 and what strategy did the company adopt to treat it? (10 Marks)
b. As Fujitsu marketing manager, give some recommendations about the way the company should develop its marketing campaign based on the elements of the marketing mix. (10 Marks)
Word count: 350 words
Question 2: (40 Marks)
a. Explain the three main marketing strategies applied by companies in order to gain competitive advantage in the current dynamic environment. (15 Marks)
b. How did Fujitsu apply segmentation among the marketing strategies explained in part (a) of question 2? (10 Marks)
c. Explain the Five steps used by Fujitsu to identify attractive companies within each industry. (15 Marks)
Word count: 350 words.
Question 3: (20 Marks)
Name and describe the elements of the company’s microenvironment factors illustrating the importance of each one. (20 Marks)
Word count: 300 words
Question 4: (20 Marks)
How did you decide on the college or university you are currently attending? Based on BE200 material and on your own experience describe the factors that influenced your decision and the decision-making process you followed.
Word count: 200 words
B301 A: Making Sense of Strategy I
SPRING- Semester 2017 – 2018
Critically analyze and discuss the impact of internet and digital technologies on each of the Five Competitive Forces. (1000 words)
Critically highlight and discuss four threats of entry to new entrants in small scale entrepreneurship in your country and suggest ways to overcome them. (500 words)
Question
Analyzing the external environment is a critical step in recognizing and understanding the opportunities and threats that organizations face.
Assuming that you are strategy specialist, take industry environment of your own country as the focal point Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan)
Required:
1-Critically analyze and discuss the impact of internet and digital technologies on each of the Five Competitive Forces. (1000 words)
2. Critically highlight and discuss four threats of entry to new entrants in small scale entrepreneurship in your country and suggest ways to overcome them. (500 words)
Arab Open University
Faculty of Business Studies,
T306B TMA- SPRING 2017-2018
What to do and what to submit to your course tutor.
You are asked to discuss with your tutor the topic/situation that you will investigates, once you got the approval from your tutor then you need to submit 3 new pieces of work to your tutor for this assignment. You should produce:
Q1. A Tutor Report of about 2000 words that describes the situation you are addressing in course terms drawing freely on the concepts taught in T306. The discussion and argument should guide your tutor through your chosen method and demonstrate the progression and interconnectedness within your method from one stage’s outcome to the next. Your Tutor Report should include a range of diagrams to help your tutor make sense of the situation and subsequent analysis. It should also include the analysis method diagram and your Ethicality Statement. (60 marks)
Q2. A Client Report of about 500 words. This should be a briefing document aimed at your Client and in plain English that justifies and ‘sells’ the options for change and/or recommendations coming out of your study. (20 marks)
Q3. Project Log. The whole of this document can be seen as ‘the story of your Project’ and is in two sections. The first part – the summaries – can be an extract from your Learning Album if appropriate. These should consist of weekly or period summaries, whichever is appropriate to you and your style of working, detailing your progress through the Project production period. The second part is an overall summary where you are expected to reflect, in course terms, on your experience of putting your project together. This is very much an opportunity to communicate to your tutor how you have reflected on your learning and applied your systems thinking in practice (see Block 5).
This item does not have a word limit specified but as a rough guide to upper limits:
(a) The weekly summaries should be no more than 200 words each.
(b) The overall summary should be no more than 1000 words. (20 marks)
Your report should be based around an explanatory commentary in course terms that guides your tutor through your analysis and includes:
1. Your description of the problem situation using appropriate systems language where possible. This should be as presented to, and seen by you. Your data collection should have been completed.
2. An analysis method diagram illustrating the procedural steps through the analysis method you have adopted or developed together with a rationale for its use in this context.
3. Your Ethicality Statement.
4. A Stakeholder Analysis that identifies all the stakeholder individuals and/or groups who should be considered in some way in your study.
5. Explanation of any problems you encountered in this project and how you dealt with them.
6. A reflection on how your understanding of complexity has developed so far while engaging in this project.
B301 B: Making Sense of Strategy II
SPRING Semester 2017– 2018
The TMA is based on the concepts from Readings for Block 3-Readings 12 &13
Question
Determinants of national competitive advantage create the national environment in which companies are born and learn how to compete.
Assuming that you are strategy and policy expert for your own country Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan) you are:
Required:
1. To critically analyze and discuss FOUR different policies with each of the four determinants of national competitive advantage that will attract Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and protect domestic firms in your country. (1000 words)
2. To suggest and critically discuss FOUR strategies that can enhance the capacity of firms in your country to create more employment (500 words)
To critically analyze and discuss FOUR different policies with each of the four determinants of national competitive advantage that will attract Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and protect domestic firms in your country. (1000 words)
To suggest and critically discuss FOUR strategies that can enhance the capacity of firms in your country to create more employment (500 words)
Identity and Expression
This assignment relates to Book 1 , Voices and Texts of Authority Chapter. 2 ‘Canons and Classics in Literature and Music’ and write your essay in about 1200 words.
Question
John Donne has been called ‘the most electrifying poet in the English language’ by the popular modern historian Simon Schama (2009). How far this comment supports Donne’s canonical status?
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
BE322/4 -- Second Semester 2017-2018
Tutor Marked Assessment
I. TMA Topic overview: Business Plan
One vehicle for acquiring an understanding of the entrepreneurial process is through the preparation of a start-up business plan. The focus of this TMA is to select a business idea and create a complete and persuasive mini- business plan. Writing a business plan requires you to ask tough questions about the nature of the business.
• What are the benefits of your product or service?
• What is the target market and how will you penetrate it?
• How will you develop and produce the product or service?
• What is required from the management team?
• What are the risks of the venture and what can you do to reduce them?
• What are the financial implications of the plan?
• What resources, including funding, are required to successfully create the business plan?
II. TMA components (for essay paper and PowerPoint presentation)
A. The Written Plan: The body of the written business plan should be no more than 10 pages including the executive summary and all financial statements. Plans must include an explanation of the offering to investors that indicate the investment required, expected ROI, marketing plan, operations plan, and management team description.
Introduction
Executive summary: Major Objectives, Description of Product(s), Financial Projection, Marketing Strategy.
Description of the business
Description of the market: Target Market: Who? How Many?
Analysis of Competition: How Many? Strengths and Weakness?
Market Penetration Projections and Strategies
Description of the products: What Is to Be Developed or Sold?
Management structure: Owners and Their Experience
Goals/Objectives/Strategy: Revenue Forecasts
Marketing Plans
How Sales Are To Be Made
Advertising and Sales Promotion
Manufacturing Plans
Financial Plans
Financial Analysis
B. Business Plan Presentation: Strong written and oral skills greatly facilitate success in the business world. Those individuals that can effectively communicate their ideas will have an advantage over those that cannot. Your team will present your business plan to the class and, if applicable, participate in a business plan competition.
III. TMA Requirements
This TMA consists of 15% of your total course grade. It is a team project. Each team will consist of 4-5 students. The project is divided into two parts:
1. TMA essay paper (50 marks out of 100)
2. PowerPoint presentation (50 marks out of 100)
• The initial task of your team is to select and propose a business idea to the instructor for approval.
• Students should arrange with their tutors in order to verify that no other team had selected the same idea for the project.
ARAB OPEN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF BUSINESS STUDIES
(MBA) B 716 B
MANAGEMENT: PERSPECTIVE AND PRACTICE
TUTOR MARKED ASSESSMENT –SPRING 2017/2018 SEMESTER II
B 716 –B- – TMA 01- Spring 2017-2018 Semester II
Case Objectives:
Shankaboot is the world’s first Arabic-language web series, created in Lebanon as a social development project carrying forward the following message: “to defy traditions and explore taboos.” The overarching vision is to use media and communication to create a forum for sharing alternative viewpoints, raising awareness and generating constructive discussions about the social issues that are typically experienced by Arabs, particularly youth, but which nobody dares to speak up about. After realizing that the Internet was the only medium available in the Arab world for tackling taboos and creating the interactive platform envisioned without being hindered by censorship, the Shankaboot team launched the Internet-based web series in Lebanon. The project was a resounding success, and won a 2011 International Digital Emmy Award. At the time of the case in July 2012, the producer of this award-winning Lebanese web drama,
Katia Saleh, is approached by potential sponsors who want her to scale up the Shankaboot project to reach the rest of the Arab world. She receives the news with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Refer to PDF file Case Study:
SHANKABOOT: EXTENDING THE WEB SERIES FROM LEBANON TO
OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES
The PDF attached case document is authorized for educator review use only by Saher El Annan, HE OTHER until November 2014.Permissions@hbsp.harvard.edu or 617.783.7860
QUESTIONS:
Question one (Up to 50% Marks): (1250 words +/- 10 %)
Explain how the elements of the external environment impact the strategic direction of Shankaboot, and discuss the approach that Shankaboot is currently using to address social issues in order to achieve its goals.
Students should draw on evidence beyond the course material or only on the case study
Note: For contextualization, connectivity, and understanding, candidates should have an understanding of in unit I, unit II
Question 2 (Up to 50 % Marks): (1250 words +/- 10 %)
Discuss the strategy adopted by Shankaboot to measure its success in Lebanon and factors that account for hankaboot’s success in Lebanon, and critically explain whether it should expand to other Arab countries and how.
رد مع اقتباس
Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan) 