RMIT University OMGT 2226- Retail and Service Logistics Assignment 1 guideline Assignment 1 - Write a business report on a research topic: 30 marks Under this assessment, students will work in a group to perform certain research and analysis task on an allocated/selected project topic that will be available in Blackboard under the assignment folder. Output of the research should be prepared through a report. Student group formation: Minimum 4 students (subject to change) will be allowed in a group. Groups will be formed during the session-TWO class. Students may form their own group; otherwise the lecturer will assist in group formation. Once groups are firmed up, no group member changes can be permitted. Student groups will be allocated for a project topic. Report preparation and submission (30%) On selected topic a written business report of word count (2200 - 2500 words) is mandatory for each group. The report must have an executive summary and business report section. Reports will cover student's identification and analysis of issues based on set guideline of questions on the topic. The report should establish links between the key points you have learned in the classroom and the academic literature (from journals and text books). Consider the preparation of assessment tasks based on the following points and assessment rubrics (available on blackboard) Suggested points for Business report: 1. Executive summary: The executive summary is a stand-alone document which summarises the background, objectives / aims, issues / problems and recommendations of your report. The executive summary can only be written of course, after you have finalized the report. Note that word count includes the Executive Summary. 2. Report preparation: This report format is provided as a guide and will not 'fit' every situation where a business report has to be written, but students should be able to adapt it to suit any report-writing situation. It is useful to consider the project questions as a guide to the necessary paragraph headings. Table of contents Introduction: Importance of the topic, 'background' to the case under investigation. Be selective and reflect only the essential points about the company / organization. Research/report aim: It assists you to keep focused on what your objective is in the study. Often you can use the study questions to assist you draft the \"Aim\". Keep the \"AIM\" as brief as is necessary - sufficient to describe what your report is about. Usually, only a few lines are necessary to define your \"AIM\" in most studies. Example: "The Aim of this Report is to examine / investigate / identify / analyse / review / report on the logistics / supply chain \"case questions\" in XYZ Company and answer the case questions / recommend an appropriate set of solutions". Document: 7cef2e5ba3b49f7bb7d73078ac5d51f9350b4f18.docx Author: Kamrul Ahsan, PhD Page 1 of 3 Discussion: Discuss the questions from the prescribed topic. Discuss other major issues if relevant. Moreover, the case narrative may often lead you to deduce that additional problems (implicit) can possibly be identified and therefore these also need to be addressed. Conclusion: The conclusion 'wraps up' your report. It summarises the issues/ problems and how you resolved them. Don't be concerned that you will duplicate most of the conclusion in your executive summary.. Recommendation: Do not confuse with the \"Conclusion\". Here all you are doing is listing the recommendations for approval or endorsement (as may be required by the case study). Reference- The assignment should be appropriately referenced (using the RMIT Business (AGPS) Harvard referencing style), including a bibliography (for a useful resource, please visit: https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing/index.html). Annexes or Appendixes - best to avoid these unless you consider it essential to include an explanatory diagram or model. Models or diagrams or data will not be included in word count but excessive words will be! All material presented in an Annex or Appendix must be referred to in the body of the report. Use Font Size 11 or 12- NO Smaller !! Answers should be 1.5 lines spaced, with 2.5 cm margins. Keep the report to the allowed word count! Please note the following mandatory requirements a. Attachment of an RMIT Business Assignment Cover Sheet (as first page) which requires details of all students in the group, relevant student numbers and signatures, and b. Inclusion of actual word count on the last page of the business report. Report Submission: Please submit group report and presentation slides through Blackboard group pages. a. Please submit your report through blackboard group pages b. Include an RMIT Business Assignment Cover Sheet (as first page) which requires details of all students in the group, relevant student numbers and signatures c. Late submission of report after the tutorial session will not be accepted, unless a relevant medical certificate is provided no later than the next working day. Assignment outline As part of assignment 1, each group needs to select two retailers and then consult with lecturer to prepare a detail plan to work on the project Assessment 1 Topic Assess, and compare the distinctive characteristics of the service operations delivered by the two competing retailers (your team can select any two retailers say X and Y. X and Y could be (service retail or traditional retails or e-tailers). Examples of retailers: restaurants, hotels, brick and mortar retail ('Marks and Spencer Singapore'/Tokyu Hands /Cold Storage/IKEA ), e-tailers (Amazon.com; Alibaba etc.) - Introduce your presentation / report with a brief overview of the \"retail organisations\" you are investigating. Introduction could be in terms of Document: 7cef2e5ba3b49f7bb7d73078ac5d51f9350b4f18.docx Author: Kamrul Ahsan, PhD Page 2 of 3 - - - products and services or products they offer/sale, location of the business, approximate business volume, marketing channels used etc.). Also add how do these organization/retailer add value to the product or service bought by consumers? Assess, and compare the product varieties and assortments delivered by the two retailers. On the basis of the dimension of service quality (reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles) discuss how the service organization and retailer perform (similarities/difference). How to improve their service productivity? On the basis of the four generic supply chain service outputs (spatial convenience, lot size, waiting time, and product variety) discuss how the competing organization/retailer (say X and Y) perform (similarities/difference) in the level of each service output provided to customers. In your team's observation are there any service gaps (knowledge gap/standards gap/delivery gap/communication gap)? How do they can minimize the gap(s)? Research, identify and report on the usefulness, characteristics and outputs of various information communication technology applications installed at retails. Investigate the existing retail channels (Omni channel/multi channel) and discuss the issues and benefits of using the channels. What are the benefits and limitations of selling online compared to traditional brick and mortar type retailers. Discuss the online channel product delivery, returns and related customer service issues. Notes: 1. Perhaps you can visit the organisation or call them as a customer and ask them for some specific information then evaluate their services. 2. Be as comprehensive as practicable in your report - keeping in mind the retail logistics and service logistics principles / concepts involved! 3. Students need to contact the offering/course coordinator without delay, if they have any questions concerning their allocated topic. Kamrul Ahsan, PhD Course Coordinator Jaime Wong Offering Coordinator Document: 7cef2e5ba3b49f7bb7d73078ac5d51f9350b4f18.docx Author: Kamrul Ahsan, PhD Page 3 of 3