OPS 922: Business Research Project

OPS 922 Subject Outline Trimester 2, 2018 Sydney On Campus Page 1 of 14

6 credit points
Subject Information
Trimester 2, 2018 Sydney On Campus
TEACHING STAFF

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS
This important information must be read together with the Sydney Business School Student Handbook which
contains relevant information on University of Wollongong (UOW) and Sydney Business School Policies. The
handbook is found at https://business.uow.edu.au/businesscentral/student-resources/UOW100614. It is your
responsibility to comply with these policies and processes.
The Sydney Business School is the graduate school of the Faculty of Business at University of Wollongong. Our
courses are delivered from campuses located at Circular Quay in Sydney and Wollongong.
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Email Etiquette: Consultation with your subject coordinator and/or teachers via email
Your teachers receive many emails each day. Unless the email is of a personal nature, students should post their
query on the subject Moodle forum site so all students can benefit from the information provided in the answer.
If emailing directly, in order to enable them to respond to your emails appropriately and in a timely fashion,
students are asked to observe basic requirements of professional communication:
Consider what the communication is about

Specific email title/header to enable easy identification of subject related/student emails
 Identify the subject code of the subject you are enquiring about (as your teacher may be involved in
more than one subject) in the email header. Add a brief, specific header after the subject code where
appropriate.
Professional courtesy

A guide to eLearning ‘Netiquette’ is available at
https://www.uow.edu.au/student/elearning/netiquette/index.html. The basic principles of Netiquette also apply
to email communication.
Copyright
Commonwealth of Australia
Copyright Regulations 1969
© 2018 University of Wollongong
The original material prepared for this guide is covered by copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of
private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by
any process without written permission.
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Table of Contents
SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION ………………………………………………………………………………………..4
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES …………………………………………………………………………………………..4
UPDATES TO THIS SUBJECT……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
GRADE DESCRIPTORS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
REQUIRED TEXT(S) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
KEY REFERENCES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
LECTURES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
EXTRAORDINARY CHANGES TO THE SUBJECT OUTLINE…………………………………………………….. 7
SECTION B: ASSESSMENT …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
ASSESSMENT LEARNING OUTCOME MATRIX …………………………………………………………………….. 11
LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS ……………………………………………………………………….. 11
SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENTS………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………… 11
MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ……………………………………………………………………….. 12
ASSESSMENT QUALITY CYCLE ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
Assurance of Learning (What will students learn in their degree?) …………………………………………………… 12
DATA RETENTION AND USE …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM ………………………………………………………………………….. 13
TURNITIN……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
SECTION C: GENERAL ADVICE TO STUDENTS…………………………………………………………………………. 14
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SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
Students will conduct a project related to an organisational context in order to develop their research skills.
Students will communicate their findings orally and in writing. Projects will be allocated by the Subject
Coordinator. Variations may be approved by the Program Director, provided the subject and course learning
outcomes are achieved.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
1. Select and apply appropriate research methods to design, collect and analyse data on an approved topic
in an ethical way.
2. Integrate knowledge from relevant disciplines to interpret empirical findings, draw conclusions,
develop innovative solutions to complex problems and justify your recommendations.
3. Present and explain findings and recommendations in an appropriate and convincing way for specialist
and non-specialist audiences
UPDATES TO THIS SUBJECT
The School is committed to continual improvement in teaching and learning. In assessing teaching and learning
practices in a subject, the School takes into consideration student feedback from many sources. These sources
include direct student feedback to tutors and lecturers, feedback through Student Services and Business Central,
responses to the Subject and Course Evaluation Surveys. These important student responses are used to make
ongoing changes to subjects and courses. This information is also used to inform systemic comprehensive
reviews of subjects and courses.
While every effort is made to keep the subject database current, students may find that occasionally, the
assessment information in the subject outline differs from the information on the subject database. In such
instances, the Subject Coordinator will make appropriate announcements in the first class of the session.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Learning Outcomes can be found in the Course Handbook
https://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/index.html.
GRADE DESCRIPTORS
Grade Descriptors for final grades can be found at https://www.uow.edu.au/curriculumtransformation/aqc/uowgradedescriptors/index.html
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Faculty of Business expects all students to attend lectures and tutorials as we strongly believe that students
who attend lectures and tutorials usually learn more and perform better in assignments and examinations.
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REQUIRED TEXT(S)
No major text required.
Textbooks are available online from the University Bookshop at https://unicentre.uow.edu.au/unishop/
KEY REFERENCES
The recommended readings below are not intended as an exhaustive list of references. Students should also use
the library catalogue and databases to locate additional resources.
A selection of readings that are typically useful for projects selected for this subject may be found below. These
recommended readings are not intended as an exhaustive list of references. Students should also use the library
catalogue and databases to locate additional resources.
Aram, J. D., & Salipante Jr., P. F. (2003). Bridging scholarship in management: Epistemological reflections.
British Journal of Management, 14, 189-205.
Beer, M. (2001). Why management research findings are unimplementable: An action science perspective.
Reflections, 2(3), 58-65.
Böhme, T., Childerhouse, P., Deakins, E., Potter, A., & Towill, D. R. (2008a). Supply chain diagnosis.
Operations Management, 34(2), 12-17.
Böhme, T., Childerhouse, P., Deakins, E., Towill, D. and Williams, S. (2013). Methodology challenges
associated with benchmarking healthcare supply chains. Production Planning and Control, 24, 10-11, pp.1002-
1014.
Böhme, T., Childerhouse, P., Deakins, E., and Towill, D. (2012). Reflections on interpretive management
research. Journal of Leadership and Organisational Studies. 19, 3, pp. 369–377
Checkland, P., & Holwell, S. (1998). Action research: Its nature and validity. Systemic Practice and Action
Research, 11(1), 9-21.
Christensen, C. M., & Raynor, M. E. (2003). Why hard-nosed executives should care about management theory.
Harvard Business Review, 81(9), 67-74.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4),
532-550.
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges.
Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 25-32.
Frankel, R., Naslund, D., & Bolumole, Y. (2005). The “white space” of logistics research: A look at the role of
methods usage. Journal of Business Logistics, 26(2), 185-209.
Hammer, M. (1990). Reengineering work: Don’t automate, obliterate. Harvard Business Review, July-August,
104-112.
Handfield, R. B., & Melnyk, S. A. (1998). The scientific theory-building process: A primer using the case of
TQM. Journal of Operations Management, 16, 321-339.
Handfield, R.B. and Nichols, Jr. E.L., (2002). Supply chain redesign. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Hair, J., Money, A., Samouel, P. & Page, M. Research Methods for Business, Wiley, 2007.
Hewitt, F. (1994). Supply chain redesign. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 5(2), 1-9.
Jaffe, D. T., & Scott, C. D. (1998). Reengineering in Practice: Where are the people? Where is the learning?
Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 34(3), 250-267.
Kettinger, W. J., Teng, J. T. C., & Guha, S. (1997). Business process change: A study of methodologies,
techniques and tools. MIS Quarterly, 21(1), 55-80.
Lalle, B. (2003). The management science researcher between theory and practice. Organisation Studies, 24(7),
1097-1114.
McCutcheon, D. M., & Meredith, J. R. (1993). Conducting case study research in operations management.
Journal of Operations Management, 11, 239-256.
Mentzer, J. T., & Kahn, K. B. (1995). A framework of logistic research. Journal of Business Logistics, 16(1),
231-250.
Meredith, J. (1998). Building operations management theory through case and field research. Journal of
Operations Management, 16, 441-454.
OPS 922 Subject Outline Trimester 2, 2018 Sydney On Campus Page 6 of 14
Naim, M. M., Childerhouse, P., Disney, S., & Towill, D. R. (2002). A supply chain diagnostic methodology:
Determining the vector of change. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 43, 135-157.
Stuart, I., McCutcheon, D. M., Handfield, R. B., McLachlin, R., & Samson, D. (2002). Effective case research
in operations management: A process perspective. Journal of Operations Management, 20, 419-433.
Towill, D. R. (1999). Management theory: Is it of any practical use? Or how does a fad becomes a paradigm?
Engineering Management Journal, June, 111-122.
Westbrook, R. (1994). Action research: A new paradigm for research in production and operations management.
International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 15(12), 6-20.
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LECTURES
Intensive Times
Lectures will be held on:

Trimester 2

EXTRAORDINARY CHANGES TO THE SUBJECT OUTLINE
In extraordinary circumstances the provisions stipulated in this Subject Outline may require amendment after
the Subject Outline has been distributed. All students enrolled in the subject must be notified and have the
opportunity to provide feedback in relation to the proposed amendment, prior to the amendment being finalised.
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SECTION B: ASSESSMENT

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ASSESSMENT LEARNING OUTCOME MATRIX

Learning Outcomes	Measures – Assessment weighting
Research Proposal	Oral Presentation	Final Report
(20%)	(20%)	(60%)
Select and apply appropriate research methods to design, collect and analyse data on an approved topic in an ethical way.
Integrate knowledge from relevant disciplines to interpret empirical findings, draw conclusions, develop innovative solutions to complex problems and justify your recommendations.
Present and explain findings and recommendations in an appropriate and convincing way for specialist and non-specialist audiences

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS
Assessed work submitted late will be penalised by the deduction of 10 percent of the maximum possible mark
for that assessment per working day or part thereof. The operation of this rule will not result in a negative mark
being carried forward.
This penalty for late submission may be waived upon presentation of a medical certificate of illness for a
relevant period, or upon evidence of untoward or approved circumstances that fall under the Student Academic
Consideration Policy (see Sydney Business School Student Handbook).
SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENTS
Supplementary assessment may be offered to students whose performance in this subject is close to that required
to pass the subject, and are otherwise identified as meriting an offer of a supplementary assessment. The Subject
Coordinator will determine the precise form of supplementary assessment at the time the offer of a
supplementary is made. In some circumstances you may be offered a supplementary exam. For more
information about Supplementary Exams refer to
https://www.uow.edu.au/student/exams/timetabledates/index.html
SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS
Students who suffer illness or other circumstances beyond their control which are likely to affect their academic
performance on the day of an examination should not attempt the exam. These students should obtain a Medical
Certificate or other approved supporting documentation and follow the University’s Academic Consideration
application process to apply for a supplementary exam. The School will not approve students to re-sit an
examination. See Section C, Student Academic Consideration Policy for further details.
Students approved for a supplementary examination will receive a minimum of five (5) days’ notice via
SOLSMail, regarding the examination date, time and location. Supplementary exam period dates can be found
at https://www.uow.edu.au/student/exams/timetabledates/index.html.
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MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to pass this subject, students must complete all assessment tasks for this subject. In addition, you
must achieve a total mark of 50% or over and obtain a minimum of 50% in the final examination or major piece
of assessment (where there is no final exam).
Where a student gains a mark of 50 or greater and does not meet the specified level in an assessment task
required to pass the subject a Technical Fail (TF) grade will be given. Where a Technical Fail is given the
following applies:
a. Failure of the subject;
b. a TF without a mark will be granted;
c. a TF will be presented on the student’s academic transcript;
d. The allocated mark of 49 will be used as the WAM calculation for subjects at all levels.
Students who fail a subject will not normally be eligible for a supplementary exam but may be approved if
extenuating circumstances exist. Approval for a supplementary exam in these circumstances needs to be given
by the relevant Head of School and Faculty Assessment Committee. Students who believe they may be eligible,
and who have not already been advised accordingly, should consult their Lecturer or Subject Coordinator.
ASSESSMENT QUALITY CYCLE
The University of Wollongong is committed to the quality assurance and quality enhancement of assessment.
The University will meet its legislative and regulatory obligations, to ensure consistent and appropriate
assessment through course management and coordination, including assessment quality assurance procedures.
An Assessment Quality Cycle is used to describe quality assurance at the points of assessment design,
assessment delivery, the declaration of marks and grades, and review and improvement activities.
Assurance of Learning (What will students learn in their degree?)
The Faculty of Business ensures each degree has specified course learning outcomes which assure that students
attain knowledge, skills and competencies at the appropriate qualification level. These course learning outcomes
align with the curriculum. These are evaluated through existing assessment tasks within subjects.
The Faculty uses Assurance of Learning (AOL) to assess how students meet the specified course learning
outcomes and how well our graduates have achieved these. AOL collects and analyses student results data to
continuously improve degrees offered by the Faculty which leads to improved student learning.
DATA RETENTION AND USE
The Faculty of Business will retain appropriate records in line with the State Records Act 1998 (NSW), other
relevant legislation, standards and University of Wollongong policies.
Data on student performance and engagement (such as Moodle and University Library usage, task marks, use of
SOLS) will be available to the Subject Coordinator to assist in analysing student engagement, and to identify
and recommend support to students who may be at risk of failure. If you have questions about the kinds of data
the University uses, how we collect it, and how we protect your privacy in the use of this data, please refer to
https://www.uow.edu.au/dvca/bala/analytics/index.html
Please note: Copies of student work may be retained by the University in order to facilitate quality assurance of
assessment processes.
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM
The University’s Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy, faculty handbooks and subject guides clearly set out
the University’s expectation that students submit only their own original work for assessment and avoid
plagiarising the work of others or cheating. Re-using any of your own work (either in part or in full) which you
have submitted previously for assessment is not permitted without appropriate acknowledgement. Plagiarism
can be detected and has led to students being expelled from the University.
The use by students of any website that provides access to essays or other assessment items (sometimes
marketed as ‘resources’), is extremely unwise. Students who provide an assessment item (or provide access to an
assessment item) to others, either directly or indirectly (for example by uploading an assessment item to a
website) are considered by the university to be intentionally or recklessly helping other students to cheat.
Uploading an assessment task, subject outline or other course materials without express permission of the
University is considered academic misconduct and students place themselves at risk of being expelled from the
University.
Students should visit the following University website and become familiar with the University’s policy on
plagiarism https://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058648.html.
Plagiarism Prevention
The School has an e-learning module which aims to orientate you with the knowledge and resources to:

The online module is openly available for use by students at any stage in their degree. You are strongly
encouraged to use the module to help in assessing the academic integrity of your written work. The module can
be accessed via https://moodle.uowplatform.edu.au/course/view.php?id=5679.
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TURNITIN
Turnitin is a service used by UOW as a tool educating students about the importance of correct citations and
referencing techniques in addition to identifying where students have copied or reused the work of others –
known as plagiarism. For tips about writing with academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism please see above:
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism and https://www.uow.edu.au/student/services/ld/students/UOW021315.html
The Turnitin system checks each student’s written assessment against electronic text;

When a student submits his/her written assessment, the system generates an ‘originality report’ that highlights
the similarity found between the assessment and all the sources checked by Turnitin. Turnitin does not check
that references are in the correct Harvard format. It is the student’s responsibility to check that all references
follow the Harvard format detailed on https://www.library.uow.edu.au/referencing/.
It is compulsory for all students to submit all written assignments (final version) in a word (.doc/.docx) format
into the Turnitin system regardless of whether it is electronic or paper based. Your lecturer will advise whether a
hard copy of the report is required with any paper based assignment submission.
Students are encouraged to submit drafts of their assignment to Turnitin before the due date, thus enabling
students to check their referencing and rectify any issues before submission of the final version.
1. Use one document name only for each assignment that includes your UOW student number
2. Any resubmissions must use the same document name as the original submission
3. References must be included in your Turnitin submission
4. Do not include the assignment topic question at the beginning of your submission
5. Where a paper based copy is required with the assignment submission, the originality report provided
with the assignment submission must be consistent with your last submission to Turnitin
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties being applied.
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS
In accordance with the Coursework Student Academic Complaints Policy, a student may request an explanation
of a mark for an assessment task or a final grade for a subject consistent with the student’s right to appropriate
and useful feedback on their performance in an assessment task. Refer to the Coursework Student Academic
Complaints Policy for further information – http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058653.html
SECTION C: GENERAL ADVICE TO STUDENTS
For general information on university policies and procedures relevant to students, and for details about the
range of student services available, please see General Advice for Students which can be accessed online at
https://business.uow.edu.au/UOW144987.html.
For further information please refer to the student handbook at
http://sydneybusinessschool.edu.au/current/student-handbook/index.html