Business Intelligence and Analytics

Module Code: AF3004
Module Title: Business Intelligence and Analytics

Weight: This assessment accounts for 100% of the total mark for this module
Submission: All assignments must be submitted to the correct Submission Point that is located on the Module site under ‘Assessment’ using Turnitin.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment arrives before the submission deadline stated above. See the University policy on late submission of work (the relevant extract is set out as an appendix at the end of this document).
Do not email assignments as attachments to the University unless asked to do so by the programme administrator.
Module Learning Objectives:
Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will build an appreciation of all the different data sources, which are accessible from the university and develop an understanding of how to analyse and interpret data in different practical situations (ML01)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will develop professional communication and presentation skills, which are appropriate to the data sets you have researched and analysed. You will learn how to present your material in a clear and professional manner (ML02)
• Throughout the module you will reflect on your own understanding of data and experiences by the preparation of your reflective journal (ML03)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will develop your enquiry and awareness of legislation that governs data processing and data handling in organisations. (ML04)

 
(Part 1) Word Limit: 2000 words
It goes without saying that the last couple of years have been globally challenging. Some business sectors have flourished whereas other have faced unprecedented challenges. For this assignment you are required to compare the financial performance of three companies of different sizes in one particular sector of business.
– Comparing Financial performance is the main objective, for all 3 companies.
– 2 companies must be different size (specific under 50 employees in 2018, and above 250 employees in 2018). 3rd company, you can choose
– Attempt to keep all companies within the same city/country. As it would ease the process of question 3, Comparing how the industry was effected due to the pandemic
You have a choice of choosing three businesses within either (1) the hospitality sector OR (2) The clothing retail sector. Please note any of the companies used in the CEO quiz-based exercise are excluded.
The three companies chosen must be:
(a) similar in terms of their main business function e.g. in hospitality they are all food based or accommodation based;
– Main business function should be Clothing or Accommodation or Food Based (Like Catering)
(b) They have accounts available from 2010 to present (i.e. 2021 or 2022);
(c) Prior to the pandemic, one business is classified as a small enterprise based on a staff headcount of less than 50 in 2018;
– Consider the use of FAME and filtering down companies by employee sizes.
– Factor in FAME Data Base access guide (shared via email)
– Consider an introduction, and illustrate the companies and how they were located,
– Use FAME database for company under 50 employees during 2018
(d) Prior to the pandemic, one business is considered as large based on a staff headcount of more than 250 in 2018;
– Similar, as above. Consider the use of the FAME. Or factor in our Bloomberg session and consider locating such a company through EQS function within Bloomberg
(e) The third business, in terms of employee numbers can be based on your free choice.
– Consider the use of the FAME. Or factor in our Bloomberg session and consider locating such a company through EQS function within Bloomberg
You will produce a professional written report of findings involving both data collection and analysis from your chosen companies, including a brief discussion of relevant GDPR implications of the information you have included within your report. For each of the companies, please include some information in respect to:
1. The historical ownership of the company.
– Illustrated within the data base application (can be located through Bloomberg or FAME). Factor in how you will best represent this data, through a able, timeline figure, or paragraph. Either way, a slight indication/explanation should be evident of figures and tables
2. The general comparison of the performance of the three companies over the reporting period i.e. 2010 to present
– How will did the companies do when compared with one another over a period of 10-years from 2010 – 2020.
– Maybe provide a line chart with all three companies together, over the indicated 10-year period.
3. Summary of any pertinent information in respect to the impact of the pandemic on the company’s fortunes 2020 to present
(Hint: this could include any generic news items in respect to the wider industry).
– Look into general news concerning the industry during the pandemic.
– Consider the news from within the country in which the companies are operating in.
– Such information can be obtained from news websites, articles that indicate the overall effects on the market, and economic based news providers (such as Bloomberg news site)
4. Relevant graphical representations comparing at least three elements of the key financials.
– 1 available within all three companies Income statement
– 2 available within all three companies Balance Sheet
– 3 available within all three companies Cash flow statement
– Look into charts, graphs that best represent the data (graphical representation)
5. Calculate the average profits over the 2010 to 2021 period. If available, including 2022.
– Average profits of all companies, during the indicated 10-year period. Keep in mind graphical representation (graphs, charts or the similar)
(Part 2) Word limit: 500 words
Write a short reflective journal style statement based on your understanding and experiences of collecting, analysing and interpreting data.
– Must be based on your own experience that was gained during the processes of collecting the data and providing the research for part 1 of the assignment
– Look into Module Learning Objectives: MLO1, MLO2, MLO3 and 4, provided within the first page of the assignment brief.
Appendix
You will also need to provide a separate Excel file that will contain the data (adjusted for presentation purposes by yourselves) and calculations on which your report is based).
– Excel file of all the workings conducted, including the income sheets collected, and how the data was applied using functions.
– In addition to a separate page demonstrating the analysis of data for all three companies, with comparison. (no wording required, however, clear headings of the processes must be mentioned for guidance).

 
Assessment structure:
• Length for both parts maximum of 2500 words (with a +/- 10% tolerance level) which must be stated. The appendix is not included in this word count.
• Calibri 11 font; Justified paragraphs; Single line spacing with 6pt before and after paragraphs.
• Quotations should be in italics with the reference and page number stated. Quotations of more than 2 lines must shown as a separate idented paragraph.
• Tables and figures should be inserted at an appropriate point in the text and should be easily readable.
• Referencing must be APA style.
Assessment Criteria
The first column indicates the general assessment criteria used within NBS the second column indicates the specific criteria used when marking your assessment.
Mark General Criteria Module Assessment Criteria
First (80 – 100) Exceptional scholarship for subject. Outstanding ability to apply, in the right measure, the skills necessary to achieve highly sophisticated and fluent challenges to received wisdom. • Outstanding display of research skills & independent study.
• Critically assesses an extensive range of contemporary high-quality materials.
• Referencing is exemplary and fully APA compliant.
• An excellently structured and presented report.
• The companies selected illustrate excellence in interpretation of data.
• The word & excel skills illustrated in preparing the report are exemplary.
• The research and data sets used has fully considered legislation in respect to use of data.
• An outstanding level of self-reflection has been demonstrated in respect to how your skills in collating and interpreting data have been developed.
First (70 – 79) Knowledge and understanding are comprehensive both as to breadth and depth. A mature ability to critically appreciate concepts and their inter-relationship is demonstrated. Clear evidence of independent thought. Presentation of work is fluent, focused and accurate. • Excellent display of research skills & independent study.
• Assesses an extensive range of high-quality materials.
• Referencing is exemplary and fully APA compliant.
• An excellently structured and presented report.
• The word & excel skills illustrated in preparing the report are of a high standard.
• The companies selected illustrate very good skills in the interpretation of data.
• The research and data sets used has fully considered legislation in respect to use of data.
• A high level of self-reflection has been demonstrated in respect to how your skills in collating and interpreting data have been developed.
Upper Second (60 – 69) Knowledge base is up-to-date and relevant, but also may be broad or deep. Higher order critical appreciation skills are displayed. A significant ability to apply theory, concepts, ideas and their inter-relationship is illustrated. • Good display of research skills & independent study.
• Assesses a wide range of high-quality materials.
• Referencing is good and APA compliant. There may be the odd mistake made.
• Report is presented and structured to a good standard.
• The word & excel skills illustrated in preparing the report are of a good standard.
• The companies selected illustrate high standards in the interpretation of data.
• The research and data sets used has fully considered legislation in respect to use of data.
• A good level of self-reflection has been demonstrated in respect to how your skills in collating and interpreting data have been developed.
Lower Second (50 – 59) Sound comprehension of topic. Reasoning and argument are generally relevant but not necessarily extensive. Awareness of concepts and critical appreciation are apparent, but the ability to conceptualise, and/or to apply theory is slightly limited. • Good display of research skills & independent study.
• Assesses a good range of materials.
• Referencing is adequate and APA compliant. There may be some mistakes made.
• Report is presented and structured to a good standard.
• The word & excel skills illustrated in preparing the report are of an adequate standard.
• The companies selected illustrate good standards in the interpretation of data.
• The research and data sets used has mostly considered legislation in respect to use of data.
• A good level of self-reflection has been demonstrated in respect to how your skills in collating and interpreting data have been developed.
Third (40 – 49) Knowledge is adequate but limited and/or superficial. In the most part, description/assertion rather than argument or logical reasoning is used. Insufficient focus is evident in work presented. • Adequate display of research skills & independent study.
• Assesses an adequate range of materials.
• Referencing/APA compliance is patchy.
• Structure and Presentation of report is basic.
• The word & excel skills illustrated in preparing the report could be improved.
• The companies selected illustrate basic standards in the interpretation of data.
• There is limited evidence that legislation in respect to use of data has been considered.
• How your skills in collating and interpreting data have been developed is descriptive rather than self-reflective
Marginal Fail (30 – 39) Minimal awareness of subject area. Communication of knowledge frequently inarticulate and/or irrelevant. • Inadequate display of research skills & independent study.
• Referencing/APA compliance is poor.
• Structure and Presentation of report is basic.
• The word & excel skills illustrated in preparing the report are inadequate.
• There are deficiencies illustrated and or mistakes made in the interpretation of data.
• There is no evidence that legislation in respect to use of data has been considered.
• How your skills in collating and interpreting data have been developed is descriptive rather than self-reflective
Fail (0 – 29) Poor grasp of topic concepts or of awareness of what concepts are. Failure to apply relevant skills. Work is inarticulate and/or incomprehensible. See general guidelines.

PLEASE NOTE MARKS AWARDED WILL BE SIMPLIFIED BY APPLING EITHER A MARK ENDING IN A ZERO OR FIVE.

Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:
This assessment will contribute directly to the following programme goals and objectives.
Knowledge & Understanding:
• Develop the skills to enable business and management problems to be analyzed and understood with reasonable resolutions explored (3.1.2).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Demonstrate the development of interpersonal communication skills and an awareness of the necessary skills to work in multi-cultural teams. (3.2.1)
• Develop self-reflection skills. (3.3.1)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Enable an awareness of the international accounting, finance and economics environment in which professionals’ work can have cultural and ethical dimensions. (3.1.4).

 

APPENDIX: ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS

Late submission of work

Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following penalties will apply.

For coursework submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark.

For clarity: a late piece of work that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total available marks will have been deducted.

The Penalty does not apply to Pass/Fail Modules, i.e. there will be no penalty for late submission if assessments on Pass/Fail are submitted up to 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline.

Coursework submitted more than 1 working day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval will be regarded as not having been completed. A mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment and the module will be failed, irrespective of the overall module mark.

For clarity: if the original hand-in time on working day A is 12noon the 24-hour late submission allowance will end at 12noon on working day B.

These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

Word limits and penalties:

If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.

The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include:
• Title and Contents page • Reference list • Appendices • Appropriate tables, figures and illustrations
• Glossary • Bibliography • Quotes from interviews and focus groups.

Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.

If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA this will be regarded as academic misconduct.

If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded to the assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the word limit by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.

Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment (including ALL appendices) and it must be made available within 24hours of them requesting it be submitted.

Note: For those assessments or partial assessments based on calculation, multiple choice etc., marks will be gained on an accumulative basis. In these cases, marks allocated to each section will be made clear.

Academic Misconduct:

The Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) contain the Regulations and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct.

The full policy is available at: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/

You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion and other forms of academic misconduct as referred to in the Academic Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations are taken very seriously by Newcastle Business School. Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.

You are advised to use the Plagiarism Checker prior to the formal submission of your assignment.
 
 
Table of Contents
1.0. Introduction: 12
1.1. Company Selection Process 12
1.2. Company a 12
1.3. Company b 12
1.4. Company c 12
2.0. Ownership History 12
2.1. Sdfvasdf 12
3.0. Comparing Company Performance 12
4.0. The Impact of the Pandemic 12

 

1.0. Introduction:
This report is referenced to or comparing 3 main companies and their financial view (Must be 3rd Person).
1.1. Company Selection Process
How did you find the companies
1.2. Company a
First Company
1.3. Company b
2nd Company
1.4. Company c

2.0. Ownership History
2.1. Sdfvasdf

3.0. Comparing Company Performance
Sdfvsd
4.0. The Impact of the Pandemic