Part-1
Final Project
A recurring theme of this module has been the value of data to analysis and decision-making.
In this final unit, you will synthesise what you have learned about financial and performance management throughout the module. Recall the words from Anthony's Orchard CEO Bob Frost:
We are excited about our future, and have aggressive plans for it. Among these plans is expansion into a new product line. We hope to be producing and distributing Anthony's Orchard apple juice within the next 3 to 5 years.
As your Final Project for this module, you will create a consultancy report that will provide guidance and insight to company management regarding this decision. Relying on the work done in previous Individual Assignments, you will make a recommendation to the company regarding the plan to expand the product line and make a significant investment in an apple press required for that expansion.
Part-2
Emerging Performance Management Topics
The field of performance measurement and management is an evolving one, and many theories have been proposed to effectively monitor performance and quality. As the business environment becomes increasingly competitive and global in nature, and as new social and environmental factors come into play, research that addresses critical issues in financial and performance management will become more important as organisations strive to meet objectives and remain competitive. Areas of research such as sustainability, ethics and performance of government and non-profit organisations are but a few examples.
As a student of a graduate programme, you will routinely review published research that aims to contribute new and emerging ideas to your field of study. As a professional, you will be expected to evaluate the value and applicability of new and emerging ideas to your organisation. This activity gives you an opportunity to identify emerging issues and discuss their implications for your current and future leadership roles. For this activity, you will use a blog similar to the one you created in the last unit.
To prepare for this Shared Activity:
Review current research published in recent (within the past 5 years) academic journal articles focusing on emergent performance management topics. These might include topics related to sustainability, ethics or any efforts to spark innovation in the field.
To complete this Shared Activity:
Create a blog post that presents your view of one or two key emerging performance management topics in current academic or professional debates. Provide references. Present the topics discussed in the articles and explain their importance to the field of study.
Visit the blog posts of your group members and look for common themes in the issues presented by the group. In your responses to colleagues, identify what you believe to be the top four or five areas of emerging issues and/or those that have potential for further research and application for business. Compare your perspectives on the most significant issues with those of your colleagues, and discuss their implications for managers and leaders. Consider the implications both for roles you current hold as well as those to which you aspire.
Participate in this Shared Activity only during the period of this unit to ensure that you and your colleagues can keep track of one another's postings and maintain a focused, collaborative discussion. Review the Syllabus and Shared Activities Rubric for information on how your contributions to the Shared Activities will be graded in this module. In each unit, you will receive feedback from your Faculty Member on your participation in the Shared Activities, focusing on your contributions to the learning community. In Unit 6, your Faculty Member will provide final feedback and a final grade on your Shared Activity contribution throughout the module.