PS6005ACC Assignment 1

Learning Outcomes Assessed

This assignment will summarily assess the following learning outcome:

• Evaluate different types of management control systems in the context of management behaviour and business performance and make recommendations to improve management control.

Return of Marked Work

Marks and feedback will be provided online. Marks will have been to be internally moderated will therefore be provisional; your mark will be formally agreed later in the year once the external examiner has completed his / her review.

Coursework Question

Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Performance Management Tool

The purpose of this assignment is to develop your understanding of how organisations use the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) to translate strategic objectives into measurable performance indicators and evaluate organisational performance using both financial and non-financial measures.

You are required to select ONE (1) industry only, from the following industries:

• Pharmaceutical industry
• Oil and gas industry
• Healthcare industry
• Food and Beverage industry
• Manufacturing industry
• Logistics and transportation
• Banking and financial services

Required:

You are required to conduct research on how organisations within your selected industry use the Balanced Scorecard to support strategic management and performance evaluation.

In doing so, you may refer to the following guidelines:

(a) Discuss the differences between traditional financial performance measures and the Balanced Scorecard approach.

(b) Select THREE (3) real companies within your chosen industry. For each company, discuss:

(i) The organisation’s strategic objectives

(ii) How the Balanced Scorecard is implemented using Kaplan and Norton’s four perspectives:

– Financial perspective
– Customer perspective
– Internal business process perspective
– Learning and growth perspective

(iii) Examples of lead and lag performance indicators used by each company

(c) Critically evaluate the extent to which the Balanced Scorecard helps organisations achieve strategic alignment and long-term competitive advantage within the selected industry. In your discussion, consider both the

Assignment Structure

Your response must provide an informed, researched opinion by incorporating the arguments presented by the authors as well as those from other relevant sources.

Please adopt the following structures for your essay as marks will be awarded accordingly:

• Differences traditional financial performance measures and the Balanced Scorecard approach. (200 words)
• Industry Background and Case Study 1 – Company A
• Case Study 2 – Company B
• Case Study 3 – Company C
• (750 words)
• Critical Evaluation (400 words)
• Conclusion (Summary of arguments, no new ideas) (150 words)
• List of References
• Appendices (if any)