Assessment 2 Guidelines: Individual Coursework PDF

Assessment 2 Guidelines: Individual Coursework Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Your Report 1. Executive Summary (5%) Objective: Summarize the purpose, structure, and key findings of your report. How to Write: ○ Clearly state the objective: Analyze the economic impact of Covid-19...

Assessment 2 Guidelines: Individual Coursework Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Your Report 1. Executive Summary (5%) Objective: Summarize the purpose, structure, and key findings of your report. How to Write: ○ Clearly state the objective: Analyze the economic impact of Covid-19 on your selected industry, focusing on employment, technology, and trade. ○ Highlight the structure of the report (e.g., sections such as introduction, economic analysis, conclusion). ○ Provide a brief preview of findings (e.g., significant employment challenges, technological adaptations, and trade implications). Where to Search: ○ Business reports (e.g., industry-specific publications). ○ News articles summarizing Covid-19’s global economic impact. Example: "This report examines the economic repercussions of Covid-19 on the retail industry, emphasizing changes in employment, the rise of e-commerce technologies, and trade constraints. It concludes with strategies for recovery and long-term resilience." Expanded Formulaic Causality Analysis: Covid-19 Pandemic → Industry-wide Disruptions ○ Reduced Demand → Revenue Decline ○ Supply Chain Disruption → Delayed Operations Challenges in Employment, Technology, and Trade → Recommendations for Resilience This section should be written at the end of writing the whole report. 2. Introduction (10%) Objective: Provide context and justify your industry choice. How to Write: ○ Give an overview of the Covid-19 pandemic and its general economic impact. ○ Describe the selected industry’s importance and justify why it’s a relevant choice. ○ Identify the industry’s sector (Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary) and explain its role in the economy. ○ Outline the purpose of your report and mention key economic indicators to be analyzed. Where to Search: ○ Reports from the OECD, IMF, or World Bank on Covid-19 economic impacts. ○ Industry background information from government or trade association websites. 1 Example: "The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global economies, with profound effects on the aviation industry (a tertiary sector). This report examines how the industry navigated employment challenges, accelerated digital transformation, and maintained trade relevance during border closures." Expanded Formulaic Causality Analysis: Covid-19 Pandemic → Global Economic Disruption ○ Travel Restrictions → Reduced Industry Revenue ○ Consumer Behavior Changes → Altered Demand Patterns Industry-Specific Challenges → Need for Analysis on Employment, Technology, and Trade 3. Economic Analysis: Covid-19 and Employment Patterns (25%) Objective: Analyze how the pandemic impacted employment in your chosen industry. How to Write: ○ Provide an overview of employment trends pre- and post-Covid-19. ○ Use data to show significant employment shifts, such as layoffs, furloughs, or new hiring trends. ○ Discuss specific challenges (e.g., labor shortages, remote work policies) and their impact on productivity. Where to Search: ○ Labor market reports from government agencies (e.g., UK’s Office for National Statistics). ○ Industry-specific employment surveys and news articles. Example: "The hospitality sector saw a 40% decline in employment during the pandemic’s peak. Temporary closures and restricted travel severely impacted workforce demand, highlighting the need for adaptive policies." Expanded Formulaic Causality Analysis: Covid-19 Lockdowns → Workforce Layoffs ○ Business Closures → Loss of Income Streams ○ Reduced Operational Capacity → Workforce Redundancies Productivity Decline → Policy Adaptations (e.g., Remote Work Initiatives) Suggested References: Labor market reports from government agencies: UK’s Office for National Statistics reports on employment trends during the pandemic Industry-specific employment surveys and news articles: Horton International: Details on job losses and furloughs in the retail sector Wikipedia: Specific examples of job losses and store closures Specific references: 1. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Employment" by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2020) 2 2. "The Hospitality Industry in the Time of COVID-19" by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) (2020) 3. "The Retail Industry's Response to COVID-19" by the National Retail Federation (2020) 4. Economic Analysis: Covid-19 and Technological Adaptations (25%) Objective: Assess technological responses to Covid-19 challenges. How to Write: ○ Analyze technological innovations adopted by the industry (e.g., automation, online platforms). ○ Discuss the benefits (e.g., efficiency gains) and challenges (e.g., costs of implementation). Where to Search: ○ McKinsey and Deloitte reports on technological shifts during Covid-19. ○ Case studies on industry-specific tech adaptations. Example: "Retail businesses rapidly adopted e-commerce solutions, leading to a 30% rise in online sales. However, smaller retailers struggled with high implementation costs, limiting competitiveness." Expanded Formulaic Causality Analysis: Covid-19 Restrictions → Increased Need for Technology ○ In-Person Limitations → Rise of Digital Platforms ○ Health Concerns → Demand for Contactless Solutions Tech Adoption → Improved Efficiency (e.g., Faster Operations) ○ Implementation Costs → Financial Strain on Small Enterprises Suggested references: McKinsey and Deloitte reports on technological shifts during Covid-19: Deloitte: "COVID-Driven Recession Impact on Retail Industry" - includes insights on technological adaptations McKinsey reports (search their website for relevant articles on retail technology during COVID-19) Case studies on industry-specific tech adaptations: Horton International: Examples of retailers thriving through strategic approaches, including technology Specific References: 1. "The Role of Technology in the COVID-19 Response" by McKinsey & Company (2020) 2. "The Digital Transformation of the Retail Industry" by Deloitte (2020) 3. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Logistics Industry" by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) (2020) 5. Industry Expansion and International Trade (20%) Objective: Explore growth potential and trade relevance post-Covid-19. 3  How to Write: ○ Identify new market opportunities for the industry (e.g., emerging economies). ○ Discuss trade challenges caused by the pandemic (e.g., border closures) and recovery strategies. ○ Consider transportation and technology’s role in enabling trade. Where to Search: ○ WTO and UNCTAD reports on global trade during Covid-19. ○ Industry-specific export data. Example: "The logistics industry’s international trade declined by 15% due to border restrictions. Investments in digital tracking technologies have since facilitated recovery by improving supply chain efficiency." Expanded Formulaic Causality Analysis: Covid-19 Border Closures → Trade Decline ○ Export Limitations → Supply Chain Bottlenecks ○ Disrupted Logistics → Increased Costs Investments in Logistics Tech → Supply Chain Recovery ○ Improved Tracking → Enhanced Efficiency Suggested References: WTO and UNCTAD reports on global trade during Covid-19: Search WTO and UNCTAD websites for reports on trade impacts and recovery strategies. Industry-specific export data: National Retail Federation reports on back to school shopping and other retail trends Specific References: 1. "The Impact of COVID-19 on International Trade" by the World Trade Organization (WTO) (2020) 2. "The Logistics Industry's Response to COVID-19" by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) (2020) 3. "The Role of Technology in Enabling Trade" by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (2020) 6. Conclusion and Recommendations (10%) Objective: Summarize findings and propose actionable recommendations based on critical evaluation. How to Write: ○ Recap key insights from employment, technology, and trade sections. ○ Critically evaluate the implications of the findings, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of current industry responses. ○ Provide recommendations based on findings (e.g., workforce reskilling, tech investments). Where to Search: ○ Industry recovery plans published by trade associations. ○ Expert commentary on post-Covid-19 strategies. 4 Example: "To address workforce shortages, the hospitality sector should prioritize reskilling programs and adopt scalable digital solutions. International trade expansion requires stronger cross-border partnerships and streamlined logistics." Expanded Formulaic Causality Analysis: Identified Challenges (Employment, Technology, Trade) → Critical Evaluation ○ Evaluating Workforce Policies → Highlighting Gaps ○ Assessing Technological Successes → Identifying Scalability Issues Targeted Recommendations (Reskilling, Investments) → Improved Resilience ○ Enhanced Strategies → Long-Term Growth Potential 7. Structure, Presentation, and Referencing (5%) Objective: Ensure professional formatting and adherence to academic standards. How to: ○ Use Harvard referencing for all citations. ○ Include titled figures/charts with proper source attribution. ○ Format: Times New Roman, size 12, spacing 1.5 or 2. ○ Proofread for grammar and clarity. Additional Tips: 1. Use Figures and Data: Incorporate charts or tables to visualize trends. 2. Search Effectively: Use databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or government archives. 3. Plan Your Writing: Draft an outline to maintain focus and structure. Other References: International Monetary Fund. (2020). The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Retrieved from World Bank. (2020). COVID-19 and the Global Economy. Retrieved from National Retail Federation. (2020). The Retail Industry in the Time of COVID-19. Retrieved from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2020). The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Global Economy. Retrieved from International Air Transport Association. (2020). The Aviation Industry in the Time of COVID-19. Retrieved from World Trade Organization. (2019). The Importance of the Tertiary Sector in the Economy. Retrieved from UK's Office for National Statistics. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on Employment. Retrieved from American Hotel and Lodging Association. (2020). The Hospitality Industry in the Time of COVID-19. Retrieved from National Retail Federation. (2020). The Retail Industry's Response to COVID-19. Retrieved from 5  McKinsey & Company. (2020). The Role of Technology in the COVID-19 Response. Retrieved from Deloitte. (2020). The Digital Transformation of the Retail Industry. Retrieved from International Chamber of Shipping. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on the Logistics Industry. Retrieved from World Trade Organization. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on International Trade. Retrieved from International Air Transport Association. (2020). The Logistics Industry's Response to COVID-19. Retrieved from United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2020). The Role of Technology in Enabling Trade. Retrieved from American Hotel and Lodging Association. (2020). The Road to Recovery: A Guide for the Hospitality Industry. Retrieved from National Retail Federation. (2020). The Future of Retail: A Post-COVID-19 Perspective. Retrieved from World Trade Organization. (2020). The Importance of Cross-Border Partnerships in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Retrieved from Good luck with your report! 6