Assignment type: Individual

Value: 50%

Link to CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Word limit: 2,500 words (excluding title page, executive summary and references, 10% more or less is allowed)

This assignment is designed to allow you to develop a deeper understanding of knowledge and frameworks covered in the course. With this assessment, you need to meet the academic requirements expected at the Masters level - research rigour, evidence of extensive reading, systematic analysis and academic writing.

For this assessment, you must use at least two sources from the assigned reading from this course and eight additional quality scholarly references to inform your key ideas. Please note, at least five academic references must be included from sources published after December 2018.

Assignment Topic:

There has been growing pressure on businesses to assume greater social responsibility in recent years. Choose one current social or environmental issue. What do you think are the desirable roles of businesses and governments in relation to the issue you have chosen?

More specifically, which of the tasks related to your chosen issue should be handled by governments and which by businesses, and why? Do you think superimposing non-economic goals on businesses and expecting them to assume responsibilities traditionally held by governments are desirable?

Draw evidence from your home country, or a country where you have worked or studied in.

Suggested structure of the essay

• Title page (title of your report, your name, student number and word count)
• Executive Summary (Maximum 150 words): An executive summary is a concise description of what the report contains. It should include major findings and significance of the essay. A good executive summary should allow the reader to understand the basic content of the report without reading the
• Introduction: A good introduction should clearly outline the purpose and scope of the essay.
• Body: The body should be split into sub-sections. It could be based on the three questions as above. The precise breakdown of sub•sections is a decision for the individual student and will depend on your key
• Conclusion
• Reference List

Note: Title page, executive summary and reference list are excluded from the word count.

Format: 

Your essay must be formatted as per the requirements below:

• A separate page of Executive Summary (excluded from the word count)
• Use 12pt font
• 5 line or double spacing
• Leave a line between each paragraph
• Number each page
• Use Harvard method for referencing style
• It is important that your "voice" (that is your perspective, position or standpoint ) is clearly and strongly stated in the
• Provide well-justified and critical analysis. Being descriptive is not appropriate for this assignment (Please refer to https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/developing-critical-thinking for a guide on developing critical thinking).
• At least TEN quality scholarly references (two from the assigned reading and eight additional references) must be

Key Assessment Criteria:

• Level of mastery of the subject matters
• Overall quality of analysis, dept h of reflection/thinking in terms of the key themes and issues raised in the question
• Appropriate structure (logical sequence; transitions between parts; well-developed paragraphs)
• Quality, relevance and sufficiency of references
• Format and presentation including clarity of expression and grammar, and correct format of in-text citations and list of