Digital Strategy Research Essay Help
Assessment 1: Digital Strategy Research Essay
| Type: Research Essay | Individual |
| Length: 1500 words (+/- 10%) |
| Weighting: 30% |
| Due: Week 4 |
Assessment Brief
Overview
In Assessment 1, you are required to write a research essay on digital transformation based on one of the three options provided below. This research essay will help you explore the conceptual understanding of digital transformation in the context of digital strategy by delving into the underlying dynamics, challenges, and strategic imperatives that underpin this transformative journey.
Learning Outcomes
The targeted Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this assessment are:
CLO1: Demonstrate broad and critical understanding of IT strategy development, implementation and value issues (such as IT and business alignment, IT capability, strategic relevance of emerging IT, change management) and provide a conceptually and theoretically sound explanation about these issues.
CLO6: Apply industry relevant IT strategic planning frameworks, tools, methodologies and processes to evaluate IT management problems and create IT strategies.
Marking Criteria
This assessment will measure your ability to:
Introduction: An accurate statement of the topic is provided and key terms are defined with relevant citations. An overview of the themes, arguments and issues to be discussed is presented. (20%)
Evidence based discussion and critical analysis: Relevant and valid answer to the essay topic that uses high quality references to underpin all arguments/points. Logical flow and development of ideas. Synthesis and critical analysis are underpinned by appropriate literature; use of relevant theories, concepts and frameworks to support analysis; own input, insight and interpretation. (50%)
Conclusion: A clear and complete summary of key arguments, issues and themes is presented that corresponds to the outline presented in the introduction. Accurate implications and/or recommendations are provided. (10%) Presentation: Clarity of structure, quality of presentation, style and readability. Within the word limit. (10%) Referencing: Appropriate citation of sources and evidence used; use of RMIT referencing and citation style. (10%)
Assessment Details
You will write a research essay based on a review of relevant literature and the reflection of what is learned in class on one of the following topics:
Option 1: Discuss the digital transformation in ONE industry (e.g. retail, finance) and the implications of developing digital strategies (with reference to three digital strategies learned in class) for harnessing emerging innovation opportunities.
Option 2: Examine the challenges that long-established companies face in digital transformation and explain how they can overcome those challenges using digital strategy (with reference to three digital strategies learned in class).
Option 3: Analyse the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter when undergoing digital transformation and explain how they can overcome those challenges using digital strategy (with reference to three digital strategies learned in class).
Your essay shall be structured, but not limited, as follows:
Introduction: definitions and discussions of key concepts as well as a description of the essay structure.
Provide a critical analysis of relevant literature: this should identify and explain relevant theories, arguments and perspectives regarding the topic of your choice. You can take a specific position on the topic and discuss the literature to support, refute or demonstrate your position. Here you are free to create appropriate sub-section headings.
Discussion of the main challenges, problems and issues businesses face in relation to the chosen topic (or your specific position).
Conclusion: discussion of the overall coverage of the topic including emerging trends about the future. References.
Process
Chose a topic that can demonstrate your understanding of the course.
Locate relevant sources (databases, journals, books). You are expected to refer to refereed (peer reviewed) academic papers more so than websites.
Identify relevant literature (at least 10 relevant Journal articles. Start with the course references list to support your initial exploration of the themes, concepts and issues that may apply to the topic).
Analyse and synthesise the literature to produce an analytical essay that addresses not only “what” questions but also “why”, “how” and “in what sense” questions.
Submission Instruction
This essay should not be more than 1,500 words excluding references.
The essay shall be formatted as: 12pt font Times New Roman; 1.5 line spacing and 2.54 (standard setting) margin.
There is no need for an executive summary or abstract.
Your analysis and recommendations will need to be supported with clear and relevant supporting evidence from both scholarly and other sources described under the Reference.
This is a TURNITIN assignment. The assignment submission will allow you to check the originality of your report. The goal is less than 5% similarity. However, the important thing isn’t the percentage – it is that the work is your own. As such, not all Turnitin scores under 5% indicate everything is OK nor all Turnitin scores over 5% mean there is a problem. The main thing to watch is what makes up the similarity percentage. If for example, the similarity is because of references, you can ignore it. If the Turnitin score is higher than 10%, there is a possibility that your assignment has offended academic integrity. Depending on the level of offence, different penalties will be applied. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism policies and procedures, please refer to the University website.
Questions?
If you have any questions, ask your teacher in your workshop or send an email.
Assessment Policies
Referencing Guidelines
Use RMIT Harvard referencing style for this assessment.
Learn more: RMIT Harvard Referencing
You must acknowledge all the courses of information you have used in your assessments.
Refer to the RMIT Easy Cite referencing tool to see examples and tips on how to reference in the appropriated style. You can also refer to the library referencing page for more tools such as EndNote, referencing tutorials and referencing guides for printing.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic integrity is about honest presentation of your academic work. It means acknowledging the work of others while developing your own insights, knowledge and ideas.
Learn more: Academic Integrity
You should take extreme care that you have:
Acknowledged words, data, diagrams, models, frameworks and/or ideas of others you have quoted (i.e. directly copied), summarised, paraphrased, discussed or mentioned in your assessment through the appropriate referencing methods
Provided a reference list of the publication details so your reader can locate the source if necessary. This includes material taken from Internet sites
If you do not acknowledge the sources of your material, you may be accused of plagiarism because you have passed off the work and ideas of another person without appropriate referencing, as if they were your own.
RMIT University treats plagiarism as a very serious offence constituting misconduct. Plagiarism covers a variety of inappropriate behaviours, including:
Failure to properly document a source
Copyright material from the internet or databases Collusion between students
For further information on our policies and procedures, please refer to the RMIT University website.
Assessment Declaration
When you submit work electronically, you agree to the Assessment declaration.