+1 862 207 3288 Meru Cabs
ASSIGNMENT SHEET
read the case “Meru Cabs – A Spectacular Growth Story” and address the operations challenges the company faced at the time of the case
You should write a business report that identifies the issue(s), analyses the problem(s) with reference to underlying selected academic literature and management frameworks/models, and presents a set of recommendations for Meru Cabs and its operations.
Overall aim:
The aim of this assignment is to confront the student with a situation described in a case study and present recommendations that are supported by evidence found in the case and published company material, as well as theoretical concepts drawn from current academic literature. The student will demonstrate his/her analytical and decision making skills in the context of operations management.
Learning outcomes (from the CRS):
1. identify key trends and parameters of the evolving context of service organizations, and their effects upon service operations and the people in them;
2. apply fundamental models and technique of planning, decision-making and monitoring systems in long-term and day-to-day operating situations;
3. use current quality tools and techniques for improving service processes;
4. develop methods for organizing processes and delivery systems in contexts of technological change;
Organisation & methodology:
The report should keep the following structure:
Title page: Name of the case, your name, submission date
Table of contents (with page number references)
List of tables and figures (with page number references)
Executive summary (1 page synthetizing the report detail, including your solutions and recommendations)
1. Background (brief context of the case)
2. Problem statement
3. Data analysis
4. Analysis of alternatives (including decision criteria)
5. Recommendations
References
Appendices
Once again, it is imperative that you establish your analysis and recommendations on the basis of a firm conceptual understanding of the problem/issue, with reference to existing business and management models that you have learned in the course, including, but not restricted to reference to required and further readings available on Moodle.
Word count and style:
Please write within 3500 words (+/- 500), excluding the cover page, table of contents, reference list and appendices. Use tables, figures and diagrams where necessary. Use APA citation rules for referencing and formatting your reference list.
Format: line spacing 1.5, left margin 3.5cm, right margin 3.17cm, top and bottom margins 2.54cm, no more than 3 levels of headings.
Resources available:
• A list of academic and business references (required and additional) is found on the Moodle course site
• Other relevant material from business and academic journals can be found on the library databases (
Performance benchmarks
Graduate skill assessed Below standard 70 – 79% 80 – 89% 90 – 100% Weight
Knowledge Inadequate facts or concepts collected. Limited in scope and very descriptive in style. Knowledge irrelevant for purpose. Develops and demonstrates a limited depth of knowledge in a complex and specialized area or interdisciplinary area and/ or applied areas where they are working towards current limits of theoretical research or understanding. Develops and demonstrates great depth of knowledge in a complex and specialized area or interdisciplinary area and/ or applied areas where they are working at current limits of theoretical research or understanding. Develops and demonstrates an excellent depth of knowledge in a complex and specialized area or interdisciplinary area and/ or applied areas where they are working at current limits of theoretical research or understanding to challenge contemporary thinking or paradigms.
20%
Analysis Data has not been sufficiently well analyzed to draw appropriate conclusions. Argumentation and discussion is very limited or shows a lack of understanding of the evidence collected. Demonstrates limited ability to deal with complexity and scope in the knowledge base where the applications of paradigms, concepts and theory have not been sufficiently developed. Limited selection of tools and techniques for problem solving. Deals with some levels of complexity and applies concepts, theory and paradigms. Clearly recognizes lacunae and/ or contradictions in the knowledge base and makes appropriate selection of tools and techniques for problem solving. Deals with complexity and applies a wide range of concepts and theory where lacunae and/ or contradictions in the knowledge base have been clearly identified and discussed. Makes appropriate selection of tools and innovative techniques for problem solving.
25%
Synthesis and Creativity Unable to find, categorize idea and rely information in an acceptable way for this level. Synthesizes some information/ ideas and creates a more limited redefinition of existing knowledge with limited scope to new situations. Autonomously synthesizes information/ ideas and creates responses that expand or redefine existing knowledge and/ or develop new approaches to new situations. Autonomously synthesizes information/ ideas and creates responses that challenge existing knowledge and/ or develop innovative solutions to new situations.
25%
Application Lacks originality in the application of knowledge in professional level context. Applies a very limited range of professional skills and shows no understanding of how the outcomes of work in the area may be applied. Demonstrates some originality in the application of knowledge in professional level context. Applies a limited range of professional skills and shows some understanding of how the outcomes of work in the area may be applied. Demonstrates originality in the application of knowledge in a variety of professional level contexts. Applies a range of professional skills and reflects on current practice. Shows an understanding of how the outcomes of work in the area may be applied, to inform judgments to the development of practice. Demonstrates originality in the application of knowledge in a wide and often unpredictable variety of professional level contexts. Applies a significant range of complex professional skills, practices and techniques and reflects on and subsequently modified practice. Shows an understanding of how the outcomes of work in the area may be applied, to inform judgments and make original contributions to the development of practice.
20%
Presentation
Does not meet a number of key requirements and fails to follow an acceptable style. Often unclear and untidy Organized and coherently structured work. Presents ideas to facilitate comprehension in an orderly manner with acceptable referencing and minor errors of detail. Work coherently and comprehensively organized and structured. Presents ideas with considerable attention to detail which facilitates effortless comprehension in an orderly manner and accurate referencing. Presented work with exceptional clarity that demonstrates ability to attend to all detailed aspects of organization and structure of discussion and all supporting evidence. The work has the qualities consistent with published material.
10%
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another’s ideas or words as one’s own. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the intentional falsification or fabrication of any academic activity, unauthorized copying of another person’s work, or aiding and abetting any such acts.
Particular care must be taken when presenting information that has been obtained from an internet site. Should this information not be correctly referenced then you are guilty of plagiarism and will be penalised accordingly.
