MGMT11109 – Introduction to Management

Assessment Task 2: Management Report

CQUniversity Australia

Term 1, 2026

Weighting: 50% of final grade

Task Description

As a management consultant, prepare a comprehensive Management Report for the owners of “Rock Paper Scissors”, a hairdressing salon operating in contemporary Australia. Analyse how the salon can achieve long-term success by applying principles, models, and theories of management covered in the unit. Focus on the four core management functions: planning, organising, leading, and controlling. Examine relevant external environmental factors influencing the salon and identify key contemporary management challenges, such as fostering innovation, managing staff in a service-oriented industry, addressing sustainability, or adapting to changing customer expectations.

Requirements

1. Write in third-person passive voice using formal Australian English.
2. Word limit: 2500 words (excluding reference list).
3. Support arguments with critical analysis and evidence from peer-reviewed sources published in the last five years (primarily 2021–2026), including the prescribed textbook.
4. Use at least eight scholarly references: the textbook plus a minimum of seven peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to management.
5. Apply critical thinking throughout: evaluate the applicability and limitations of selected management concepts in the context of a small service business like a hairdressing salon.
6. Structure the report professionally with title page, executive summary (single page, no page number), table of contents, introduction (background and purpose), main body sections, conclusion, recommendations, and references.
7. Follow the CQUniversity APA referencing style (7th edition or current abridged guide).
8. Submit electronically via Moodle by the due date. Late submissions incur a 2.5-mark penalty per day (or part day) unless an approved extension is granted.

Assessment Criteria

• Academic research skills (15 marks): Minimum eight scholarly references (including textbook), predominantly recent peer-reviewed journals; effective summarisation and integration.
• Critical analysis and critical thinking (15 marks): Deep evaluation of management principles, models, theories, and contemporary challenges; reasoned judgements on their value for the salon.
• Understanding of environmental factors and impact on managerial processes (10 marks): Insightful discussion of external influences (e.g., economic, social, technological, regulatory) and implications for salon management.
• Professional presentation (5 marks): Structure, grammar, expression, punctuation, spelling, and layout in Australian English.
• Referencing conformity (5 marks): Strict adherence to CQUniversity APA guide with error-free in-text citations and reference list.

Report Structure Guidelines

1. Title Page: Include student details, unit code, assessment title, and salon name.
2. Executive Summary: One-page overview of key findings and recommendations (no page number).
3. Table of Contents: Automatically generated or manual, listing headings and page numbers.
4. Introduction: Brief background on the salon and report purpose (approx. 250 words).
5. Main Body: Organise under logical numbered headings (e.g., management functions, environmental analysis, contemporary challenges).
6. Conclusion: Summarise key points without new material.
7. Recommendations: Bullet-point actionable strategies.
8. References: Separate page, APA format only for cited sources.
9. Appendix (if needed): Supporting material referenced in text (not marked unless cited).

 Strategic planning remains essential for small service businesses like hairdressing salons, as formal processes help align resources with market demands and promote innovation. Owners of “Rock Paper Scissors” should develop a clear vision statement and involve staff and customers in planning to address competitive pressures and changing client preferences. Research shows that customer knowledge integration enhances innovation quality and speed in service sectors, allowing salons to differentiate through personalised experiences and sustainable practices (Odejide & Eresia-Eke, 2020, available at https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1785109). Implementing regular feedback mechanisms and training on emerging trends will strengthen managerial control and leadership effectiveness in this dynamic environment.

References

• Brannick, M.T. and Levine, E.L., 2021. Job analysis: Methods, research, and applications for human resource management in the new millennium. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications. Available at: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/job-analysis/book255678.
• Chiang, C.F. and Hsieh, T.S., 2019. The impacts of perceived organizational support and psychological empowerment on job performance: The mediating effects of organizational citizenship behavior. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 82, pp.121-130. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.03.027.
• Gössling, S., 2020. Tourism, technology and ICT: A critical review of affordances and concessions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28(5), pp.733-750. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1714735.
• Kim, M. and Beehr, T.A., 2021. The long reach of the leader: Can empowering leadership at work result in enriched home lives? Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26(1), pp.1-14. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000263.
• Odejide, A. and Eresia-Eke, C., 2020. Innovation capability and business performance of small and medium enterprises in South Africa. Cogent Business & Management, 7(1), 1785109. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1785109.
• Samson, D., 2022. Management in Australia. 2nd ed. Melbourne: Cengage Learning. Available at: https://cengage.com.au/management-in-australia-2nd-edition.