Students

ACCG7028 – Management Control Systems

2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor & Lecturer
Carmel Emanuel
Contact via email
4 Eastern Road Room 211
Please refer to ilearn for consulation hours
Moderator
Kevin Baird
4 Eastern Road Room 209
Teaching Administrator
Charmaine D'Souza
Contact via accg7028@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ACCG 8028
Unit description Unit description

This unit adopts a technical and behavioural emphasis, and integrates research, best practice and theory to inform the design and operational aspects of MCS that effectively and efficiently serves an organisation’s best interests. This unit develops student theoretical and practical understanding of key MCS concepts, principles and frameworks, underpinned by research findings, to design, implement and use MCS in organisations. Students learn how to critically analyse, evaluate, and solve MCS problems using case studies. Students develop investigative, critical and analytical skills that are required to undertake more advanced research. In this unit, students develop qualitative research capabilities by conducting qualitative research on a real-world organisation’s MCS.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain and evaluate the design and operational aspects of Management Control Systems (MCS) in organisations.
  • ULO2: Critically analyse and solve management control problems in real-world organisations.
  • ULO3: Review and critically analyse research papers in management accounting discipline.
  • ULO4: Apply the principles of qualitative research in management accounting to conduct secondary qualitative research.
  • ULO5: Critically examine an organisation’s strategic and operational activities using qualitative research findings to design an effective management control system in a real-world organisation.

General Assessment Information

Turnitin

All text based assessments must be submitted through Turnitin as per instructions provided in the unit guide. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that work is submitted correctly prior to the due date. No hard copies of assessments will be accepted and only Turnitin records will be taken as records of submission.

Multiple submissions will be allowed  via Turnitin prior to the final due date and time of an assessment task and originality reports will be made available to students to view and check their work. All identified matching text must be reconsidered carefully. Students should note that the system will not immediately produce the similarity score on a second or subsequent submission - it approximately takes 24 hours for the report to be generated. This may be after the due date so students should plan any re-submissions carefully. Please refer to these instructions on how to submit your assignment through Turnitin and access similarity reports and feedback provided by teaching staff. Should you have questions about Turnitin or experience issues submitting through the system, you must inform your unit convenor immediately. If the issue is technical in nature you may also lodge a OneHelp Ticket - please refer to the IT help page.

It is the responsibility of the student to retain a copy of any work submitted. Students must produce these documents upon request. Copies should be retained until the end of the grade appeal period each term. In the event that a student is asked to produce another copy of work submitted and is unable to do so, they may be awarded zero (0) for that particular assessment.

Late Submission(s): “Late assessment must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% penalty). Late submissions will not be accepted after solutions have been discussed and/or made available.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.”

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participatory Tasks 30% No Weekly from Week 3 to 12
Research critique 30% No 11.55pm 11th October 2020 Week 9
Research Project 40% No 11.55pm 6th November 2020 Week 13

Participatory Tasks

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weekly from Week 3 to 12
Weighting: 30%

 

Participatory Tasks requires students to participate in a range of activities during seminars and online. The purpose of this assessment is for students to show, with evidence, that you are working progressively and continuously throughout the session, to achieve the unit’s learning outcomes and to monitor your own progress in this unit. Participatory tasks, that are weight-averaged include: Quiz (15%): Short online quizzes. Seminar Participation (15%): In-class individual and/or team activities and online discussion forums and workshops. Participatory tasks start in Week 3 and end in Week 12.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and evaluate the design and operational aspects of Management Control Systems (MCS) in organisations.
  • Critically analyse and solve management control problems in real-world organisations.

Research critique

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: 11.55pm 11th October 2020 Week 9
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will be given a selection of MCS research papers by the Unit Convenor. Students will choose a research paper to write a 2,500 word critical review of the paper, in regards to its motivation, theory and hypotheses formulation, research design and conclusions drawn. The purpose of this assessment is for students to demonstrate their abilities of understanding and critically analysing research papers.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and evaluate the design and operational aspects of Management Control Systems (MCS) in organisations.
  • Review and critically analyse research papers in management accounting discipline.

Research Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: 11.55pm 6th November 2020 Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

The research project requires students to conduct secondary qualitative research on a selected real-world organisation, in teams or individually, and produce a 6,000-word case study on the organisation’s management control systems. The purpose of this assessment is for students to apply and integrate theoretical MCS to a real-world organisation and its challenges, develop their qualitative research capabilities and analysis and problem-solving skills.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and evaluate the design and operational aspects of Management Control Systems (MCS) in organisations.
  • Critically analyse and solve management control problems in real-world organisations.
  • Apply the principles of qualitative research in management accounting to conduct secondary qualitative research.
  • Critically examine an organisation’s strategic and operational activities using qualitative research findings to design an effective management control system in a real-world organisation.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Textbook

Throughout the session, the following textbook is referred to: Merchant, K.A. & Van der Stede, W.A. (2017) Management Control Systems (Pearson, 4th edition). Please note that unless otherwise directed, students must not use the 3rd edition of the required textbook because the content is different to the content in the 4th edition. All relevant chapters and cases from the textbook can be accessed electronically through the library, using the Leganto link on iLearn. Whilst students may wish to purchase the textbook it is not necessary as all required reading materials are available on Leganto.

Other required readings, such as academic journal articles are also available electronically through the library using the Leganto link on iLearn. The unit schedule contains a summary of the required chapters, cases and academic articles students are expected to read each week. Please note that whilst the Unit Convenor monitors the availability of learning materials available from the library, accessibility of these materials is directly under the control of the University Library. If you experience any problems accessing the readings on Leganto, please contact the unit convenor. 

Unit Web Page

1. All course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn).

2. iLearn can be easily accessed via the university's student webpage or at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

3. You are expected to regularly consult this unit's web page.  You will find administrative updates (announcements), lecture notes, assessed coursework activities, grading rubrics, helpful resources and the assessment guide posted there.

4. If you are unable to access the website because you are not aware of or have forgotten your username and password, please see the URL http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/ on how to obtain assistance from the IT helpdesk. The IT help desk will also be able to assist you with using iLearn. You may also refer to the help feature in iLearn.

5. Please remember to log out when you have finished using iLearn. Failure to do so could result in unauthorized access to your iLearn account.

Technology Used and Required

 Students are required to use information technology in this unit. Students will need to use:

  • Library databases to source academic research papers, which are accessed electronically;
  • Leganto (see ACCG8028 website) to access the required readings for this unit;
  • Microsoft Word for assessment tasks;
  • Microsoft Excel for assessment tasks if required;
  • Microsoft Power Point for seminar notes, 'Participatory Tasks' (when required) and the 'Media Presentation';
  • Electronic (internet) access to iLearn to download assessment guide and lecture material each week;
  • Internet access to research organisations and to access other materials for the 'Research Project' undertaken in teams;

Delivery Format 

Lectures & Workshops

This unit comprises three hours of teaching per week, consisting of a weekly one-hour pre-recorded lecture and a weekly two-hour workshop which can be completed either online or face to face. Students are required to listen to the pre-recorded lecture each week prior to attending their allocated workshop as this will ensure that students are well-prepared for the discussion and activities that will be completed in the weekly workshops.  All classes commence in week 1 and continue through until week 13. Students are able to choose whether they attend a online or face to face workshop. Please select your preference via e-student. The timetable for the weekly workshops can be found at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. Once you have enrolled in a workshop you are excepted to attend that class for the entirety of the session.

As workshops constitute a critical learning experience of this unit, students must attend all workshops and come prepared to participate in the discussion and workshop activities. A high participatory teaching strategy with inclusive practice is adopted, where students can engage with their fellow students and the Unit Convenor. Please note that Workshops 10 and 12 are self-study workshops and students are not required to attend workshops during these weeks. Students are required to complete work for these workshops online, including assessed coursework activities.

 

 

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Textbook Chapters*

Readings

Assessments / Activities

Week 1

27 July

The Control Function of Management

Chapter 1 Management and Control (pp.3-19) 

 None

Week 2

3 August

 

Qualitative Research: An Introduction

Reading: Bowen (2009) and Vaivio (2008): As students are required to read specific sections from each of these readings, please see Leganto for specific pages.

Critical Thinking: See Lecture Notes

None

Week 3 

10 August

An MCS Framework: Results Controls

Chapter 2 Results Control (pp. 33-46) 

Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.227-229, see Lecture Slides)

Reading: Mohd Amir (2014: pp.729-732)

Case Study:  Philip Andersen

 

Online Quiz

Week 4

17 August

An MCS Framework: Action Controls

Chapter 3 Action Controls (pp. 86-95)

Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.224-227, see Lecture Slides) 

Case Study: Controls at the Bellagio Casino Resort

Online Quiz

Discussion Forum & Workshop Participation

Week 5

24 August

An MCS Framework: Personnel and Cultural Controls

Chapter 3 Personnel and Cultural Controls (pp.95-103)

Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.222-224; Table 6.1 p.222)

Case Study: Controls at the Bellagio Casino Resort 

Online Quiz

Discussion Forum & Workshop Participation

 

Week 6

31 August 

Management Control Effects

Chapter 4 Control System Tightness (pp.128-140)

Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.229-230, see Lecture Slides)

Case Study: Controls at the Bellagio Casino Division

Online Quiz

Discussion Forum & Workshop Participation

Week 7 7 September

Management Control Effects

Chapter 5 Control System Costs (pp.173-187)

 

Online Quiz

 

14 to 25 September

Mid-Session Recess from Lectures & Workshops

Self-directed Activities on Team or Individual Research Case Study 

See iLearn for additional information

Research Project - Part 1  Draft Complete

Week 8

28 September

Technology and MCS

A Contingent Framework for MCS Design (Week 8 to Week 13)

Readings: Chenhall (2003: pp.139-141; Table 1); Ylinen and Gullkvist (2014: pp.93-99 and 106-107)

Discussion Forum & Workshop Participation

Week 9

5 October

Environment and MCS

 

Readings: Chenhall (2003: pp.137-138); Janke, Mahlendorf & Weber (2014: pp.251-255 and 264-266)

 

Discussion Forum & Workshop Participation

Research Critique

Week 10

12 October

Environment, Size, Structure and MCS

Self-Study Activity (No classes in Week 10)

Reading: Chenhall (2003: pp.144-146 and 148-149); King, Clarkson & Wallace (2010: pp.40-47; 54); Mohd Amir (2014: pp.732-733, Firm Size Only)

Online Quiz

Research Project

Week 11

19 October

Strategy and MCS

Reading: Miles et al. (1978: pp.548 - 558); Bedford et al. (2016: please see Leganto for specific pages)

Video Presentation Discussion

Discussion Forum/Workshop

Week 12

26 October

Organizational Culture and MCS

Self-Study Activity (No classes in Week 12)

Reading: Henri (2006: pp.79-80); Heinecke, Guenther & Widener (2016: pp. 25-29, Table 2 on page 32 and Section 5 page 39)

Online Workshop

 

Week 13

2 November

Management Control Systems: Research, Theory & Practice

Research Project

Formal Individual Work

* All chapter references refer to Merchant, K.A & Van der Steded, W.A. (2017). Management Control Systems, Pearson, 4th edition.

The readings for each week are available on Leganto, which can be accessed via iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ACCG 7028 will be offered in a blended format in session 2, 2020. All weekly lectures will be pre-recorded and weekly workshops can be completed either online or face to face.  There will be no changes to the content of ACCG 7028 from previous offerings of the unit.