Category: Management

Each student will submit (via Turnitin) a major essay AFTER the mid-semester break that demonstrates academic understanding of an OB topic.
Specifically, students will choose one from a number of topics (i.e. questions posted separately to Wattle below). In 2,500 words (plus/minus 10%), using APA in-text referencing and DOUBLE-spacing, students will demonstrate their skill in researching a significant OB issue.
The essay is expected to showcase a student’s abilities in marshalling an academic argument that explores a topic well i.e. consistent with the reasonable expectations for a second year student. Accordingly, and as this is the major theoretical assessment task, students must reveal their familiarity with the textbook, Wattle articles and their own research of relevant journals to create and sustain a compelling scholarly narrative that states the position taken in relation to the essay question and demonstrate clearly why and how the position is well reasoned.
Please note that Wikipedia and other popular on-line sources are not peer-reviewed academic material and should NOT be relied upon as they often contain factual errors as well as simplistic or problematic interpretation of many concepts.
AI use: The use of AI such as ChatGPT to generate an essay or report is not allowed as it is akin to plagiarism. Students are required to demonstrate achievement of critical, analytical and synthesis skills in high quality works.

Overview: In September 2023, a hacking group known as “Scattered Spider” conducted a ransomware attack against MGM Resorts International, a multi-billion-dollar gaming company based in Las Vegas. While Scattered Spider is reportedly made up of English-speaking teenagers, the group was able to cause widespread impact, reportedly costing MGM over $100 million.
Sequence of Events:
Scattered Spider used a social engineering attack, likely by creating a typosquatting domain impersonating an MGM login page, to capture employee credentials and a One-Time-Password (OTP).
Using these captured credentials and OTP, Scattered Spider logged into the MGM network using the legitimate credentials stolen from an employee.
The threat actor then performed reconnaissance inside the network to identify where the most valuable data was stored, after which they deployed ransomware locking out the systems until a ransom was paid.
While it is unclear whether MGM paid a ransom, it is estimated that the total cost of the incident will exceed $100 million.
Impact: In the short term, MGM lost all access to its computer systems, shutting down its Las Vegas gaming operations and even locking guests out of their rooms on resort property. In the long term, the reputational damage and costs associated with rebuilding parts of the network and remediating the security issues is expected to cost over $100 million.
Response and Aftermath: MGM reportedly responded to the attack by shutting down all its servers. This likely means that the company had to completely wipe and rebuild a portion of its servers before bringing them back online to eradicate the ransomware. The other alternative would be to pay the ransom, although it is not known what action MGM took.
Links to Additional Reading: Please see below for links to additional reading that may assist you as you prepare to answer the questions below:
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/mgm-las-vegas-hackers-scattered-spider-rcna105238
https://www.reuters.com/technology/moodys-says-breach-mgm-is-credit-negative-disruption-lingers-2023-09-13/
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/business/mgm-100-million-hit-data-breach/index.html
https://www.csoonline.com/article/652575/hackers-behind-mgm-cyberattack-thrash-the-casinos-incident-response.html
Questions to Answer in Case Study:
How do threat actors like Scattered Spider typically gain access to large networks like MGM?
What are the pros and cons of paying a ransom versus refusing to pay?
What improvements should MGM make to prevent future incidents, and how can similar organizations strengthen their defenses so as not to be impacted like MGM was?

The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only) via allocated folder.
• Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.
• Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented, marks may be reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your information on the cover page.
• Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.
• Late submission will NOT be accepted. Peer-Reviewed Journals are required as references.
• Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No exceptions.
• All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced) font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered plagiarism).
• Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.
• Do not make any changes in the cover page.

Overview: In September 2023, a hacking group known as “Scattered Spider” conducted a ransomware attack against MGM Resorts International, a multi-billion-dollar gaming company based in Las Vegas. While Scattered Spider is reportedly made up of English-speaking teenagers, the group was able to cause widespread impact, reportedly costing MGM over $100 million.
Sequence of Events:
Scattered Spider used a social engineering attack, likely by creating a typosquatting domain impersonating an MGM login page, to capture employee credentials and a One-Time-Password (OTP).
Using these captured credentials and OTP, Scattered Spider logged into the MGM network using the legitimate credentials stolen from an employee.
The threat actor then performed reconnaissance inside the network to identify where the most valuable data was stored, after which they deployed ransomware locking out the systems until a ransom was paid.
While it is unclear whether MGM paid a ransom, it is estimated that the total cost of the incident will exceed $100 million.
Impact: In the short term, MGM lost all access to its computer systems, shutting down its Las Vegas gaming operations and even locking guests out of their rooms on resort property. In the long term, the reputational damage and costs associated with rebuilding parts of the network and remediating the security issues is expected to cost over $100 million.
Response and Aftermath: MGM reportedly responded to the attack by shutting down all its servers. This likely means that the company had to completely wipe and rebuild a portion of its servers before bringing them back online to eradicate the ransomware. The other alternative would be to pay the ransom, although it is not known what action MGM took.
Links to Additional Reading: Please see below for links to additional reading that may assist you as you prepare to answer the questions below:
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/mgm-las-vegas-hackers-scattered-spider-rcna105238
https://www.reuters.com/technology/moodys-says-breach-mgm-is-credit-negative-disruption-lingers-2023-09-13/
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/business/mgm-100-million-hit-data-breach/index.html
https://www.csoonline.com/article/652575/hackers-behind-mgm-cyberattack-thrash-the-casinos-incident-response.html
Questions to Answer in Case Study:
How do threat actors like Scattered Spider typically gain access to large networks like MGM?
What are the pros and cons of paying a ransom versus refusing to pay?
What improvements should MGM make to prevent future incidents, and how can similar organizations strengthen their defenses so as not to be impacted like MGM was?

Systems and Structures
Think of a change you are familiar with.
Share the type of organization systems/structures in the organization.
Discuss how the existing structures and systems affected the ability of the change leader to bring about the desired change? Were any systems changed to prepare for the change?
Did the organizational structures and systems reduce or increase the uncertainty and complexity of the change in the organization?
Directions:
Discuss the concepts, principles, and theories from your textbook. Cite your textbooks and cite any other sources if appropriate.
Your initial post should address all components of the question with a 500 word limit.
Reply to at least two discussion posts with comments that further and advance the discussion topic.

The assignment must be submitted by Saturday, stick to the required word count and do not use artificial intelligence as much as possible. Thank you

Critical Writing
Critical writing involves analysing information to understand a problem or topic from more than one perspective; making logical connections between ideas; offering your own perspective on the topic based on your evaluation of the available evidence.
The purpose of this assignment is to identify and apply Logistics and Supply Chain Management concepts/tools to suggest logistics performance priorities. For this purpose, you should search and review food chain companies through secondary available information. Think about how you can apply the concepts/tools that you learned in this course.
Write about the logistics performance priorities of any local or international Food Chain company in KSA of your choice. Explain why you have come to your conclusions:
The Answer must follow the outline points below:
1. Executive summary (2 Mark, Max word count 200-250)
– Summarize what is logistics performance priorities, and what Logistics and Supply Chain Management concepts/tools applied to achieve the company’s objective.
2. Background information (2 Mark, Max word count 200-250)
– Briefly introduce the company background (e.g., name, products, business size, location, internal/external interesting facts, etc).
3. Problem Description (2 Mark, Max word count 200-250)
– Describe the objectives clearly and specifically.
– The objective may involve either logistics decision-making or process improvement.
4. Application of logistics and SCM concepts/tools that were applied (2 Mark, Max word count 200-250)
– Describe what specific logistics and Supply Chain Management concepts/tools be applied to achieve the objective. This section should make it clear that you understand the concepts/tools you are about to use.
5- Conclusion and results (1 Mark, Max word count 100-150)
– Analyze the expected results / the proposed solution.
6. References at least 8-10. (1 Marks)
Note: Use APA style of referencing

This is a discussion on Project Stakeholder Engagement.
Please read through the case below – about the introduction of genetically-modified fish to the world market.
PLEASE SEE the IMPORTANT NOTE below to avoid reading all 18 pages!
You can post along the lines of one or more of the following suggested topics – whichever of them catch your interest:
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and how it affects stakeholder identification
Comment on the number and variety of stakeholders that Aquadvantage Salmon had to ID and engage, and how they limited the number
Discuss the conclusions, especially the one about ‘strategic, selective, and pragmatic stakeholder selection’. Do you think it is limited to genetically-engineered salmon?
In addition to the above (not instead of, but in addition): what are your personal thoughts when it comes to eating genetically-modified foods?
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I don’t mean for you to read the entire content of 18 pages (although you are welcome to do so). My suggestion:
Read the introduction (Section 1).
Skip to Page 4, and read from halfway down (“From a corporate perspective…”) to the end of Section 2.
Skip Section 3 (Method).
Scan through Section 4 (Case), focusing on Page 8 about 2/3 of the way down (“In the meantime…”).
Skip through Analysis until the top of Page 13, read from Page 13 to the end (including especially Section 6 – Conclusions).
Case from Norway – Aquaculture and Genetically Modified Fish.pdf

Remember: use a reference – you can cite the article above, of course, and other references or resources, if you wish.

The assignment must be submitted by Saturday, stick to the required word count and do not use artificial intelligence as much as possible. Thank you

In this article, the author discusses the different definition of customers either internal or external and how satisfying all customers’ needs helps the organization in term of accomplishing its quality objectives. Read the article, and answer the following questions:
Assignment Question(s):
1.In your own words, summarize the article. ( 150 – 200 words ) ( 3 marks )
2.To which extent do you agree or disagree with the author point of view “that internal customers’ needs are important as externals to create a true quality environment” and Why? ( 150 – 200 words ) ( 3 marks )
3. Discuss the tools needed to operate within the new environment as indicated by the author. ( 150 – 200 words) ( 4 marks )
Important Notes: –
For each question, you need to answer not in less than 150 Words.
Support your answers with course material concepts, principles, and theories from the textbook and scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles etc.
Use APA style for writing references.