Critically evaluate the key issues that strategic analysis plays in a business or organisation that you are familiar with.
In this assignment, you are required to write a 2500 word report including 200 words of an executive summary, but excluding references and appendix. You should also perform the following tasks:
1. Describe briefly the background information of the organisation (or SBU) assigned. This information should be brief and relevant to the discussion of your assignment and thus may include ownership, history, size, business scope, major products/services, and major markets of the organisation (or SBU) selected.
2. Conduct external environment analysis including a marco-environment analysis and Porter's 5 forces analysis:
(1) Conduct a macro-environment analysis for the entire industry within which the organisation (or SBU) operates. You should use PESTEL model and focus on the understanding of the purpose of this analysis, the identification of key factors and their implications in terms of key opportunities and threats, and the discussion of their overall impact on the industry growth in the future. Draw your conclusion based on your macro-environment analysis.
(2) Undertake a competitive analysis using Porter's 5 forces model. You are required to pay attention to the purpose of this analysis, the inter-connectedness of different aspects of the competitive forces,and their overall impact on the industry and the organisation selected in terms of main driving forces in the competitive environment. Draw your conclusions based on your five-force analysis.
3. Conduct internal environment analysis. You should identify key resources and competencies of the organsation (or SBU) that are likely to provide sustainable competitive advantage.
4. Summarise your findings based on your external and internal environment analysis. Identify the key issues that the organisation (or SBU) faces and give your recommendations.
5. Draw your conclusion.
Guidelines for this task:
Ensure that you read widely and address key components of the strategic management process addressed in the literature from Module 1.
You should seek to complement the readings from Module 1 by accessing books and relevant journal articles from the sources listed under 'Recommended additional reading' in this Subject Outline.
Use your reading to inform your critical evaluation of the key issues of strategic analysis within the business, public sector or not-for-profit organisation where you work.
While you are required to name the organisation that is the focus of your research, you may wish to make a case for maintaining the anonymity of the organisation (e.g. due to political or commercial sensitivities). Contact your subject coordinator before you start on the assignment if you need to do this.
Note that this subject uses a due date system for assignments; i.e., the stated date is the last date for acceptance for that assignment. You must timetable your work schedule so you have plenty of time to ensure your work arrives on time.
Rationale
This assessment item relates to the following learning outcomes in this subject:
be able to identify and explain the key components of strategic management such as strategy analysis;
be able to review and evaluate the evolution of ideas and practices leading to the development of strategic management and its relationship to other management practices and principles;
be able to identify and differentiate between functional areas such as marketing, finance, operations and human resource management and evaluate how they should act conjointly toward the attainment of the organisations strategic aims and objectives;
be able to evaluate the importance of developing strategically appropriate relationships between people, processes, functions, structures and even organisations; and
be able to critique, act strategically, and make recommendations in the context of the potential of strategic management vis-a-vis the realisation of organisational change and/or success in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
Marking criteria
MBA508 Business Strategy Assessment 1
FL (0-49%)
PS (50%-64%)
CR (65%-74%)
DI (75%-84%)
HD (85%-100%)
1. Executive summary Does not identify/provides only a limited identification of the requirements for the executive summary. Attempts to identify the requirements, but does not draw out their significance in relation to the assignment.
Provides an adequate summary of the report that identifies the significant aspects and how they inter-relate. Provides a comprehensive summary of the report and a clear, succinct identification of the main points. Comprehensive; purpose and significance of the main points are clearly explained and signposted through the report structure.
2. Identification, use,application, and critical analysis of theory Relevant theory on the topic missing and/or none/ poor attempt to use theory to support point of view and/or argument. Include some relevant theory and makes attempts to use theory to support point of view and/or argument. Identification and explanation of relevant theory. Theory linked to point of view and/or argument. Concise overview and critical analysis of relevant theory. Theory is integrated and linked well to argument. Concise overview and critical evaluation of relevant theory. Theory is integrated exceptionally well into argument.
3 .Critical reflection, discussion, and examples Does not demonstrate any attempt at critical/reflective analysis. Some attempt at critical/reflective analysis. Demonstrate and integrate critical/reflective analysis. Evidence of reflective thinking skills. Mostly demonstrate and integrate critical/reflective analysis. Evidence of good reflective thinking skills. Consistently demonstrate and integrate critical/reflective evaluation. Evidence of superior reflective thinking skills.
4 .Conclusion Conclusion not evident and/or does not relate to main arguments in report. Conclusion reflects main arguments in report. Clear conclusion that reflects main arguments in report Well-constructed and clear conclusion supported by main arguments in report Well-constructed and clear conclusion with strong links to main arguments in report.
5. Reference and Presentation (5 marks) Unsatisfactory expression and presentation. Meaning unclear and/or grammar and/or spelling contain frequent errors. No consideration given to the reader. Poor presentation e.g. single spacing, no paragraphs. 10 potentially relevant refereed journal articles presented in near-perfect APA referencing style. Articles used to some effect in report.
Satisfactory expression and presentation. Meaning apparent but language not always fluent, grammar and/or spelling contain errors. Minimal consideration given to the reader. Meets most report presentation guidelines. 10 relevant refereed journal articles presented in APA referencing style. Articles used to good effect in report.
Good expression and presentation. Language mainly fluent grammar and spelling mainly accurate. Needs more consideration given to the needs of the reader. Mainly meets report presentation guidelines.
10+ very relevant refereed journal articles presented in perfect APA style. Articles used to very good effect in report.
Very good expression and presentation. Language fluent, few errors in grammar, spelling and syntax. Mainly considerate of the reader. Meet report presentation guidelines.
15+ highly relevant refereed journal articles presented in perfect APA style. Articles used to outstanding effect in report.
Outstanding expression and presentation. Fluent writing style appropriate to the style of paper. Grammar and spelling accurate. Very considerate to the reader. Meets report presentation guidelines.
Presentation
All assignments must be typed and they should be at least 1.5 line spaced with 12pt font size. Use of headings and subheadings are recommended to help focus your work. The use of headings and sub-headings does not mean that you can dispense with the need to create a coherent discussion.
This is always critically important.
Please note that in all assignments the following are expected:
Careful analysis
Evidence of wide and careful reading (beyond what has been provided)
Coherent argumentation and structure
Correct spelling
Appropriate use of English grammar
Appropriate citation of references
Correspondence with the given word length
Referencing presented in the APA system adopted by the Faculty of Business
When using material taken from the Collection of Readings provided by the University please refer to the original sources which is fully listed
A Reference list must appear at the end of the paper.
Requirements
To complete your report for Senior Management you will need to include the following sections:
1. Executive Summary
2. Background - Give a brief account of the background of the company/organisation
3. External Analysis - Conduct an analysis of the organisation's external environment and competitive landscape
4. Internal Analysis - Conduct an analysis of the organization's internal environment including its resources/capabilities identify the
company's core competencies and resulting ability to outperform competitors
5. Identify and analyse the issues in the internal and external environments and prioritize them in the order you feel are most critical
6. Conclusion - Summarise your findings.