Project description:
Module requirements:
The module requires an in-depth analysis of one industry. This should be a revision of the previous report which has been submitted. The report should not exceed 20 pages of Arial font, 11 pitch, 1.5 line spacing with 1 inch (2.5cm) margin all around. This limit should include the main body of the text and all appendices. Contents page and references/bibliography can be additional to this. If this page count is exceeded, a mark will be awarded purely on the first 25 pages.
Module Outline:
Choose any one industry (or in case of a large industry a business sector). Analyse its business environment and competitive arena. Assess whether the industry is in a strong position or otherwise.
A suggested outline for the report could be as follows:
1. Introduction – What is the study trying to achieve? Why did you choose a particular industry?
2. Industry sector – background, size, developments etc. over the past 5 years
A PEST (or similar) analysis: Political, Economic, Social, Technological. Consider the big issues of the moment and future implications and analyse the effects of the external environment on the industry.
3. Evaluation of the competitive nature of the industry using Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis.
Identification of 3 – 4 competitors within the industry and their competitive strategies. Highlight how the remote environment and competitive arena has an effect on the players within the industry and look at how they have responded to these external factors.
4. Conclusion – Your analysis of the strength of the industry at the present time and thoughts for the future success. (N.B. A SWOT analysis is not necessary at this point as this can form the start of a follow-on project you will be applying strategies to one particular company within your industry, depending on the MSc programme chosen).
5. Appendices – including: – critical evaluation of techniques used – academic debate on the techniques – any other data that would spoil the flow of the project
6. References – should be strictly adhered to as shown in appendix A if it were put into the main section.