Task: Business Aspects of Management Accounting
Strategic models
This is intended to make you think about the use of strategic planning models in businesses. These models were devised to help businesses analyse their strategic position and to help them formulate successful strategies.
To undertake this work you should first read the article "Model Accountants". For details of the article see the reading list at the end of this brief.
After reading the article you should select one of the models discussed in it. For the model you select you should:
1. Explain the purpose of the model and how it was envisaged that it would inform business strategic decision making.
2. Assess the extent to which the model provides a useful tool for businesses
3. Comment on the usefulness of the model to businesses in the current business environment.
4. Use specific examples from the literature to illustrate the use of the model
In order to answer the questions you should refer to high quality reference and research papers. When discussing your chosen model, you should refer to the original publication and not the summary in "Model Accountants". In addition to any items listed below in the reading for this assignment you should chose up to 8 additional sources. For each of these additional sources you should complete the Article Choice sheet attached to this assignment.
Reading List:
Ansoff I H (1957) Strategies for Diversification Harvard Business Review; Sep/Oct57, Vol. 35 Issue 5, p113-124, 12p,
Henderson B (1970) The Product Portfolio BCG Perspectives. Available on-line at
https://www.bcgperspectives.com/content/Classics/strategy_the_product_portfolio/ (registration required for access)
Johnson S (2006) Model Accountants ACCA Student Accountant April 2006
Porter M (2008) The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy Harvard Business Review January 2008
Assessment Criteria:
Has the student explain in a coherent and accurate manner the way in which the chosen model helps businesses make strategic decisions?
Has the student produced a well constructed assessment of whether the model provides a useful tool for businesses?
Has the student made a clear assessment of how the selected model relates to businesses in current market conditions?
Has the student given appropriate, current examples to back up their analysis?
Has the student chosen appropriate sources upon which to base their analysis and provided clear reasons for their choices and displayed an understanding of how to assess the quality of sources?
Evaluation of sources: Article Choice Sheet
Article Title and full citation
Why did you choose this article for your work? How did it help you answer the questions set?
How did you use the contents of the article to help answer the questions set?
How did you assess the reliability of the article, its contents and any conclusions in it?