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QAB020X603 Applied Corporate Strategy - University of Roehampton
Applied Corporate Strategy Assessment: Strategic Analysis Report
The module is assessed (100%) by an individual Strategic Report (maximum 3,000 words) involving an in-depth, strategic analysis of a large organisation. The subject of the report will be decided by the module convenor but students will be able to choose from a list of several examples.
The Strategic Report should address the following:
1) Carry out external analysis (business environment and industry) to identify a set of Opportunities and Threats and assess industry attractiveness.
2) Analyse the resources and key competences of the organisation to identify a set of Strengths and Weaknesses and identify core competences (key factors that may give the company its competitive advantage).
3) Evaluate the given strategy(as per chosen organisation)usingSAFe criteria.
Correct Harvard referencing and overall professional presentation showing clear report style.
Please note that the emphasis is on application! This assignment is not about general (or critical) discussion of strategic models. You are asked to apply these models to the case chosen. Appropriately referenced data should be used in support of your arguments and discussion.
Q1: External analysis (not about organisation)
Discuss the business environment and identify a number of Opportunities - Os and Threats - Ts (we expect 6 issuesfrom business environment to be discussed in total each of which concluded as an O or a T). Please note that there is no need to address each factor (if for example there are no important legal or technological issues do not discuss these factors). Your task is to identify and discuss 6 most important issues in your opinion. Demonstrate how an issue is an Opportunity or a Threat.
Industry analysis (5 Forces) should be applied to assess industry attractiveness (each force should be discussed and assessed as High, Moderate or Low and industry attractiveness should be assessed having theseforces in mind).
Q2: Internal analysis (about organisation)
Identify and discuss organisation's unique resources &distinctive capabilities (approximately 10-12 Strengths and Weaknesses should be covered in total). Discuss resources (what a company has) and competences (activities) separately.
While addressing unique resources (physical - e.g. retail outlets, manufacturing facilities, products etc.; human - e.g. people and teams crucial for successful strategic development; intangible - e.g. brands, links to external stakeholders etc. and possibly financial) make sure that each is discussed separately and concluded as an S or a W. Identify and discuss 5 to 6 resources in total.
While discussing distinctive competences construct Value Chain for the organisation and within list a number of specific and distinctive activities for your organisation (5-6 in total). Demonstrate how unique capabilities link to competitive advantage (each distinctive competence from Value Chain should be "pushed" through VRIO to identify Core Competences for the organisation).Once you identify one (or two at most) core competence provide a discussion about these below Value Chain or VRIO (what is the activity and how does it contribute to firm's competitive advantage). Note that all competences listed n value chain (and VRIO) should be company's Strengths (Weaknesses could be discussed in a descriptive fashion separately). Again, use properly referenced data to support your arguments. This question is about the company (internal analysis).
Q3: Strategy Evaluation
Evaluate the given strategy - please see "Cases for the assignment" on moodle) using the three SAFe tests:
Construct TOWS populating Os, Ts, Ss and Ws fully (all Os and Ts obtained from Q1, all Ss and Ws obtained from Q2). Place the strategy you are evaluating in one of the inner sections and try to associate it to one or more internal and one or more external items while addressing Suitability (e.g. if you place a strategy in S-O quadrant identify appropriate S or Ss combined with O or Os while contemplating this strategy).
Construct Power/Interest matrix with a number of relevant stakeholders, then choose two stakeholder groups that will be affected with the strategy and for each discuss if the strategy you are evaluating is acceptableor not and why.
While addressing Feasibility, comment on financial resources and skills required for implementation of the strategy being evaluated.
Industry for assignment
AstraZeneca operates in global pharmaceutical industry so addressing that industry in Q1 would be appropriate
Amazon operates in many industries (E-commerce, cloud computing. artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, digital distribution, self-driving cars etc.) so students can choose the most appropriate one. I'd say self-driving cars (driverless delivery) would help with Q3 but if a student wish to concentrate on e-commerce that is fine too.
Uber and Postmates: The deal is related to US food delivery so if students address this industry it may help with Q3.
Students to pick one industry the company competes in (so they need to choose the industry) and to apply PESTEL and 5 Forces to that industry in Q1.
Attachment:- Applied Corporate Strategy.rar