Assessment item 1
Strategy Analysis Report
Value: 40%
Due date: 18-Aug-2017
Return date: 08-Sep-2017
Length: 2500 (+/- 10%)
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
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. This includes a 200 word executive summary, but excludes references and appendix.
Your Report should cover the following:
1. Briefly describe the background information of the organisation (or SBU) chosen. 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).
2. Conduct an external environment analysis including a macro-environment analysis and Porter's 5 forces analysis:
(a) Conduct a macro-environment analysis for the entire industry within which the organisation (or SBU) operates. You should use the PESTEL model and focus on understanding the purpose of this analysis, the identification of key factors and their implications in terms of key opportunities and threats, and discussion of their overall impact on industry growth in the future. Draw your conclusions based on your macro-environment analysis.
(b) Undertake an industry analysis using either Porter’s 5 forces model or Hubbard's industry analysis approach. You should 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 industry analysis.
3. Conduct an internal environment analysis. You should identify, differentiate and evaluate the key resources and competencies of the organisation (or SBU) that are most 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 raised 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
The rationale for this task is to develop skills in problem solving, analysis, evaluation and reflection in the use of strategic analysis in contemporary organisation. This contributes to the following learning outcomes for 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 analysis and its relationship to other management practices and principles;
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
MGT510 Strategic Management Assessment 1
FL (0-49%)
PS (50%-64%)
CR (65%-74%)
DI (75%-84%)
HD (85%-100%)
1. Executive summary (5 marks) Does not identify/provides only a limited identification of the requirements for the executive summary. Provides an outline of the report structure, but significance and relevance of issues in not discussed. No/little justification provided. Provides the basic summary of the report and identifies the key issues and how they inter-relate, but limited justification of significance. The structure of the report explained.
Provides a comprehensive summary of the report and a clear, succinct identification of the main points, but requires further justification of significance. The structure of the report clearly explained. A comprehensive summary that highlights the purpose and significance of the main points, which are clearly explained, justified and supported. The structure of the report is well signposted.
2. Identification, use,application, and critical analysis of theory (10 marks) Relevant theory on the topic missing and/or none/ poor attempt to use theory to support point of view and/or argument. Provides little analysis and evaluation of relevant theory, and limited linking of theory and concepts to practice. But makes attempts to use theory to support point of view and/or argument. Some analysis and critical evaluation of relevant theory developed through linking theory and concepts to practice. Theory linked to point of view and/or argument. Provides analysis and critical evaluation of relevant theory, with evidence of insight developed through linking theory and concepts to practice. Theory is integrated and linked well to argument. Provides a comprehensive analysis and critical evaluation of relevant theory, with evidence of insight developed through linking theory and concepts to practice. Theory is integrated exceptionally well into argument.
3 .Critical reflection, discussion, and examples (15 marks) Does not demonstrate any attempt at critical/reflective analysis. Little evidence of independent, critical thought in problem identification and solving. Superficial attempt at critical/reflective analysis. Attempted development of critical thought in problem identification and solving, but ideas/comments not supported. Demonstrates and integrates limited critical/reflective analysis. Evidence of some reflective thinking. Evidence of independent, critical thought in problem identification and solving. Demonstrates and integrates some critical/reflective analysis. Evidence of reflective thinking skills. Strong evidence of independent, critical thought in problem identification and solving. Consistently demonstrates and integrates critical/reflective evaluation of issues identified in strategic analysis. Evidence of reasoned reflective thinking skills.
4 .Conclusion (5 marks)
Conclusion not evident and/or does not relate to main arguments in report. Provides a summary of main arguments in the report, and arrives at logical conclusions, but no support given. Clear conclusion that reflects main arguments in report. Limited support and reasoning for conclusions provided. Well-constructed and clear conclusion supported by main arguments in report. Reasoned and logical conclusions reached. Well-constructed and clear conclusion with strong links to main arguments in report. Well-reasoned and logical conclusions drawn.
5. Reference and Presentation (5 marks) Unsatisfactory expression and presentation. Meaning unclear and/or grammar and/or spelling contain frequent errors.
Poor presentation (referencing does not follow APA6th style) and less than 10 journal articles utilised. Expression and presentation of ideas are comprehensible but lack clarity.
Poor referencing style (referencing uses APA6th style, but with errors).
Demonstrates limited reading outside of topic materials provided and practical application; does not utilise the required 10 journal articles. Expression is lucid and clear with precise use of language. Writing style appropriate to the assessment item. Few flaws in grammar and spelling.
Referencing follows correct APA6th style, but requires improvement.
Demonstrates reading of topic materials provided and practical application; the required 10 journal articles utilised. Expression and presentation of ideas is mainly accurate. Fluent writing style appropriate to the assessment item. Grammar and spelling are accurate.
Referencing follows correct APA6th style, but some small errors.
Demonstrates reading outside of topic materials provided and practical application; the required 10 journal articles utilised. Expression and presentation of ideas are developed and clear. Fluent writing style appropriate to the assessment item. Grammar and spelling are accurate.
Referencing follows correct APA6th style.
Demonstrates wide reading and practical application; going beyond the required 10 journal articles.
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 is recommended to help focus your work. This 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 argument and structure
Correct spelling
Appropriate use of English grammar
Appropriate citation of references
Correspondence with the given word length
Referencing presented in the APA6th system adopted by the Faculty of Business and a reference list included at the end of your Report
When using material taken from the Collection of Readings provided by the University please refer to the original sources which is provided
Requirements
To complete your report for Senior Management you will need to include the following sections:
1. Executive Summary
2. Background Information of the Organisation (or SBU) chosen
3. External Analysis
4. Internal Analysis
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
You are required to cite a minimum of 10 refereed journal articles. For this assessment you are required to use APA6th referencing to acknowledge the sources that you have used in preparing your assessment. Please refer to the CSU referencing guide http://student.csu.edu.au/study/referencing-at-csu. In addition a very useful tool for you to use that demonstrates how to correctly use in text referencing and the correct way to cite the reference in your reference list can be found at https://apps.csu.edu.au/reftool/apa-6