- Choose one company from the list published on the eLP (see Assessment Folder). For this company, explain how successful you think it is and discuss the strategic reasons behind that success. Your explanation should include something about the contribution of leadership to the company. Go on to suggest strategies and/or actions for ensuring success in the future.
Your assignment should contain the following sections (5cm spacing between each) numbered exactly as follows. Mark allocations are shown in the marking scheme at the end of this brief.
1. A brief (maximum 100 words) introduction to the company
2. Company data which can be used to evaluate its success concluding with your thoughts about
whether or not the company can be described as “successful”.
3. An outline of 6 to10 business reasons behind the success stated in a simple, straightforward way with a brief (4/5 sentences) explanation of each reason. Avoid strategy “jargon”; no analysis is required – this is a test of your broad business knowledge and understanding.
4. A detailed analysis of the company’s strategic capabilities starting with a Value Chain and followed by a VRIN evaluation. Your interpretation of the analysis must clearly show how the company has been able to build competitive advantage.
5. An evaluation of the contribution of leadership to the company’s success, basing this on appropriate theory. A wide range of topics will be acceptable including:
o Leadership (e.g. styles, attributes) o Management theories
o Organisational culture
o Decision-making
6. A detailed analysis and interpretation based on one further topic area from the following list: o Business (competitive) strategy consistent with strategic capabilities
o International strategy (based on the framework in Exploring Strategy)
o Innovation strategy
o Collaboration (alliances, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions)
7. An explanation of any external and/or internal factors that might make it difficult for the company to be successful in the future and suggestions (based upon your prior analysis) as to how the company can best deal with these.
3600 words
