Case study assignment

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Graded Project

Case Analysis

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2

PROCEDURE 2

GRADING CRITERIA 3

SUBMITTING YOUR PROJECT 5

CASE ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION You’ve already examined several cases from the text. Your course project will require a careful reading of the case titled “Tesla Motors in 2016: Will Its Strategy Be Defeated by Low Gasoline Prices and Mounting Competition?” in your textbook.

Tesla introduced its first vehicle, the all-electric Roadstar, in early 2008. Then, in 2012, Tesla released its ground-breaking Model S Sedan, a fully electric luxury sedan with an all-glass roof and several other luxury features. Purchases of the Model S steadily increased, and it became the best-selling large luxury vehicle in the United States, sur- passing Mercedes Benz. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk envisioned a bold and bright future, including a desire to “accelerate the world’s transition from…gasoline-powered motor vehicles to…electric vehicles.” In 2016, however, Tesla began to face three particular challenges that could potentially impede Musk’s vision for the company: low gasoline prices, growing competition, and the ability to provide its cars at a sufficiently lower price. Amid these challenges, will Tesla be able to achieve its strategy to become the world’s biggest and most highly regarded producer of electric vehicles?

PROCEDURE Read through Case 16: “Tesla Motors in 2016: Will Its Strategy Be Defeated by Low Gasoline Prices and Mounting Competition?” in the back of your textbook.

Carefully go through all chapters covered in your course and analyze the Tesla case within the frameworks available. Because this situation is fluid, there’s no correct or incor- rect answer; what’s important is your application of course materials and the process of your analysis. Begin with a SWOT analysis, and then read through and thoroughly answer all the questions. When conducting your SWOT analysis, feel free to review the many business articles on Tesla, the stock chat message boards (for sentiment), and any source of information you feel is helpful. Remember to provide citations for any material you quote verbatim.

Your paper should provide answers to the following questions:

1. Create a SWOT analysis for Tesla. Refer to both Table 4.3 and Figure 4.2 in your textbook. List Tesla’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities and threats. Be sure to include these in your paper by either listing them or creating a diagram similar to Figure 4.2. Then write your conclusions and implications of the analysis. Lastly, provide at least two recommendations based on this analysis. Explain your reasons for these recommendations.

2. Based on what you’ve read about Mercedes-Benz acquiring a stake in Tesla and strategic partnerships from your text, what are the potential pitfalls of this alliance? Do these pitfalls apply in Tesla’s case, given their patent policy? Explain why.

3. What type of diversification strategy does the launch of Tesla Energy represent: related or unrelated? Explain why. Does Tesla Energy’s new business meet the three tests of corporate advantage?

4. What kind of vertical integration strategy did Tesla choose for its distribution and supply chains: backward or forward integration? What are the advantages of its chosen strategies? What are the disadvantages?

5. In reviewing Tesla’s manufacturing strategy, does the part of Tesla’s value chain it outsources make strategic sense? Explain why or why not.

6. Which of the five generic strategies is Tesla pursuing with its marketing strategy? Explain.

7. What are the key elements of Tesla’s culture? What problems do you foresee that Elon Musk will have in sustaining that culture amid growing competition? Explain.

Grading Criteria The following is a breakdown of how your project will be graded:

1. Content 85%

n Question 1: 25 points

n Questions 2 through 7: 10 points each

2. Written communication 10%

3. Format 5%

Here’s a brief explanation of each of these criteria:

Content

The student

n Provides clear answers to the assigned questions

n Addresses the questions in complete sentences, not just simple yes or no statements

n Provides a clear analysis of the assigned topic and presents reasonable conclu- sions with appropriate supporting information

n Writes in his or her own words and uses quotation marks to indicate direct quotations

n Uses at least three other sources. At least one of these sources must be found through the Penn Foster online library.

Written Communication

The student

n Answers each question in a complete paragraph that includes an introductory sen- tence, at least four sentences of explanation, and a concluding sentence

n Uses correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure

n Uses logical thinking in presenting his or her arguments

n Stays focused on the assigned issues

n Provides clear organization (for example, uses words and phrases like first, how- ever, on the other hand, and so on, since, consequently, next, and when)

n Makes sure the paper contains no typographical errors

n Supports his or her opinions by citing appropriate information using either APA or MLA format. Need information on resources for proper citation and works cited page.

Format n Type your submission, double-spaced, in a standard print font, and size 12 font.

Use a standard document format with 1-inch margins. Do not use any fancy or cursive fonts. Your paper should be written in Microsoft Word or a Word compatible program such as Google Docs.

n Include a cover page with the following information:

â Your name

â Your email address

â Your student number

â Course title and number (Strategic Business Management, BUS425)

â Research project number (50056300)

Submitting Your Project Each project is individually graded by your instructor and therefore takes up to a few weeks to grade.

Follow this procedure to submit your project online:

Make sure the following information is in the heading of each document:

n Your name

n Your email address

n Your student number

n Course name and number (Strategic Business Management, BUS425)

n Project number (50056300)

To submit your graded project, follow these steps:

1. Go to http://www.pennfoster.edu.

2. Log in to your student portal.

3. Click on Take Exam next to the lesson you’re working on.

4. Follow the instructions provided to complete your exam.

Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit to the school!

http://www.pennfoster.edu