Discussion Questions

Assignment 1

Deadline: 17/10/2020 @ 23:59

For Instructor’s Use only

Instructions – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY

· The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only) via allocated folder.

· Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.

· Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented, marks may be reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your information on the cover page.

· Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.

· Late submission will NOT be accepted.

· Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No exceptions.

· All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced) font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered plagiarism).

· Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.

Discussion Questions

· Submission Date by students: by the end of Week- 7

· Weight: 5 Marks

· Place of Submission: Students Grade Centre

· Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the basic concepts and terminology used in Strategic Management. (Lo 1.2)

2. Understand the Corporation Social Responsibility (Lo 1.4).

3. Explain how executive leadership is an important part of strategic management (Lo 3.4)

· Question 1: How does strategic management typically evolve in a corporation? (1Mark)

Answer :

Strategic management typically evolves in a corporation through a four-step process of auditing, development, implementation, and evaluation.

Strategic management in a corporation appears to evolve through four sequential phases according to Gluck, Kaufman, and Walleck. Beginning with basic financial planning, it develops into forecast-based planning, then into externally-oriented planning, and finally into a full-blown strategic management system. The evolution is most likely caused by increasing change and complexity in the corporation's external environment. The phases are thus likely to be characterized by a change from primarily an inward-looking orientation in the first phase to primarily an outward-looking orientation in the third phase, and to a more integrative orientation in the final strategic management phase with equal emphasis on both the external and internal environments.

· Question 2: Discuss the influence of globalization, social responsibility and environmental sustainability on strategic management of a corporation.(2 Marks)

Answer:

Globalization is the integrated internationalization of markets and corporations. As more industries become global, strategic management is becoming more important in keeping track of international developments and positioning a company for long-term competitive advantage. Innovation is meant to describe new products, services, methods and organizational approaches that would position a company to achieve strong returns. Sustainability refers to a set of business practices that focus on the triple bottom line for an organization. Each of these is a new frontier that is impacting the way in which businesses develop and implement strategy.

· Question 3: In what ways can a corporation’s structure and culture be internal strengths or weaknesses? Justify your answer by examples from real market. (1Mark)

Answer:

Corporate structure and culture has its advantages and disadvantages. An organizational structure is a framework that helps the employees achieve organizational goals. For example if an organization has a functional structure, all the decisions would be made at the top level which would add to the stability of the organization. But at the same time interdepartmental conflicts can increase as the communication between different departments deteriorate in such organizational structure (Magloff, 2015).

Corporate culture can also effect an organization either way. For example if an organization has develop a culture is based on the values of respect and cooperation, the employees would be motivated to work hard towards the achievement of the corporate goals. But if the culture is not based on these values, the employees would not be able to have a productive attitude towards their duties.

· Question 4: When does a corporation need a board of directors? Justify your answer by an example from Saudi market. (1 Mark)

Notes:  

· Your answers (for the 4 questions) MUST include at least three scholarly peer-reviewed references, using a proper referencing style (APA). Keep in mind that these scholarly references can be found in the Saudi Digital Library (SDL).

· Make sure to support your statements with logic and argument, citing all sources referenced.

Your answers should not include more than 1000 words

Good Luck

Answers

Question 1. ………………..