Research Paper
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PrecisionAgricultureIndustryResearchAssignment.docx
The Precision Agriculture Industry Research Assignment
Instructions: Your assignment is to READ the information on the precision agriculture and agribusiness industry, do additional archival research, and apply the three elements of industry analysis from the textbook; specifically, PESTEL analysis, PORTER analysis, and STRATEGIC GROUPS analysis.
Precision agriculture industry is newly emerging. The technology is part of “the internet of things” and “big data” and thus has the potential to disrupt and/or expand the “big ag” industry.
The PEST analysis here is valuable to think about how changes in technology will impact the buyers, suppliers, new entrants, rivals, and substitutes. However, you might need to think about which types of companies (industry segment or strategic group) you are most interested in. The strategic group that might include Deere and Co. and International Harvester might not be the same as the segment that is investing in free standing apps that are independent of machinery. Also, the agribusiness USERS of precision ag is another framing for your research. Your job is to determine which segment or strategic group (see text for explanation) you want to use to focus and narrow your paper.
The first section of your paper should be identification and justification of the industry segment you are selecting. This should NOT be based just on your personal interest, but rather on your evaluation of the industry and determination of the business potential and prospects for this material. I should get the sense that you have done enough research to explain and understand why you think the segment you are examining is valuable. (Approximately 1 page.) Please include a supporting exhibit (table or chart) to support your narrative.
The second section of your research paper should be an analysis of the industry structure OF THE SEGMENT you have chosen to focus on You should use archival research ( Bluford Library online resources (or physical)) and your understanding of the PESTLE and PORTER forces models to determine the nature of the industry structure. To do this you will need to analyze your information to come up with specific conclusions about
1) The importance and/or strength of each of the 5 forces as of January 2020. How might it change going forward?
2) Which one or two forces have the most potential to make the industry MORE profitable or LESS profitable. In other words what conclusions can you draw about industry changes going forward in the next 2-5 years?
The third section of your paper should be a summary of your conclusions about this industry. This section should draw from the previous two sections and frame your conclusions about this industry in terms of Opportunities (trends in the environment that will make it easier for this industry to be highly profitable) and Threats (trends in the environment that will make it harder for this industry to be highly profitable.) You should use at least ONE exhibit (graphic or table) that lists a summary of the Opportunities and Threats in the industry. This exhibit should summarize and support your narrative. (Approximately 1 page.)
All exhibits go at the END of the narrative and are NOT counted in the narrative page expectation. Exhibits should be numbered and given a title and should be referred to in the narrative. (This is a challenge to see how you can incorporate and summarize information in a meaningful way in limited space.)
You MUST have at least 5 additional informational sources from the LIBRARY (not GOOGLE or INTERNET) as part of your research. (You can use websites, but you must cite them AND they are NOT included in the required number of research sources.)
GRADING CRITERIA:
1) Does the submission follow the instructions above and address each element of the assignment?
2) Does the submission have the required supporting exhibits, provided in logical order, and properly integrated in or supportive of the narrative?
3) Has the submission used class concepts properly, demonstrating competence in the application of the concept to this case example?
4) Do the conclusions regarding opportunities and threats make sense relative to the facts of the case and the application or analyses.
5) Are the exhibits presented in a clear professional manner that provides facts, data, and concepts in a concise format that clearly communicates its intent? (Exhibits should be numbered in the order in which they are introduced or referred to in the narrative text.) (CREATE NICE TABLES or other ILLUSTRATIONS in a succinct format.)
6) Is the written narrative clear and professional (no misspelled words, using proper grammar and syntax, written in the third person).
7) Is the submission based on proper and legitimate archival sources, properly cited. (The sources need to reflect authoritative sources, not just “news” reports. ) All information is properly footnoted and referenced as needed for academic integrity.
Plagiarism Warning:
1) All exhibits should be created by YOU. You should NOT paste an exhibit from an archival or online source. The exhibit should reflect YOUR understanding and knowledge. If you use data as part of your exhibit, you should cite the source.
2) Any PORTER or PESTL exhibit should be created by YOU. Same warning as #1 above.
3) Any list of Opportunities and Threats in your exhibit should be created by YOU. Same warning as #1.
4) If you use more that three consecutive words you must either use a direct quote as part of your citation process or your must re-write the idea in your own words and then include a citation to your reference.
5) All submitted work will be evaluated by “SafeAssign” in Blackboard. You will be able to see the originality index for your work. If the originality index is too high, you should revise your paper accordingly and resubmit before the due date.
