assignment
ffff2019
strategy2022x.docxStrategy: Individual Summative Assignment
Overview
The summative assignment is an individual project based on the theoretical models and frameworks covered in the lectures and seminars.
The report should be 2500 words plus an executive summary, table of contents, tables, diagrams, bibliography and relevant appendices.
Appendices are permitted to provide contextual information and data to support the argument(s) presented. They may support the conclusions in the report, but the report should not be dependent on the contents of an appendix.
The Task
My Firm is Fisker (Hybrid& Electric Cars in United States)
Choose a firm from the industry from which you presented your formative assessment. Ensure that it is a firm that publishes annual reports and is monitored closely by analysts (consultancy firms) and/or the reliable media such as the FT and the Economist. This is because you will need to draw on reliable data to complete the task..
Care is also needed – highly diversified companies with many, often international, subsidiaries can be difficult to research, especially if the subsidiaries have strategic objectives that are set at the business level, rather than the corporate level. A subsidiary of a large conglomerate can be selected if it produces independent data/reports. If you want to study a large and diversified conglomerate – for example, Alphabet/Google – discuss this with your seminar leader in class.
Required:
1. An environmental (macro) analysis (drawing on formative assessment and teaching and learning from weeks 1 and 2)
2. An internal analysis – resource-based.
3. An assessment of the strategic positioning of the firm.
a. Competitive position
b. Sustainability/SDG position
4. On the basis of this analysis, provide three justified strategic recommendations/choices (relate each to the relevant SDGs.
5. Subject these recommendations to a critique against one of Mintzberg’s seven descriptive schools (power, cognitive, environmental, learning, cultural, configuration, entrepreneurial.
6. Discuss the implications for your firm regarding implementation of two of the following:
a. structures and designs .
b. globalisation/deglobalisation.
c. innovation/digitalisation/digitisation.
d. Entrepreneurship.
e. change management/culture/leadership.
7. Summary/synthesis
Further considerations
Your report will incorporate longitudinal (over time) performance data supporting your conclusions and recommendations. These data can be presented in an appendix, but you are advised against just reproducing a balance sheet from an annual report. The task is to present coherent supportive data and provide a suitable commentary to explain its relevance.
You are invited to use graphics to represent the tools and techniques of strategic analysis, choice and implementation. These help to illustrate your presentation capabilities. However, appendices, diagrams and tables should not be used to abuse/extend the wordcount (a table containing sentences is not advised). When using diagrams/illustrations, ensure that they are of a good resolution and can be read when uploaded through Turnitin. Their sources should be properly cited and referenced at the end of the report. For example, a website URL is not an acceptable reference form. Harvard-type referencing is expected. Guidance on how to do this can be found in the Course area of My Studies – see referencing handbook. There are marks to be lost by not citing and referencing appropriately.
Real world practice and employability
Firms employ strategy tools in their business processes. This assessment simulates strategic analysis, choice and implementation that can be expected and experienced in firms. A command of these skills enhances employability.
8. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA GRID.
CRITERION/task |
Split |
80-100 First Class / Distinction. |
70-79 First Class / Distinction. |
60 -69 Upper 2nd Class / Merit. |
50 – 59 Lower 2nd Class / Pass. |
40 – 49 3rd Class / Pass. |
0 – 39 Refer / Fail |
|
Choice and use of strategy tools (macro/environmental and micro/internal) and application |
30 |
An outstanding response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An excellent response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A good to very good response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A sound, competent response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An adequate, but weak response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An unsatisfactory response to the task. The work may display some strengths but these are outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline. |
|
Analysis outcomes (what the analyses tell us) and recommendations (how to translate into policy) |
30 |
An outstanding response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An excellent response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A good to very good response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A sound, competent response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An adequate, but weak response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An unsatisfactory response to the task. The work may display some strengths but these are outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline. |
|
Critique (Mintzberg) and implications for your firm regarding implementation of two of the following: a. structures and designs b. globalisation/deglobalisation c. innovation/digitalisation d. entrepreneurship e. change management/culture/ leadership |
25 |
An outstanding response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An excellent response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A good to very good response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A sound, competent response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An adequate, but weak response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An unsatisfactory response to the task. The work may display some strengths but these are outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline. |
|
Quality/referencing and overall rigour of research |
15 |
An outstanding response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics beyond that expected for work at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An excellent response to the task. The work demonstrates characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A good to very good response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
A sound, competent response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An adequate, but weak response to the task. The work demonstrates most or all of the characteristics in relation to those expected at the given level of study within the discipline. |
An unsatisfactory response to the task. The work may display some strengths but these are outweighed by several weak features in relation to the expectations for the given level of study within the discipline. |
The learning outcomes tested by these tasks are:
LO1: Critically evaluate and synthesise attributes of business and corporate strategy schools of thought. LO2: Systematically apply concepts and tools of strategic analysis relating to the macro-environment, industry environment, firms' strategic capability (resources and competences), stakeholders and culture for domestic and international/regional/global contexts LO3: Select and leverage factors relating to strategy evaluation, choice, implementation and monitoring. LO4: Assess the implications for structures and designs, innovation, entrepreneurship, change management. LO5: Critically evaluate and contrast strategic options for firms seeking to contribute to meeting the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and Responsible Enterprise more generally. LO6: Demonstrate the ability to synthesise information, ideas, concepts and frameworks from themes across the module with source materials – texts, additional reading and current affairs.
