Strategic Analysis for an Institution/Organization

• The essence of strategic management is the study of why some firms outperform others. Managers need to know how to compete and secure a competitive advantage over a lengthy period of time. Strategic management consists of three ongoing processes: analyses, formulation, and implementation that organizations should undertake in order to create and sustain competitive advantages. To accomplish these three processes several strategic tools and models are used. How useful these strategic tools and models in helping decision-makers at organizations to make a better decision is a noteworthy question for investigation.

• This TMA is a team based assignment and it accounts for 20%of the total grade assigned to the course distributed as follows: 15% for essay report and 5% for in-class presentation.
• Each team will consist between 3-4 students. TMA is divided into two complementary parts namely, essays report and in-class presentation. For essays report, each team is required to select a team leader. The TMA paper should be uploaded to the LMS by the team leader only. This is a very important requirement in order to avoid Turn-it-in similarities. The names of all the team members should be written on the pt3 form, including the name of the team leader. All team members will receive the same mark on the TMA essay paper. Students are required to use the pt3 form provided on the LMS for this specific TMA.
  
  
• For in- class presentation, each team will present their assessment of chosen institution /organization to the class based on the relevant submitted report to tutor and accordingly; should prepare PowerPoint slides to use during presentation. The PowerPoint presentation should reflect on the most important points discussed in the essays submitted and should demonstrate a high-level understanding by being capable to handle respective questions from both the instructor and students.
  
  
• Time allowed for presentation, Q&A and discussion will be decided by tutor. All team members should contribute equally. Team members will receive the same mark on the PowerPoint presentation, given they have shown up and they balanced participated in the presentation, otherwise tutor will assign different grades to team members for presentation. Team members who don’t show up or participate in the presentation will receive a zeroon the presentation part.
  
  
• This TMA must be done with strict compliance to the guidelines and instructions stated, otherwise there will be penaltiesin form of marks deduction as per the university’s policy. 
  
  
• Submitted work copied from or written jointly with others is not acceptable. Submitting work that has been done by someone else and persistent borrowing of other people’s work without citation are obvious instances of plagiarism and are regarded as cheating. If a case of plagiarism is proven, this is a serious offence and the disciplinary procedures will be followed, as described under the Examination Policy of the AOU.
  
  
• TMAmust be written in ESSAY (discussion) format, bullet points and numbering not allowed.
  
  
• Word count should be exact with 10% (More/less) tolerance.
  
  
• You must acknowledge all sources of information using Harvard Style Referencing (In-text referencing plus list of references at the end). Minimum of 3 references are required. MUST include E-library and course materials. Wikipedia is not recommended as areference.
  
  
• Copy and paste-plagiarized work will be detected by TURNITIN and heavily penalized. Similarity should not exceed 30%
• Strictly use the PT3 form accompanying this TMA.
• You should present a well-structured and organized piece of work that is of your own.

N.B-1: Grades deduction will be implemented if you did not comply with the following criteria:

• Proper referencing (Harvard style referencing) - Deductions could be up to 5 grades.
• Essay format/Presentation (including Pt#3 form)- Deductions could be up to 5 grades.
• Adherence to specified word count – Deductions could be up to 5 grades.
• Use of the E-library/External resources – Deductions could be up to 5 grades.

N.B-2: TMA is meant to respond to recommendations given by EE to encourage and develop greater critical analytical skills especially at level 6, by encouraging students to read more widely and encouraging students to reflect on the application of the course theories and concepts

-You are requested to select a reputable institution/organization in your country to conduct your research, study and analysis. You have the choice to select either from Fast Food industry/sector or from Chain Supermarkets industry/sector.

• It is advisable to use publicly available information to begin your analysis: the organization's Web site is often the best starting point. Remember, however, that you are using the Web site as a source of data for the analysis; do not simply copy material off the Web site. Your assignment is an analysis, not a data-dump.(N.B. You should arrange with your tutor in order to verify that no other student had selected the same organization for the TMA).

• You will need to interview at least one member of the organization (either a current member or one who has recently left it). It can be very useful to make an initial contact with your informant early in the research process, to ensure that the person is indeed willing to talk with you. You will find the informant most useful, however, after you have done the preliminary work with the publicly available materials.

• The purpose of this TMA is to develop your ability to use the conceptual frameworks and tools from the BUS310 course since this TMA is meant to assess your ability in understanding, and application of the course materials and ideas from external sources, as well as to your reflection and critical thinking. It is also intended to test your ability to argue relevantly and to justify a point of view besides, constructing, defending and evaluating an argument, using relevant evidence and giving reasons for conclusions.

• By referring to your chosen organization (subject research and study)you should answer the following three questions in an essay formats

Q1. Critically discuss the key factors and forces in the general and industry environments that affect the demand for product/service and consequently on the organization that you have chosen from your country. Discuss how these factors and forces is affecting your chosen organization performance and competitive position. From your own perspective, what actions should your chosen organization do to keep its competition alive?  (35 marks-750 words).

Q2. Critically evaluate the key resources available for the chosen organization to effectively and successfully compete within its boundary and attain a competitive advantage? Discuss whether the chosen organization market position is supported by its value chain and other key internal resources. As a strategist, what recommendations you would suggest to help the chosen organization to stay ahead of its rivals. (35 marks- 750 words)

Q3.  Critically evaluate the chosen institution/organization Business–Level strategy components. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these components? Suggest ways by which the chosen institution/organization may improve and sustain its competitive position in sector. (30 marks -500 words)