Report on Analyzing Business Environment and IT Solutions to Gain Competitive Advantage

. Learning Outcomes for the item of assessment This item of assessment covers the following learning outcomes. For the full list of learning outcomes for the module, please refer to the Module Study Guide.

• Analyse the business environment, both internal and external, in which information systems have to operate.

• Explain how information technology can provide solutions to business problems and provide opportunities for organisations.

• Develop problem solving skills in a business information and technology environment.

Write a report about a business of your choice, analyse its internal and external business environment and assess the role of information technology (IT) in enabling the organisation to gain a competitive advantage.

A list of suitable companies is available on Canvas.  

• write an introduction about your chosen organisation and

• give background information about the organisation  briefly discuss products and services of your chosen business (500 words)

• analyse the competitive environment of your chosen business by applying Porter’s 5 Force analysis and justify your analysis (1000 words)

• analyse inbound logistics, operations and outbound logistics and

• analyse any two support activities in Porter's Value Chain of your chosen business

• identify key value adding activities with justification (1000 words)

• build on your understanding of “Porter’s 5 Force analysis” and “Porter’s Value Chain” analysis:

• summarise and reflect on how the business could deploy information technology (IT) and use innovative ideas to improve its business processes and to enhance its competitive positioning

• analyse the internal and external business environment of your chosen business

• discuss the role of IT in helping the business to gain a competitive advantage

• demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and ideas studied in the course

• demonstrate the use of analytical skills

• communicate effectively using management terms or language

• use the Harvard referencing system appropriately throughout the assignment

• submit only work that you have done by yourself - without any sort of third-party help

• submit this assignment as a Microsoft Word file Advice

• Do not use any ready-made work. Create your own report.

• Find information about the organisation by searching recognised internet sources,journals, and the organisation’s website and annual reports.

• Choose a company you will be able to find information on and start your investigations at the organisation’s website/literature/annual reports.

• Consult your seminar tutor before you start.

Have you checked Canvas messages/announcements for any additional/final details of the assessment?

2. Are you submitting in the correct submission area e.g. if it is a resubmission of your second assignment it should be ‘AS2R’?

3. Make sure you are submitting the correct final version of your work.

4. Have you kept to the word limit? Remember, anything greater than 10% above the word count will not be marked.

5. Have you addressed the assessment requirements as outlined in the Assessment Brief?

6. Have you spell checked and proofread your work?

7. Is your work formatted correctly and consistently?

8. Are you submitting a document in the correct format?

9. Is your work written in an appropriate academic style?

10. Have you checked your citations and Reference List/Bibliography?

11. Have you submitted your work to get a similarity report to check you have paraphrased where required?

12. Have you read the Declaration of Authorship in Appendix 2 of the Assessment Brief?