Applied Corporate Strategy Assessment: Strategic Analysis Report

The module is assessed (100%) by an individual Strategic Report (maximum 3,000 words) involving an in-depth, strategic analysis of a large organisation. The subject of the report will be decided by the module convenor but students will be able to choose from a list of several examples. 

This assignment is focused on the selected organisation, its industry and business environment. By week 2 you will be given a list of organisations (cases) to choose from. Please choose one case (featuring an organisation) for the purposes of this assignment. 

For The Purposes Of The Acs Assignment Please Choose One Case And One Strategy

Evaluate the strategy: Sainsbury acquires Argos – This is the case study (Only Argos! Not Asda)

Case: Johnson et al. E11 p. 365

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35941233

https://internetretailing.net/themes/themes/sainsburys-sets-out-how-argos-acquisition-will-accelerate-strategy-of-making-customers-lives-easier-14665
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46135274
https://www.ft.com/content/1d3c66aa-7fd4-36f7-990a-0342bc08db56

Formative work in weekly seminars will guide students through analytical techniques and processes required to complete the task.

1) Carry out external analysis (business environment and industry) to identify a set of Opportunities and Threats and assess industry attractiveness. (30%)

2) Analyse the resources and key competences of the organisation and identify core competences (key factors that may give the company its competitive advantage). (30%)

3) Choose one strategy that the company implemented recently and evaluate it using SAFe criteria. (30%)

A further 10% is available for clarity, structure, grammar, correct Harvard referencing and overall professional presentation showing clear report style.

Please note that the emphasis is on application (strategic models should be applied to the organisation)! Appropriately referenced data should be used in support of your arguments and discussion.

The report should not exceed 3,000 words + 10%.  Appendices are allowed outside this limit but NO MORE than 6 pages

Your work will be assessed by a subject expert who will use the marking scheme indicated below.  Feedback will be given in the Turnitin/Grademark system with script comments plus overall points. When you access your marked work it is important that you reflect on the feedback so that you can use it to improve future assignments.

In this Strategic Report, high marks come from using strategic concepts and analysis from the module clearly applied to the organisation. Harvard referencing, a professional report style plus appropriate diagrams/tables are also required. Outline marking expectations are as follows: 

Discuss the business environment (PESTLE) and identify a number of Opportunities - Os and Threats - Ts (we expect 6 issues from business environment to be discussed in total each of which concluded as 5 (five) O and 1 (one) T). Industry analysis (5 Forces) should be applied to assess industry attractiveness (each force should be discussed and assessed as High, Moderate or Low and industry attractiveness should be assessed having those forces in mind).

Additional info: Q1 SCAN and evaluate major and current external factors which are affecting the UK economy most recently then apply compare and contracts these factors with the strategy (opportunities and treats) of the selected company of your case study 

1A. write for example Pre-Brexit and Post-Brexit, cause and effect on the strategy

1B. changes in the labour market in the UK and the immigration reforms by the current government, how it affects the strategy of Sainsbury.

1C. Inflation rate and its impact on currency exchange how this affects the strategy of the selected company

Identify and discuss organisation’s resources & unique capabilities (at least 6 Strengths and Weaknesses should be covered in total). Demonstrate how unique capabilities link to competitive advantage (use VRIO to identify Core Competences for the organisation).

Additional info: Q2The role of competitive analysis on a success of selected strategy

2A. Analyse how Porter 5 Forces impact the industry and the market share of the company 

2B. Use recourse analysis grade to calculate the effectiveness of value chain analysis

Value chain analysis grade – this grade tells us how to use primary resources such as finance, infra-structure, HRM, IT effectively. Along with primary recourses of the organisation one also need secondary resources of the organisation such as inbound logistics, process, outbound logistics, Sales and after sale services.

2C – USE the VRIO module to evaluate successfulness of the strategy 

V- value
R – rare
I – imitability – imitation
O – organisation

Choose a recent strategy that the company undertook and evaluate it using the three SAFe tests.

Q3. One of the strategies of the company – Make sure it’s the most recent strategy and apply SAFe module to the strategy

S- suitability
A -Acceptability
F – feasibility

With the feasibility module you have to explain the future, success of the selected strategy.

Organisation need to use best plan of primarily and secondary resources effectively and efficiently to create a market leadership trend to stay ahead in the competition