Strategic Management Coursework on H&M Case Study

Demonstration of Knowledge and Skills

Upon successful completion ofthis module, you will have demonstrated Knowledge

K1. That you can critically evaluate the theoretical basis for sources of competitive advantage and evaluate theirrelevance to practice

K2. That you can critique the relationship between organisational vision, strategic objectives, intent,resources, planning and the firm’s environment

K3. That you have an appreciation for the conceptual theories of ‘internationalisation, innovation and competitive advantage’to differentindustries and locations

K4. That you can demonstrate critical understanding and application ofrelevanttheories and tools associated with strategic foresight and the need for organisationalfuture orientation

S1 How to review and present their critical knowledge of selected international business, strategy andforesightliterature

S2. Your ability to evaluate an organisation’s competitive environment, analyse its competitive positions and identify its strategic resources, capabilities and core competences

S3. Your ability to explore globaltrends and drivers of change with a pursuit of identifying attractivefuturemarkets

S4. Howto identify the key resources, capabilities and competences for an organisation’s futuregrowthand sustainability

S5. How to use relevant foresight tools to understand and articulate the dynamic nature of a given industry, its future trajectory and develop plausible scenarios

information additional to the case study to support your arguments. This may be obtained from a diverse range of sources and you are encouraged to research the issues in whichever way you deem appropriate.

a) Evaluate the trends within the ‘fastfashion’ industry and disruptive external events (e.g. Covid-19)in general, that could be considered as key drivers for change

b) Construct some plausible 5-year scenarios for H&M

c) Consider the potential impact on H&M’s business in terms of both threats and opportunities, using the identified trends, disruptive forces, and the constructed scenarios.

Question Two: Sources of Competitive Advantage and its relevance to management Critically review the theories of competitive advantage and evaluate their relevance to management. Discuss how such theories could inform H&M managers in their quest to gain sustainable competitive advantage.

Question Three: Firm’s strategy and strategic position Critically review the relationship between organisational resources, external environment and firm performance. You may use H&M as an illustration in your discussion.

Question Four: The role of innovation and internationalisation in a firm’s Competitive Advantage Evaluate the relevance of innovation and internationalisation in designing and implementing H&M’s strategy/ competitive position

All work must adhere to the University regulations on ‘Cheating, Collusion and Plagiarism’, which are provided as an Appendix in your Programme Handbook. I encourage you to use ‘HarvardReferencing Style’ and avoid ‘Plagiarism’.

You must submit an electronic copy of the coursework and the poster in pdf format or Microsoft Word file on CANVAS before the appointed date/time.

The assessment will focus on the level of ANALYSIS carried out. That is, the application of THEORETICAL CONCEPTS studied in the module to the ‘practical’ case study presented. In other words, you should proceed beyond aDESCRIPTIONofthe company and its actions. You should be analysing ‘why’ratherthan describing ‘what’.

• your ability to isolate the key strategic issues

• the coherence and depth ofthe analysis ofthose issues

• the ability to analyse the strategy context withinwhich companies operates

• the ability to critically review and evaluate strategic decisions made by companies Methodology

• the use of relevant evidence, from material provided and personal research to support any statements made

• the appropriateness ofthe methods used and theoretical models and frameworks applied

• the breadth and depth ofresearch undertaken

• Evaluation of data

• the ability to make sound recommendations or conclusions arising from the analysis

• the soundness of arguments putforward