Critical Analysis and Evaluation of Strategies Adopted by International Organizations Operating in a

Individual Ass essment Case Study: Rec onciling Strategy Paradox es in Turbulent Environments PGBM1 5 6 Strateg ic Management in an International Context - On Campus, 20 22-23 - Module Leader : Dr Augustus Osseo -Asare Module Tutor : ??? Submission Date: ??? Word Count: 3,000 words maximum S unde rl and Busi ne ss S chool University of Sunderland: Sunderland Business School P GBM156 On Campus, Sunderland 2022-23 2 2 Introductio n: This individ ua l assignme nt wi ll be assessed by means of a 3,000 maximum word report. The assignme nt has been designed to allow you to develop and use your knowledge and skills in under stand ing key strategic issues relating to any Global Industry you are familiar with . You will be required to apply the strategic concepts and analytica l techniq ues studied in this module. All the le arning outcome s below will be assessed: 1. Demonstrate criti cal understanding and application of relev ant strategic management and leadership principles that support organisational v alues and impact on organisational direction . 2. Understand the holistic nature of strategy and the relationship between strategic manage ment and leadership and apply analytical techniques to solv e complex problems in real -life organizations. 3. Demonstrate k nowledge of the strategic decision -mak ing process through critical analysis of how strategic decision -mak ing enables an organisation to relate to changes in its international business env ironment. 4. Critically ev aluate and monitor the business mission, v ision, objectiv es, and policies of international organisations. 5. Use critical reflectiv e sk ills to reflect on the impact of their understan ding of the strategic problem - solv ing process. The assignme nt will be inte rnally m ode rate d by: M odule Te am/ Dr J ohn Dixon -Dawson Ple ase note : 1. All work must adhere to the University regulatio ns on ‘Cheating, Collusio n and Plagiarism’ which are provided as an Appendix in your Programme Handbook. You are required to use the ‘Harvard Re fe re ncing Style ’ and avoid ‘Plagiarism ’. 2. An electronic copy of the assignme nt must be submitted Online (via Canvas Turnitin ), on or before the appointed date under cover of the Sunderland Business School ( SBS ) Feedback Sheet . 3. Issue Date : Monday, 08 September 20 22 4. Submission Date : ??? Task Your task is to carry out a critical analysis and evaluation of the strategies adopted by Inte rnational Organisation operating in an industry and country of your choice , using the information available to the public, e.g. , company annual reports in pdf and other material s researched. You will be expected to select and apply appropriate theories, techniques and models studied during the module w hile having regard to the practical aspects of strategy development. Your assignment should be presented in a business report format and should be 3,000 words maximum (excluding executive summary /abstract , references, and relevant appendices). The report should include a title page and abstract and be fully and consistently referenced , using the Harvard Re fe re ncing style . You must submit an electronic version of the report Online via the University’s Assignment Space - this should be clearly labelled with your name, your course, and the name of the case study. It is recommended that you research information 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. University of Sunderland: Sunderland Business School P GBM156 On Campus, Sunderland 2022-23 3 3 Asse ssme nt Crite ria In the event of failing this individual assignment, normal referral/deferral procedures will apply. This assignment carries a weighting of 100% . Th e assessment will focus on the level of ANALYSIS carried out. That is, t he application of THEORETICAL CONCEPTS studied in the module to the ‘practical' case study presented. In other words, you should proceed beyond a DESCRIPTION of the company and its actions. You should be analysing ‘why' rather than describing ‘what' . The a ssignment will be assessed and moderated by two members of staff in accordance with the marks allocated to each of the questions detailed below. Academic Rigour  your ability to isolate the key strategic issues  the coherence and depth of the analysis of th ose issues  the ability to analyse the strategic context within which 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 resea rch to support any statements made  the appropriateness of the methods used , and theoretical models and frameworks applied  the breadth and depth of research undertaken Ev aluation of data  the ability to make sound recommendatio ns or conclusio ns arising from the analysis  the soundness of arguments put forward Presentation  the summary of arguments  report layout and format  use of illustra tive materia l and evidence to support arguments  the appropriateness of length  the quantity and accuracy of referencing University of Sunderland: Sunderland Business School P GBM156 On Campus, Sunderland 2022-23 4 4 Strategy in Internationa l Organisations : Reconciling the Paradox of Localisation & Globalisation in a Turbulent Environment As nation s mov e towards a possible post -COVID -19 era , the y also must deal with the impact of rising fuel and gas prices link ed t o the Russia -Uk raine War. In this contex t success or competitiv eness of international organisations – ‘for -profit’ or ‘not -for -profit’ will depend upon efficient and effectiv e management of the paradox of localization and globalization in turbulent times by building on their core competences and dynamic capabilities relating to the three generic sources of competitiv e adv antage: low -cost leadership, product differentiation, and mark et focus . Read the Annual Re ports of a n Inte rnational organisation – for -profit or not -for -profit - operating in an industry and country of your choice . Please answer all the three questions below, by carry ing out appropriate strategic analyses of the international strategies adopted by your organisation in response to the inter national strategies adopted by its closest competitors . You are e ncourage d to use re le vant data/informatio n from company we bsite s. Question One: Managing the Demands for Localisation & Globalisation Briefly distinguish between ‘ the demand for localisat ion ’ and ‘ the demand for globalisation ’. Using informatio n from the most recent Annua l Report of the organisatio n of your choice , critically evaluate the potential impact of a possible post -Covid -19 era and the strategic implicatio ns of the ongoing Russia -Ukraine War on your organisatio n’s approach to sustaining competitive advantage – focusing on low -cost leadership, product differentia t io n, and market focus as sources of competitive advantage . You are expected to includ e a brief discuss io n on how your org anisatio n manages the paradox of localisatio n and globalisatio n . [45 % marks] Question T wo : Building on Core Competences & Dynamic Capabilities Briefly distinguish between a firm’s ‘core competences ’ and ‘ dynami c capabilities’ using appropriate examples from your chosen international organisation. In addition, c riti cally evaluate the benefits and limitations facing your organisation if it deliberately adopts the ‘organisational leadership perspective’ and the ‘or ganisational dynamics perspective’ to achieve its corporate purpose . Finally, u sing your understanding of the paradox of profitability and social responsibility , critically evaluate the ability of the CEO /BoDs in your chosen organisation to simultaneously develop the competences and capabilities cru cial for the organisation’s survival and growth . You are expected to d emonstrate critical understanding of the challenges of reconciling the conflicting demands for profitability and social responsibility simulta neo usly in an internatio na l context . [40 % marks] Question Three : Personal reflections and reflexions on learning In 150 -200 words reflect on the impact of this assessment on your understanding of the nature of strategic management in inter national organisations . You are expected to use examples from your chosen organisation , which highlight the organisation’s approach es to ‘manag ing localisation and globalisation ’, ‘building competences and capabilities ’, and ‘managing profitability and soc ial responsibility ’ with a view to su rviv a l and grow th. [15 % marks] University of Sunderland: Sunderland Business School P GBM156 On Campus, Sunderland 2022-23 5 5 Suggested Reading: De Wit, B. (20 20 ) – Strategy: An International Perspectiv e , 7th Edition, London: Cengage Learning. De Wit, B. (2017) – Strategy: An International Perspectiv e, 6th Edition, London: Cengage Learning. De Wit, B. and Meyer, R. (2014 ) Strategy Process, Content, and Contex t International Perspectiv e , 5th Edition, London: Cengage Learning . Whittingto n, R., Regner, P ., Angwin, D., Johnson, G., and Scholes, K. (20 20 ) Ex ploring Strategy: Tex t and Cases, 12 th Edition, London: Pearson . Johnson, G., Whittingto n, R ., Scholes, K. , Angwin, D. and Regner, P . (20 17 ) Ex ploring Strategy: Tex t and Cases, 11 th Edition, London: Pearson . Johnson, G., Scholes, K. and Whittingto n, R. (20 07 ) Ex ploring Corporate Strategy: Tex t and Cases, 7th Edition, London: Financia l Times Prentice Hall. Lasserre, P. (2018) Global Strategic Management , 4 th Edition, London: Palgrave McMilla n. Lynch, R. (2006) Corporate Strategy, Fourth Edition, Fina ncia l Times Prentice Hall. Lynch, R. (2018) Strategic Management, 8th Edition, London: Pearson. Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B. and Lampel, J. (1998) Strategy Safari , London: Financia l Times Prentice Hall Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B. and Lampel, J. B. (200 8) Strategy Safari: The complete guide through the wilds of strategic management , 2 nd Edition, London: Financia l Times Prentice Hall We bsite s & PDF docume nts : https://hb r.org/ Harvard Business Review https:// www. mck inse y.co m McKinsey Consultanc y . www.economist. co m The Economist www.ft.com The Financia l Times