Overview
Purpose of the Assessment
The purpose of this assignment is for you to apply the theoretical knowledge you have mastered in this competency to work analyzing a real-world business case study. You will be combining the five forces model, business-level strategy and corporate strategy to present a comprehensive strategic analysis of a major firm
Submission Artifacts: • A 2,000 to 3,000 word paper written from the point of view of a professional business analyst providing strategic guidance to a major firm • A Works Cited in APA 7 format containing the woks cited in your paper. Submission 1: 2,000 to 3,000 word paper For this essay, select a major firm that has operations in an industry you’re interested in. Using research from academic business journal articles, reputable news outlets, think tanks, and other high-quality research sources, combined with the content from this course, you will develop a strategic analysis and suggest next steps for that firm. Your essay should have the following sections: ● Introduction ○ Provide a clear introduction to the firm and the challenges they face ● Background ○ Brief and relevant historical background and context for the industry in which the firm operates and the firm’s history ○ Recent challenges and opportunities the firm has faced ○ An evaluation of the firm’s current situation ● Five Forces Analysis of Industry ○ Using the five forces model as a guide, analyze the industry in which the firm is focused. If the firm is focused in multiple industries, choose an industry important to the firm and of interest to you. ○ Address all five forces in your analysis, and provide advice to the firm based on your findings. ○ Does the five forces model leave anything out? If so, address it here as a limit of or proposed addition to the model. ● Business Strategy ○ Provide detailed analysis of the firm’s current business-level strategy and evaluate that strategy in light of your five forces analysis of the industry ○ Given industry trends, do you feel they should continue this strategy? What actions should the firm take? ● Corporate Strategy ○ Provide details of the firm’s current and recent historical corporate strategy, and evaluate that strategy in light of your knowledge of corporate strategy and your analysis of the relevant industry(ies) ○ What is the next corporate-level strategic move this firm should take? ● Conclusion ○ Provide a clear summary of your advice and address any immediate next steps or additional risks/opportunities your research suggests.
Submission 2: Works Cited ● Using APA 7, include a list of works cited in this paper. File Logistics: ● Submit your final paper, and works cited as a single document (word, google doc or pdf) following APA 7 style. ● Citations must follow APA 7; all sources must be properly cited. ● The essay must be 2,000 to 3,000 words in length. The list of works cited does not count towards the total words. Submit your Work • Your completed final assessment documents should be submitted through the Final Assessment link of your competency. • Please note, that you can upload multiple files to the Final Assignment link. • Make sure the files are converted to a doc, docx, ppt, pptx file. (you can share Google Doc and MS OneDrive documents from the “Choose Existing Activities” button) • To upload a file, click “Upload File” and choose the file(s) from your desktop: More tutorial resources can be found at the UMPI Student eLearning Hub