6BE005 Strategic Business Assignment: SME Case Study for Effective Strategy Evaluation and Revision

Assignment requirements

This assessment is testing Module Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (see page 2).

Module Overview:

The strategic business module will equip you with the knowledge required to make strategic
decisions at both a corporate and functional level. You will also develop the skills necessary to
evaluate the success of an implemented strategy. This will inform decision making at both a
corporate and functional level.

Task (3000 words +/- 10%)

The assessment requires you to create a written case study on the organisation you work for, or
alternatively for an organisation of your choice.

This can be an organisation of any type (manufacturing or service provision) but it should be categorised as an SME (Fewer than 250 employees). It is integral that that you have a comprehensive understanding of how the company operates.

Your task is divided into two sections:

1. In the first section you will need to demonstrate your knowledge of theoretical models relating to both the internal and external environment. You will also need to apply these models to a relevant business context and critically evaluate their effectiveness.
2. In the second section you will need to demonstrate your knowledge of the various strategic decision making models and critique a chosen businesses’ positioning within each. You will then need to critically evaluate the extent to which both the internal and external environment impact upon your chosen businesses’ strategy. Finally, you will need to act in an advisory consultancy role by critiquing a strategy that the business has already implemented and recommending a revision in order to make it more effective. When suggesting a revision discuss a company that has benefitted from utilising a similar strategy and consider the impact it has had upon their financial position. For this section you may wish to focus on a strategy within a functional area of the business rather than one implemented at a corporate level.

In addition to the content specified you will also be graded on the professionalism of your
presentation and effective use of Harvard referencing.

Learning outcomes

1. To develop an understanding of strategic management theory and research in a contemporary context
2. To critically evaluate the impact that the internal and external environment has upon business strategy
3. To develop a deep understanding of theoretical concepts surrounding strategic decision making
4. To critically evaluate the success of an implemented strategy

Assessment criteria

(see rubric below for performance criteria)

• To develop an understanding of strategic management theory and research in a contemporary context- 25%
• To critically evaluate the impact that the internal and external environment has upon business strategy- 20%
• To develop a deep understanding of theoretical concepts surrounding strategic decision making – 25%
• To critically evaluate the success of an implemented strategy -20%
• Academic writing skills, presentation and referencing -10%

Characteristics of a good submission

• A comprehensive range of literature – This should support all academic points.
• Criticality – Questioning of research.
• Practical application.

Additional instructions

Always keep a copy of your drafts and a file of working documents. There may be circumstances – for example, if there are questions relating to the academic integrity of your work – where you may be asked to submit the evidence of your work and meet with your tutor to answer questions about your submission.

Professional Body requirements

CMI Mapped

University regulations

University’s Academic Regulations
Academic Integrity Policy
Level and Mark Descriptors

Support

Student Support and Wellbeing
Study Guides
Skills for Learning – Introduction to Academic Study Skills
Academic English Language Skills
You should also refer to your Course and Module Guides

Date by which feedback will be provided

4 weeks after submission

Feedback format

Written

Resit details

TBA

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Answer

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