KING’S OWN INSTITUTE

MGT302 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT T220

Academic Details

Overview of the Subject

The subject investigates the role of strategic management from a comprehensive collection of ongoing activities and processes that organisations use to systematically coordinate and align resources throughout an organisation. It examines the nature of organisational objectives, capabilities and strategies, an in particular, the role of corporate and business strategies as determinants of superior performance. Topics include evaluating the strategic environment, industry and competitive analysis, formulating mission and setting objectives, strategy selection and implementation, and strategic control. Also considered are corporate social responsibility and environmental and sustainable strategies.

Listed below, are key knowledge and skills students are expected to attain by successfully completing this subject:

Assessment 1

Assessment Type: Case Study – 2000 + 10% word report – Individual Assessment

Purpose: This assessment is designed to allow students to analyse an organisation’s strategic management practices and evaluate these against best practices as proposed by modern theorists. This assessment relates to learning outcomes. This assessment relates to learning outcomes a, b and c.

Topic: Macro environmental analysis (PESTEL, G &D). Industry analysis (life cycle stage of the industry, Porter’s 5 forces analysis). Company analysis (resources -based model, VRIO Framework). Competitor analysis.

Task Details: Students are to compare and contrast the organisations strategic management practices and outcomes against current research in the area and evaluate how closely the organisation’s experience fits with the theory. Students are to develop their analysis and findings into a professionally presented report.

Contents of the report

Introduction – brief description of the company and the industry of which it is part and the main challenge(s) being faced- i.e. why are you being asked to analyse the case.

Macro environmental analysis - factors which are changing or impacting on the company and/or the industry– include some discussion as to what they mean for the company.

Industry analysis (for each industry if more than one)

• brief description of the life cycle stage of the industry
• Porter’s 5 forces analysis – conclusion regarding attractiveness

Company analysis: resources and capabilities – core competencies – include some discussion of which ones are/will be most effective in achieving strategies and objectives or are most important to identified environmental factors – macro and/or industry. VRIO Framework.

Competitor analysis: draw conclusions about main competitive threats (if any) (link back to 5 forces analysis)

Strategy analysis:

• Identify strategies - Corporate Level and/or Business level if possible
• Analyse if working or not – why / why not
• Suggestions for improving current strategies or suggestions for new strategies – link back to analysis and explain why you think they will work

Conclusion – summary, recommendations, prediction for future of the company/industry

Research Requirements: Students need to support their analysis with reference from the text and a minimum of eight (8) suitable, reliable, current and academically acceptable sources – check with your tutor if unsure of the validity of sources.

Presentation: 2000 +10% word report format – Word .doc or .docx. Title page, table of contents, executive summary, introduction, suitable headings and sub-headings, recommendations/conclusion, reference list (Harvard – Anglia style), attachments if relevant. Single spaced, font Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt or Arial 10pt.

The potential cases: The specific case study will be provided in Moodle in week 1. The followings are the list of potential cases:

• Southwest Air
• Mark & Spencer
• Virgin
• Aldi
• London Zoo
• Raffels Hotel
• Toyota
• Coca – Cola
• Hewlett – Packard
• Lego