PM303 Strategic Management Spring 2017 Resit Coursework Brief Deadline for Submission: 14:00 pm, 27 April 2017 Submit this coursework through the Student Portal with a Turn-it-in Report Word Limit: 2500 words (Plus or minus 10%) Learning outcomes assessed: 1. Critically examine the relationship and the need for compatibility between corporate strategic and functional management policies. 2. Analyse the internal and external influences on corporate objectives and strategy. 3. Demonstrate the need for flexibility in strategic management and the practical limits of quantifying corporate strategy. This coursework is worth 50% of the total marks for this module. PM303 Strategic Management Spring 2017 Coursework Brief GSM LONDON Page 1 of 18 Coursework Instructions Please read carefully • Carefully read the module handbook, the marking criteria and the grade descriptors. • The format is individual report. • All the analysis required should be conducted based on information gathered from credible, accurate and valid sources rather than information based on student’s individual opinion or experience. Academic opinion and commentary from industry experts may all be utilised to aid evaluation and justify selection. Please consult class notes and key texts such as Johnson et al. (2014) regarding these strategic concepts of the company. Academic Misconduct You are responsible for ensuring you understand the policy and regulations about academic misconduct. You must: • Complete this work alone except where required or allowed by this assignment briefing paper and ensure it has not been written or composed by or with the assistance of any other person. • Make sure all sentences or passages quoted from other people’s work in this assignment (with or without trivial changes) are in quotation marks, and are specifically acknowledged by reference to the author, work and page. PM303 Strategic Management Spring 2017 Coursework Brief GSM LONDON Page 2 of 18 Blank PM303 Strategic Management Spring 2017 Coursework Brief GSM LONDON Page 3 of 18 Assignment Questions This assignment requires students to conduct a strategic analysis of both the internal and external environment relating to a retail company (Please choose any from the given below). Students should also provide a critique of contemporary strategic management research and practice within the report. Morrisons Ikea Superdrug Primark Asda Sainsbury's Strategic Report to Board of Directors 1. Executive Summary Provide a concise summary of the key issues identified within the report. (10 marks) 2. Strategic Purpose a. Identify the strategic purpose of the organisation in terms of its mission, vision and corporate values. (5 marks) b. Critically examine the relationship and compatibility between strategic statements and functional objectives of the company. (10 marks) 3. External Analysis Conduct both of the following tasks 3.1. Analyse the broad macro-environment of the company in terms of political, economic, social, technological, ecological and legal factors. Discuss threats and opportunities in order for the company to gain sustainable competitive advantage. (15 marks) 3.2. Utilize Porter’s Five Forces analysis in order to define the attractiveness of the industry and the market of your choice and to identify potentials for change. (15 marks) 4. Internal Analysis Strategic Capabilities Explain what comprises strategic capabilities in terms of organisational resources and competences and how these relate to the strategies of the company. (15 marks) PM303 Strategic Management Spring 2017 Coursework Brief GSM LONDON Page 4 of 18 5. Basis of Competitive Strategy Describe the business level strategy of the strategic business unit (SBU) in the UK though the use of The Porter’s Generic Strategies Framework and critically evaluate how the SBU has established and defended its strategic position against its competitors. (10 marks) 6. Conclusion and recommendations Conduct an overall summary of the strategic issues facing the selected company and evaluate how the selected company can, make the most of their strengths, circumvent weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities and manage their threats. (10 marks) 7. Referencing (10 marks) End of Assignment Brief PM303 Strategic Management Spring 2017 Coursework Brief GSM LONDON Page 5 of 18 Marking Scheme Assessment Criteria Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria Maximum marks for each section Knowledge & Understanding of Subject  High level of knowledge and understanding of the given concepts and frameworks of strategic management evident in accurate analysis and identification of strategic capabilities and macro-environmental factors of the selected company  Shows an awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge evident in the evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the given strategic management frameworks  Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research evident through a bibliographical analysis, up-to-date information.  Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced.  Successful application of Harvard Referencing throughout  Consistent analysis and evaluation of sources 35 Cognitive & Intellectual Skills  Very high standard of critical analysis on future strategic choices of the company evident in consistency and logical line of reasoning in recommendations. Future strategic choices are justified