Business and Management Strategy:

Assignment Guidelines and Suggested Structure (3,000 Words)

1. Introduction (approx. 250–300 words)

• Briefly introduce the chosen company (industry, size, market position etc.).
• State the purpose of the report and the key theories/concepts you will apply.

2. Industry Analysis and Competitive Environment (400–450 words)

• Describe the main features of the industry that influence competition and profitability: (growth, regulation, technology intensity, supply chain, margins.)
• Identify key stakeholders in the strategic situation using frameworks such as Freeman’s Stakeholder Model, Mendelow’s Matrix, or CATWOE, to show how their interests shape the industry environment.

3. Competition and Customer Requirements (550–600 words)

• Use Porter’s Five Forces to analyse competition and profitability.
  • Link findings to how the company is positioned within the industry.
  • Identify key competitors and describe the market structure (e.g., monopoly, oligopoly, fragmented).
• Discuss shifts in customer needs (e.g., sustainability, price sensitivity, digitalisation, convenience).
• Identify opportunities for differentiation or cost advantage in response to changing customer expectations.

4. Resources and Strategy Implementation (500–550 words)

• Examine the company’s tangible and intangible resources:
  • Tangible resources: financial capital, technology, supply chain, physical assets.
  • Intangible resources: brand reputation, culture, patents, data, know-how.
• Apply analytical tools such as VRIO and SWOT.
• Analyse how these resources support the implementation of the company’s strategy.

5. Strategic Capabilities & Sustainable Advantage (400–450 words)

• Evaluate whether the organisation’s strategic capabilities can create a sustainable competitive advantage.
• Discuss how these capabilities align with the company’s stated strategy. (e.g., differentiation, cost leadership, focus).
• If the company lacks a clear strategy, identify what is communicated as one and suggest what a true strategy could be.

6. Development of Resources & Capabilities (300–350 words)

• How the company can build or strengthen resources (Strategic alliances and partnerships, R&D investment, Acquisitions or mergers, Digital transformation initiatives).
• Identify the capabilities needed for long-term competitiveness in a changing environment.

7. Evaluation & Future Strategy Recommendations (400–450 words)

• Diagnose the success or limitations of the company’s current strategy based on your previous analysis.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations on how the organisation can develop its resources and capabilities to achieve its strategic objectives.

8. Conclusion (200–250 words)

• Summarise key findings and arguments.
• Reinforce your final recommendations and link them to theory.

References (not included in word count)

• Use APA referencing style consistently throughout.
• Include only the sources that are cited within your report.
• Ensure that both academic sources (journals, textbooks) and practical evidence (annual reports, industry data) are used.

Key Theories You Can Apply