Strategy and the Global Competitive Environment BSS058-6 Referral Assignment

Submission Deadline

Marks and Feedback

Before 10am on:

17/02/2023

20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (L6)
10 working days after deadline (block delivery)

Unit title & code

Strategy and the Global Competitive Environment BSS058-6 Referral Assignment

Assignment number and title

1. Contemporary External Strategic Environment: Scenario Development

Assignment type

PJ-Art

Weighting of assignment

40%

Size or length of assessment

PowerPoint (total 2,400 words)

Unit learning outcomes

1. Nature and purpose of strategy, strategic analysis, its theoretical underpinnings and implications for marketing. Demonstrate an, analytic and persuasive understanding of the strategy process

2. Think strategically and increased confidence handling and discussing complex, current events; Deploy analytical tools of strategic and marketing management, synthesise, evaluate and develop appropriate strategic and marketing options.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Task:

You will produce PowerPoint slides that use appropriate tools and frameworks to:

Identify key future trends in one of the industries listed below

Assessment the potential impact of these trends on the industry that you have chosen to study.

Based on this analysis you will create a scenario grid which develops 4 different scenarios for the industry.

Describe the scenarios.

Choose one from the following or from the industry in which you currently work.

Health and Social Care

Logistics industry

Oil and Gas

Marketing industry

Digital Technology Management

Human Resource Management

Finance

Many of these will have distinct sectors, so it is suggested that you focus on one sector rather than attempt a broad overview (make sure that you can get sufficient information).

Your work should be based on thorough analysis from up to date and reliable sources.

Your PowerPoint should be no more than 10 slides. Each slide should show the development of the analysis and the evidence behind it (relevant data etc.).

The slides should also show the use of tools. For example if you use a PESTEL, show the key points and the evidence from your research. Do not describe how the tools works or why they were chosen.

References must be included in the slides (e.g the sources of the data).

You must justify the selection of the two dimensions of the scenario grid (i.e why are these the most important and significant developments in the industry?)

The 4 scenarios must be based on the scenario grid and should show how each potential scenario would have a strategic impact (this may be from the perspective of the customer behaviour or the companies in the industry).

The total word count should total 2400 words so you need to be precise with the information shown in the slides

In order to successfully produce this you must

o Conduct a thorough analysis of the future trends and developments in your chosen industry sector

o You should use the findings from your analysis to develop identify two key areas that will drive the industry sector (these are known as scenario dimensions).

o Conduct the analysis using appropriate tools selected from your Strategy Toolbox.

o Provide appropriate references

o Produce slides and notes that are appropriate standard for a business meeting

*See marking criteria for more specific detail

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

Collect and critically analyse, to an acceptable level, relevant data to identify and analyse the given strategic environment from the perspective of a real firm select and apply relevant strategic frameworks or approaches to generate critical insights relevant to the organization.

Note: You do not analyse the firm but you will find it useful to identify a firm in order to select a particular industry for this assignment. In this assignment there is no need to make reference to the firm.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

Produce a professional and compelling evaluation of a contemporary external environment and develop alternative scenarios based on this analysis. Produce detailed evidence notes showing the analysis that informs the development of the Scenarios. Assignments attracting the highest marks will be focused, analytical and evidenced thoroughly.

The slides should be well organized and clear with relevant information as if being prepared for a professional business.

Your submission is analytical throughout and draws on a good range of quality sources.

You should include key references in your slides and include a reference section. References will not be included in the word count.

You will attract marks for good, critical analysis. Organise your work and communicate professionally. Please ensure your submission is all your own work. Poorly referenced work or work purchased from an external source will result in the work being submitted as a potential academic offence.

In summary, to achieve the highest marks you will need to evaluate and critically analyse. The assignment needs focus and to provide clear articulation of the scenarios.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The sessions are about thinking strategically and making strategic judgments about both the changing world around us and the strategies of all sorts of organisations in a variety of uncertain contexts.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

Pass 40-49%

Pass 50-59%

Commendation 60-69%

Distinction 70%+

1. Organization and presentation of the submission (15%)

An assignment organized competently and articulates the scenarios. The slides are likely to lacking visual impact and lacking in supporting evidence.

A good assignment organized and communicated well. Clearly articulates the scenarios.

The slides are likely to rely heavily on text.

The information and explanations on the slides is relevant but tends to be obvious.

A professional assignment organized and communicated well. The scenarios are clearly explained and the explanation links it to the analysis. The information and explanations in the slides is relevant and adds value. The slides are visually clear and appropriate for a professional audience.

A professional assignment organized and communicated to a high standard. Explains the scenario clearly. Links the justification explicitly but concisely to the analysis, highlighting the key points of the analysis and the evidence behind it in a clear but concise manner. The slides should be informative; well designed and likely to engage the reader. The explanations will provide insight into the industry trends and their potential impact. Presentation at this level will be of standard that is suitable for a professional audience.

2 Use of appropriate methods from the strategy toolbox to generate a meaningful analysis (you are demonstrating your ability to select and use tools that will enable a strong critical analysis and develop the scenarios) (30%)

Addresses the task set. The analysis is developed using limited evidence and strategic frameworks and may reveal some errors in their application

Addresses the task set. Makes use of some strategy tools to develop the analysis. Strategic issues are covered but they may over-emphasis operational issues, for example Supply or HR. Work at this level is likely to show that tools have been used but there is little connection between the tools (the importance of this is discussed and practiced in class)

Addresses the task set. The analysis is based on application of appropriate strategy tools. Emphasis is balanced towards strategic analysis rather than operational. Likely to show some connection between the analysis methods in order to develop a coherent analysis. The analysis clearly attempts assessment of the potential impact of the trends on the industry that has been selected.

Addresses the task set in a comprehensive fashion. Clear and focused analysis based on rigorous application of appropriate strategy tools that have been appropriately linked to gain insight. Emphasis is placed firmly on strategic analysis rather than operational issues. The analysis clearly highlights the the potential impact of the trends on the industry and makes excellent use of relevant information to support this.

3 Development of the scenarios (40%)

Competent explanation of the scenarios. Tending towards the descriptive.

The development of the scenarios shows understanding of the process and the scenarios are clearly derived from the analysis. There may be too much focus on the current state of the industry and it may ignore key elements of supporting evidence and analysis. This is likely to favour description rather than evidence based argument.

The development of scenarios will make accurate use of a scenario grid that shows clear understand of the process. The selection of the two dimensions of the grid are justified.The scenarios are clearly developed with use of evidence from the key points of the analysis. The emphasis will be clearly on future direction rather than descriptive of the present state.

At the higher end of this category you would be expected to produce scenarios that are original but make excellent use of evidence to support them. At this grade one wild card scenario should be included (with supporting evidence).The evidence will be drawn from very wide range of sources and potentially make use of critical analysis from industries or sectors that lie outside the selected industry sector but may impact it or provide realistic opportunities for strategic expansion for companies operating in the industry that you are examining (there is no need to discuss specific companies).

The selection of the two dimensions of the grid is justified by making excellent use of relevant information.

4. Supporting evidence to support the scenario presentation. (15%)

Key references are provided within the slides but reflect a very limited range of sources. A reference section is provided. There may be errors in the formatting.

Key references are provided within the slides and show a reasonable range of sources which are from generally reliable and up to date sources.

The reference section is in the appropriate format.

The key references are included and reveal research from a wide range of up to date and reliable sources. The reference section is extensive and reveals evidence of wider research whilst remaining relevant to the topic.

The key references are included in the slides and are from a wide range of up to date and reliable sources. Their selection reveals research that leads to interesting and innovative analysis and scenarios. The reference section also reveals depth and breadth of research that may lead to interesting and innovative insight.