BUSU9SM+Assignment+1+Brief

BUSU9SM Strategic Management
Assignment 1 - Individual Report

Autumn 2024
Division of Management, Work and Organisation
Background
Strategic management is the process of defining an organisation's direction and making decisions on
allocating resources to pursue this strategy. Effective strategic management is more critical than ever
in today's rapidly changing global environment. The global business landscape is marked by
increasing uncertainty, driven by technological advancements, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and
economic volatility. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and reshaped
consumer behaviour, while global supply chain disruptions have emphasised the need for resilience
in strategic planning (World Economic Forum, 2021). Additionally, climate change and sustainability
influence corporate strategies as stakeholders demand greater corporate responsibility (McKinsey &
Company, 2022).
This assignment requires you to investigate the strategic management theories and frameworks
covered in the module and apply them to organisations to identify how organisations can adapt their
strategies to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly volatile world.
Assignment Tasks
1. Select an organisation (only one organisation as your case organisation) from the list of FTSE
100 (see file FTSE100.pdf available on Canvas| Assignment|).
2. Conduct desk research of your chosen organisation.
3. Using suitable frameworks covered in the module, conduct a strategic analysis of the chosen
organisation.
4. You must then prepare a management report presenting the findings and analysis.
5. Your report must include an overview of the organisation's background, including its history,
present mission, and vision, as well as, more importantly, an analysis of its strategic activities,
capabilities, drivers, and nature of the industry within which it operates. Your analysis will need to
consider the broader internal and external environmental factors that influence the organisation's
competitive advantage.
6. You are required to propose suitable strategic recommendations for the organisation based on
your research and analysis. You should also consider the implications of your recommendations.
7. Your report will broadly cover the following areas:
a. an overview of the chosen organisation & industry within which it operates;
b. a brief introduction to the organisation and its history, including its existing mission and vision;
c. critical analysis of the chosen organisation's current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
d. analysis of the current performance and capabilities of the chosen organisation;
e. analysis of the nature, situation and competitive drivers of the relevant industry in 2023;
• McKinsey & Company. (2022). How companies are responding to climate change and sustainability.
Retrieved from mckinsey.com
• World Economic Forum. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on global business. Retrieved from weforum.org
BUSU9SM Assignment 1/ Autumn 24
f. discussion on findings of the analysis that will lead to potential strategies that they can adopt
to succeed as a sustainable and responsible business;
g. recommendation for strategic future action for the organisation.
Submission Notes
1. This assignment accounts for 60% of the module marks.

2. A Management Report is due by Thursday, 5th December, 12 pm.
3. Your assignment must be submitted electronically via Canvas.
4. The assignment cover page should clearly indicate your student number, module code, name and
title of the assignment, and word count e.g., “A Strategic Analysis of X with Recommendations for
Future Action.”
5. Please also ensure your student number and module code are stated on every page of the
assignment (either in the header or footer).
6. Word limit: 2500 (+/- 10%) of Management Report (format style). Word-count the assignment and
write this figure on the front page. This word count excludes tables, diagrams, figures, references
and appendices, all of which can be used to add substance and support to your arguments.
7. Produce a Management Report containing:
a. cover page of the report
b. executive summary
c. table of contents
d. introduction
e. analysis (some details may be placed in an appendix)
f. findings & discussion
g. conclusion & recommendations with an interpretation of the analyses for management
h. reference list
i. appendices (if any)
8. This assignment is an open case study; all information on the case study can be
developed/derived from public sources and the literature. You are expected to undertake further
background desk research and reading to inform your approach.
9. Your work must be fully supported with evidence from research, both academic theory and
company research. You are not required to contact the organisations for information nor should
you conduct any primary data collection. Please DO NOT contact your chosen company regarding
this assignment.
10. A descriptive approach to the situation analysis will not achieve a pass for this assignment.
Additional desk research and the use of literature/sources is fully expected, especially on the
issues of developing evidence/information for elements of analysis.
11. This is an individual work and must be undertaken on your own, based on your reading and
research. It should, therefore, NOT be undertaken in collaboration with other student(s).
12. All submissions will be through Turnitin similarity checks. You may be invited to an academic
integrity meeting should there be any concern with your submission. Please refer to
https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/professional-services/student-academic-and-corporate-
services/academic-registry/policy-and-procedure/ for details on academic integrity matters,
including the University’s Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure.
2
13. It is the individual responsibility of each student to ensure that there is a low similarity score. A
high similarity score must be investigated and rectified by the student prior to the final submission
of the assignment. Information on how to use TurnItIn can be found at:
http://www.plagiarism.stir.ac.uk/moreinfo.php
The following guidelines may be of help:

• Apply the concepts and approaches from lectures/seminars and from outside reading.
• Develop arguments in a logical way and support them with evidence. Do not repeat or needlessly
reiterate data.
• Accurate referencing (Harvard Stirling style) is required where appropriate. Please refer to Cite
Them Right for guidance on referencing style. Accurate referencing is a cornerstone of academic
integrity and will ensure the credibility of your work. Appropriate labelling with valid sources is
required for all tables, graphs, diagrams, and figures.
• Good illustrations can effectively convey large amounts of information and are not included in the
word count. They should be legible, clear, meaningful, referenced, and used in arguments.
• Appendices are not included in the word count and, if required, should include a more detailed
analysis of any strategic models used.
• Focus on the major points. Separate the important from the trivial, the relevant from the irrelevant,
and the causes of problems from the symptoms.
• Make decisions: do not sit on the fence. There is rarely a wrong decision, but there can be a poorly
argued decision.
Marking Criteria
Your assignment will be assessed on the following criteria:
▪ Understanding the assignment

Demonstrate understanding of the assignment tasks and method of approach.
▪ Understanding the organisation

Demonstrate understanding of the business context and priorities for the selected organisations and
industry within which it operates. This includes the degree to which you have demonstrated
understanding of the strategic challenges facing the organisation and the chosen organisation's
current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
▪ Analysis of organisation’s external environment

Demonstrate the appropriateness of the selected framework and its effective use to critically analyse
the chosen organisation's external environment. Ensuring their appropriate construction, is clearly
and correctly applied, creatively presented and interpreted.
▪ Analysis of organisation’s internal environment
3
▪ Analysis of organisation’s internal environment

Demonstrate the appropriateness of the selected framework and its effective use to critically analyse
the chosen organisation's internal environment. Ensuring their appropriate construction, is clearly and
correctly applied, creatively presented and interpreted.
▪ Findings and discussion

Presenting and discussing the findings with clear and logical arguments. Highlighting the key features
and evidence from the strategic management analysis.
▪ Recommendations and conclusion

Clear recommendations and conclusions based on evidence, interpretation and logical extension from
the findings and analysis. The rationale for the proposed strategic recommendations for the
organisation is presented with a clear narrative and is appropriate for the chosen organisation.
▪ Presentation of report
The clarity of assignment presentation and structure. Quality of writing (spelling, punctuation, and
grammar) and use of the Management Report Format. Clarity and quality of graphics and visual
presentation. Using appropriate references style - Harvard Stirling University (HSU).
Acknowledgement of Generative Artificial Intelligence and proofreading in Assessment
Coursework and open book assignments
For assignments (assignment 1: individual report) on this module, the ethical use of Generative
Artificial Intelligence Tools (AI) is permitted for the specific purpose of idea and concept generation
only. The use of Generative AI is not permitted for conducting analysis, write and/or present your work,
whether in part or the whole piece of your assessment as this assignment tests your ability to
undertake critical analysis, and test your ability to formulate and implement strategic decisions in real-
world scenarios.
Whenever AI tools are used you should:
• Cite as a source, any AI tool used in completing your assignment. The library referencing guide
should be followed.
• Acknowledge how you have used AI in your work.
Using AI without citation or against assessment guidelines falls within the definition of plagiarism or
cheating, depending on the circumstances, under the current Academic Integrity Policy, and will be
treated accordingly. Making false or misleading statements as to the extent, and how AI was used, is
also an example of “dishonest practice” under the policy.
The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (AI) is not permitted in an examination (class test).
Using AI tools in this context falls within the definition of cheating, under the current Academic Integrity
Policy and will be treated accordingly.

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BUSU9SM Strategic Management

Assignment 1 - Individual Report

1. This assignment accounts for 60% of the module marks.

The following guidelines may be of help:

Your assignment will be assessed on the following criteria:

▪ Understanding the assignment

▪ Understanding the organisation

▪ Analysis of organisation’s external environment

▪ Analysis of organisation’s internal environment

▪ Analysis of organisation’s internal environment

▪ Findings and discussion

▪ Recommendations and conclusion

Acknowledgement of Generative Artificial Intelligence and proofreading in Assessment

Coursework and open book assignments

Whenever AI tools are used you should:

• Acknowledge how you have used AI in your work.

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