Assessment Task: Strategic Management Case Analysis (Assignment 1)

MGMT 300 Strategic Management

Course Context

Course Title: Strategic Management

Course Code: MGMT 300 (or equivalent)

Assessment Type: Written Case Analysis

Submission Format: Electronic upload (PDF or Word)

Word Count: 1500–1800 words (excluding references)

Weighting: 25% of final grade

Assignment Brief

Overview

Corporate strategic decisions shape competitive positioning. You are tasked with a written analysis of a real company’s strategic response to a significant competitive challenge that occurred within the past five years.

Instructions

1. Select a publicly listed firm and identify a **major strategic challenge or disruption** (e.g., technological change, regulatory shift, competitor entry, supply chain disruption).
2. Provide a concise **Executive Summary** (150–200 words) that articulates the challenge, your strategic evaluation focus, and the key findings.
3. Conduct an **external environment analysis** using at least two strategic frameworks (e.g., PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces).
4. Conduct an **internal analysis** of the firm’s resources and capabilities (e.g., VRIO or SWOT elements related to internal strengths and weaknesses).
5. Discuss **strategic options** the firm considered, and justify your recommended strategic course of action.
6. Support all arguments with **peer-reviewed academic sources (minimum five)** and cite them in APA 7th edition.
7. Conclude with a **reflective insight** on how the recommended strategy aligns with long-term sustainability and competitive advantage.

Formatting Requirements

• Word Count: 1500–1800 words (excluding references and executive summary).
• 12-point Times New Roman or Arial, double-spaced, one-inch margins.
• APA 7th edition referencing throughout (in-text citations and reference list).
• Turnitin report required showing similarity score below institutional threshold.

Assessment Rubric (Analytical Rubric)

Criterion	Excellent (85–100%)	Good (70–84%)	Satisfactory (55–69%)	Poor (0–54%)	Weight
Executive Summary	Clear, concise, and logically summarizes the analysis and recommendations.	Summarizes most elements but lacks precision or clarity in parts.	Basic summary with omissions or lack of clarity.	Unclear or inaccurate summary without synthesis.	10%
External & Internal Analysis	Uses strategic frameworks accurately and integrates them with evidence.	Uses frameworks appropriately but analysis is slightly unbalanced.	Identifies frameworks but lacks integration with evidence.	Does not apply frameworks appropriately or analysis is incoherent.	30%
Strategic Options & Recommendation	Provides strong justification for recommended strategy with academic support.	Recommendation is clear but justification is moderate.	Recommendation exists, but justification is weak.	No clear recommendation or justification.	30%
Academic Rigour & Use of Sources	Exemplary integration of sources with correct APA citations.	Good use of sources; minor APA errors.	Sources used but significantly limited in quality or quantity.	Lacks credible academic support or incorrect citations.	20%
Clarity & Presentation	Writing is highly coherent with professional presentation.	Generally clear with minor structural issues.	Some clarity issues; needs better organisation.	Poorly written and poorly organised.	10%

Rubrics should be shared with students alongside assignment instructions to clarify expectations and performance levels for each criterion. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

A strong strategic management case analysis identifies the key external and internal factors shaping competitive conditions and articulates a recommended strategic approach supported by widely accepted frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces and VRIO analyses. A high-quality submission demonstrates academic rigor through integration of peer-reviewed research and clear justification for strategic decisions. Effective academic writing with correct APA formatting directly contributes to assessment outcomes and reflects industry expectations for analytical clarity.

 Peer-Reviewed References

• Barney, J. B., & Hesterly, W. S. (2022). Strategic Management and Competitive Advantage. Pearson. Accessible via library databases.
• Grant, R. M. (2023). Contemporary Strategy Analysis. Wiley. DOI: 10.1002/9781119918825
• Porter, M. E. (2019). “The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy.” Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2019/01/the-five-competitive-forces-that-shape-strategy
• Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2022). Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text and Cases. Pearson. (Chapter on strategy formulation)
• Dess, G. G., Lumpkin, G. T., & Eisner, A. B. (2021). Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantages. McGraw-Hill.