Managing Strategy, Operations and Partnerships

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge
Demonstrate critical understanding of the theory and practice of strategic development and operations.
Evaluate the impact of current and emerging trends on organizations.

Thinking skills
Demonstrate the ability to effectively analyse problems and issues employing a range of appropriate concepts, theories and approaches.
Analyse and synthesize contextual information.
Think strategically and assess the impact of strategic change processes.

Subject-based practical skills
Apply tools and techniques of strategic and operations analysis.
Explain how to influence the strategic direction of an organization.

Skills for life and work (general skills)
Developing succinct business reports.
Judging complexity, diversity, and a multiplicity of perspectives accommodated in management decisions.

Task 1:

You are to complete a series of analyses of Kakira Sugar Works, the industry they operate within and its environment. You should then develop conclusions from your findings. All of the activities below form the first Task of your portfolio.

You should submit your activities for feedback, ideally by the target dates provided below. This will allow you to improve your work before you submit it in your portfolio for marking. Feedback will be generic so that you can learn to assess your own work against university standards.

You are also provided with indicative word counts. As with the word count for the portfolio, you are advised to adhere to these with flexibility of ± 10%. Where these apply to tables, the word count relates to the rows that you complete. Marks will be awarded for the degree to which you have adhered to the instructions in this assessment brief. If you exceed the word count more than this, we reserve the right to stop marking at the word count. please also note that you should not alter column widths
You will find that you have access to the feedback even if you do not submit your work for feedback. However we also award marks for submitting the work by the target date so please be aware that failing to complete each activity as the term progresses not only undermines your learning but it undermines your mark as well.

Activity 1:
Complete the table below.
Describe the vision of the organisation (A short statement of 25 words) and place it in the first row.
Analyse the organisation characteristics (4Vs) and the desirable performance attributes (SQFD&C) (575 words)

Activity 2:
A critical evaluation relationships with other businesses that are directly related to their operation and the manner that business units are integrated within the organisation.

This should be presented as a concise report without the use of any table. There is no need for an executive summary. Your introduction and conclusion should be no more than 60 words each. (600 words)

Activity 3:
A critical analysis of the industry environment. (800 words)
Complete the tables overleaf, adding rows as needed, but do not adjust the column widths or add colour.

Activity 4:
For both sections of this activity you should focus on the industry, not the organisation. Make sure you know the difference.
As before, please do not adjust the column widths or add colour

Task 2.
Propose a corporate strategy for Kakira Sugar Works that will apply for the next 10 years.
Submit a report of 2500 words (± 10%):
Critically assess the competitive advantage of the company stemming from their strategy:
Use the tools taught during the term to identify and evaluate the factors that contribute to their competitive advantage.
Develop issues pertinent to Kakira Sugar Works in the light of the success factors developed in Task 1.

Develop a proposal in the light of the Above
Prioritise the issues and select two of them.
Develop at least three options relevant for the corporate strategy.
Assess these options as taught and create a proposal.
Identify your final choice and discuss the impact it could have on at least three stakeholder groups. (750 words)

Reflect on the how stages you have undertaken for this assessment have contributed insights that informed your proposal and why they were needed in order to ensure your proposal is robust. Make sure you demonstrate your understanding of the purpose of the taught processes. (700 words)

Task 3.
Throughout the term you will have had quizzes and formative submissions to complete. You are required to submit evidence that you have completed these core activities as indicated below.

You are to submit:
A screen shot of your formative submissions.
A screenshot of your quiz results (Make sure you include your name)