Question 1

Read the article about Solar power in Saudi Arabia : From Oil to Solar: Saudi Arabia Plots a Shift to Renewables By STANLEY REED

1. Develop a Balanced Scorecard for use in evaluating annual success. Identify one objective for each of the four perspectives. Each objective should be unique. Provide a reference to the source (within the NYT article or elsewhere) from which the objective was adapted.

2. Develop a SWOT analysis based on these objectives

3. Identify two metrics (measures) for each objective (for a total of 8 metrics). (An example is provided below.)

Example from UPS:

Balanced Score Card Area: Internal Processes

Objective: Integrate leading-edge technologies in all operations to provide better service to our customer base (Consistent with Growth Strategy: Leverage our leading-edge technology)

Metric 1: Percent of UPS outlets with leading edge technology in use.

Metric 2: Number of new technologies pilot tested per year

Question 2

Last year, Volkswagen was accused of letting its desire for rapid growth, market dominance, and affiliation with the clean energy trend, get in the way of integrity, quality, and safety in vehicle emissions. Search the web for news, research, or trade articles from reputable publications (Wikipedia and political opinion pieces are not acceptable sources) for articles about the Volkswagen recalls and investigations.

Include your citations (APA format) in your response. Organize your response in the following manner:

1. How have the recalls affected public opinion about Volkswagen's record for quality and reliability? Provide a complete response that discusses not only public opinion immediately after the recall, but current public opinion. Alternatively, you may use illustrative/annotated graphics (or an interactive video) as your response.

2. How has Volkswagen changed its strategies toward value chain management as a result of these quality and safety problems? Identify at least two specific strategies Volkswagen undertook in response to the quality and safety problems. [Hint: use one of the planning tools to illustrate effect across the value chain].
 
Question 3

Read the following stories (and additional stories you find appropriate) through the lens of our supplemental readings, lecture content, and textbook readings:

Story 1: Think Amazon's Drone Delivery Idea Is a Gimmick? Think Again By Farhad Manjoo

Story 2: The Washington Post Is Now Free on Amazon Prime By Julia Greenbe

Story 3: Walmart launches free, 2-day shipping without a membership on purchases of $35 or more By Sarah Perez

Story 4:Amazon Challenges Netflix by Opening Prime to Monthly Subscribers By NICK WINGFIELD

Use Amazon as your basis for answering the following questions

1. List and describe two challenges faced by organizations in the execution of a strategic plan.

2. Identify two organizational systems/processes that you could use, as a manager, to address the challenges identified in part 1.

Describe specifically how these systems/processes could be used to address the challenges identified.

(Examples of organizational processes/systems to consider include Goals and Measures, Rewards and Recognition, Communications, Training and Development, Organizational Structure, Senior Leadership, Rules and Policies, Physical Environment, Staffing, Information Systems and Knowledge Sharing, Operational/Process Changes, Ceremonies and Events, etc.)