Question: There are two parts to this assignment and you must complete both parts. In Part 1 you will critically evaluate the literature on Strategic Management as theory and process. In Part 2 you will seek to apply the learning from Part 1 within a specific organisational context as discussed and agreed in class based sessions with your tutor.

Part 1: Taking a ‘Strategy as Practice' perspective, critically appraise relevant academic literature in terms of:

• Key challenges faced by managers in developing and deploying strategy within its industry context, and the tools available for meeting these challenges

• Theory and models suitable for informing an organisation' splanning and positioning relative tokey competitors and within its competitive environment

Part 2: Totally Wicked^TM is a successful Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing company based in the North West of the UK. From a standing start around 5 years ago, the company has grown an international business generating in excess of £50 million per annum in revenue within the ‘Vaping' industry.Again adopting a ‘Strategy as Practice' perspective, write a mini-reportcommenting upon:

A) The Strategic Choices facing Totally Wicked^TM in taking its business forward

OR

B) The effectiveness ofstrategies deployed to date by Totally Wicked^TM, based upon the evidence available to you

Your report should contain as a minimum the following sections:

1.An introduction setting out your understanding of the task,your planned approach. (150-200 words)

2.A short section outlining the organisational context selected for the report andkey milestones in its development. (200-300 words)

3.A Literature Review providing balancedcriticalevaluation of relevanttheory relating to strategicmanagement drawn from a range of appropriate sources(2000-2500 words maximum)

4.Application of theory intheTotally Wicked^TMcontext,taking either A or B above as your starting point, andusinginsights andexamples fromyour literaturereview to provide support for any observations and arguments(1200-1500 words maximum)

5.A short concluding section drawing conclusions about therelevance of Strategy as Practice theory in informing organisational strategy (400-500 words maximum)

6.Please include a short ‘ReflectiveAssessment' ofyourkey learning fromundertaking theassignment (150-300 words)

7.A bibliography / reference list for all resources used in compiling your report. This element is not part of your word count.8.Appendices(if appropriate) - not part of the word count for the assignment.

The module learning outcomes addressed by this assignmentare:

LO1- critically evaluate the challenges faced by managers in the development and deployment of strategy

LO2 - understand and apply a range of alternative models and concepts in dealing with strategic planning issues in order to achieve competitive advantage

LO3 - critically evaluate the processes and outcomes in the implementation of strategic choices facing an organisation

LO4 - successfully deploy relevant critical, analytical and academic skills in an extended piece of writing related to Strategic Management.