STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT

This assignment will assess the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical evaluation of the key aspects of the strategic management process;

2. Demonstrate the ability to compare different theories and perspectives of strategic management and use and appraise them appropriately;

3. Critically evaluate theories and concepts of strategic management. Analyses and apply appropriate problem solving techniques plus knowledge learned to solving complex business problems;

4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex issues.

Portfolio Brief -

This portfolio will evaluate varied elements that you are required to answer, covering the extent of learning's you acquired. There are four parts included in this portfolio and subdivided into sections respectively. Follow the instructions specified in each part and answer carefully. Attach the Turnitin report of your type written answers during the final submission.

Part I - Analogical Measurement: Coherent and Relevant Aspects of Strategy

Section A: Instruction: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Explain why (not). Justify your answer, why? Defend each answer using 20-25 words.

1. The focus of strategic management is on long-term range planning.

2. It is important to distinguish between objectives and strategy.

3. The most important corporate objective is to maximise profit.

4. "Positioning" is how a firm or business organisation fights competition.

5. Logical incremental strategy is the process of developing a detailed plan in a logical manner.

Section B: Instruction: Answer briefly but completely. This requires a 200-word essay composition.

Using your own knowledge, identify two organisations, one that you would describe as highly successful and one as unsuccessful. Which approach to strategy formulation did they adopt and what conclusions do you draw from this? (Note: Support your answers with references.)

Part II - Logical Evaluation of Conceptual Forces that Influenced Strategic Management.

Section A: Instruction: Classify the strategic activities (1-10) with the appropriate decisions (a-e) that influenced strategic management. Write only the letters of the correct answer. Each letter may be used more than once.

Section B: Instruction: Answer briefly but completely. This requires 100-word essay composition.

Strategic decisions are basically used .in order to utilize organizational resources to achieve the set objectives. What are the major resources required for expected success in the questions from Section A activities above? Suggest possible reasons for adopting these reasons.

Part III - Development of Judgment on Arguments Relating to Practical Strategic Situations.

Section A: Sarah del Serrano, a beauty expert, said "I don't sell cosmetics, I sell hope", and an insurance company advertises that it sells "Peace of Mind".

Question 1: Suppose you are an employee in one of the following organisations. How might you answer the question: What business are we in? Answers can be benchmarked against those statements given above.

a. A Luxury Ice-cream Manufacturer

b. A Travel Agent

c. The Automobile Association

d. A Hypermarket

e. A House-Builder

Question 2: Being the stakeholder in one of the organisations above, what quantifiable measurement/s would you consider to be the most important way to judge the performance of the firm? Explain.

Part IV - Critical Evaluation and Analysis.

Instruction: Make a strategic evaluation of an organisation of your choice (one that is very familiar to you) and accomplish the structured tasks enumerated below. The purpose of this assessment is to measure your acquired competencies that relate to strategic management theory and practice.