The second component of assessment is a REPORT of 4000 words.
Working individually you will utilise the findings of the analysis conducted for the presentation in order to propose strategic choices the organisation could make in order to ensure future success. The starting point for the report is therefore to analyse and consider the implications of the opportunities and threats identified in the presentation, as these will determine the strategic direction you suggest the organisation takes. As with the presentation it is especially important to be very clear regarding the areas of the organisation’s work covered by the report. For a smaller organisation it might be the entirety of its activities, but for a large, multinational / global business you are advised to focus on a chosen aspect of its work.
The paper should be written in a professionally authentic report format, support for which will be given in the workshop programme. Remember, though, that this is an academic piece of work at postgraduate level, so you will be expected to make use of a wide range of appropriate literature in order to critique current practice and formulate suggested strategic choices. As a very rough guide you will be expected to access at least thirty distinct, academic sources (usually textbooks and journal articles) in support of this paper. The precise structure of your report will be determined by the specific direction it takes, but as a guide it needs to cover:
• A clear introduction that outlines the purpose of the report identifies the aspect(s) of the organisation’s work to be covered and explains the specific approach taken to addressing the identified opportunities and threats.
• Commentary on the current strategic position of the organisation (eg E-V-R congruence) with particular emphasis upon the area(s) of work covered in the report.
• Commentary on the organisation’s approach to strategy and planning (eg deliberate v emergent approaches), outlining potential improvements.
• In-depth analysis of the opportunities and threats (including competitors) identified in the presentation, using scenario planning to highlight their potential implications.
• Presentation and academic justification of the proposed strategic choices.
• A SMART, flexible plan for the execution of the strategic choices.
• A reference list / bibliography in Harvard format showing the sources used.
You can, if you wish choose to write the report in the role of a specified employee within the organisation or even as an external consultant. It is not compulsory to do so but it might give the report additional focus. You may also utilise appendices to provide essential background material that is not part of the core analysis in the main report. Appendices should not be overused but they are not included in the 4000-word limit.
The first part of the report has to summarize and discuss the main points of the presentation that I have done earlier in the semester, and that I will provide to the writer (SERIE A PRESENTATION). Internal and external environment should be discussed using the academic theory and models.
Main body has to suggest TWO new strategic choices or options to the organization. The Strategic choices we propose MUST focus on the EXTERNAL ENVIROMENT, making the organization more competitive, grow, ETC. examples of that could be potential partnerships, international expansion to emerging markets (see presentation)
Academic Theories need to be explained before applying them in the report with respect to the organization.
References have to be academic, mostly from academic journals or articles. A minimum 40 ACADEMIC references cited in text as well.
The following figure is a break down of what should be included in the essay and how it should be applied and how the assessment will be graded.