Unit Number and Title

HNBS 332 Business Strategy

Academic Year

2021/22

Unit Tutors

Assignment Title

Strategic Management Plan

Issue Date

w/c 14th February 2022

Submission Date

IV Name & Date

Guideline for Final Submission

• The assessment for this module is in 2 parts: ASSIGNMENT PART 1 and ASSIGNMENT PART 2.
• You should aim to complete ASSIGNMENT PART 1 before WEEK 6 and make sure you get FORMATIVE FEEDBACK from your lecturer during teaching weeks 5 and 6.
• It is also recommended that you complete ASSIGNMENT PART 2 before WEEK 10 and get FORMATIVE FEEDBACK from your lecturer for your Assignment 2 during teaching weeks 9 and 10.
• Once you complete BOTH PARTS, you need to compile them into a single Microsoft Word document for Final Submission.
• Remember, there will be only ONE submission link on Moodle. You cannot submit PART 1 and PART 2 separately.

Assignment 1 -  HNBS 332 Business Strategy

Submission Format

The submission is in the form of an individual strategic management plan report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using 1.5 line spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate and ensure that the report is justified aligned. All work must be supported with research and all research resources should be cited and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a Reference List including all cited materials using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word count is 1,500 - 2,000 words, although you will not be penalised if you go under or exceed the total word limit.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Analyse the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organisation.

LO2 Assess an organisation’s internal environment and capabilities.

LO3 Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a given market sector.

Assignment Brief and Guidance

Scenario

You have been recruited as a Corporate Strategy Manager by Vodafone Group Plc, a British multinational telecommunications company. You have been asked to produce an environmental analysis and strategic growth management plan based on the use of recognised internal and external analytical tools, such as PESTLE, SWOT, VRIO, the Value Chain, the Porter’s 5 Forces Framework, etc.

You are required to produce an initial report, which:

• Critically evaluates the internal environment: the structure, resources, capabilities, and the skills set of the organisation.
• Critically analyses the impact and the influence of the external environment on this organisation and its strategies. These analyses should consider:

A) the industry and the competitive (i.e., the micro external) environment in which Vodafone Group Plc operates to devise appropriate strategies to improve its competitive edge and market position;

B) the wider, macro external forces (political, economic, legal, etc.) that impact the company, and how these determine and inform its strategic management decisions.

Assignment 2 -  HNBS 332 Business Strategy

Submission Format

The submission of Assignment 2 is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using 1.5 line spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word count is 1,500 - 2,000 words, although you will not be penalised if you go under or exceed the total word limit.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO4 Apply models, theories, and concepts to assist with the understanding and interpretation of strategic directions available to an organisation.

Assignment Brief and Guidance

Scenario

Building on Assignment 1, you have been requested to make a final report for the same case company based on the (internal and external) environmental analysis already carried out, and applying appropriate models (e.g., TOWS), as well as models, theories, and concepts to assist with critiquing and interpreting the information provided in the Part 1. LO1 Analyse the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organisation.

This report should include:

• Evaluation of the diverse types of strategic directions available to the organisation. For this you are expected to use strategic tools such as: TOWS, Bowman Strategic Clock, Ansoff’s matrix, etc. and show critical approach in evaluation and interpretation of the options available.

• Recommendations with justification of the most appropriate growth strategies and platforms. For example, you could consider Porter’s Generic strategies, hybrid strategies, diversification strategies (both in different sectors and internationally), vertical/horizontal integration, etc.
• A strategic management plan for Vodafone Group plc. with clearly formulated tangible strategies, objectives, priorities and tactical actions.