SM9636: What measures should be used to assess the relative success of your chosen company: Strategic Management Assignment, NU, Singapore

1. INTRODUCTION

What is contained in the document? Why should someone read it? This should be a brief introduction to the company and highlight your key recommendations. Please note that the introduction is not given any marks. We restrict it to 100 words so that you do not waste valuable words from your assignment word limit on a protracted introduction. It is best practice to write the introduction last.

2. MEASURES OF SUCCESS

What measures should be used to assess the relative success of your chosen company? Financial and non-financial metrics should be suggested (with a preference for any data that are ‘benchmarked’ against direct competitors). Show example data for the company in question (in tabular or graphical form) that ideally spans four or five financial years to the present day. Include in this section a brief discussion concerning the difficulties in determining and measuring business success (cite some of the key authors that have written about this subject).

3. REASONS FOR SUCCESS

What do experts suggest as the reasons for this company’s relative business success? An outline of 6 to 10 business reasons behind the success is stated in a simple, straightforward way with a brief (4 or 5 sentences) explanation of each reason. Each reason should be sub-titled in this section (i.e. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, etc.). Cite the expert source(s) that have the opinion that you are listing. Do not speculate yourself in this section; just collect and sort the opinions of third-party experts. Do not rely solely upon the company’s own website or its publications. All company “jargon” and “acronyms” must have a brief explanation in brackets at the point of their first usage; thereafter they can be used without explanation.

4. STRATEGIC ANALYSIS

What are the possible internal success factors and where might they be located in the company’s activities? This will be a detailed dual analysis of the company’s strategic capabilities starting with an Adapted Value Chain (AVC) and followed by a VRIN evaluation. This section carries the most marks. To score well in Section 4, you must also synthesize the AVC with the VRIN. This is achieved by demonstrating clear linkages between the two so that you can answer the two questions “What internal factors are contributing to future success?” (using VRIN); combined with, “Where are they happening within the activities of the company?” (using the AVC to show location or locations). The synthesis of AVC and VRIN is an iterative process (multi-pass), so we only need you to show the end result.

5. LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTION

How is the current leadership guiding towards success? Is there a leadership legacy from a predecessor? An evaluation of the contribution of leadership to the company’s success, based on appropriate leadership theory. A wide range of topics will be acceptable including (but not limited to): o Leadership Attributes or Styles o Organisational Culture o Decision-making Theory