Critically evaluate the key issues that strategic analysis plays in a business or organisation that you are familiar with.
You are required to make 4 journal posts. Each post should be 500 words (+/-10%)
Use a mini report format for each post. An executive summary is not required. Sources should be acknowledged in-text and a reference list (not included in the length) should be posted at the end. Appendices can be included.
Post 1
Introduction: Briefly describe the background information of the organisation (or SBU) chosen. This information should be brief and relevant to the discussion of your assignment and thus may include ownership, history, size, business scope, major products/services, and major markets of the organisation (or SBU).
Conduct a macro-environment analysis for the entire industry within which the organisation (or SBU) operates. You should use the PESTEL model and focus on understanding the purpose of this analysis, the identification of key factors and their implications in terms of key opportunities and threats, and discussion of their overall impact on industry growth in the future.
Draw your conclusions based on your macro-environment analysis.
Post 2
Introduce industry analysis.
Undertake a competitive analysis using Porter’s 5 forces model. You should pay attention to the purpose of this analysis, the inter-connectedness of different aspects of the competitive forces, and their overall impact on the industry and the organisation selected in terms of main driving forces in the competitive environment.
Draw your conclusions based on your five-force analysis.
Post 3
Introduce internal analysis
Conduct an internal environment analysis for the organisation. You should identify, differentiate and evaluate the key resources, capabilities and core competencies of the organisation (or SBU) that are most likely to provide sustainable competitive advantage.
Identify strengths and weaknesses
Conclude based on the internal analysis
Post 4
Introduce business level strategy
Evaluate the key business level strategy of the organisation (or SBU). Use the value chain analysis to justify your choice
Draw your conclusion.