course project

This paper is due at the end of the week.

This is similar to past papers you have written this term. I want to draw attention to a few points.

#1) The biggest difference is the second strategy section requires you to clearly identify and discuss SIX strategies from the list provided. In the past you have had to identify two strategies. This does not mean you mention the strategy in one sentence. You need to apply/connect the strategy to the company and discuss it. This large section is the heart of the paper. Please take your time here making connections as it is worth a lot of points.

#2) The expected page count is 6-8 pages total EXCLUDING the reference page, title page, and any figures/charts/images/graphs etc. If it is shorter than this it will immediately lose points.

#3) Late assignments cannot be accepted.

Guidelines and Grading Rubric (200 points)

Use your Course Project organization selected during Week 2 for this assignment.

COMPANY NAME, WEBSITE, and INDUSTRY

State the company name, website address, and industry.

BACKGROUND and HISTORY

Briefly describe the company in the case analysis. What is their primary business, who were the officers or key players described in the case study? If the case study company is currently in business, list the company’s current CEO, total sales, and profit or loss for the last year where data is available. Identify key events or phases in the company’s history. Describe the performance of this company in the industry. Visit the company’s website and usehttp://finance.yahoo.comand/or some other financial search engine to find this data. (15 points)

ANALYSIS VIA PORTER’S FIVE FORCES MODEL

Analyze the competitive environment by listing the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and services, and the intensity of rivalry among competitors in the industry (Chapter 2). Summarize your key points in a figure. (25 points)

STRATEGY USED

How does this company create and sustain a competitive advantage?What strategy from the readings was undertaken by this company? Were they successful? Can all companies use this strategy? How is the strategy affected by the life cycle in the industry? Remember to reference Porter’s generic strategies identified in Chapter 5 of the textbook, THIS IS CRITICAL. (40 points)

Specific STRATEGY(S)

Choose six specific strategies from this list.

Ensuring Coherence in Strategic Direction (pages 26–32)

Value Chain Analysis (pages 81–93)

Resource View of Firm (pages 93–104)

Industry Life Cycle Strategies (pages 187–195)

Turnaround Strategies (pages 193–195)

Vertical Integration (pages 210–214)

Portfolio Management and the BCG Matrix (pages 216–226)

Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures (pages 226–228)

Achieving Competitive Advantage (pages 256–267)

Entry Model (pages 267–272)

Entrepreneurial Strategy (pages 292–311)

External Governance Control (pages 340–347)

Linking Strategic Rewards (pages 366–372)

Creating Ambidextrous Organization Designs (pages 383–387)

Leadership (pages 392–416)

Apply them in detail to the organization. Be sure to think strategically and show the results clearly. Use the strategy as a sub-header for each section so it is clear what is being applied. (90 points)

COURSE OF ACTION RECOMMENDED

If you were in a position to advise this company, what strategy would you recommend to sustain competitive advantage and achieve future growth? Be specific and list the steps the company should take for successful implementation of your course of action. (15 points)

OPINION

What do you think of this case study? Describe what you believe are the lessons learned from this case. (10 points)

REFERENCES

When you have completed the paper using the above sections, insert a page break and have a separate reference page. The references should be listed in accordance with the APA guidelines as shown in the tutorial. (5 points)

FORMAT

· Use a title page.

· Font: Use Times New Roman, 12 point.

· Place your name in the upper left hand corner of the page.

· Each section of your paper should be headed by the bolded, capitalized item described above.

· Indent paragraphs.

· Insert page numbers bottom right.

· Paper length should be six to eight double-spaced pages not including title page, references, or illustrations and tables.

· Use APA citations throughout the paper. If you are not familiar with APA citation, refer to tutorial, which is contained in the last section of our course Syllabus.

· Include a separate Reference page at the end of the paper.

· Please prepare reference page as follows.

References

Dess, G., Lumpkin, G., & Eisner, A. (2012).Strategic Management(6e). Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.