ISYS3001 - You are an IT analyst at XYZ Corporation

ISYS3001

You are an IT analyst at XYZ Corporation, and the company has recently taken on a new client that wishes to understand how the organization can leverage its IT and IS functions as a form of competitive advantage. The company is small and would like to see some real-world evidence of this in order to arm themselves with information as they seek investors to grow their business. You have been asked by your manager, Farah Ahmad, to create a business analysis for the client company’s leadership in which you analyze the competitive landscape for a business and discuss the role of IT/IS in helping that company achieve a competitive advantage.

First, you should select a company, research two of its competitors, and create a report to present to the client in which you analyze the business’s current competitive standing within its industry using at least two competitive analysis models/tools with a focus on the role IT plays in determining its current competitive posture; one of the models used in the analysis must be Porter’s Five Forces. It is recommended that you search the Internet to identify industries/companies for which a Porter’s Five Forces analysis have been completed prior to selecting the company on which you will focus your response. Part 1 of your business analysis should be 5–7 paragraphs in length and include at least two references from the Walden Library or other scholarly academic sources.

Part 1: Overview of Competitive Strategy for a Business

· Describe the company you selected for your analysis, as well as its competitive landscape, and explain why it can be characterized as a competitive business. (225–300 words, or 3–4 paragraphs)

· Identify at least one type of competitive strategy that this business uses, including specific examples/evidence to support your assertion. (150–225 words, or 2–3 paragraphs

Part 2: IT and Competitive Advantage

· Illustrate the company’s use of information systems as part of its competitive business strategies. (150–225 words, or 2–3 paragraphs)

· Analyze the company and its two competitors through the lens of Porter’s Five Forces. (225–300 words, or 3–4 paragraphs)

· Analyze the company and its two competitors through the lens of one additional competitive analysis model or tool. (225–300 words, or 3–4 paragraphs)

· Compare the three companies in light of your two completed analyses, including a discussion of which tool you feel was more useful in helping you to determine the competitive position for your selected company. (150–225 words, or 2–3 paragraphs)

· Finally, present your analysis of the current competitive posture of your selected company. (75–150 words, or 1–2 paragraphs)