TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project

Case Study Analysis (30%) – INSTRUCTIONS

This assessment should deliver an in-depth case study analysis – from a business strategy perspective. Students may examine a business or an organisation of their choice, by selecting one of the following business enterprises:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to allow students to analyse a company by using the theoretical knowledge, business concepts and models that are delivered in class in weeks 1-5. The company must be selected from the list above. Students should analyse organisation’s business strategy or aspects of it. Here is the list of theoretical themes that may assist in completing an analysis:

1. Business Strategy (Concepts and Techniques)
2. Company’s Direction and Capabilities (Vision, Mission, Objectives and Strategy; SWOT)
3. External Environment (PESTLE, Five Competitive Forces, Industry Dynamics, Competitor Analysis, Success Factors, Industry Outlook for Profitability)
4. Resources and Competitiveness (Competitive Advantage, Value Chain, Value Proposition)
5. Five Generic Competitive Strategies (Low Cost Provider, Broad Differentiation Strategy, Focused Strategy, Focused Differentiation Strategy, Best-Cost Provider)

The students will have to describe it as a business case study – that reflects a company’s business strategy decisions (e.g. change of industry, entry to new markets, new product development, international expansion, sales and acquisitions, disruptive or obsolete technologies, industry leadership, or any other similar issues).

TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project

Format and referencing:

The word limit for this assignment is 1500 words, excluding executive summary, references, figures, tables, and charts. It should be submitted via Turnitin as a Word or PDF file. The cover page should include student’s name, student number, study program (TBUS 501 or 502), and company’s or organisation’s name.

Each student will individually analyse a selected case (from 5 listed companies) and submit a written report (via Turnitin) by due date: Sunday 8th April 2018, 11:59 pm. There will be no alternative method of submission. Late assignments will receive 0 points. Assignments with a high similarity rate should be edited and resubmitted by the due date. This assignment must be student’s genuine work – a draft version, or extensive research notes, can be considered as a proof. Language assistance is available at Top, and students may book an appointment with the English Language and Academic Skills Coordinator Ms Martha Hendra (martha.hendra@top.edu.au).

When conducting research for this assignment, students need to correctly reference or cite the original sources (Harvard referencing style). The assignment must have a proper reference list, any omissions will be penalised. For a pass grade students need to have at least 5 references. For a higher

TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project

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TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project Master of International Business; Master of Marketing and Public Relations Lecturer: Dr Barbara Gligorijevic Semester 1, 2018

grade a bare minimum is 10, but it is expected that a HD assignment has 15 or more references. If students are using any additional readings that are not necessarily cited or referenced in the body of the assignment – a bibliography list can be created. This paper may include up to three appendices, each appendix should not exceed a full A4 page.

Description:

The students will select a case study (company) from the list above. This organisation should be briefly introduced, analysed, issues identified, and linked to the theory. The issues should be clearly outlined and justified (with supporting arguments from academic or industry sources) within the context of the company’s business strategy and business environment in which the company operates.

This report should explain company’s business strategy case, what were the outcomes of the introduced strategic changes, what were the consequences for the organisation or even for the industry in which the company operates. This paper should provide a set of clearly outlined business strategy issues that should be justified by using the academic literature, industry reports or research findings.

TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project

Structure and content:

This paper should have the following structure:

• –  Cover page;
• –  Executive summary – a detailed overview of the full paper;
• –  Introduction – a brief outline of issues that will be discussed in this paper;
• –  Analysis – about a company, analysis of a company’s background (industry, size, history,

  organisation’s structure, available resources, product portfolio, market share, etc.);

• –  Detailed description of business issues – highlighting reasons why the company decided to

  adopt change its strategy;

• –  Outcomes – what consequences may arise from this strategic change, for the organisation or

  industry in which the company operates;

• –  Recommendations – a set of commendations how to encourage positive outcomes and boost

  growth, or how to diminish negative consequences and prevent reoccurrence of similar issues

  in the future;

• –  Conclusions – a brief overview of the key points presented in the paper;
• –  References and bibliography;
• –  Appendices (up to three, but not longer than 3 pages).

TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project

The paper should use only valid (academic papers, industry reports, financial reports, governmental publications, etc.) sources of information that are based on primary research or experts’ analysis, as arguments. Recommendations should be well structured and should correspond to the analysis, and the identified issue(s). Writing style should be clear. It is a prerogative to link the identified issues to the theory, and to provide suitable strategic recommendations to the identified issues.

Students will need to show their understanding of the business strategy theoretical models, and use the business concepts that are relevant and appropriate for this type of analysis. The accurate business terminology should be used throughout the paper. If you need any type of language assistance, please contact the Language and Academic Skills Coordinator – Ms Martha Hendra (email listed above).

TBUS 501 and TBUS 502: Integrated Capstone Project