Purpose: This assignment is the second of three assignments. Students will use the tools and concepts learned in the course and in previous business courses to develop an understanding of how organizations develop and manage strategies to establish, safeguard and sustain its position in a competitive market.
Students also have the opportunity to review an organization’s objectives and goals and the key functional areas within the organization. Performing an internal environment analysis helps assess a firm’s internal resources and capabilities and plays a critical role in formulating strategy by identifying a firm’s strengths to overcome weaknesses. Students will then 1) assess long-term objectives, 2) identify and evaluate alternative strategies and 3) recommend strategies for a company to pursue.
Instructions:
In completing the report, students will use the chapters in the eBook as a guide and perform research on the company from Assignment 1, answer the required elements below in narrative form following the steps.
The companies used in Assignment 1 are below. Students will use the same company to complete this assignment as they did in Assignment 1. Students who fail to use the companies on the list or an unapproved company will receive a zero for the assignment.
Sanofi (NYSE: SNY)
NOTE: All submitted work is to be your original work (and only yours). You may not use any work from another student, the Internet or an online clearinghouse. You are expected to understand the Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism Policy, and know that it is your responsibility to learn about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources as specified in the APA Publication Manual, 6th Ed. (Students are held accountable for in-text citations and an associated reference list only).
Students may use subheadings.
Step 1: Preparation for the Assignment
Before you begin writing the report, you will read the following requirements that will help you meet the writing and APA requirements.
Read the grading rubric for the assignment. Use the grading rubric while writing the report to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible grade.
In writing this assignment, you will read and following these tasks:
Third person writing is required. Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person.
Contractions are not used in business writing, so you are NOT to use contraction in writing this assignment.
You are responsible for APA only for in-text citations and a reference list. Cite the page or paragraph number.
In writing the analysis, writing in the third person. What this means is that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person
In writing this assignment, students are asked to support the reasoning using in-text citations with page or paragraph number and a reference list. If information is taken from a source document, it has to be cited and referenced with a page or paragraph number. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa.
In completing this assignment, you are required to support reasoning or conclusions using in-text citations. Note that a reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa.
When using a source document, the expectation is that the information is cited and referenced with a page or paragraph number.
No books other than course eBook.
In writing this assignment, students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes unless citing the mission statement of a company. Learn to paraphrase by reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html
Read all course material for weeks 1 through 6 and perform independent research to provide a comprehensive internal environmental analysis, strategy analysis and selection.
Jot down key facts about the company. Consider making an outline to capture key points in the paper.
Step 2: How to Set Up the Plan
Create a double-spaced, 12-point font Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document. The final product cannot be longer than 16 pages in length, which includes all tables and matrices but excludes the title page and reference page. Those items identified in the technical analysis should appear under the appropriate heading in the paper. Do no use an Appendix.
Review assignment grading rubric and periodically throughout completing the report, review.
Follow the following format using these topics as headings:
Title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor’s name;
Company Background/Information
Internal Environmental Analysis
Strategic Analysis & Strategy Selection
Reference page
Under the appropriate heading, include the following:
Background analysis including vision and mission statements and objectives
Internal Environmental Analysis
Corporate Level Strategy
Business Unit Level Strategy
Functional Level Strategy
Explain how these strategies align with the company’s vision and mission statements;
Assess the company’s interactions with its stakeholders, the organizational structure, the organizational culture, and communication/decision making among managers within human resources, marketing production, operations, finance and accounting, R&D, and computer information systems, which can be accomplished by viewing the company’s website, interviews, and surveys.
Financial analysis for the last reported fiscal year:
Use the company’s income statement and balance sheet to calculate key, but no less than 10 key financial ratios to the business. There must be a mix of the different ratios so that the ratios do not all come from the same category. Show the calculations.
Using Excel or a Word table, record key financial ratios in the first column;
Research the industry average financial ratios for the same ratios above and record in a second column. If you cannot find an industry average, then select another ratio; [Ratios presented should not all come from the same category]
In the third column, indicate whether the financial ratio is a strength, a weakness or a neutral factor.
Explain the results and compare and contrast the company financials to the industry.
Technique Analysis: develop and explain an IFE, BCG matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix, and QSPM. The expectation is not to copy from the Internet but to develop one’s own. The various tools are to appear in the appropriate area of the paper and not in one section of the paper.
Strategy Analysis:
Identify and explain company strengths and weaknesses. Discuss success factors and what the company must do to perform successfully in the industry? Discuss what strategies would allow the company to capitalize on its major strengths. Discuss strategies that would allow the company to improve upon its major weaknesses
Generate a minimum of three possible alternative strategies for the company;
Identify and discuss cultural factors that should be considered in analyzing and choosing among the alternative strategies;
Prioritize and explain the selection of alternative strategies
Recommend the best one or two strategies among the alternative strategies and explain why these strategies are the best;
Step 3: Create an introductory paragraph. The Introduction should clearly and concisely convey the main points of the assignment’s requirements. Review the following website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html
Step 4: Write a summary paragraph. A summary paragraph restates the main idea(s) of the essay. Make sure to leave a reader with a sense that the essay is complete. The summary paragraph is the last paragraph of a paper.
Step 5: Using the grading rubric as a comparison, read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.
Step 6: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing.
Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.
Step 7: Submit the report in the Assignment Folder (The assignment submitted to the Assignment Folder will be considered a student’s final product and therefore ready for grading by the instructor. It is incumbent upon the student to verify the assignment is the correct submission. No exceptions will be considered by the instructor.)
Background including vision, mission and objective are presented and thoroughly discussed; Vision, mission, and objectives are thoroughly discussed in terms of the definition. For example, vision is forward thinking and mission is about goals and values of organization).
(2.52 – 2.8)
Background including vision, mission and objective are presented with good discussion; Good discussion about vision, mission, and objectives are discussed in terms of the definition but could be more thorough.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Background including vision, mission and objective are presented with some discussion; Vision, mission, and objectives are provided but not discussed in any detail.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Attempted to discuss background or vision, mission and objectives but key points were missing or superficially presented.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Failed to discuss the background and vision, mission and objectives.
(0 – 1.67)
Internal Environmental Analysis including corporate, business and functional analysis are presented and thoroughly discussed. Thorough discussion of stakeholders, organizational structure, organizational culture, and communication/decision making among managers within human resources, marketing production, operations, finance and accounting, R&D, and computer information systems
(2.52 – 2.8)
Internal Environmental Analysis including corporate, business and functional analysis are presented with good discussion; Good discussion about stakeholders, organizational structure, organizational culture, and communication/decision making among managers within human resources, marketing production, operations, finance and accounting, R&D, and computer information systems but could be more thorough.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Internal Environmental Analysis including corporate, business and functional analysis are presented with some discussion; stakeholders, organizational structure, organizational culture, and communication/decision making among managers within human resources, marketing production, operations, finance and accounting, R&D, and computer information systems are provided but not discussed in any detail.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Attempted to discuss Internal Environmental Analysis including corporate, business and functional analysis but key points were missing or superficially presented. Stakeholders, organizational structure, organizational culture, and communication/decision making among managers within human resources, marketing production, operations, finance and accounting, R&D, and computer information systems was not included.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Failed to present the Internal Environmental Analysis.
(0 – 1.67)
Financial Analysis thoroughly and accurately presented with calculatedkey financial ratios, industry averages presented, strength/weakness/neutral identified and company financials to the industry compared and contrasted.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Financial Analysis was accurately presented withcalculated key financial ratios shown, industry averages presented, strength/weakness/neutral identified and company financials to the industry compared and contrasted but could have been more thorough.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Financial Analysis was presented with calculatedkey financial ratios, industry averages presented, strength/weakness/neutral identified and company financials to the industry compared and contrasted but were not consistently accurate or thorough in presentation.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Attempted to provide complete financial analysis but ratios were taken from website rather than showing calculations or calculations not shown/Financialanalysis is superficial or fails to provide accurate information or there was evidence of missing information or only partial presentation was seen.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Failed to present Financial Analysis.
(0 – 1.67)
Technique Analysis: accurate development of each technique with thoroughly explanation of IFE, BCG matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix and QSPM; techniques are thoroughly discussed in terms of overall analysis.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Technique Analysis: accurate development of each technique with some explanation of IFE, BCG matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix and QSPM; techniques are discussed in terms of overall analysis.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Technique Analysis: development of each technique with some explanation of IFE, BCG matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix and QSPM; techniques are briefly discussed in terms of overall analysis but there was missing information or analysis could have been better presented.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Attempted to complete a technique analysis: there were several issues related to the development of each technique – IFE, BCG matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix and QSPM; techniques were performed but no discussion in terms of overall analysis or superficially presented.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Failed to present Technique Analysis.
(0 – 1.67)
Strategy Analysis accurately and thoroughly presented with discussion about strengths and weaknesses, success factors, how strategies can capitalize on major strengths, improve upon weaknesses, at least fivealternative strategies; cultural factors and selections are prioritized.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Strategy Analysis accurately and thoroughly presented with discussion about strengths and weaknesses, success factors, how strategies can capitalize on major strengths, improve upon weaknesses, at least fouralternative strategies; cultural factors and selections are prioritized.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Strategy Analysis accurately and thoroughly presented with discussion about strengths and weaknesses, success factors, how strategies can capitalize on major strengths, improve upon weaknesses, at leastthree alternative strategies; cultural factors and selections are prioritized. There are weak areas presented throughout this section.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Attempted to complete a strategy analysis but discussion about strengths and weaknesses, success factors, how strategies can capitalize on major strengths, improve upon weaknesses, alternative strategies; cultural factors and prioritized selections is missing information or superficially presented.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Failed to present Strategy Analysis.
(0 – 1.67)
Recommendation for the best strategy among alternatives strategies is thoroughly discussed. The selected strategy(ies) aligns with all elements of the SM process.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Recommendation for the best strategy among alternatives strategies is briefly discussed. The selected strategy(ies) aligns with all elements of the SM process.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Recommendation for the best strategy among alternatives strategies is discussed but the selected strategy(ies) may not align with elements of the SM process.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Attempted to make recommendation for the best strategy among alternatives strategies but is superficially discussed. The selected strategy(ies) does not align with elements of the SM process.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Failed to provide recommendation for the best strategy.
(0 – 1.67)
Comments reflect a highly accomplished level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts resulting in accurate, thorough, and soundly reasoned conclusions.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Comments reflect an excellent level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts resulting in accurately reasoned conclusions.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Comments reflect a satisfactory level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts resulting in partially correct conclusions that lack development or detail that demonstrates insight into reasoning.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Comments reflect an unsatisfactory level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts, resulting in conclusions that are underdeveloped or lack soundly reasoned conclusions.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Comments reflect an unsatisfactory level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts, resulting in failure to draw little to no conclusions.
(0 – 1.67)
Presents exceptionally well-supported arguments or positions with evidence from the readings/experience; ideas go beyond the course material and recognize implications and extensions of the material and concepts.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Presents excellent arguments or positions that are mostly supported by evidence from the readings and course content; ideas presented demonstrate understanding of the material and concepts.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Satisfactory arguments or positions are presented but there is a mix of opinion or unclear view with supported arguments using course readings. Case study facts are occasionally used but arguments would be much stronger with use of facts.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Arguments are frequently illogical and unsubstantiated; Limited use of facts in case study and essential information presented in course readings.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Arguments lack meaningful explanation or support of ideas. Does not provide facts presented in case study.
(0 – 1.67)
Demonstrates exceptional understanding of requirements responding completely to each aspect of assignment including minor aspects of the assignment such as using third person writing, required use of course readings, and assignment format.
(1.26 – 1.4)
Demonstrates excellent understanding of requirements; missed one minor aspect of assignment.
(1.12 – 1.25)
Demonstrates satisfactory understanding of requirements; missed a key element or two minor aspects of assignment.
(0.98 – 1.11)
Fails to show a firm understanding of requirements; missed two key elements or several minor aspects of assignment.
(0.84 – 0.97)
Fails to demonstrate understanding of assignment requirements.
(0 – 0.83)
Strictly adheres to standard usage rules of written English, including but not limited to capitalization, punctuation, run-on sentences, missing or extra words, stylistic errors, spelling and grammatical errors. No errors found. No contractions or jargon used.
(2.52 – 2.8)
Excellently adheres to standard usage of mechanics: conventions of written English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. One to three errors found.
(2.24 – 2.51)
Satisfactorily adheres to standard usage rules of mechanics: conventions of English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Four to 10 errors found.
(1.96 – 2.23)
Minimally adheres to standard usage rules of mechanics: conventions of written English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. More than 10 errors found.
(1.68 – 1.95)
Does not adhere to standard usage rules of mechanics: conventions of written English largely incomprehensible; or errors are too plentiful to count.
(0 – 1.67)
No APA style or usage errors; Proper citation of source material is used throughout paper; Reference titles follow APA with only the first word, the first word after a colon and proper nouns capitalized.
(1.26 – 1.4)
Attempts in-text citations and reference list but one or two APA style errors noted or fails to use APA citations when appropriate 1-2 times.
(1.12 – 1.25)
Attempts in-text citations and reference lists; APA style errors are noted throughout document; Fails to use APA citations when appropriate 3 times in document.
(0.98 – 1.11)
Attempts in-text citations and reference lists; Fails to use APA citation when appropriate 4-5 times; or presents only 1-2 in-text citations and reference list in a paper that requires APA citations throughout the document.
(0.84 – 0.97)
No attempt at APA style; or attempts either in-text citations or reference list but omits the other.
(0 – 0.83)
Overall Score
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