Explain why these are very important and provide you a chance to apply concepts learned throughout your business classes to a case, demonstrating your ability to synthesize and apply knowledge. These are some of the most challenging and difficult submissions you will make in this course. This is an analysis essay coupled with application of a model(s), determination of the problem(s), recommended solution(s) and supporting logic.
Don’t be confused about the “Case Assignment Questions” at the end of the attached case. Those ARE NOT TO BE ANSWERED. Those are given to guide your thought and to help you identify the problems with the company. Instead you are to develop your essay to cover the five points identified below. This attachment is just to get you started. You are expected to do extensive additional research and make your analysis CURRENT! To be graded for any points, your “Turn-it-in-Score” has to be 20 or below.
This is a formal writing assignment and requires that you follow APA guidelines and all formal paper guidelines established in this course. Your paper must contain a Title page, header, page numbers, and a Reference page. You will need to have at least 6 different scholarly references (within the past two-three years) cited in the reference section and then those references be used in the body of the work properly (with matching in-text citations). This means you have to perform current research the company further than the materials provided in this case. This means CURRENT information/analysis. Case studies are generally five or more pages in length, not counting Title page or reference page. For details, refer to the syllabus. (Also, reminder, do not write in first or second person and all facts have to be supported with in-text citations. Follow the handout on APA posted at the beginning of the course in the modules section and accessible through Getting Started Module. )
Here is an overview of the five points that need to be covered in your case essay assignment. Cases must be prepared with section headings for each of these parts: (The lengths prescribed are just estimates and may vary depending on the analysis). Use the following headers: Case Background; Applicable Strategic Models, The Main Problem; Recommended Solution; and Supportive Logic. (If you do not develop your paper using these headings, you will receive a -0-).
1) Case Background: Case background (stated in one paragraph with support/in-text citation) (To write this in one paragraph, it will take some time and skill to be precise and to have it supported with alignment to the rest of the paper. There should be several current sources used, properly referenced.) NOTE: Case Background does not mean just reading the attached .pdf. This means researching the company and adding current research to the overview provided in the attached .pdf. You should develop a very good intro that is concise and supported.
2) Strategic Model: The strategic model used to analyze the case stated and then demonstration of the use of that model applied to the case (two to three paragraphs and any visual depiction associated with the model and shown as applied) You have to demonstrate the model, even if not fully…So if you decide to use the SWOT model, a normal SWOT analysis would be pages in length. For this you need to at least develop into 1-2 pages.
You will have to specifically find one or more models to use in your assessment. See the spreadsheet presented at the beginning of the course under “Business Strategy.” You can use any of these or others you have used during your courses at WNMU. The idea is that you, as you analyze the case, use one of the many strategic business models covered in this class or other classes, as this is the capstone class and you should have been exposed to many different models by now, and apply it to the case.
Again you can use the spreadsheet that is posted at the beginning of the course in the Getting Started Module (Useful Template for Business Model Application) and is also found in additional materials module (Models Strategic Planning pg 1 and pg 2). There are several models used there such as SWOT, PLC, Five Forces analysis, value chain, etc. I am not going to tell you which model is the one you would think is best. Make sure you demonstrate the model, not just discuss it generally. You have to APPLY the facts of the company to the model. This requires the use of considerable outside research besides what is presented in the case. DO NOT just use another source’s model / assessment and call it your own or post with citation and call it good. You have to apply the model, not restate someone else’s work.
3) Main Problem: The main problem (stated in one or two paragraphs) (This has to be in alignment to the model. If you do a SWOT and you give supportive evidence of a certain weakness in the SWOT, then it should be further explained and used as part of the main problem. You have to follow the guidelines set-up in this class for SWOT and it has to contain current research, facts, and supported in-text citations. It cannot be superficial! This should be representative of work of a senior ready to graduate. If you select a different model, then that has to be well defined with current research and applied properly to the main problem that is clearly defined.)
4) Recommended Solution: Your recommended solution (stated in one or two paragraphs–but must be supported and show “real thought” about the recommendation with specifics. This has to be in alignment with the rest of your case. You cannot make an unsupported recommendation. Your entire paper has to lead to this recommendation.)
5) Supporting Logic: The logic supporting your solution (the bulk of your analysis, several paragraphs, well supported with in-text citations. This is where you can detail one or more of the models used and the results of that model applied to the case.) This is really important and adds to what you developed in the rest of your analysis.
The purpose overall is for you to evaluate and determine a strategic approach to address the problem the company is experiencing in the case. This assignment aligns to course objectives CO1-CO6.
