Background
Term Paper- Industry Analysis for Dell Computers
(NOTE: THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE DUE DATE – LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED – BE SURE TO MANAGE TIME).
The purpose of the Industry Analysis is to paint a picture of the entire industry environment in which Dell Computers must compete and operate. What are the trends within the industry that will impact your company, what are the factors driving change in the industry that impacts your company, what does the industry offer for growth and profitability? Who are the competitors, and what are the overall strengths and weaknesses of the industry? Although the outcome of this paper will affect Dell Computers, the paper is about the industry, not the company. Therefore your research and response should be on the industry as a whole with the objective of using that information in the future to contribute to the development of effective strategies for those who are and will be engaged in that industry.
Phase III: Due Week 6. Revised/Edited Phase I and II plus: Major Component Headings 1-8 with all corrections and modifications.
1 – Introduction
State the purpose of the paper, keep in mind the focus is on painting the big picture, analyzing the financial health of the industry, and recognizing the trends that will drive the industry forward. Introduce the reader to the overall picture of what the industry is and does, including the SIC and NAICS codes. The industry of Dell Computer’s SIC code is 7371 (Computer Programming Services) and NAICS code is 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services).
2 – Industry’s Dominant Economic Characteristics
Give a brief description of the central and most influential characteristics of the industry with a focus on economic factors. Some examples are:
Number of competitors in the industry, total industry revenue, determine the major players and what percentage they represent of the total revenue.
Select the most significant financial ratios in the industry; develop a chart showing those industry ratios in terms of the industry average, and two major players vs. each other and the industry.
What has been the past 3-5 year growth rate, possibly in the number of customers and/or new facilities?
What has been the past 3-5 year growth rate in revenue?
What are the most significant expenses? Comment on the current and future effects on the industry.
Describe the entry and exit barriers for the industry.
Note: When addressing the ratios, create a chart, focus on profitability, liquidity, and efficiency ratios, then follow up with a paragraph or two defining the ratios and the impact of each.
3 – Competitive Forces Facing Industry
To identify the competitive dynamics of the industry, you will need to have a thorough understanding of the interrelationships among companies in the industry and their suppliers and buyers, as well as the ease of entry and exit from the industry. Periodical articles will supply much of this information.
Who are the major competitors?
What are the major competitors and their market share?
What are the revenues of the major competitors?
What are the core competencies and strengths and weaknesses of the major competitors? Is there an oligopoly?
Is there collaboration within the big players on pricing and offerings?
Is there a challenge of bargaining power from the suppliers or the buyers (e.g. Cruise lines are the buyers from the supplier’s perspective)
The percentage of market share, the percentage of industry revenue, some comparison of expenses, and or other data more relative to finances for each major competitor and the industry would give a more comprehensive picture of the competitive landscape.
4 – Trends and Driving Factors
Most significant driving forces for change originate from outside the industry – such characteristics as changing social trends, demographics, regulatory issues, etc. You will need to draw on all of your experience and information available to you to answer this question. Some but not all topics to consider:
Economic, Environmental, Regulatory, Safety, Political, Cultural, Technological.
5 – Expected Strategic Moves by Rivals
You will need a broad understanding of the competitive dynamics of the industry in order to answer this question.
Some but not all issues to consider:
Introduce new and better products or services
Become more diverse
Become more niche-oriented
Solicit a broader consumer base
Establish a new lower price benchmark
Establish a new product or service level
Establish an aggressive advertising campaign
Establish an assault on competitors
6 – Key Factors for Future Competitive Success
What must ANY COMPETITOR (not only Dell Computers) do well in order to successfully compete in this industry in the future?” This is where the Economic Characteristics, Trends, and your critical thinking contribute to addressing this question. Use the combination of facts gathered with your assessment of all the facts to convey your judgment as to what will most assure a strong future for the industry. Again, address the industry, not a particular player within the industry.
7 – Conclusion
Does the outlook for the industry present an attractive opportunity?
You should actually answer two interrelated questions here, thus enhance your conclusion.
The conclusion should be the combination and culmination of researched data and your critical thinking using the data that you cited within your paper. Again, the combination of data and your opinion (critical thinking).
Will competitive dynamics of the industry, and likely future changes outside of the industry, make it likely that any company can be successful?
What is the likelihood that a company that successfully competes in this industry in the future will earn better than its cost of capital, i.e. that it will be financially successful?
This section should provide the reader with a strong conclusive statement reflecting your analysis of the outlook, and be based on the most specific facts you presented in the paper, that is most convincing. Hence the 3-4 most influential points need to be emphasized here to convey the main message you want your reader to be left with.
8 – Reference Page
APA format is required
Additional Information
A table of contents or an Abstract is not needed, nor required for this assignment
A title (Cover Page) is required per APA format including Running head
Reference page is required (APA format)
APA format is required including properly formatted in-text citations and references
Content is more important than the length of the paper. If each of the eight components above is addressed properly the number of pages will not be a concern.
A minimum of 2 peer-reviewed sources (not including the textbook) from the FSW library databases must be cited in the text of this phase of the industry analysis paper. There should be a minimum total of 6 peer-reviewed sources (2 for each phase) cited in the paper for support. See the link to the Florida SouthWestern State College Library Research Tutorial. Be sure to review how to find peer-reviewed (scholarly) articles. The FSW librarians and your instructor can also assist with researching the databases.
Do not use any textbook as a source.
All sources must have an author and date.
Do not use direct quotes. Be sure to paraphrase. Do not copy and paste. The FSW Writing Centers offer assistance with writing through virtual meetings. Grammarly.com is also helpful.
Do not use internet sources for support.
Use APA to properly cite all sources.
A thorough analysis of the topic in relation to management, leadership, and course learning outcomes.
Spelling, grammar, and writing style
Write in the third person – such as, “This researcher…”, “This student…”, Do not use “I”, “we”, “our”, “you”, or any other forms of indefinite you.
Avoid bullet points.
Submit your own original work. Do not submit work previously submitted to any course – including your own work, that of other students, or any work that is purchased or traded from the online cheating sites, such as coursehero.
The use of AI is not permitted for assignments in this course.
Be sure to review your assignment after submitting it in Canvas in the assignment link. Submitting an assignment that cannot be viewed, or submitting the wrong file do not constitute valid excuses for re-submitting after the due date.
Instructions
Submit Phase III of your Dell Computers Industry Analysis to include revisions of Phase I and II.
Guidelines
Make sure you follow APA guidelines to include a title page, table of contents, in-text citations, level headings, and reference page.
Total length of the paper should be 10 to 12 pages.
Do not exceed 15 pages.
Your paper should look something like:
Title page
Introduction
Industry’s Dominant Economic Characteristics (with each example in this section with a level heading 2 or 3)
Competitive Forces Facing Industry (with each example used in this section with a level heading 2 or 3)
Trends and Driving Factors (with each example used in this section with a level heading 2 or 3)
Expected Factors for Future Competitive Success (again with necessary level headings)
Conclusion
Reference page – APA formatted
An abstract is not required.
Direct quotes are not permitted.
Rubric
Phase III Industry Analysis
Phase III Industry Analysis
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 1 – Introduction
Updated Introduction that Incorporates feedback and States the purpose of the paper, analyzing the financial health of the industry, and recognizing the trends that drive the industry forward. Introduces the overall picture of what the industry is and does, including the SIC and NAICS codes.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 2 – Industry’s Dominant Economic Characteristics
Updated Industry Dominant Economic Characteristics that Incorporates feedback and Includes a brief description of the central and most influential characteristics of the industry with a focus on economic factors.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 3 – Competitive Forces Facing Industry
Updated Competitive Forces Facing Industry that Incorporates feedback and Identifies the competitive dynamics of the industry including:
– The major competitors?
– The major competitors and their market share?
– The revenues of the major competitors?
– The core competencies and strengths and weaknesses of the major competitors? Is there an oligopoly?
– Possible collaboration within the big players on pricing and offerings.
– Challenges of bargaining power from the suppliers or the buyers (e.g. Cruise lines are the buyers from the supplier’s perspective).
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 4 – Trends and Driving Factors
Updated Competitive Forces Facing Industry that Incorporates feedback and Identifies the most significant driving forces for change originating from outside the industry – such characteristics as changing social trends, demographics, regulatory issues, etc.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 5 – Expected Strategic Moves by Rivals
Considers issues including but not limited to:
– Introduce new and better products or services
– Become more diverse
– Become more niche-oriented
– Solicit a broader consumer base
– Establish a new lower price benchmark
– Establish a new product or service level
– Establish an aggressive advertising campaign
– Establish an assault on competitors
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 6 – Key Factors for Future Competitive Success
Identifies what ANY COMPETITOR must do well in order to successfully compete in this industry in the future?” Uses the combination of facts gathered and assesses all of the facts to convey judgment as to what will most assure a strong future for the industry. Addresses the industry, not a particular player within the industry.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 7 – Conclusion
Addresses the questions:
– Does the outlook for the industry present an attractive opportunity?
– Will competitive dynamics of the industry, and likely future changes outside of the industry, make it likely that any company can be successful?
– What is the likelihood that a company that successfully competes in this industry in the future will earn better than its cost of capital, i.e. that it will be financially successful?
Includes:
– The combination and culmination of researched data and critical thinking using the data cited within your paper.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 8 – Reference Page
Includes an APA formatted reference page.
10 pts
Total Points: 100
