Case Study Summaries
Instructions: This project requires you to apply the concepts and methods in this course. The purpose is to research, collect company and environment data in order to create the best
strategic alternatives from your findings.
Answering the questions above, write the research paper incorporating APA standards and
citing a minimum of five (5) journal sources, and/or business trade resources. After answering these questions concisely, continue on to the next inquiry. Use bullet lists and tables such as for the SWOT analysis to answer and minimize word count. Do not simply answer the questions; provide support and articulate a path forward with your strategic alternatives.
1. Introduce the organization: basic facts and current status
2. Specifically identify the industry, life-cycle stage and the competitors – see IBIS World database
3. Who has succeeded and failed in the industry? What are the Critical Success Factors?
4. What political/legal forces affect the industry?
5. What economic forces affect the industry? What is the market structure?
6. What social forces affect the industry?
7. What technological forces affect the industry?
8. What is the current firm-level / corporate-level strategy: Growth strategies
Stability strategies / Retrenchment strategies
9. What is the current business-level [generic] strategy? See Porter’s generic strategies: low-cost; differentiation; market-wide [broad] or niche?
10. What are the business strategies of the major competitors?
11. What is the organization’s financial position and financial strategy – how do they make and invest their money?
12./13. What are the organization’s Strengths and Weaknesses? On what competencies should they build? USE BULLETS
14./15. What are the organization’s Opportunities and Threats? How should they address or overcome them? USE BULLETS
16. What strategic alternatives are available to the organization?
17. Which alternative should be pursued and why?
