GBS – Re-sit

Assignment Guidelines

(15th May 2023)

Submission Details.

1. Submission deadline : As stated in the Assignment Brief: Monday 15th May (Not later than 16.30 )

2. Locate the correct Resit Assignment Brief by:

a. Going to the Sub-Folder in the Elite ‘Course’ which is titled: ULBS Assessments - Postgraduate resits - May 2023
b. In the Course-Folder, there are sub-folders. You need to go to the folder “Global Business Strategy”

**- Please DO NOT get confused with Global Business Strategy & Leadership. That is a different module, with a
different credit value.
Requirements

1. Format: Individual Management Report; Report style, in MS Word and 2,500 words.

2. Focuses on: Global Business Strategy (GBS) that includes but is not limited to research of a
Globally Active Company of your choice.

3. Please note: Your choice must be DIFFERENT to what you chose for your previous
submission.

4. Weighting: 100%.
Task / Structure
The task is to collect, compile and critically analyse information that will enable clear and specific
recommendations to be made to assist the further growth and development of the chosen organisation.

The first will research information covering the past 2 – 3 years and identify challenges faced,
major actions taken or events in the external environments of the company.

The second section will focus on responses to the challenges and an assessment of the company’s
internal environments to confirm the capability of the company to deal with the challenges.

The third section will focus on specific courses of action for the chosen company which are
presented as recommendations to continue or promote growth and development.

You will submit your findings, analyses and recommendations in a completed

Management Report, the total of which should not exceed 2,500 words (+/- 10%)
Indicative Structure
It is recommended that your work is presented in this format:
Criteria Description Weight
1. Introduction and Context · Introduction to report; rationale for the report 10%
· Setting of context and company background
· Set the scene for the reader

(Approximately 300 words)

2. Environmental Analysis · Use of appropriate macroeconomic and microeconomic strategic concepts and frameworks, 25%
· Identification of clear challenges to which the company may have responded
· Commentary on how competitive the industry is currently

(Approximately 750 words)

3. Internal Analysis · Use of appropriate strategic concepts, models and frameworks, 25%
· Identification of relevant factors and trends likely to impact the company’s performance
· Identifying the source(s) of competitive advantage (e.g., resources and capabilities) and assessment of
whether the company has achieved sustainable competitive advantage

(Approximately 700 words)

4. Conclusions and Recommendations · Logical conclusions, based on the preceding analyses 25%
· Recommendations, based on previously established strategic options and argued appropriately

(Approximately 750 words)

5. Structure and Referencing · Adherence to technical guidelines: wordcount, in-text citations, accurate refencing with list (Harvard 15%
Referencing) / Coherent and balanced structure (text and images)
· Good grammar, sentence construction and the report has been spell checked.
** It is expected that the students use and application of relevant theories, tools and frameworks from the module, to gain full marks on the key discussions above
1. Introduction and Context

1. Introduction to report; rationale for the report:

- You can do this through executive summary / abstract to the report.
- Connect learning outcomes of the module as appropriate.
- Briefly indicate flow of the report.

2. Setting of context and company background : Explain the organisation, its size/scope, its
nature of business, industry, products / services or offerings

3. Set the scene for the reader

- Describe research information covering the past 2 – 3 years and identify challenges
faced, or events in the external environments of the company and its implications to the
organisation.

(Approximately 300 words)

2. Environmental Analysis

1. Use of appropriate macroeconomic and microeconomic strategic concepts and frameworks:

- PESTEL Framework / Scenario / VUCA World– Macro Enviromental Analysis (Refer WS 2)
- Porters 5 Forces / 6th force (Refer WS 3) (Micro Env Analysis)

2. Identification of clear challenges to which the company may have responded: -

Focus on 1 or 2 of the most relevant challenges rather than listing a list of them

3. Commentary on how competitive the industry is currently:

- Describe the competitive landscape, briefly explaining the key competitors and its impact to
the organization.

(Approximately 750 words)

3. Internal Analysis

1. Use of appropriate strategic concepts, models and frameworks: (Refer WS 3)

- VRIO (Organisational support) Model
- VRIN (Non-substitutability) and VRINE Model

2. Identification of relevant factors and trends likely to impact the company’s performance:
- Focus on summarising the Macro – Micro & Internal through SWOT and identify critical
factors that is likely to impact the organisation's performance.

3. Identifying the source(s) of competitive advantage (e.g., resources and capabilities) and
assessment of whether the company has achieved sustainable competitive advantage :
- Do a Resource Audit to identify distinctive resources and core capabilities and link it
to create organisation's competitive advantage

- (Approximately 700 words)

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Logical conclusions, based on the preceding analyses :

- You may use a logical approach to make recommendations based on the criticality and
relevance of organisational priorities
- You may also use TOWS Model as appropriate (Refer WS 3)

2. Recommendations, based on previously established strategic options and argued

appropriately

- Use appropriate strategic tools to make recommendations:

- Tools learned in "Business Strategy" unit (Refer WS 4)
- Growth Strategy Tools, such as Ansoff Matrix / BCG Matrix / Integration; Vertical;
Horizontal; & Diversification (Refer WS 5)
5. Structure and Referencing

1. Harvard referencing both in-text and in full at the end of your submission is critical and essential.
2. At the end of your report, there needs to be the full References and ensure you have captured all your
reference opportunities, based on your ability to optimize the quality and quantity of in-text referenced featured
within your report.
3. Write in your own words from sources, unless using and citing some quotes and/or testimonials.
4. Referencing should be attained from academic articles, journals, contemporary business and non-business sources
as well as textbooks.
5. The submission must be in a page numbered and formal report style in MS Word, with a Title Page, with word
count, a Table of Contents, an Abstract/Overview, and then the main report’s numbered sections and sub-sections.
6. Full sentences throughout but of course bullet-pointing and diagrams can help express items more effectively.
7. Language must remain formal mostly and in third person at all/most times.
8. Be conscious about Word Count / Similarity Scores and AI Usage
Indicative Structure
It is recommended that your work is presented in this format:
Criteria Description Weight
1. Introduction and Context · Introduction to report; rationale for the report 10%
· Setting of context and company background
· Set the scene for the reader

(Approximately 300 words)

2. Environmental Analysis · Use of appropriate macroeconomic and microeconomic strategic concepts and frameworks, 25%
· Identification of clear challenges to which the company may have responded
· Commentary on how competitive the industry is currently

(Approximately 750 words)

3. Internal Analysis · Use of appropriate strategic concepts, models and frameworks, 25%
· Identification of relevant factors and trends likely to impact the company’s performance
· Identifying the source(s) of competitive advantage (e.g., resources and capabilities) and assessment of
whether the company has achieved sustainable competitive advantage

(Approximately 700 words)

4. Conclusions and Recommendations · Logical conclusions, based on the preceding analyses 25%
· Recommendations, based on previously established strategic options and argued appropriately

(Approximately 750 words)

5. Structure and Referencing · Adherence to technical guidelines: wordcount, in-text citations, accurate refencing with list (Harvard 15%
Referencing) / Coherent and balanced structure (text and images)
· Good grammar, sentence construction and the report has been spell checked.
** It is expected that the students use and application of relevant theories, tools and frameworks from the module, to gain full marks on the key discussions above
Module Assessment Criteria

Class Attributes Marks

Distinction Illustrates an excellent level of understanding of complex issues in the subject. All requirements of the work are dealt 70 - 100%
with to a high standard and the work is free from all but isolated minor errors. The material is wholly relevant to the
tasks.
Excellent analysis, synthesis and critical reflection with the ability to tackle issues and questions not previously
encountered.
Evidence of independent and original judgment in relation to the resolution of the client’s needs and problems.
Excellently presented in terms of structure and professional style

Commendation Illustrates a very good understanding of the issues in the subject, some of which are likely to be complex with some 60 - 69%
independent critical thought appropriate to the tasks. Most of the requirements of the work are covered with only a few
gaps or minor and inconsequential errors. The material is largely relevant to the tasks and there is a good attempt at
analysis, synthesis and critical reflection with evidence of some ability to tackle issues not previously encountered. The
work is presented in a clear and well- organised manner with only minor spelling and grammatical errors.

Pass The work displays good knowledge and understanding and its relevance to the task. The submission exhibits clear analysis 50 – 59%
and reasonable use of grammar, spelling and language. It may contain errors and lack fluency. Limited evidence of
the ability to sustain a relevant argument or logical reasoning.
Any Questions ?

All the very best !