Referencing Styles : APA Strategy Choice and Implementation Report Value: 60% Length: 3,500 (+/- 10%) Submission method options Alternative submission method Task It is often noted that implementation is the most difficult aspect of strategic management. With reference to your organisation, how might this be the case? In this assignment, you are required to write a 3500 word Report. This includes a 200 word executive summary, but excludes references and appendix. Your Report should cover the following: 1. Identify and evaluate the suitabilty of the organisation’s current strategy (a) Identify and discuss the strategy that the organisation (or SBU) is implementing/has implemented by examining its strategy statement and/or its value chain activities. (b) Evaluate the suitability of the organisationâ€
s current business strategy based on the outcomes of your analysis (e.g., the identification of the organisationâ€s current strategy and the most significant factors affecting the organisationâ€s performance, and your understanding of the organisation’s strategy). If the current strategy is not suitable, please recommend no more than two alternative strategic initiatives that the organisation should pursue and justify your recommendations. 3. Evaluate the implementation of strategy 4. Identify the key issues and give your recommendations 5. Draw your conclusion Rationale The rationale for this task is to develop skills in problem solving, analysis, evaluation and reflection in relation to strategic implementation in contemporary organisation. Completion of this assessment should facilitate the development of a good understanding of what is involved in the process of strategic implementation. This contributes to the following learning outcomes for this subject: •be able to identify and explain the key components of strategic management such as strategy analysis, strategy formulation and strategy implementation, and their interrelationships; •be able to review and evaluate the evolution of ideas and practices leading to the development of strategic management and its relationship to other management practices and principles; •be able to identify and differentiate between functional areas such as marketing, finance, operations and human resource management and evaluate how they should act conjointly toward the attainment of the organisations strategic aims and objectives; •be able to evaluate the importance of developing strategically appropriate relationships between people, processes, functions, structures and even organisations; and •be able to critique, act strategically, and make recommendations in the context of the potential of strategic management vis-a-vis the realisation of organisational change and/or success in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Marking criteria MGT510 Strategic Management Assessment 2 FL (0-49%) PS (50%-64%) CR (65%-74%) DI (75%-84%) HD (85%-100%) 1. Executive summary (5 marks) Does not identify/provides only a limited identification of the requirements for the executive summary. Provides an outline of the report structure, but significance and relevance of issues in not discussed. No/little justification provided. Provides the basic summary of the report and identifies the key issues and how they inter-relate, but limited justification of significance. The structure of the report explained. Provides a comprehensive summary of the report and a clear, succinct identification of the main points, but requires further justification of significance. The structure of the report clearly explained. A comprehensive summary that highlights the purpose and significance of the main points, which are clearly explained, justified and supported. The structure of the report is well signposted. 2.Understanding of strategic management theory and tools, and the quality of Information sources(15 marks) Limited understanding of SM theory and tools involved and inappropriate information sources or relies primarily on only one source Some understanding of SM theory and tools involved and little variety of information, or not all sources are appropriate. Adequate understanding of SM theory and tools involved and good use of a range of appropriate information sources. Good understanding of SM theory and tools involved and good use of a range of appropriate information sources. Excellent understanding of SM theory, concepts, and tools involved and excellent use of wide range of information from appropriate sources. 3. Critical analysis and synthesis of argument (15marks) Little or no analysis or synthesis evident in assignment, argument lacks logic. Some evidence of independent, critical thought in problem identification and solving. Superficial attempt at critical/reflective analysis. Attempted development of critical thought in problem identification and solving, but ideas/comments not supported. Demonstrates and integrates limited critical/reflective analysis. Evidence of some reflective thinking. Evidence of independent, critical thought in problem identification and solving. Demonstrates and integrates some critical/reflective analysis. Evidence of reflective thinking skills. Excellent critical analysis and evaluation Showing understanding of complex issues. Excellent synthesis of complex ideas into a coherent, logical and convincing argument. 4. Application of strategic management theory and tools (10 marks) Little or no application of strategic management theoretical frameworks or tools, or inappropriate tools used that did not support argument. Provides little analysis and evaluation of relevant theory, and limited linking of theory and concepts to practice. But makes attempts to use theory to support point of view and/or argument. Some analysis and critical evaluation of relevant theory developed through linking theory and concepts to practice. Theory linked to point of view and/or argument. Provides analysis and critical evaluation of relevant theory, with evidence of insight developed through linking theory and concepts to practice. Theory is integrated and linked well to argument. Provides a comprehensive analysis and critical evaluation of relevant theory, with evidence of insight developed through linking theory and concepts to practice. Theory is integrated exceptionally well into argument. 5. Depth and breadth of coverage (10 marks) Responses were superficial and/or inadequately addressed the aspects of assignment. Some attempt at depth and breadth of coverage. Some aspects of the assignment were addressed adequately. Most aspects of the assignment were addressed in great depth. All aspects of the assignment were covered in a thorough way. 6. Referencing and presentation (5marks) Unsatisfactory expression and presentation. Meaning unclear and/or grammar and/or spelling contain frequent errors. Poor presentation (referencing does not follow APA style) and less than 10 journal articles utilised. Expression and presentation of ideas are comprehensible but lack clarity. Poor referencing style (referencing uses APA style, but with errors). Demonstrates limited reading outside of topic materials provided and practical application; does not utilise the required 10 journal articles. Expression is lucid and clear with precise use of language. Writing style appropriate to the assessment item. Few flaws in grammar and spelling. Referencing follows correct APA style, but requires improvement. Demonstrates reading of topic materials provided and practical application; the required 10 journal articles utilised. Expression and presentation of ideas is mainly accurate. Fluent writing style appropriate to the assessment item. Grammar and spelling are accurate. Referencing follows correct APA style, but some small errors. Demonstrates reading outside of topic materials provided and practical application; the required 10 journal articles utilised. Expression and presentation of ideas are developed and clear. Fluent writing style appropriate to the assessment item. Grammar and spelling are accurate. Referencing follows correct APA style. Demonstrates wide reading and practical application; going beyond the required 10 journal articles. Presentation All assignments must be typed and they should be at least 1.5 line spaced with 12pt font size. Use of headings and subheadings is recommended to help focus your work. This does not mean that you can dispense with the need to create a coherent discussion. This is always critically important. Please note that in all assignments the following are expected: Careful analysis Evidence of wide and careful reading (beyond what has been provided) Coherent argument and structure Correct spelling Appropriate use of English grammar Appropriate citation of references Correspondence with the given word length Referencing presented in the APA system adopted by the Faculty of Business and a reference list included at the end of your Report When using material taken from the Collection of Readings provided by the University please refer to the original sources which is provided Requirements To complete your report for Senior Management you will need to include the following sections: 1. Executive Summary 2. Background Information of the Organisation (or SBU) chosen 3. Identify and evaluate the suitability of the organisationâ€s current strategy 4. Evaluate the implementation of the strategy 5. Identify the key issues and give your recommendations 6. Conclusion You are required to cite a minimum of 10 refereed journal articles. For this assessment you are required to use APA referencing to acknowledge the sources that you have used in preparing your assessment. Please refer to the CSU referencing guide http://student.csu.edu.au/study/referencing-at-csu. In addition a very useful tool for you to use that demonstrates how to correctly use in text referencing and the correct way to cite the reference in your reference list can be found at https://apps.csu.edu.au/reftool/apa-6
