Assignment Brief (RQF)

Higher National Diploma in Business

Apr 2020 Group B - Apr 2021 Semester (2nd Year)
Qualification Unit number and title
BTEC Level 5
Unit 32: Business Strategy
Higher National Diploma in Business
Unit Code: K/508/0574 Unit Level: 5
Guided learning hours: 60 Credit value: 15
Assessor: Internal Quality
Ms Rumana Rumu Assurer: Dr Anwarul Haque

Issue date Submission deadline

28/04/2021 29/09/2021
1

Unit Learning Outcomes:

LO1. Analyse the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organisation
and its business strategies

LO2. Assess an organisation’s internal environment and capabilities

LO3. Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a
given market sector

LO4 Apply models, theories and concepts to assist with the understanding and interpretation
of strategic directions available to an organisation

Submission Format

All tasks should be written in the form of a report and submitted in Turnitin by the
submission deadline. You should prepare your assignment in a way that all the learning
outcomes are covered and the assessment criteria are answered appropriately. You are
required to make use of headings, sub- heading, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate
and ensure that the report is justified aligned. You are required to use Microsoft Word and
Times New Roman or Arial at size 12.

All work must be supported with research and referenced where appropriate using the
Harvard Referencing System (HRS). The recommended word limit is 4500–5000 words,
although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.
Assignment

Scenario:

You are working in a multinational company as a Business analyst. Your line manager has
assigned you with the following four activities.

You are required to select a multinational business organisation and complete the four
activities based on that organisation.

In addition, you are required to critique and interpret information and data applying
environmental and competitive analysis to produce a set of valid strategic directions,
objectives and tactical actions.

Activity 1

Applying appropriate frameworks listed below, critically analyse the impact and influence of
the macro environment on your chosen organisation and its strategies to determine and
inform strategic management decisions. You are required to critique and interpret information
and data applying environmental and competitive analysis to produce a set of valid strategic
directions, objectives and tactical actions.

1.1 Environmental Analysis: PESTEL

1.2 Organisational Audit: SWOT analysis

Activity 2

Using appropriate frameworks listed below, analyse and critically evaluate the internal
environment to assess strengths and weaknesses of the organisation’s internal capabilities,
structure and skills set. You are required to critique and interpret information and data
applying environmental and competitive analysis to produce a set of valid strategic
directions, objectives and tactical actions

2.1 Analysis of strategic capabilities using the VRIO framework.

2.2 McKinsey’s 7S model as a management tool.

Activity 3

Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a given
market. You are required to critique and interpret information and data applying
environmental and competitive analysis to produce a set of valid strategic directions,
objectives and tactical actions.

3.1 Applying Porter’s Five Forces model evaluate the competitive forces of a given
market sector for your chosen organisation.

3.2 Using Ansoff matrix, devise appropriate strategies to improve competitive edge and
market position based on the outcomes.

Activity 4

Apply models, theories and concepts to assist with the understanding and interpretation of
strategic directions available to an organisation. You are required to critique and interpret
information and data applying environmental and competitive analysis to produce a set
of valid strategic directions, objectives and tactical actions.

4.1 Applying Porter’s generic strategies: cost and price leadership strategy, differentiation
strategy, focus strategy and the extended model of Bowman’s strategy clock, interpret and
devise strategic planning for a given organisation

4.2 Produce a Strategic Management Plan that has tangible and tactical strategic
priorities and objectives.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Analyse the impact and influence which the macro
environment has on an organisation and its business strategies.

P1 Applying appropriate M1 Critically analyse the

frameworks analyse the macro environment to
impact and influence of the determine and inform strategic
macro environment on a given management decisions.
organisation and its strategies.

LO2 Assess an organisation’s internal environment and

capabilities
P2 Analyse the internal M2 Critically evaluate the
environment and capabilities internal environment to assess
of a given organisation using strengths and weaknesses of
appropriate frameworks. an organisation’s internal
capabilities, structure and skill
LO1, 2, 3 & 4
set. D1 Critique and interpret
information and data applying
LO3 Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using environmental and
Porter’s Five Forces model to a given market sector competitive analysis to
P3 Applying Porter’s Five M3 Devise appropriate produce a set of valid strategic
Forces model evaluate the strategies to improve directions, objectives and
competitive forces of a given competitive edge and market tactical actions.
market sector for an position based on the
organisation. outcomes.
LO4 Apply models, theories and concepts to assist with the
understanding and interpretation of strategic directions
available to an organisation
P4 Applying a range of M4 Produce a strategic
theories, concepts and management plan that has
models, interpret and devise tangible and tactical strategic
strategic planning for a given priorities and objectives.
organisation.

Recommended Resources
 JOHNSON, G. et al (2014) Exploring Strategy Text and Cases. Harlow: Pearson.
 JOHNSON G. et al (2011) Fundamentals of Strategy. 2nd Ed. Financial
Times/Prentice Hall.
 KIM, W. C. and MAUBORGNE, R. (2015) Blue Ocean Strategy. Expanded Ed.
Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.
 ROTHAERMEL, F. (2014) Strategic Management. 2nd Ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-
Hill

Journals
 Journal of Change Management
 Journal of Organisational Change Management
Further Guidance

Grading
Each Unit will be graded as a Pass, Merit, and Distinction when all learning outcomes and
assessment criteria have been met.
- A Pass is awarded for the achievement of all Learning Outcomes against the specified
Assessment Criteria for Pass.

- A Merit or Distinction is awarded for higher-level achievement upon achieving the

assessment criteria marked as ‘M’s and ‘D’s.

- If all required assessment criteria have not been achieved adequately, the work is graded
‘Referred’.

- Withheld: If the work illustrates more than the similarity % cap or concern over
originality of part or all content of the work, it will be graded as ‘Withheld’. The student
will then be interviewed to ascertain originality.

- Late Submission: For any late submission without approved Extenuating circumstances
prior to the set deadline, the grade is capped at a PASS.

- Only one opportunity for reassessment of the unit will be permitted. A student who
undertakes a reassessment will have their grade capped at a PASS

- In the case of incomplete work or partial submission (others such as blank template, no
evidence of real attempt), the work is graded ‘Unreasonable Submission’.

Set Rules for Coursework Submission:

Plagiarism – the College takes plagiarism and academic misconduct seriously and therefore;
suspected plagiarism will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with
according to the procedures set down by the College. Please see your Student Handbook and
Academic Misconduct policy for further details on course of action for plagiarism issue.

‘Plagiarism’ is presenting somebody else’s work as your own. It includes copying

information directly from the Web or books without referencing; submitting joint coursework
as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from
another student and submitting it as your own work.

You need to check the similarity index using the College Turnitin software before final
submission. An accepted level of similarity is no more than 20%. You are not allowed to
use text box or image for your submission.

Student Declaration – all coursework submission MUST accompany the declaration signed
by you. This should be added at the top of your coursework, without which your work will
not be assessed.