Report+Structure


 * Written report submission (30%)**

Each group should submit one group report.

· The group project report should be type written, 1.5 line-spaced, using 12-point size font, and should not exceed 25 pages (__excluding__ cover page, tables, figures, appendices, references, and endnotes). · The cover page should provide the complete name of the group members, student ID number, and course code · The report should contain the following sections: (1) A cover page listing team members; (2) Table of contents; (3) Executive Summary/Main Body – 1-3 pages; (4) Company Background/History; (5) Statement of problem(s); (6) Analysis section (including Environmental/Industry analysis/Future trends, Competitor analysis, Company *SWOT analysis, and Tracking/Discussion of company performance over time; at least 5 years); (7) Alternatives; (8) Decision Criteria; (9) Decision(s); (10) Implementation & Contingency Plan; (11) List of references; (12) Exhibits (Tables and charts).

//The Industry Environment// · A brief history of the industry (development stages) · Global/local market description (e.g., size of major markets, products, customers and end users, pricing structure). This is meant to be a brief introduction to the industry. · Industry structure (Porters Five Forces analysis). Analyze the information contained in the Five Forces model. Do not reproduce that information. This section will include industry trends and driving forces (industry evolution and changes, causes of the evolution and change, its impacts on industry players).
 * In your SWOT analysis, you must use the criteria based on the resource-based view of the firm (RBV) to identify the company’s strengths and weaknesses.
 * __ Items ThAT can be included in the Analysis part (Section 6): __**

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// The Competitive Environment // · Identify and profile the major strategic groups (You may use size, market share, and other critical and relevant variables to identify viable strategic groups in the industry). Discuss if some strategic group is better positioned to take advantage of the key industry trends and driving forces than others may be. · Key success factors (What does it take to succeed in this industry, or in each strategic group? What can a company do to gain a competitive advantage? What does it take just to survive in this industry?). · Identify and compare key strategies pursued by major players in the industry. You are also expected to discuss which strategy seems to be most successful in the industry, and why. · Provide the value chain analysis for each group (or major players).

//The Macro Environment// · Special strategic issues facing the industry (such as changes in governmental policies, changes in demographics, globalization, etc.).


 * __Suggested__** **__Company Analysis__** **__(Section 6):__**

//Key Strategic Issue// · From your team's industry analysis and your competitive advantage analysis of the firm, identify a __single major strategic issue__ facing the company (the best issues are typically either major problems to be solved, or major opportunities to take advantage of).

//Alternatives// Develop, __in detail__, two to four viable strategic alternatives. In each alternative you should: · show how it addresses the key strategic issue. · show the __ability__ of the company to successfully pursue each alternative (from competitive advantage analysis, and financial analysis). · discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. Make sure you completely discuss all of the above for the first alternative, and then do the same for the second alternative. Do not jump back and forth between discussing each alternative.

//Recommended Course of Action// – Section 9, Decision(s) · Select one alternative and discuss why this alternative was chosen over the other.

//Implementation and Contingency Plan – Section 10// · Discuss how the recommended course of action can be implemented and how the disadvantages and risks of the chosen alternative can be minimized or handled.