FINAL PROJECT

FINAL PROJECT The final project should primarily be a strategy consulting to a firm (either domestic or international firm) facing strategic issues in competitive market situation. This project must be a thorough strategic analysis and action plan of a firm competing in an industry. You can choose a firm pursuing global/international market penetration. During the first class session, you will be placed in teams. The presentation should be an in-depth professional presentation over the team project. Professionalism and creativity are expected along with solid content. Length of the presentation should be around 25 minutes and should not exceed 30 minutes in overall time. A copy of PPT slides should be provided with the professor before the presentation. The written paper (22 pages or more, double-spaced) should focus on the following points: 1. Introduction. • Brief introduction of the company and product(s) • One or two key strategic issue(s) confronting the firm • The objective of your case analysis and importance of the issue 2. External Environment and Industry Analysis. • General environmental components that impact the industry and the firm: economic, political, cultural, technological, or legal forces, including global/international economy. • Industry analyses: competitive structure, current and future competitors, customers and key stakeholders. • Key analytical tools you can choose from 1) Porter’s Five Forces Model; 2) Stakeholder Analysis; 3) SWOT Analysis (primarily the OT portion); 4) Strategic Group Mapping; 5) Industry Key Success Factors 3. Analysis of Internal Condition. • Internal firm resource and capability in competing with other companies. • Analytical tools include: 1) Value Chain Analysis; 2) Resource and Core Competency Evaluation; 3) SWOT Analysis (primarily the SW portion) 4. Strategy Development. • Based on the results of the analyses, key strategic recommendations should then be made. • Discussion on strategy development includes firm’s competitive strategy, business diversification strategy, and global competitive strategy. 5. Strategic Implementation and Control Systems. • Develop a strategic action plan for successful implementation of the recommended strategy, which addresses; resource and capability development, organizational structure, corporate culture, incentive system, human resources strategy, strategic leadership, corporate entrepreneurship. 6. Conclusions. End the study with key points in your study emphasizing why the results of your research is useful. You can add recommendations for future action/direction for the company. (For teams who choose to do conceptual research in strategic management) You can also pursue conceptual/theoretical research on strategic management (please consult me in choosing the topics). The purpose of this research work is for you to study one contemporary aspect of strategic management in detail and teach these new ideas to the rest of the class. I’d like to be closely involved with each project to help you ensure that the topic and scope of your paper is appropriate. You should stay focused on the specific topic and should be able to summarize the main points that you have learned and intend to teach the rest of the class. The finished product will include a 20 or more page paper (double-spaced) plus exhibits. Topic areas include (but not limited to): • Environmental adaptation and organizational development • Strategic decision making (behavior): e.g., imitative strategy • Competitive dynamics in an industry • Developing a sustainable competitive strategy • Resource based view (RBV) of the firm: e.g., core competence • Outsourcing, Joint venture, strategic alliance • Benefits & costs of diversification strategy (including international geographic expansion, vertical integration, etc.) • Diversification options: e.g., M&A, internal development, and other cooperative strategies such as joint venture • International/global competitive strategies • Corporate governance structure, board of directors, top management team, corporate social responsibility • Green/environmental management • Knowledge/innovation management, learning organization • Strategic entrepreneurship, international entrepreneurship • Technology management