Case Study Reports: Printed and Multimedia

Modified By:
Prof. X

Please fully utilize the concepts, approaches, and tools presented in

the lectures and in the text. Below is a generic format for a case
study report. Use this as a general guideline, recognizing that some
or even most of it may not apply to some of the assigned cases.
Also, make sure the report addressed the Case Study Questions.
You may either answer these as part of your narrative or in a list
format at the end of the report. If they are part of the narrative,
indicate what question you are responding to as part of the answer.
1. Current Strategic Profile
A. Identify and describe the companys strategic vision, mission, products, services,
and target markets. Provide as much detail as possible.
B. Analyze and thoroughly describe the companys competitive strategy. Be sure to
technology, product uniqueness, and pricing dimensions of the companys
competitive strategy. Special emphasize should be given to the technology factors.
C. Identify and fully describe the activities the company chose to focus on to
implement its chosen competitive strategy. Knowledge about the competitors and
alternate technologies should be explored. Fully describe the resourcescapabilities (strengths) utilized to perform these activities and sort these out in
terms of rendering core competencies (associated with competitive parity) and
distinctive competencies (associated with temporary and sustainable competitive
advantages). Also, identify the resource-capability deficiencies (weaknesses)
within the companys structure which have resulted in the competitive
disadvantages (if any).
D. Describe the companys current strategic objectives.

E. Evaluate how well the companys Current Strategic Profile has been working. As
appropriate explore the financial condition, competitive position, and especially
their technological positioning.
2. External and Internal Analysis (or use any environmental analysis
tool/theory)
A. Analyze the industrys five forces.
B. Rate the strength of each force (weak /
moderate / strong) and explain your analysis
and rationale. Describe how the companys
position compares in relation to each
force. Identify the opportunities the company
must exploit and threats it must neutralize in
order to improve its bargaining power in
relation to each of the five forces. Determine
the resources-capabilities the company must
improve (if existing weaknesses from step C above are applicable), reinforce (if
existing strengths from step C above are applicable), develop and/or acquire (if
new resources-capabilities are needed) to deal with theses opportunities and
threats.
B. Fully describe the drivers of change in the relevant industry and the potential
impact of each change factor on the company in terms of posing either
opportunities or threats. Determine the resources-capabilities the company must
improve (if existing weaknesses from step C above are applicable), reinforce (if
existing strengths from step C above are applicable), develop and/or acquire (if
new resources-capabilities are needed) to deal with these opportunities and threats.
C. Provide a summary list for the resources-capabilities identified in steps A and
B. Provide additional information for each resource-capability in the list with
respect to: (1) whether an existing weakness to be improved, an existing strength
to be reinforced, a new strength to be internally developed, or a new strength to be
acquired, (2) its competitive implication (i.e., parity, temporary competitive
advantage, or sustainable competitive advantage).
3. Proposed Strategic Profile (use any strategic
management/marketing tool/theory)

A. New strategic profile is to be synthesized based on the external and internal

analysis performed above. Provide a diagram which consists of two columns
representing opportunities/threats and resources-capabilities; draw arrows to show
the matching links between the two columns.
B. Based on the above diagram, describe the changes you propose to the companys
Current Strategic Profile. If changes are not recommended in certain parts of the
Current Strategic Profile, then a rationale for the recommendation to maintain
status quo in these aspects must be provided.
C. Discuss the technological and financial implications of your proposed
changes. Analyze the impact of the proposed changes (if implemented
successfully) on the company. What would be the objectives the company should
expect to achieve? Rational for the numbers proposed must be provided. Does the
company have sufficient funds to invest in the proposed changes? If not, how
should the company raise the required financial capital?
4. Implementation (use any strategic management/marketing
tool/theory)
A. Provide detailed functional area action plans to implement the Strategic Profile
changes proposed above. The functional area action plans must be provided and
elaborated upon for each specific proposed change.
B. Provide detailed management and organizational plans to implement the Strategic
Profile changes proposed above.
Grading Criteria
Write a business style report which exhibits competent writing proficiency. In the
event that information required to meet the criteria of providing substance and
completeness in carrying out the above steps could not be obtained, then the
information search effort should be fully described in the report where applicable. In
the absence of complete and accurate information, reasonable assumptions should be
made and these should be fully stated in the report where appropriate.
Grading Criteria

Points

1. Current Strategic Profile

20

2. External and Internal Analysis

20

3. Proposed Strategic Profile

20

4. Implementation

20

Use of Additional/Outside Sources of

Information and citing these correctly

10

Report Organization, Business Writing Style,

Writing Proficiency, Bonus, Oral Presentation

10

Total

100

Further Instructions
The report must be typed, double-spaced, with a minimum of two pages for the
individual case reports. Write clearly and succinctly, while providing adequate
elaboration to the reader.
Group reports will have increased expectations. These reports should offer a complete
analysis with a greater depth then the individual reports, and should include a written
report to be submitted along with a multimedia case presentation to the class of
approximately 15 minutes, to be followed by a presenting group led discussion of the
interesting points of the case. Thoughts and questions for this discussion should be
prepared to fill a minimum of 10 minutes.
(Note: Adjust accordingly for International Business, Business Policy or Strategic
Marketing)
BONUS points will be given when you use any tool or theory which we have taken
up/presented. For International Business and Business Policy, you will explain/justify
the course of action taken. For Strategic Marketing, you will create/justify a
marketing strategy.