Business Strategy

Mid Module Assignment (1700 Words) + Journal Entry (300 Words)

Unit 1: Resources and Capabilities

This unit is concerned with understanding an organisation's strategic

capability and how this underpins the competitive advantage of the
organisation.

In this unit we shall:

 Introduce the foundations of strategic capability

 Examine the meaning of competitive advantage and assess factors
which determine it
 Introduce the concept of organisational knowledge
 Consider means of diagnosing and managing strategic capability

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

 Distinguish elements of strategic capability in organisations: resources,

competences, core competences and dynamic capabilities
 Recognise the role of continual improvement in cost efficiency as a
strategic capability
 Analyse how strategic capabilities might provide sustainable competitive
advantage on the basis of their value, rarity, inimitability and
nonsubstitutability(VRIN criteria)
 Diagnose strategic capability by means of value chain analysis, activity
mapping, benchmarking and SWOT analyses
 Consider how managers can develop the strategic capabilities of
organisations

Unit 2: Stakeholders and Governance

This unit is concerned with examining how the expectations placed upon
organisations shape organisational purpose and strategies.
This involves considering whom the organisation is there to serve and
assessing power relationships between organisational stakeholders.

In this unit we shall:

 Introduce the concept of corporate governance and show its influence

on strategy
 Consider the importance of business ethics and corporate social
responsibility
 Introduce the stakeholder view of organisations
 Consider organisational purpose

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

 Identify the components of the governance chain of an organisation

 Understand differences in governance structures across the world and
the advantages and disadvantages of these
 Identify differences in the corporate social responsibility stances taken
by organisations and how ethical issues relate to strategic purpose
 Undertake stakeholder analysis as a means of identifying the influence
of different stakeholder groups in terms of their power and interest
 Consider appropriate ways to express the strategic purpose of an
organisation in terms of statements of values, vision, mission or objectives

Mid-Module Assignment Requirements (1700 Words)

https://prezi.com/z_j2boxgoz8h/treshold-and-disitinctive-capabilities-of-ryanair/

Assignment question

Read the case about Ryanair (pp. 622 - 632 in the core text) and then answer
the following four questions, which carry equal weightings:

Q1. Based on the information provided in the case and from wider reading,
conduct a formal Strategic Capabilities analysis of Ryanair using the
framework shown in Table 4.1 on p98 of the core text. Put the raw analysis in
an appendix and, based on the output of this, explain the resources and
capabilities that Ryanair possesses that are distinctive as opposed to
threshold.
Using Table 4.2 on p108 of the core text as a framework, conduct a VRIO
analysis of the distinctive resources and capabilities that you have identified
above to establish which of these provide Ryanair with competitive advantage.
Put your raw analysis in an appendix and, based on this, answer the following
two questions:

Q2. What resources and capabilities have provided Ryanair with competitive
advantage?

Q3. Explain the extent to which Ryanair’s resources and capabilities can be
imitated

Q4. How can Ryanair manage its resources and capabilities using the ideas of
sustainable competitive advantage and dynamic capabilities?

You may find the papers by Barney and Teece et al in the reading list for Unit
3 helpful.

Your response should be in the form of a written report of between 1,500 and
2,000 words.

Assignment Guidance

 Use a report format with headings to show which part of the question
you are addressing
 Each part of the question carries equal marks - i.e. 25% each
 You should conduct wider reading as the case contains only limited
information about Ryanair
 If you do not conduct formal analysis using the appropriate strategy
tools you will struggle to gain a good grade because you will not be able to
demonstrate your understanding of how the tools can be used to objectively
assess a firm’s current situation or how it might determine what direction it
needs to take in the future

The learning outcomes for this assignment are:

 Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the nature of strategy and its

importance in an organisational context.
 Express a holistic comprehension of the core principles of strategic
management.
 Display critical analytical and problem-solving techniques in appropriate
business contexts, with the capacity to present conclusions professionally.
 Display firm understanding of the importance of the strategic intent,
purpose and culture in determining organisational effectiveness.

- Journal Entry (300 Words)

Summarizing two weeks study and how it reflect on my personal and

professional life