BCO321 Strategic Management Timed Midterm Task Brief And Rub

BCO321-STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT TIMED MIDTERM Task brief & rubrics

As an individual assignment, you will need to pick a company from the Fortune 500 ranking that you would like to work for, choosing a specific business unit if applicable. You will develop and submit an audit report reviewing the strategic steps the company has taken from inception to the present, including its original idea, mission, vision, values, target market segments, growth opportunities, competitor and environmental analysis, and a summarizing SWOT analysis. You are required to apply concepts and theories learned in the course and identify areas for improvement during your audit.

The report should be formatted as a Word document, with a word count of approximately 2,500 words. Line spacing should be 1.5, using Arial 12 pts font, with double-justified text alignment. The cover page, table of contents, references, and appendix are excluded from the word count.

Submission is via Moodle (Turnitin) by Sunday, 11th March at 22:59 CEST. This task accounts for 40% of the final grade.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this strategic audit report is to thoroughly analyze the strategic development and positioning of a Fortune 500 company of my choosing that I aspire to work for. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the company's evolution, strategic initiatives, competitive environment, and potential areas for strategic improvement, utilizing core concepts and theories from strategic management.

The selected company for this analysis is Apple Inc., a leading technology company renowned for its innovation, brand loyalty, and market influence. Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple has grown from a small startup to a global powerhouse, with a portfolio that includes consumer electronics, software, and services. Its core mission, vision, and values serve as guiding principles for its strategic direction and serve to inspire innovation, quality, and customer-centricity.

Apple’s original idea centered around personal computing, aiming to bring sophisticated yet user-friendly technology to consumers. Its mission statement emphasizes designing innovative products that improve users’ lives, while its vision aims to make technology accessible and intuitive for all. Its core values include innovation, excellence, environmental sustainability, and privacy — elements that shape its strategic initiatives and operational ethos.

Target market segmentation has historically focused on premium consumers seeking innovative and high-quality products. The company’s marketing strategy accentuates brand loyalty and creates a sense of premium exclusivity. Its primary market segments include individual consumers, educational institutions, and enterprise clients, with a strong focus on affluent customer bases willing to pay a premium for innovation and status.

Identifying growth opportunities, Apple has continuously expanded its product and service offerings, such as the introduction of wearables (Apple Watch, AirPods), streaming services (Apple TV+), and financial services (Apple Pay). These ventures aim to diversify revenue streams and reduce dependency on iPhone sales. Additionally, tapping into emerging markets and expanding subscription-based services offer further avenues for sustainable growth.

A comprehensive competitor and environmental analysis reveals significant challenges and opportunities. Key competitors include Samsung, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, each vying for market share and innovation leadership. Apple’s environmental scan highlights regulatory pressures, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the imperative of sustainability. The company's strategic response encompasses investments in renewable energy, ethical sourcing, and environmentally responsible manufacturing.

The SWOT analysis encapsulates Apple’s strengths, such as innovative capabilities, significant brand equity, a loyal customer base, and a diversified product portfolio. Its weaknesses include high product prices, dependency on iPhone sales, and supply chain risks. Opportunities involve entering new markets, expanding digital services, and investing in emerging technologies like augmented reality. Threats include intense competition, geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains, and rapid technological change.

Based on this analysis, areas for strategic improvement include diversifying product revenue streams to lessen dependency on flagship products, enhancing supply chain resilience, and accelerating environmental sustainability initiatives. Further strategic investments in research and development, particularly in augmented reality and artificial intelligence, are crucial for maintaining competitive advantage.

Applying frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces, PESTEL, and VRIO, the analysis demonstrates that Apple maintains a strong competitive position through product differentiation, brand strength, and technological innovation. However, it must continuously adapt to evolving industry dynamics and political environments to sustain its market leadership.

In conclusion, Apple’s strategic journey illustrates a trajectory of innovation, market expansion, and sustainability efforts. While the company enjoys numerous competitive advantages, proactive strategic adjustments are necessary to address vulnerabilities and capitalize on emerging opportunities. This audit provides a detailed roadmap for strategic enhancement aligned with sound management principles and current industry trends.

References

• Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.
• Grant, R. M. (2019). Contemporary Strategy Analysis (10th ed.). Wiley.
• Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2004). Blue Ocean Strategy. Harvard Business Review, 82(10), 76–84.
• Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. Free Press.
• Stewart, T. A. (2011). Wealthy Barber Returns: Significantly Updated for the 21st Century. Wiley.
• Thompson, A. A., Peteraf, M. A., Gamble, J. E., & Strickland, A. J. (2018). Crafting and Executing Strategy: The Quest for Competitive Advantage. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Yin, R. K. (2014). Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage Publications.
• Hill, C. W., & Jones, G. R. (2012). Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach. Cengage Learning.
• Hamel, G., & Prahalad, C. K. (1994). Competing for the Future. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2017). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Pearson Education.