BMGT 495 Project 1: Starting An External Environmental Analy
Bmgt 495 Project 1 Starting An External Environmental Analysisnote
BMGT 495 - Project 1: Starting an External Environmental Analysis NOTE: All submitted work is to be your original work (only your work). You may not use any work from another student, the Internet or an online clearinghouse. You are expected to understand the Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism Policy, and know that it is your responsibility to learn about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources as specified in the APA Publication Manual, 7th Ed. (You are held accountable for in-text citations and an associated reference list only).
Purpose: This project provides the first steps in completing an external environmental analysis of your focal company’s strategic management plan. You will use tools and apply concepts learned in this and previous business courses to demonstrate an understanding of how organizations develop and manage strategies to establish, safeguard and sustain its competitive position in the 21st century’s (rapidly evolving/shifting/changing), uncertain hyper-competitive business environment. Completing a company overview and assessing the general environment is a key aspect of performing an external environment analysis. This project provides you with the opportunity to evaluate the competitive position of one of the organizations listed below and integrate that information in the beginnings of an external environmental analysis. The company you will be analyzing operates within the global market.
You will assess the company in terms of the global industry. Industries differ widely in their economic characteristics, competitive situation and future profit potential. In this project, you are presenting a report document. The expectation is that the report provides the level of details to help the audience grasp the main topics and to understand the General Environment. Analysis is the operative word.
In analyzing the external environment, you are expected to thoroughly research and take that research and break it into small parts to gain a better understanding of what is happening in the external environment of the business. In researching an industry, it is important to understand that every company within an industry is different so gathering information on one company does not mean that the collected information is relevant to other companies within that industry. When researching, parsing the material is critical to an accurate analysis. Avoid presenting just any information as that may lead to using irrelevant information. You will then write the report in your own words to share the external analysis.
You are expected to present information and support the ideas and reasoning using the course material and your research. You will not lift any information from source documents without properly citing and referencing. For the technical analysis aspect of the project, you are required to create the technique on your own and may not use from any source material that you happen to find. No work from a clearinghouse or similar website may be used or cited as a credible source.
Outcomes Met With This Project: Utilize a set of useful analytical skills, tools, and techniques for analyzing a company strategically; integrate ideas, concepts, and theories from previously taken functional courses including accounting, finance, market, business and human resource management.
Paper For Above instruction
This external environmental analysis project aims to evaluate the strategic position of a specific company assigned by the instructor, focusing on its external environment within the global industry. The primary goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the macro-environmental factors influencing the company's operations and strategic decisions. This analysis is crucial for informing strategic planning and for maintaining a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing, hyper-competitive global marketplace.
The first step involves selecting the assigned company from a predetermined list, such as Altria Group, BHP Group Ltd., BYD Co. Ltd., or EZCorp, Inc. It is important to emphasize that only this company is to be analyzed throughout all related projects, maintaining consistency in the strategic assessment process. Any deviation from the assigned company results in a zero score for the project, underscoring the importance of adherence to instructions.
Thorough research is essential. This involves collecting relevant data from credible sources such as the company’s latest annual or 10K reports, reputable financial databases like Mergent Online or Hoovers, and industry-specific publications. Research should extend beyond surface-level facts; it must include a critical analysis of how external factors impact the company’s strategic environment. Understanding that not all information retrieved is equally relevant, researchers should parse and interpret data carefully, ensuring that insights are aligned with the company’s context and industry dynamics.
The core of the project involves conducting a PESTEL analysis of the industry in which the company operates. This analysis considers Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal factors, examining how each component affects the industry and, by extension, the assigned company. For each element, students should identify a key trend shaping the industry’s landscape. For example, technological innovation might be a significant driver, or environmental regulation could be altering operational costs.
From these identified trends, one must select a single trend and analyze its potential impact on the focal company. This analysis should explore how the trend could influence strategic decisions, operational risks, or opportunities. Additionally, it should identify areas of uncertainty — aspects of the trend that pose risks or challenges for the company. Understanding these uncertainties enables a more nuanced view of strategic planning in a volatile environment.
The report should also include a review of the company’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives. Analyzing these aspects provides insights into how well the current strategic direction aligns with external opportunities and threats. Consideration of strategic fit enables better understanding of the company’s adaptability in a complex environment.
Finally, the conclusion should summarize the significance of the external analysis—highlighting how understanding external factors can shape strategic decisions and organizational resilience. It should reflect on the broader implications of the findings, emphasizing their importance for sustained competitive advantage in a global context.
Research and presentation must be original, with all information supported by credible sources. The final report should be formatted in Word, double-spaced, using 12-point font, not exceeding six pages, including all tables and figures. It must have a title page with the proposed title, your name, course number, and instructor’s name. Strict adherence to these guidelines ensures clarity, professionalism, and academic integrity.
References
- Hill, C. W., & Jones, G. R. (2019). Strategic Management: Theory: An Integrated Approach. Cengage Learning.
- Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2008). The Strategy-Focused Organization: How Balanced Scorecard Companies Thrive in the New Business Environment. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Porter, M. E. (2008). The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy. Harvard Business Review, 86(1), 78-93.
- Scott, W. R. (2014). Institutions and Organizations: Ideas, Interests, and Identities. SAGE Publications.
- Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. SAGE Publications.
- Grant, R. M. (2019). Contemporary Strategy Analysis. Wiley.
- Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2017). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Pearson.
- Rothaermel, F. T. (2020). Principles of Strategic Management. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Barney, J. B., & Hesterly, W. S. (2019). Strategic Management and Competitive Advantage: Concepts and Cases. Pearson.
- Daft, R. L. (2015). Organization Theory and Design. Cengage Learning.