HOLMES INSTITUTE
FACULTY OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
Assignment 1 (Strategic Analysis)
Individual Assignment
HI5019 STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS T2 2018
WEEK 6 Friday 5 pm
Each student will write a strategic analysis report of NOT more than 2500 words. The report should demonstrate that the student has thoroughly researched their topic. Students should use examples of business practice from the scholarly journals papers, conferences, books and professional magazines to support their arguments. The strategic analysis will be on a local company. The report consists of two parts and should cover the following requirements:
PART 1 (External analysis)
1. Business background 2. What industry is it?
3. General environment analysis (economic, physical, sociocultural, global, technological, political/legal and demographic – and work out what the important facts are).
4. The industry environment ((i.e., supplier power, buyer power, potential entrants, substitute products and rivalry among competitors) and explain briefly what is significant for each).
5. Competitive environment (Is there a strategic group that you need to take account of? What is the rivalry like in this group? What capabilities do the relevant firms have? What strategies do they follow? What threats do they represent?)
6. Opportunities and threats
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PART 2 (Internal analysis and proposal)
1. The firm’s resources, tangible and intangible
2. Capabilities identification (explain the capabilities carefully to indicate what the firm really does.)
3. Core competency analysis (For each capability, indicate which of the four tests for a core competency it meets).
4. Propose a suitable information system solution that meets the chosen company needs.
5. Evaluate the proposed system and provide your recommendations
Submission Requirements:
The research should include a list of at least seven (7) references and a bibliography of the wider reading done to familiarize oneself with the topic.
Submission:
• Soft copy to Self-check and Final Submission with cover sheet
You are reminded to read the “Plagiarism” section of the course description. Your research should be a synthesis of ideas from a variety of sources expressed in your own words. All reports must use the Harvard referencing style. Marking rubrics are attached.
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Assessment Criteria:
Score Very Good (12-15) Good (9-11) Satisfactory (8-10) Unsatisfactory (5-7)
Presentation
and writing style
/15 marks Information is well organized. Correct layout including times new roman, font size 12 or calibri, font size10, double spaced. About the right length.
Very well written, excellent paraphrasing and proper grammar and punctuation are used throughout. Information is organized, Correct layout including times new roman, font size 12 or calibri, font size10, double spaced. About the right length.
Well written, some paraphrasing and proper grammar and punctuation Information is somewhat organized, Some elements of layout or length incorrect.
Proper grammar and punctuation mostly used, but overuse of direct quotes.
Information is poorly organized, Some elements of layout or length incorrect.
Proper grammar and punctuation not always used.
Excessive overuse of direct quotes
Score Very Good (12-15) Good (9-11) Satisfactory (8-10) Unsatisfactory (5-7)
Introduction
/15 marks
Introduces the topic of the research report in an extremely engaging manner which arouses the reader's interest.
Gives a detailed general background and indicates the overall -plan-.
Introduces the topic of the research
report in an engaging manner which arouses the reader's interest.
Gives some general background and indicates the overall
-plan- of the report. Satisfactorily introduces the topic of the research report.
Gives a general background.
Indicates the overall -plan- of the report. Introduces the topic of the research report, but omits a general background
of the topic and/or
the overall -plan- of the report.
Score Very Good (17-20) Good (13-16) Satisfactory (10-12) Unsatisfactory (6-9)
Evidence of
Research
/20 marks Substantial range of appropriate and current,
supportive evidence
Good range of appropriate and current, supportive evidence.
Suitable range of supportive evidence used. Not always appropriate and/or current. Minimum cited.
Insufficient range or number of supportive evidence used.
Score Very Good (25-30) Good (20-24) Satisfactory (15-19) Unsatisfactory (9-14)
Development of
Discussion
/30 marks Logical, insightful, original discussion with wellconnected paragraphs. Evidence of full engagement with the literature found, with relevant and detailed analysis. Detailed, original discussion develops logically with some connection between
adjoining paragraphs. Understanding of reading shown. Some relevant analysis. Adequate discussion develops logically.
Understanding of reading shown. Few relevant analysis. Inadequate discussion of issues and/or lacking in
logical flow
Little/no demonstrated understanding of reading.
None/little discussion or analysis.
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Score Very Good (9-10) Good (7-8) Satisfactory (5-6) Unsatisfactory (3-4)
Conclusion
/10 marks An interesting, well written summary of the main points. An excellent final comment on the subject, based on the information provided.
A good summary of the main points.
A good final comment on the subject, based on the information provided. Satisfactory summary of the main points. A final comment on the subject, but introduced new material. Poor/no summary of the main points. A poor final comment on the subject and/or new material introduced.
Score Very Good (9-10) Good (7-8) Satisfactory (5-6) Unsatisfactory (3-4)
Referencing
/10 marks Correct referencing (Harvard) All quoted material in quotes and acknowledged.
All paraphrased material acknowledged.
Correctly set out reference list and bibliography included.
Mostly correct referencing
(Harvard)
All quoted material in quotes and acknowledged. All paraphrased material acknowledged.
Mostly correct setting out reference list and bibliography included. Mostly correct referencing (Harvard) Some problems with quoted material and paraphrased
material
Some problems with the reference list or bibliography. Not all material correctly acknowledged.
Some problems with the reference list or bibliography.
Total
/100 marks
Final marks
/20
General
Comments:
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