Textbook: Johnson, G, Whittington, R & Scholes, K 2011, Exploring corporate strategy: texts and cases, 9th edn

Case study: ‘Cordia LLP: service reform in the public sector’ (Johnson, G, Whittington, R &
Scholes, K 2011, pp. 613–617).

Case study questions:
1. Assess the strategic position of Cordia paying particular attention to an organisational
cultural perspective. (10 marks)
2. What modes of strategy development are evident in Cordia, and which would you expect
to be prevalent, given the strategic change described? (20 marks)
3. What strategy should Cordia adopt and why? (10 marks)
4. What organisational structure should Cordia adopt and why? (10 marks)

The following are some notes to assist with interpreting the requirements of this assignment:
? You can use essay format to respond to this requirement. Answer each question
separately.
? This assignment is based on a specific case study. Make sure you read it carefully. The
case study is the means to an end – the end in this case is getting you to demonstrate your
understanding and application of some of the key concepts in strategic management in
general and strategy development processes in particular. You are doing this on the basis
that you now have a greater appreciation of what strategic management is about.
? The case considers elements of the change journey facing Cordia LLP, formerly known
as Direct and Care Services of Glasgow City Council. The strategic changes illustrated in
the case occur as the former council department changes into an arms length company of
the council.
? Use the discussion forum on the study desk for this course assignment to raise questions
and make comment about these requirements.
? Don’t forget the expectation of research. The textbook and study book provide the basic
resource kit for this course but you are expected to do your own research on issues of
significance. The extent and quality of further research can only enhance your response
to the assignment and support your arguments and punchlines. Punchlines refer to the
paragraphs that state the point you are making. Some students are good at writing but it is
descriptive writing. In other word, they describe a lot of things particularly what other
people say but they don’t clarify what point or argument they are making out of all this
description. This situation will lead some examiners to comment after reading such
descriptions ‘so what?’. Make sure you understand the essence of writing in an analytic
rather than descriptive way.
? Make sure you study the marking criteria for this assignment very carefully because this
is the template for assessing and grading your submitted assignment. The marking
criteria sheet is provided below. The criteria will be applied to each of the four
assignment questions.