GENERAL:GENERAL:
You are required to write a real world critical case analysis (situation analysis) of the issues facing a growing SME. The case analysis should be done individually. The learning objectives for the case analysis are to develop conceptual and factual understanding of the external and internal environment and their impact on growing businesses and to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a firm and the core competence that can be built to establish a successful growing venture.
You are free to choose your firm and its industry. However, we encourage students to select an industry that would be suitable for employment based on their particular interests and primary area of concentration. For example, IT majors are encouraged to examine an IT firm. Science majors are pointed toward the technology firms. And HR majors towards the employment market. In the end, students make choices based on their personal interests and we would suggest choosing a growth-oriented firm.
How firm performance is defined is left to the student. The lecturer/tutormust approve all choices prior to the student beginning work. No two individuals are allowed to do the same firm within the same class, but they can do different firms within the same industry. CASE ANALYSIS GUIDELINES:
The following guidelines may provide some guidance for writing your case study. However, this outline is only a guide. Each firm is unique, and you are responsible for adapting your paper to fit the circumstance and identify the structure of your report.
a) The case study may be presented in report format. Executive summary may be used for the report. Please number pages, and use section headings and sub-headings.
b) Begin with an introduction to the case and develop a brief outline of the history, important developments, and growth of the company.
c) In general you need to gain a good understanding of what was happening to the company regarding the internal and external issues, current stage of growth, adaptability to change, current crisis/hurdles, long term growth plans, etc. We would suggest to interview the senior management in order to gain a good understanding of the position of company, ask them questions such as:
Why has their business grown or not? What are the hindrances to growth for their business? What makes for successful SME growth? Why they started their businesses? What are their long-term goals? Ask them what they consider to be the hurdles for managing their business? What have been the problems? What have been the changes that these owners have experienced in managing their firms? What do they think has made their businesses successful? What have been the skills you have required to achieve this success?
d) Clearly articulate the strategic issues the company faced regarding the growth processes.
e) Identify what problem/s the company was confronting in relation to expanding the business.
f) Analyse the company’s plan and expansion strategy by referring to the following elements:
• The People. The owners and employees starting and running the venture, as well as the outside parties providing key services or important resources for it, such as its lawyers, accountants, and suppliers.• The Opportunity. A profile of the business itself–what it will sell and to whom, whether the business can grow and how fast, what its economics are, who and what stand in the way of success.• The Context. The external and internal environmental factors. What general external environmental factors (Opportunities and Threats) among the socio-cultural, economic, political-legal, and technological forces are currently affecting both the firm and the industry in which it competes? Which present current or future threats or opportunities important to your firm? — Basically factors that inevitably change but cannot be controlled by the entrepreneur. Also what internal environmental factors (Strengths and Weaknesses) affecting the firm (e.g. management style, resources, etc.)• Recommendations: What specific strategies do you recommend for the firm, and why?
g) Don’t forget that written expression, coherence, consistency and logical development are all important.
For a suggested format &structure please refer to the Week 3 tutorial PPT slides on Blackboard.