Strategic Analysis of Tesco PLC

Strategic Analysis of an Organisation (3,000±10% words) You need to complete a strategic analysis on Tesco (supermarket) 

The following represents the different elements you will need to consider in this first component of the assignment:

a)      Identify a key external factor impacting on Tesco’s strategic positioning 

Conduct a critical analysis in which you clearly defend the identification of a specific issue relating to the strategic position of the organisation (considering macro-environmental and competitive factors). To highlight the strategic issue, your report should apply a number of the theories and concepts from the module, with justification for their use (35% of total marks).

b)      Evaluate Tesco’s ability to sustain strategic advantage

In relation to a), use some of the models/theories from the module to critically assess Tesco’s ability to respond to the external factor. Here it is important that you consider any challenges and tensions the issue may cause within the organisation and industry. Examples of such impact may include: changing/emerging stakeholder relationships; implications for the value system; implications for resources and capabilities; implications for organisational culture; etc. (45% of total marks).

A further 10% is awarded on the basis of communication and presentation, and another 10% awarded based on appropriate use of evidence and referencing.

Note: We will discuss the most important considerations in choosing your organisation and in how to structure your reflection in the lectures and tutorials.

4.1  Assignment guidance for the assessment

4.1.1  Answer the question!

Think carefully about how you structure your work and ensure that it explicitly meets the criteria set out in the assignment brief. Pay attention to the themes and issues set out and check that you have included everything that you need to when you submit the work.

4.1.2  Written presentation

Your work should take the form of a written paper of 3,000 words (±10% = 2700-3300 words), any submission failing to adhere to the stated word count will have the final grade reduced by one grade point. You should include a word count at the front of your paper. Use headings, diagrams, and brief tables if appropriate to illustrate points and to support your arguments. Ensure that these are relevant, based on your reading, and their significance to your argument is made clear. The assessment focuses on the documentation of your analysis and discussion of strategic issues. An Executive Summary, Abstract or other formal additions to the paper are not required for this piece of work, however, a clear contents page may help you structure your work.

4.1.3  Citation

You should demonstrate your reading in the subject area through continuous reference to or occasional direct quotations from appropriate sources. Do not simply reproduce diagrams or extensive general information from the textbooks or articles! You should assume that the reader is familiar with any basic theoretical or analytical models you use. Marks are allocated for the way you apply them to the question, clearly supporting a line of argument that helps you to answer the question. Where you use direct quotations or show diagrams, try to keep them short and ensure that they make a direct and clear contribution to your argument. Remember: absolutely everything that is not your own idea must be cited appropriately.

4.1.4  Style and Content

Your work summarizes your findings and evidence that is relevant to the questions answered. You do not need to make a complete listing of all the analytical and interpretative processes you went through. You should expect, therefore, to carry out considerably more analysis in the process of exploring the question than you will show in your final work.

4.1.5  Combine practical information and organisational theory

We will give marks for a well-supported argument and discussion of the question that draws on evidence; applies the evidence intelligently; and shows some insight in drawing conclusions. The aim of the assignment is to evaluate the issues embedded in the question, not to descriptively reproduce factual information on a topic area. In order to do this, you will need to look far beyond the company accounts/websites and consider output from academic journals and books, industry texts, business media, and competitor information. Therefore, your evidence base should show that you have done a broad range of reading.

4.1.6  Sources of research and case development information

You will find information from a variety of sources, including academic and trade journals, press reports and company- or industry-produced information (along with description of your experiences for the personal reflection). Remember to consider the validity of the information and the writer's viewpoint in the sources that you use in your final text. You should minimize the general descriptive information you include. You should focus on

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