AP/ADMS 2511 Sections S and U Case Assignment due Thursday January 22

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Place the following heading into your document: 2511 Case Assignment, Winter 2511,
FirstName LastName, Student Number, Page #
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Submit the case assignment to the link on our course web site (Completed Case Assignments)
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Case Assignment: Total 15 Raw marks (worth 5% of your grade)

Read Case 1.1 Will BlackBerry Survive? Text, Chapter 1, page 4
Required:
Place the following heading into your case assignment document:
2511 Case Assignment, Winter 2511, FirstName LastName, Student Number, Page #
A.

(2 marks mark for each job description and mark for how it relates to BlackBerry)

Describe two (2) examples of specific IT (information technology) jobs that could be present at
BlackBerry. For each job then explain how the job helps BlackBerry (rather than other companies).
Tip, use Table 1.1, p. 9 and the BlackBerry web site, www.blackberry.com
Organize your answer using the following table:
Description of specific IT jobs that could be
present at BlackBerry
Software Developer usually concerned with
creating or maintaining new software or
applications. Software developer could be
involved in creating, testing and implementing
new software and applications.
International Account Manager usually
concerned with creating and maintaining key
business relationships with international key
clients. Account Manager is usually involved in
planning, marketing and delivering sales target.
B.

Explain how the job helps BlackBerry

The job helps BlackBerry by ensuring that the
firm can produce efficient, elegant and secure
software and applications to its clients.
The job helps BlackBerry by influencing
adoption of BlackBerry internationally and
therefore increasing firm market share and profit.

(5 marks 1 mark for each example)

Using the definition of a computer-based information system (CBIS, pages 13-14) consider how
BlackBerry might process and manage the sale of network services, smartphone products and
telecommunications equipment using a CBIS. Provide an example of the first five components of such a
CBIS using potential sales processes at BlackBerry.
Note that answers in this part must be different from Part A.
Organize your answer in a table as follows:
CBIS
Component

Example of the first five components of a CBIS using potential sales

processes at BlackBerry

Hardware
2

Software
Database
Network
Procedures

Database will collect sales data and ensure that data could be mined for
the purpose of trending, budget allocations, etc.
Network allows Balckberry to
Sales and marketing procedures of network services, smartphone
products and telecommunications equipment are developed to ensure
that sales personnel understand how to attract clients,

AP/ADMS 2511 Sections S and U Case Assignment due Thursday January 22 (continued)
C.
(8 marks, mark for a description of the factor in the competitive force, mark for how it
affects BlackBerry)
Use the first four (4) forces of Porters Competitive Forces Model (p. 50-51). Explain how these forces
are affecting (or could affect) BlackBerry. Provide two different concepts for each force.
Note that answers in this part must be different from Parts A or B.
Organize your answer in tables as follows:
1. The threat of entry of new competitors (entrants)
Concept that affects the competitive force
How the concept affects BlackBerry

2. The bargaining power of suppliers (suppliers)

Concept that affects the competitive force

How the concept affects BlackBerry

3. The bargaining power of customers (buyers)

Concept that affects the competitive force
How the concept affects BlackBerry
Buyer power is high when buyers have many There are many smartphones manufacturing
similar options to choose from
companies in the market. They all compete on the
same customers. This high competition will
increase power of buyers as they select any
product in the market, especially when most of
these products are either similar or superior to the
Blackberry.
Buyer power is high when buyers switching cost Buyers have relatively low switching cost. They
is low
can select any smartphone and switch to another
without incurring major cost. This will negatively
affect Blackberry as buyers (even existing
customers) could decide to switch to another
smartphone as long as the switching cost is low.
4. The threat of substitute products or services (substitutes)
Concept that affects the competitive force
How the concept affects BlackBerry
Threat of substitute when there are many There are very few substitute to smartphone (such
alternatives to the product
as land-line telephones). But this threat is low to
Blackberry because people are becoming less
reliant on land-line telephones and more
dependent on their smartphone.
4

End of Case Assignment

In addition to this case assignment, complete the York University Academic Honesty Tutorial,
print the completion certificate as a PDF file and submit the PDF file to our web site under Session
3.
End of Assignment